August 15, 2003
Commissioner Leonard and Representative Merkley On The Gulf Of Tonkin
Earlier this week, I posted about the dispute regarding Ron Tonkin dealerships out on SE 122nd, and wondered how to tell just what the neighborhood mood was. In a comment to that item, Commissioner Randy Leonard said the following:
I went to a meeting at Rep Jeff Merkley's house (he is an east Portland Legislator who is, in my opinion, one of the most progressive elected officials in Oregon) last night for a prearranged meeting with east Portland neighborhood leaders and activists. Included in the group was the East Portland neighborhood leader that was quoted in the Tribune article that B!x references in his piece. It was clear that the neighborhood activists, after hearing both sides of the issue, were incensed at the prospect of losing a business that they considered to be a positive contributor to East Portland.
Please confirm my impression with Rep Merkley, but I came away with the clear message that the "zoning out of existence" the new car dealerships along 122nd Ave is not supported by the vast majority of the neighborhood leaders in east Portland.
So indeed, I emailed Representative Merkley. Claire Griffin, legislative aide to Merkley, responded with the following:
Rep. Merkley concurs 100% with Commissioner Leonard's perception. Some of the community leaders were very vocal in support of the car dealerships' position on this issue while others just nodded in agreement. East Portland is in great need of businesses and the jobs that go with them.
I'm awaiting word back from the "neighborhood leader" referenced above to see her reaction to this discussion. If it comes via email rather than as a direct comment posted here, I'll add it as an update below.