November 11, 2003
'Oregonian' (Of Course) Gets Comment On Halting Of Leonard Talks With Clear Channel
Today's Oregonian covers the story I broke over the weekend, including the reactions of various parties from whom I failed to receive comment, including the crucial response out of the Mayor's office, which never got back to me:
Mayor Vera Katz opposes the proposed settlement Leonard developed with Clear Channel, Katz spokesman Scott Farris said, because debate over the city's sign code merits more public process than a stipulated agreement negotiated with Clear Channel.
Farris said the mayor believes strongly in the need for public process and urban design standards. She hopes to unveil a strategy that deals with murals as soon as next week.
"You shouldn't underestimate her commitment to process and public involvement and for keeping Portland unique," Farris said.
Also included is reaction from a representative of Metro Murals (who never got back to me) who "said [the deal] focused too much on resolving the billboards lawsuit and too little on ensuring murals could flourish in Portland without the threat of regulation." And there's also comment from a Clear Channel representative (the company also never got back to me) who "said the deal still has life and that he will ask other commissioners to show support for it despite the mayor's opposition."
So there's your follow-up, just not from anyone speaking directly to your humble (and somewhat annoyed) editor.
Oddly, the only party who got back to me was the office of Commissioner Jim Francesconi, who had this to say: "I appreciate Randy's attempts to legalize murals and get the City out of a lawsuit, but I did let him know that the draft I saw raised some concerns with me."
I say oddly because Francesconi's mayoral campaign -- as opposed to his City Hall staff, which has always been responsive -- has never once responded to my inquiries at all.