A Mercury staffer looked out their window in SE Portland last night, to see a homeless-looking man passed out drunk in the front yard. They called CHIERS, and were told to “ask him to move along.” When asked why CHIERS wouldn’t come out to take care of the guy, the Mercury staffer says they were […]
Portland
Posted inPortland
Adams on CRC: “My hope is that we can put something together that even Randy can agree with. So, wish me luck.”
Yesterday I wondered whether Commissioner Randy Leonard might be preempting Mayor Sam Adams’ decision on lanes for the Columbia River Crossing, by saying that if Adams chooses any less than the 12 lane option, he’ll be doing so for the sake of “appearances” over “substance.” Adams’ spokesman, Roy Kaufmann, didn’t call back. But Adams himself […]
Posted inPortland
Sec. Of State Opens New Sizemore Probe
As if being thrown in jail and facing potential court sanctions weren’t enough, alleged initiative racketeer Bill Sizemore could now face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines imposed by the Oregon Secretary of State’s office. Secretary of State Kate Brown’s office announced this morning that it has opened an investigation into Sizemore’s behavior during […]
Posted inPortland
Cesar Chavez Rename Take Two
You may remember that back in 2007, a controversial effort to rename Interstate Avenue after Cesar Chavez erupted like a cyst on Portland’s civic consciousness, with accusations of racism met with vehement counter-accusations about a “lack of public process,” the former mayor declaring himself “irrelevant,” and ultimately, the whole thing falling apart in catastrophe. This […]
Posted inPortland
Leonard: Less CRC Lanes By Adams About “Appearances” Not “Substance”
If Sam Adams proposes anything less than a 12-lane bridge across the Columbia, he will be doing so for the sake of “appearances,” and because of a “lack of substance” behind any such proposal, says City Commissioner Randy Leonard, who appears to be gearing up for a fight with his former council buddy over the […]
Posted inPortland
Council Approves Pricey Pet Registration Idea
“A catalyst, a ha ha ha ha ha,” said City Commissioner Randy Leonard, in response to a presentation in city council this morning about a new city/county partnership to save lost cats and dogs from being put down in Portland. “We appreciate your dogged leadership, Randy,” said City Commissioner Nick Fish. CAT QUE$TION: IS YOUR […]
Posted inPortland
The Adams Protesters Keep Coming
The Mercury grabbed his notes after he was done speaking. They’re after the picture, for your interest. JOHN ACREE: Was also carrying a copy of Trader Magazine… My name is John Acree and I ahve been a Portland resident for the past 15 years. I would like to thank the City Council for the opportunity […]
Posted inPortland
Former Fritz Campaign Deputy Becomes Spokesman For Adams Recall Effort
Amanda Fritz’s former deputy campaign manager in the 2008 primary is now the spokesman for the website RecallSamAdams.com. Jasun Wurster is volunteering as the spokesman for the effort, he says, because he has never appreciated government officials abusing their power, which is one of the reasons he was attracted to work on Amanda Fritz’s campaign […]
Posted inPortland
Porn Store/Not a Porn Store
One of the news stories in this week’s print edition is about Montavilla neighbors’ discussion over a state senator’s new attempt to regulate where strip clubs and other “sexually-oriented businesses” can operate in Oregon. The idea that the state should allow cities to zone sex stores to specific areas is getting traction in Montavilla because […]
Posted inPortland
Portland’s Fiscal Emergency: New Cops “May Or May Not Have A Job” In Six Months
Like cities all over the US, Portland is facing a budget crisis. This morning, city council is meeting with the Office of Management and Finance (OMF) in council chambers to talk about covering a projected $7.15m shortfall in the city’s general fund, this year. The projected shortfall is as a result of an unprecedented decline […]
Posted inPortland
Multnomah County Courthouse
Home of perhaps the world’s only maximum security tampon machine! Portland: You haven’t hit rock bottom until you’re stealing quarters out of the courthouse tampon dispenser.
Posted inPuppy
Lloyd Center Security Ops Manual Forbids Physical Force
Still waiting for a call back from Lloyd Center security manager Mark Hanson on Saturday’s pounding of a puppy protester—and we’re not holding our breath—the Mercury has been doing some independent investigation into the center’s security policies. The Lloyd Center is owned by Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust, and security there is provided by a GRT […]