We want the Portland City Council to hold meetings once a month after 6:00 PM in a different place throughout the city. Where Were YOU? groups, etc. etc??
Can some good soul explain to me why there was a no show of major liberal groups during this hearing about being taxed by a vote of the city council? No matter how you cut this issue up it is taxation without representation. We were told that if the council put this issue to the voters it would fail; therefore they would vote on it in the council. Three votes will tax you to the tune of 40-50-60-7
0 million bucks and no cap. Where were you ACLU, Lawyers Guild, League of Women Voters, AMA, Cop Watch, homeless/houseless advocates, Renters Associations, I could go on but you should get the picture by now. Since I monitor the City Council Meetings and the County, one of the things I am very aware of is the authorities have done a good job of separating us. I was once told by an advocate for the houseless, “Not my issue” what the hell does that mean? I know for a fact that all these issues are tied together by the corruption of city hall. This issue of Novick, (AKA Brutus) and Hales, (AKA Nero) along with Fritz, (AKA Thatcher) to pass a tax vote is bizarre. Most and maybe all city councils before this gang of 5 “Cocktail Liberals” have sent a tax issue to the people for a vote, and there are good reasons to do this. People don’t like being taxed, many are at the breaking point and a few bucks a month means a lot. People should be able to sit down and figure out that we do need to repair roads, no one is arguing that side, it is how this is being done that has become the issue. People should be able to take their time and evaluate what is being proposed and make a decision, not three, *(3) politicians on the city council. So where were the groups who oppose police abuse, treatment of the houseless, GMO organizers, 15 per hr. I loved the 80 people who waited hours to have their say, but mostly were individuals who came to tell the council what they thought. There were groups represented but few of the liberal groups showed up. I was disappointed by that.
• There are 5 members of the council; it takes 3 votes to pass an ordinance or resolution. PS I know I will take some heat from people I like, so be it, if we don’t figure out how to come together we will always be splintered and achieve little. If you did not attend would you please call the general number, ask for the mayor and tell him to put this up for a vote or shelve the damn thing and start over. We demanded and were ignored about the city council holding meeting outside of city hall once a month after 6:00PM, the fight has begun.
