The mayor’s Street Access for Everyone committee, which has been overseeing the controversial Sidewalk Obstruction (sit/lie) Ordinance, is frustrated that the Greek Cusina bar at SW 4th and Washington continues to have an unlicensed fence, tables and chairs outside, but that it hasn’t been prosecuted under the law.
It emerged in April that Sam Adams’ department of transportation has not been prosecuting businesses with unlicensed A-frames on the sidewalks, even though the city attorney, David Woboril, agreed at last month’s meeting, that the sit/lie law does technically apply in this case. Central Precinct Commander Mike Reese is happy to enforce the permitting process against businesses, but Adams’ office hasn’t been cooperative. Andrea Meyer, from the ACLU, meanwhile, is pushing for the sit/lie law to be enforced against the Greek.
For now, however, it’s one law for homeless people, and another for businesses. Perhaps that’s the way Sam Adams likes it, since the issue clearly isn’t a priority for his office.
God, please, anything to discourage any activity at the Greek! The OLCC reports still haunts me, man.
In addition to Ted Papas, Greg Goodman’s City Center Parking has unlicensed signs all over the sidewalk – including one at 10th and SW Taylor (SE corner) with an expired sticker “cleverly” covered up by the parking price…
Of course, movers and shakers in this city are exempt from the laws. Only street bums have to keep the sidewalks clear…
From the beginning this has been a campaign by PBA against people who appear impoverished downtown. Mike Kykendal, Maria Rubio and other representatives of the establishment tried to say the Title 14 Obstruction as a nuisance law was intended to make downtown safe and clear for all people to use. Again and again I talked about congestion on sidewalks that was not being address and the suffering the manner and focus these laws inflicted on those who were homeeless.
The Mayors office and PBA were lying to us. They knew it we knew it, but all they needed was a cover story so they could proceed. I quit attending the PSAC meetings after struggling with the forces that be for over a year.
I sent a picture of the sidewalk outside Greek Cuisina to lovenotes@mercury.com attn. Matt davis because I didn’t know how to attach it to the comments section of this blog.
I also have pictures of clean and safe employees sitting on the sidewalk downtown and of PPO Jeff Meyers addressing two people sitting on the sidewalk. If you want those other pictures email me: promandan(at)hotmail.com
This is RETARDED.
It looks to only JUSTIFY this ridiculous law.
STOP OVERLEGISLATING OUR RIGHTS AND OUR CITY-
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!
This is RETARDED.
It looks to only JUSTIFY this ridiculous law.
STOP OVERLEGISLATING OUR RIGHTS AND OUR CITY-
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!
This is RETARDED.
It looks to only JUSTIFY this ridiculous law.
STOP OVERLEGISLATING OUR RIGHTS AND OUR CITY-
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!