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“Simply because she thinks a compromise is the most effective that may get performed doesn’t imply we have now to just accept it. We are able to and may nonetheless say “no” if we aren’t happy.”
Welcome to the Remark of the Week, the place we spotlight notable feedback. You possibly can assist us select our subsequent one by replying with “remark of the week” to any remark you deem worthy.
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This week we spotlight a remark “Ross Williams” wrote in response to our story on Metro President Lynn Peterson’s State of Transportation within the Area tackle on the Oregon Energetic Transportation Summit earlier this week.
There have been quite a few sturdy feedback to select from, however Ross’s remark stood out for a few causes. Not solely did it particularly tackle points raised within the article, it additionally stepped again to take an extended view of megaprojects and public help basically. Ross’s remark introduced perspective to the subject, and maintained a reassuring and respectful tone.
Right here’s what Ross wrote:
If the necessity is actual, “No” is all the time a brief reply and it typically results in a a lot better “Sure”. You possibly can see that with the sunshine rail traces to Clackamas County. A very good inventive answer to I5’s actual issues will ultimately come out of a decided “No” to unhealthy options that may merely make the scenario worse. A part of the issue now’s that the area mentioned sure to the ill-considered resolution 20 years in the past to widen I5 at Lombard. That generated further site visitors each on the bridge and on the Rose Quarter.
Whereas I perceive the attraction of congestion pricing, I don’t suppose it actually fixes the issue. It assumes that there’ll all the time be sufficient people who find themselves worth delicate and can change their habits in the way in which you need with a purpose to avoid wasting cash. And it assumes that the one downside exists when too many individuals use the bridge on the similar time. However much more free flowing site visitors is an issue each for the local weather and for individuals who stay in Portland.
The concept that if somebody can afford it we must always allow them to do it isn’t going to resolve the local weather downside. As an excessive instance, you aren’t going to get Invoice Gates out of his personal jet by elevating the associated fee. However you don’t want Invoice Gates wealth to not let a toll inconvenience you.
Lynn Peterson is doing what good politicians do, making an attempt to deliver folks to YES so we will transfer ahead. As activists we will demand the undertaking we wish or no undertaking in any respect, however leaders ultimately have to get to 50%. That includes compromises. I definitely belief her greater than most politicians to make that judgment. However simply because she thinks a compromise is the most effective that may get performed doesn’t imply we have now to just accept it. We are able to and may nonetheless say “No” if we aren’t happy.
Thanks Ross!
You possibly can assist us discover future feedback by replying with “remark of the week” to any remark you suppose deserves the popularity.
Lisa Caballero has lived in SW Portland for 20 years. She is on the Transportation Committee of her neighborhood affiliation, the Southwest Hills Residential League (SWHRL) and will be reached at lisacaballero853@gmail.com.
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