Comments

1
Sir:

You sound surprised that a business organization is calling the shots in re: the Peterson lease.

You should not be. Portland was founded as a business by Pettygrove and Lovejoy, two businessmen from New England. From day one, profit has been the driving force behind civic decisions. For example, the reason blocks in the downtown core are 200 by 200 feet is so there would be more corner lots to sell. Corner lots do cost more, right?

Many have commented on the narrowness of the streets in the downtown core. When Pettygrove and Lovejoy gave their instructions to the surveyor, Smith, on the plating of the city, they instructing him to make the streets running North and South 100 foot rights of way, and those running East and West 80 foot rights of way. Again, this was to increase the amount of land that could be profitably sold. Lovejoy and Pettygrove brought in an intinerent printer names Thomas Jefferson Dwyer to start their publicity organ, the Oregonian.

That was in the 1840's and '50's. What makes you think that anything has changed?

This city has been run by a small cabal of monied men who belong to the pre-eminent businessmen's club, the Arlington. During the city's most venal days, the city was run by a founder of the Arlington, Joseph Bourne, Jr., who used the club's library for his office. Mr. Bourne is known to have fixed elections from the Arlington, most notable being the election in which he and his henchman, Mysterious Billy Smith, brought in train car loads of Californians to Portland just for the day. They used cattle cars for transportation, shotguns to keep them in line, and paid each $5 in gold for their vote before shipping them home.

What makes you think anything has changed even in the slightest? You certainly can't be that naive, can you?

I remain your humble servant,

Jacomus
2
one wonders which retailers that is that attended the meeting. PPI is the PBA's private police force, so that is like having the PBA and the PBA there, if the "retailers" are PBA members it all of a sudden becomes a very small room...
thanks
Patrick
4
E'gad, Matthew. Excellent reporting. Except, this isn't a newspaper is it? I am under the distinct impression it's young, hip, with-it journal of sarcasm and parody, what?

So why was I assigned to this bloody outpost away from all that makes civilization tolerable? Perhaps I should write a letter to The Times (London, that is) protesting. No, whatever they say about me, I am a company man, so I'll stick it out here in the wilderness.

So,

Note funny,

Next!
5
Sorry.

That should read: Not funny.

Was a bit flustered reviewing my fate.

Thanks for your consideration,

Next!
6
God, could all you pseudo-witty assholes shut up for a moment?
7
Wow!!!! Mary Volm sure can back pedal!!!!! Maybe if she goes back to KGW and KOIN to look at watch she said about Peterson it might refresh her memory!!!! Sooo, corrupt!!! Once again Matt, YOU ROCK!!!
8
If Sam doesn't want to be in charge of the police, I think Dan would be a better choice for the job than Randy.
9
Nice story. Some actual journalism out of the Mercury. Good for you.

Mary Volm is never going to speak to a journalist again.

Please wait...

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