footnoteblograndom musings and missives

So, apparently then-commissioner Francesconi was overseeing Portland Parks & Rec. when they attempted — without public knowledge — to negotiate a sale of a very large portion of Mt. Tabor park, a long-standing, loved public space. This included the lower South side and historic area nursery. They were going to raze down a Historic arbor; without telling us. All this is documented in the Southeast Examiner, Portland Mercury and the general blogosphere. Luckily, nothing panned out; had it become a sale or a lease, the Eastside would become a very different landscape—figuratively and literally.

Thankfully, at least one Commissioner, Randy Leonard, has opposed this publicly.

Surely, there ought to be more transparency in the City Council before any of these potential sales or land-use deals are made? What’s going on with the Republic of Multnomah County?




Portland’s flag.

I sure wonder what kind of property taxes and um, school districts this little city has? This little entity lives inside Portland. Fascinating.

Technorati Tags: portland

This November, Multnomah County residents have a chance to maintain—not even improve dying boilers and buildings, or even over-funding—our schools, district-wide. From stand.org, we have this PDF that highlights some of the issues. Other support from educational groups also concur; our class sizes need to be maintained, and we can’t go back to begging the City of Portland to kick in another hunk of cash.

Indeed, everyone is so misinformed, even the local rag has it wrong. Don’t listen to the fraudulent tax Nazis; they could care less about voting intelligently—or our future voting intelligently. This levy will mean your tax dollars will finally be spent correctly.

From the measure itself:

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

In the year 2000, voters approved a five-year local option levy for Portland Public Schools. Over that period of 2000-2005, student achievement improved at virtually every grade level in the four subjects tested by the Oregon Department of Education: reading, mathematics, writing and science. Portland students now regularly match, and often exceed, the state averages in terms of percent of students meeting standards, a rare occurrence among urban districts.

That local option expired in 2005.

and further:

No funds from this local option levy will be used for district administration.

Look, make a small investment in our kids now, or be carted around by a meth addict when you’re 66 without medication in the future. It’s your choice.

We’re out of money, people. Portlanders, VOTE YES on 26-84!

Technorati Tags: politics, portland