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[September 26th, 2007] YOU WEREN’T MISSED Sadly, I see that the wee-willied twerps on your staff remain so inept that they must turn a calendar announcement [It List, “Foster-ing Hope,” Sept. 12, 2007] into yet another mean-spirited sneer at the working class. Just imagine how devastated we must be that you didn’t actually come to last weekend’s “Fun on Foster” street fair and art walk.

Yes, friends, Foster-Powell does have some bars, pawnshops, and auto repair businesses. It also has new restaurants and stores, young creatives, lots of moms and dads—and of course those dreaded Ordinary People! Doubtless this leaves us far below the level of cheesy sex ads and faux-scoop reporting that populate your narrow environs.

I’ve lived in the Foster-Powell neighborhood over 20 years and I’ve never seen it as vibrant, burgeoning and just plain fun as it is now. But since WW relies on empty stereotypes instead of experience or (gasp!) journalism, you’re going to miss that story.

“News on the Edge,” guys? No, more like “Snobbery with a Sledge.”

Linda Goertz

Southeast 71st Avenue—and proud of it 

DON’T HATE THE PLAYER, HATE THE GAME Our political-economic system can be viewed as a game. If we lived in England or Iceland the play of the game would be different. Maybe their games are better, I don’t know.

We live here, though, and as far as I can see the game is open to anyone who wishes to join. You can either play the game, or sit on the sidelines and piss and moan about it.

Likewise, you can either play the game in a way that harms our citizens/environment, or you can play the game in a way that benefits us. Earl Blumenauer [“Gravy Train,” Sept. 19, 2007] seems to play the game in a way that benefits everyone, and as a 30-year resident of Portland he has my complete support.

Mike Papas

Via wweek.com 

RAIL AGAINST THE MACHINE Earl Blumenauer brushes off the notion of even the appearance of preferential treatment for contributors to and directors of Portland Streetcar Inc., the streetcar nonprofit corporation with the lock on carrying out his vision of a streetcar network in Portland (“I don’t see any problem with [their contributions], and I don’t think anybody else does.”). The congressman bristles at the mention of his best friend Rick Gustafson’s directorship of PSI (“I don’t know what difference it makes to Willamette Week who my ‘best’ friend is.”). It doesn’t require the opinion of the nonprofit experts and lawyers interviewed for the article for a citizen to see the potential conflict of interest and red flags presented by PSI’s director’s company and Blumenauer’s PAC contributors making money from streetcar contracts.

This reader may have given the congressman the benefit of the doubt as to whether conflicts really exist if he had acknowledged the appearance of quid pro quo. However, his arrogance and indignation over even raising the issue causes me to agree with Ms. Otten of the Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University that the connection between funding and building the Portland streetcar “stinks to high heaven.”

Len Stevens

Southwest St. Clair Avenue

WEB-ONLY:

FOSTERING FUN!

And the rest of the Fun on Foster story [It List, Sept. 12, 2007]....

The sidewalks were full of people checking out the vendors and art, going into stores and shops and eating establishments, listening to the music and generally enjoying themselves on and near Foster Road. There was also an Egyptian Festival on Holgate at 65th and Trillium Artisans’ booths and representatives of the (usually Sunday) International Farmers’ Market at Lents Square on 92nd. The Trolley gave people the opportunity to see the whole picture and choose where to spend their time. Cars and dogs were washed at All Pets Playhouse on 52nd, there were cakewalks and decorating demonstrations at the Decorette Shop, an art opening at Joe Buddy’s Bohemian Coffee Shop, cartoons and music at Day Music and a lot more!

We’re looking forward to next year and know that our neighbors, sponsors and business and property owners are, too. Thanks to all of them for making our Festival and Art Walk a success, and we hope your reporters will drop by and check it out next year!

Nancy Chapin, President

Foster Area Business Assn.