Skip to main contentThese individuals are selfishly wasting a limited resource ["Hydro Hogs," WW, Aug. 21, 2013]. That said, it is the government's responsibility, not theirs, to reduce the amount of energy consumed through water usage.
Additionally, every person on Earth has a moral obligation to use water responsibly. Keeping one's estate "lush" while one is "out of the country" and fountains bubbling pleasantly 24/7 does not fall under that category.
—"geewhiz"
You should be ashamed of yourselves for this kind of article. If you didn't notice, it rains nine months a year—we aren't exactly running out of water.
These people pay for every drop, just like everyone else in the city. I'm sure the water used in our Portland parks is thousands of times greater. Should we close those down? And all of our industrial plants as well? What about all of the water used for school grounds and athletic fields?
This is just another stab at the successful people who run our city.
—"portlandpdx"
Very interesting report. Now I'd like to know how the water use of these single-family homes compares with industrial users. Undoubtedly, the city's biggest water (and energy) hogs are not individuals but industry.
We can change our individual consumption patterns all we want, but as long as industry does nothing to curb its appetite, our efforts are just a drop in the bucket.
—"Meredith"
I think it is a crock you guys are singling these people out. They pay their bills and are no doubt standup citizens.
What about all of those water fountains in the city that are wasting water 24/7? How much water is that? Why don't they install on/off switches. Did I miss that part of your story? If it was such a big deal to use water, then they would do that.
—"Eric Stallsmith"
HALES' ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
If I understand this article ["The Mayor's Bar Tab," WW, Aug. 21, 2013], no one except Mayor Charlie Hales likes his "entertainment" district. Yet Charlie is trying to figure out who he's going to make pay for this poorly planned "entertainment" district.
—"Annie Smythe"
We should spend that $80,000 [yearly cost] studying how much would it cost to relocate the entertainment district to the suburbs. Go home, please.
—"Gary"
HALES' PLAN FOR CARBON TAXES
Greenhouse-gas reduction and externality taxation must be approached regionally, not municipally, to make a difference, and the revenue should be used to offset the effects of carbon emissions, not pad the city's coffers.
—"Guest"
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