This Week in the Mercury
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
News / Neighborhoods East Portland: Still Neglected?
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 3:13 PM
Oh snap. I love it when charismatic progressive Portland politicians disagree with one another. Mayor Sam Adams and East Portland Representative Jefferson Smith just got into a little fight here at city council.
The council was slogging through rounds of positive testimony from East Portland residents on the implementation of the East Portland Action Plan, a program city council adopted last year which prioritizes a list of long-overdue infrastructure and developments projects to receive money from the city ASAP.
- Jefferson Smith: Pointing fingers at the adoption of the East Portland Action Plan last year.
Then up rolls Representative Jefferson Smith, who has no kind words for the council.
"Last year I came merely to say thank you. Now I am truly angry, " said Rep. Smith. He argued that the city has neglected and ignored the needs of East Portland. For example, the lands east of 82nd Avenue received only .7 percent of Portland stimulus money.
Mayor Adams was irate. "Frankly, Representative Smith, your testimony sets back the great work these people are trying to do," said Adams, referring to the dozen or so community leaders who had showed up to speak on behalf of the action plan. "We have funded this effort to create a positive change. I appreciate your frustrations, but I want to keep us on the path to improvement."
As Representative Smith left the council chambers, Commissioner Saltzman caught up with him in the mezzanine. "Good job," said Saltzman.
2
The article goes on to state that actually 1.5% of the stimulus money was spent in east-PDX. But still, that's grossly disporportionate and stuff.
5
Sorry Mr. Mayor, but the facts are lined up against you here - the City has been shitting on East Portland since long before you came in, and it's done very little to change that trend under your leadership.
The Mayor's defensiveness at the charge that the city has de-prioritized the David Douglas community center only makes it more obviously true.
Right on Jefferson - way to rep' the Bedrock District and East Portland.
The Mayor's defensiveness at the charge that the city has de-prioritized the David Douglas community center only makes it more obviously true.
Right on Jefferson - way to rep' the Bedrock District and East Portland.
6
Past 205 things get sketchy and very Gresham Like, come on Sammy A, lets spend some of that dough and bring some beautiful PDX style living to all neighborhoods in our city.
Way to go Jefferson for speaking truth to power.
Way to go Jefferson for speaking truth to power.
8
East Portland occupies about 30% of our city -- and over and over again, we're underfunding and underserving these Portland residents. Rep. Smith's frustration is justified -- in fact, we should all be upset about this. In a city that tout's equality and sustainability, why are we continually failing this major part of our community?
East Portland Action Plan is a great start, but Jefferson's right -- let's not let it be a token gesture. He wasn't undoing the good work of the Action Plan, but instead acting as the strong advocate the area has sorely needed.
East Portland Action Plan is a great start, but Jefferson's right -- let's not let it be a token gesture. He wasn't undoing the good work of the Action Plan, but instead acting as the strong advocate the area has sorely needed.
9
They are supposed to be conducting "equity audits" - but I'm not seeing one in the report attached to the agenda item. The report basically says: look, we spent a few hundred thousand dollars on feel good stuff and a few pedestrian islands by schools - oh and we'll take credit for all the urban renewal and metro funded projects too. But, it doesn't do a side by side comparison of how much is spent in the other areas of the city - because that would still look abysmal.
10
It is refreshing to see a legislature actually have the guts to stand up for the people they represent instead of just playing politics. Go Rep. Smith!
11
Sam really comes across as someone who is used to never being challenged. He can't handle it, turns into a pissy little man.
***
"That's because East Portland is barely Portland. It's like pseudo-Gresham out there."
Some of that classic "tolerance" from progressive inner-neighborhood Portland.
***
"That's because East Portland is barely Portland. It's like pseudo-Gresham out there."
Some of that classic "tolerance" from progressive inner-neighborhood Portland.
12
He looks a little bit irate in that photo, like "goddam I'm not even going to take off my coat, I'm just going to cold sit here and POINT at you all."
13
@Bronch - Turns out there is quite a bit of Portland East of 82nd (about 1/4 of our population) - much of it was annexed (unconstitutionally, according to the 9th Circuit Court) about 20 years ago.
@Dave - that picture is from a hearing one year ago, when the Representative first spoke publicly with the city council about these issues. He did take his coat off today (some might say he took the gloves off too). But the fact is, he wasn't irate, he was quite respectful - Adams is the one who got defensive, snippy and condescending.
Thing is I kinda like Sam - but his outburst today, and failure to acknowledge the validity of Rep Smith's points, lost him a lot of points in my book.
Doubt I'm the only one..
@Dave - that picture is from a hearing one year ago, when the Representative first spoke publicly with the city council about these issues. He did take his coat off today (some might say he took the gloves off too). But the fact is, he wasn't irate, he was quite respectful - Adams is the one who got defensive, snippy and condescending.
