Kurt, this is like waiting for the next drop of a Slow Horses episode on Apple. I hope there is not a week between episodes going forward, because this dialog needs to start among the public and get from them to our elected officials, because they seem to be oblivious to reality (unlikely for most) or they have their own ulterior motives for keeping the public in the dark. Thanks you for laying out the reality Portland faces so we can demand our elected officials develop strategies to live within it. We are so entranced with the next shiny object of with maintaining a pre-pandemic vision of what Portland was becoming, that we just have no impulse control. WE hsve to set clear priorities for bringing Portland back to life, starting in the Central City where the bulk of the infrastructure is focused and built around getting to and from. We need to focus on growing "export income", revenue that comes from businesses, events and visitors attracted to them and deposit revenue by buying things, eating in restaurants, seeing shows, visiting sports events and regular celebrations and leave that behind when they go home to another jurisdiction. We need to think outside the box to do that so we can do it while living within our means.
It will likely mean a sales tax is in our future, but that will mean wholesale tax restructuring in Oregon. The politicians know that, but that is another thing they are afraid to talk about.
My friend, Allan has all seven articles in the series. When I proposed it, the scale was far too big for any one article and he was generous to consider the discussion done in this fashion. The result was that the earlier articles (like this one) have some revelation - specific to the current poor management of each property - but the real meat of this discussion lies (in my opinion) in articles 5-7. I am honored that Allan championed the piece and I must trust his judgement when to release each part. I apologize for the anticipatory delay, but, it is not in my control. We can expect that Allan will read this and act as he can, with your wishes in mind. Be assured, I have no aspirations or agendas in this series other than to examine what our other news sources refuse to investigate and expose, for the benefit of my fellow citizens, the hypocrisy, misdirection and mismanagement that has transpired here for years. Sadly, as future chapters of the series, under consideration, will expose, this problem extends to the theatrical arts community too. There are very good reasons why ART and PCS (and even Portland Opera) are struggling in that they and the city are very much alike. When, year after year, they come back, hat in hand, begging for more charity, the angels who donate have a right to understand why the financial problems of the industry exist. There is a pattern of financial and management ineptness at work (in my opinion) as comparable to that seen in the City held properties.
Kurt, this is like waiting for the next drop of a Slow Horses episode on Apple. I hope there is not a week between episodes going forward, because this dialog needs to start among the public and get from them to our elected officials, because they seem to be oblivious to reality (unlikely for most) or they have their own ulterior motives for keeping the public in the dark. Thanks you for laying out the reality Portland faces so we can demand our elected officials develop strategies to live within it. We are so entranced with the next shiny object of with maintaining a pre-pandemic vision of what Portland was becoming, that we just have no impulse control. WE hsve to set clear priorities for bringing Portland back to life, starting in the Central City where the bulk of the infrastructure is focused and built around getting to and from. We need to focus on growing "export income", revenue that comes from businesses, events and visitors attracted to them and deposit revenue by buying things, eating in restaurants, seeing shows, visiting sports events and regular celebrations and leave that behind when they go home to another jurisdiction. We need to think outside the box to do that so we can do it while living within our means.
It will likely mean a sales tax is in our future, but that will mean wholesale tax restructuring in Oregon. The politicians know that, but that is another thing they are afraid to talk about.
My friend, Allan has all seven articles in the series. When I proposed it, the scale was far too big for any one article and he was generous to consider the discussion done in this fashion. The result was that the earlier articles (like this one) have some revelation - specific to the current poor management of each property - but the real meat of this discussion lies (in my opinion) in articles 5-7. I am honored that Allan championed the piece and I must trust his judgement when to release each part. I apologize for the anticipatory delay, but, it is not in my control. We can expect that Allan will read this and act as he can, with your wishes in mind. Be assured, I have no aspirations or agendas in this series other than to examine what our other news sources refuse to investigate and expose, for the benefit of my fellow citizens, the hypocrisy, misdirection and mismanagement that has transpired here for years. Sadly, as future chapters of the series, under consideration, will expose, this problem extends to the theatrical arts community too. There are very good reasons why ART and PCS (and even Portland Opera) are struggling in that they and the city are very much alike. When, year after year, they come back, hat in hand, begging for more charity, the angels who donate have a right to understand why the financial problems of the industry exist. There is a pattern of financial and management ineptness at work (in my opinion) as comparable to that seen in the City held properties.
A worthy focus. This makes for imagination. Always a productive seed to plant. Thank you.