I had a free doughnut and some caffeinated (oops—BAD IDEA) coffee this morning at the "Vision Into Action" coffee klatch before the council session. Since I haven't really had caffeine in about two years, and I happen to be extremely sensitive to sugar rushes, I'm struggling to maintain a sense of perspective on this morning's Made In Oregon sign debate. But that's probably a good thing. Because it doesn't seem like anyone else has been able to maintain a sense of perspective on it, either. Weeeeeee! Let's go!
MADE IN OREGON SIGN: Randy Leonard wants to use $500,000 in city money to buy the sign from the U of O...
An ugly mood was set for the debate on the sign issue this morning when Nick Fish and Randy Leonard voted against a proposal by Commissioner Dan Saltzman to lower the City Of Portland flag once a month on the date that corresponds to the number of abused children who have died in the city the previous month. Both Leonard and Fish said they thought that Saltzman's idea might confuse Portlanders, and that they were concerned that lowering the flag for abused children might mean that other groups would come forward, seeking to have the flag lowered in their cause. Amanda Fritz said she had process concerns—how, for example, would the number of dead children be counted, she wondered—but she didn't see any reason not to go ahead with the idea. It went 2-2, and Saltzman plans to push for the ordinance again, once Mayor Sam Adams is back in the chamber, next week.
Why would Leonard and Fish have concerns about a resolution to recognize abused kids, I wonder? It's not that their concerns aren't arguable here at city hall. But Saltzman is the commissioner who accused Leonard of trying to "bully a process" with his sign resolution, on Tuesday. And this reporter couldn't help wondering whether Leonard and Fish might be making some kind of point with their votes. They'll both be mortally offended by the suggestion, I'm sure. So I'm sorry, in advance. But like I said: Coffee helps me lose my sense of perspective. I'm gonna go pop half a Xanax.
LEONARD AND SALTZMAN: Sparring on the dais...
Phew. That's better. In addition to prescription drugs, I find meditation and deep breathing are the best way to ward off panic attacks. "Visualize yourself in a room where you feel safe," is the mantra. Like council chambers! Yesssssss.
Discussion got off to a rough start, with Dan Saltzman asking a panel including Leonard and Mayor Adams' chiefs of staff tough questions about how to fund the $500,000 condemnation of the sign. Saltzman proposed an amendment to the condemnation resolution, saying that no general fund dollars, no urban renewal dollars, or ratepayer dollars would be included in paying for the sign, but Leonard interrupted: "Dan, the time for amendments is after the public testimony and discussion," he said. "Well, then I certainly will be proposing that amendment later on," responded Saltzman.
This is so stressful! And 18 people are signed up to testify...