Thing is I kinda like Sam - but his outburst today, and failure to acknowledge the validity of Rep Smith's points, lost him a lot of points in my book.
Doubt I'm the only one..
14
Where is the mythical land of "East Portland?" I can't find "East Portland" on a map anywhere. Can't people spell anymore? Isn't anything east of the Willamette east Portland?
In this definition Alameda is in "East Portland."
Define your terms!
In this definition Alameda is in "East Portland."
Define your terms!
15
East Portland has been neglected by the City for decades. It is typical that people assume that nothing east of 82nd counts for anything. The power neighborhoods around Alameda etc are where many of the Portland political elite and activists live and naturally, they talk to each other and snub areas "way out" as being beyond the pale of portland. Unfortunately, that attitude contributes to the depressed neighborhoods out here and the piling of quickie instant-slum development, infill, and endless strip malls ...anything to be excluded from the neighborhoods "that count". Marshal HS, Madison HS, David Douglas HS. Parkrose HS....all draw from East Portland for those of you unfamiliar with it. Try taking the MAX to Gateway and you will see some of East Portland and the Max south to Clackamas Town Center and gaze EAST as you go South...All of this area and its citizens need some attention for city services and planning.
16
Too often the politicians ignore the needs of mid-county and East County. As the former interim minister of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, I witnessed this first hand. We’re fortunate that Rep. Smith represents this part of the county. He is a strong advocate for families in suffering during a difficult economic period. I asked Mayor Adams on several occasions to visit Parkrose to talk about economic development and poverty with area religious leaders and his office never responded.
Chuck Currie
http://www.chuckcurrie.com
Chuck Currie
http://www.chuckcurrie.com
17
"East Portland" according to The Portland Plan, is all of the city east of 82nd. It is 24% of the city's population with 20% of the households and 20% of the families in the city. There is 1 community center and there are fewer parks per capita than anywhere else in Portland. The Pearl gets spendy urban parks. East Portland can't get paved streets or sidewalks. Codes that require sidewalks with new development were not enforced by the city and dozens of developments had occupancy permits issued in recent years without doing the street improvements that were "required" by code. The city promised years ago to help the overcrowded David Douglas SD build a school. The promise has not been fulfilled. We were indeed annexed in illegally in the late 80's and early 90's and promised services and sidewalks. We have received zoning without process or consent, a 250% increase in Section 8 housing while the Westside has had a 250% decrease in Section 8. Infill has allowed clear cutting of our beautiful Douglas Fir trees and fills too many lots with ugly 3-4 cheap apartments - not the $800,000 1 bedroom condos so celebrated in the inner city. Equity in housing and community amenities, infrastructure, and jobs for East Portland is long overdue.
19
The last time city hall seen 'dude on dude' action like Saltzman sucking off Smith was in the 2nd story bathroom.
Guess Saltrzman is getting pretty brazen or desperate.
Anyhow, Saltzman lives in the SW west and does not give dick about any of Portland, except for election time.
Guess Saltrzman is getting pretty brazen or desperate.
Anyhow, Saltzman lives in the SW west and does not give dick about any of Portland, except for election time.
20
East Portland?
Do you people realize that west Portland is like pretty much a fucking forest? Now that's an area that needs more money put into it. There are even 'Hill People' out there, living in what one can only imagine as modest wooden dwellings and their garages. I can hardly believe we've let those people live like that for so long.
Do you people realize that west Portland is like pretty much a fucking forest? Now that's an area that needs more money put into it. There are even 'Hill People' out there, living in what one can only imagine as modest wooden dwellings and their garages. I can hardly believe we've let those people live like that for so long.
21
East Portland is a great place to live and grow. It does not have the infrastructure, nor has it received its Fair Share of support and services that have benefited other areas of Portland. The City identifies East Portland as having 28% of Portland’s population and 40% of Portland’s students. As with most change, to support improvements in East Portland (a designation of the city that roughly represents all of Portland east of I-205), we need to approach it from many directions, as was in evidence at City Hall during yesterday’s presentation of the East Portland Action Plan’s annual report. The East Portland Action Plan needs YOU to help make the improvements identified in the Action Plan become real in our community. To learn more about the EPAP, visit: www.eastportlandactionplan.org or call 503.823.4035.
22
I can only say that Jefferson Smith is a man who speaks from his experiences and from his heart. He represents those of us who have been under-represented in the past. As gentrification has spread into Northeast Portland, people have been displaced. Once again those with the least voice have been pushed by those with money. East Portland, between 82nd and the Gresham city limits, is in need of plans other than creating a mecca for only affordable housing. Truly looking at options and taking into account the neglect of decades is not too much to ask for. I appreciate Mr. Smith and his commitment to his constituents. Thank you for speaking up respectfully.
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