How about this: why are goats even allowed to live on a vacant lot in the City? I lived for years in New York City and San Francisco- never saw any goats living in yards or vacant lots in those cities. Portland shouldn't allow goats on an urban property like that and the property owner should know that the highest and best use of his land is not a feeding lot for 3 goats! This whole thing is sad and ridiculous on several levels. When I read something like this I think to myself- this thing could only happen here. I hope that changes. Peter J.
Apparently, the property owner used the wrong AI model to evaluate the highest and best use of his land. The model calculated that housing three goats had a higher net present value than constructing a five-story apartment building. With zero construction costs, free landscaping, and projected annual goat appreciation of 15%, the decision was obvious. Recommendation: retain the goats and reconsider housing when interest rates fall or the goat market crashes.
Has anyone wondered or explored whether the goats’ issue was related to something toxic in the vacant plot of land? It wouldn’t surprise me given our recent history.
I suspect the NW Examiner didn't intend to write a comedy, but the combination of earnest neighborhood activism, bureaucratic procedure and three missing goats is as close to an episode of Portlandia as you can get.
I get the Portland weird angle, but these are working goats. They did not come to Portland to retire. Their purpose is to keep vegetation under control like their famous cousins, the Belmont Goats. They also have names, though I am not aware of their pronouns.
It is not a funny story. As an animal advocate I recognize creatures other than human that contribute to our daily lives. Police dogs, therapy animals, service dogs, search and rescue, cattle and sheep guardians, and yes, even grass and weed maintenance goats.
The story is not how "weird" Portland is. The story is how weird our bureaucracy is.
Taxpayers subsidize a county animal "service" MILLIONS of dollars each year yet all they can do is blow off the public until the outrage becomes serious enough that one of them gets dispatched to "stop by" and take a look. Surprise, surprise....just like I said in my last post about these goats, the county says they have shelter (they don't), they have water (they don't) and they have food (they don't). Have a nice day. When are you all going to get fed up with a do nothing county (and city) bureaucracy that is so self absorbed they see you as the enemy ?
It's not funny that we can't even keep four goats sheltered, fed and leading a productive life. No turn the page and ask yourself how much money....YOU....are spending on not being able to keep some of our human population sheltered, fed and productive. Yeah, weird.
One answer: Sharon Meieran won't put up with this Bullshit.
I don’t want to be weird. That’s not something to be proud of. Let’s get a little more police presence and a fully functioning 911. Let’s stop this nonsense of distributing pipes and contemplating legalizing hard drugs. Let’s get the potholes and Burnside fixed. Let’s not allow goats in relatively small urban lots. Let’s stop the ridiculous city taxes like the kindergarten thing where the money doesn’t even get used and tie property taxes to purchase price as it’s done in many other states. Let’s roll back some of the ridiculous and punitive landlord/tenant laws so that landlords can actually operate without constant fear of being sued. Let’s stop institutionalizing transgender stuff and stop being expected to provide our pronouns when meeting people. Oh and let’s get all the city workers back to their actual offices as other cities have done. And perhaps city council candidates should live in the districts in which they’re running. I want to live in a “City that Works” once again. A city I can be proud of.
While the animal control officer noted that the goats had food, water and shelter when they checked on them, the officer didn't comment on the condition of the goats. Most likely they checked on the goats after the owner reacted to the publicity and put out food and water. Animal control needs to take complaints into consideration when assessing the care the goats are getting.
How about this: why are goats even allowed to live on a vacant lot in the City? I lived for years in New York City and San Francisco- never saw any goats living in yards or vacant lots in those cities. Portland shouldn't allow goats on an urban property like that and the property owner should know that the highest and best use of his land is not a feeding lot for 3 goats! This whole thing is sad and ridiculous on several levels. When I read something like this I think to myself- this thing could only happen here. I hope that changes. Peter J.
Apparently, the property owner used the wrong AI model to evaluate the highest and best use of his land. The model calculated that housing three goats had a higher net present value than constructing a five-story apartment building. With zero construction costs, free landscaping, and projected annual goat appreciation of 15%, the decision was obvious. Recommendation: retain the goats and reconsider housing when interest rates fall or the goat market crashes.
And here I thought for years those goats were just another "keep Portland weird" thing!
Peter nailed it!
How many trips did the county make? What else do they do that should be evaluated?
Portland's reputations are fairly dispensed
Has anyone wondered or explored whether the goats’ issue was related to something toxic in the vacant plot of land? It wouldn’t surprise me given our recent history.
I suspect the NW Examiner didn't intend to write a comedy, but the combination of earnest neighborhood activism, bureaucratic procedure and three missing goats is as close to an episode of Portlandia as you can get.
I get the Portland weird angle, but these are working goats. They did not come to Portland to retire. Their purpose is to keep vegetation under control like their famous cousins, the Belmont Goats. They also have names, though I am not aware of their pronouns.
It a fun story. I like how you mix in serious stories with lifestyle articles
It is not a funny story. As an animal advocate I recognize creatures other than human that contribute to our daily lives. Police dogs, therapy animals, service dogs, search and rescue, cattle and sheep guardians, and yes, even grass and weed maintenance goats.
The story is not how "weird" Portland is. The story is how weird our bureaucracy is.
Taxpayers subsidize a county animal "service" MILLIONS of dollars each year yet all they can do is blow off the public until the outrage becomes serious enough that one of them gets dispatched to "stop by" and take a look. Surprise, surprise....just like I said in my last post about these goats, the county says they have shelter (they don't), they have water (they don't) and they have food (they don't). Have a nice day. When are you all going to get fed up with a do nothing county (and city) bureaucracy that is so self absorbed they see you as the enemy ?
It's not funny that we can't even keep four goats sheltered, fed and leading a productive life. No turn the page and ask yourself how much money....YOU....are spending on not being able to keep some of our human population sheltered, fed and productive. Yeah, weird.
One answer: Sharon Meieran won't put up with this Bullshit.
Meant now turn the page. Not no.
I don’t want to be weird. That’s not something to be proud of. Let’s get a little more police presence and a fully functioning 911. Let’s stop this nonsense of distributing pipes and contemplating legalizing hard drugs. Let’s get the potholes and Burnside fixed. Let’s not allow goats in relatively small urban lots. Let’s stop the ridiculous city taxes like the kindergarten thing where the money doesn’t even get used and tie property taxes to purchase price as it’s done in many other states. Let’s roll back some of the ridiculous and punitive landlord/tenant laws so that landlords can actually operate without constant fear of being sued. Let’s stop institutionalizing transgender stuff and stop being expected to provide our pronouns when meeting people. Oh and let’s get all the city workers back to their actual offices as other cities have done. And perhaps city council candidates should live in the districts in which they’re running. I want to live in a “City that Works” once again. A city I can be proud of.
While the animal control officer noted that the goats had food, water and shelter when they checked on them, the officer didn't comment on the condition of the goats. Most likely they checked on the goats after the owner reacted to the publicity and put out food and water. Animal control needs to take complaints into consideration when assessing the care the goats are getting.