Inbox: Just One of the Toys

Ticked Off in Toyland

There are a lot of questionable assertions I could point out in "Barbie Ain't Worth Much" [WW, April 20, 2016], but I'm going to go with the most empirically wrong.

I am a woman who collects vintage toys and comics, and I work in a local Portland business selling vintage toys and comics. It's very disappointing to see a comment like "[I added the record room so] girlfriends who have cars will drive the boyfriends who don't have cars to come see the toys" from someone who claims to be a professional in the community.

That outdated notion is both offensive and just straight-up not true. Roughly half of my customers are female, purchasing toys for themselves that span many genres. Of course I have experienced ageism and sexism in this hobby, but only from old white guys making asinine statements like that, with false perceptions of their relevance in this ever-growing female demographic of collectors.

Also, bronies don't buy Generation 1 My Little Ponies. Women do. They're the perfect size for our G.I. Joes to ride.

—S. Shadwick

Portland Housing Planners

Why is there an assumption that density equals affordability? ["Apartment Block," WW, April 20, 2016.] It's my understanding that the problem is more than the number of units available, but rather that the price is too high.

Yes, more supply drops rental prices, but that's only after supply reaches a certain point. More density is just that, more density.

It's not inherently a bad thing, but it's not a silver bullet for affordability.

—Clark Henry

What I would strongly dislike is seeing every major street in Portland becoming dark canyons, with five stories on both sides of the street (see Division).

We need to zone all neighborhoods for great density. We need garden apartments along with a uniform three-story limit all across the city.

—"DierkP"

Proposal to Revive Public Campaign Financing

I'm happy to see the city is apparently so flush with cash ["Murmurs: Fritz Aims to Revive 'Voter-Owned' Elections," WW, April 20, 2016]. Perhaps that means the money can be dedicated to fixing roads, hiring more police, and housing some of our tent residents before spending it on more of Amanda Fritz's pet projects.

How about prioritizing for a change? I know, not likely in this city.

—"Swpdx"

Correction

A story in our Potlander guide, published last week, incorrectly stated that the state has yet to address the issue of marijuana use by a passenger in a motor vehicle ["You Just Bought Some Weed. Now What?"]. It is illegal to consume "in any manner a marijuana item while in a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is upon a highway," according to House Bill 4014, passed by the Legislature this year. WW regrets the error.

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Email: mzusman@wweek.com.

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