A reader asked me to post this comment to the story:
I am confused about aspects of Jessica Elkan's statement as posted on Rose City Reform. Here are some of my concerns:
1. I don't understand how the Ulysses Proposal will protect and serve the interests of the City as a whole. The statement mentions "factions" but doesn't explain how a Council, elected by many districts with no at-large members, will prevent factionalism. It seems to me it is a recipe for nonstop district vs. district factionalism--over money, projects, priorities etc. As structured, there are no safeguards for the interests of the City as a unified entity. I am afraid your proposal will add to the dysfunction and for that reason and that reason alone, I would be inclined to oppose it.
2. I have the same confusion and concern about your position on the role of the Mayor. I would want the Mayor to represent the interests of the total City. I don’t see how that can happen if the Mayor is simply one of a multi-member Council. That's what we have now and it doesn’t work. Indeed, it is a major part of what is wrong with Portland.
1. Do the math - the ACTUAL number of votes to elect a person in a multi-member district with a threshold of 25%+1 would be GREATER than the number of votes needed for a person to win 50%+1 in single-member district [with 9 districts].
2. A member getting 50%+1 vote to win will not represent as many peoples' philosophies as three members getting 25%+1 of the vote in a MM district.
3. They want 9 members on Council. Portland has about 670,000 people. Compare to: Salem - 170,000 with 8 members, Eugene - 180,000 with 8 members, Beaverton - 100,000 with 6 members. We need more than 9.
Mapps is a sitting city council member. As such he has the power *today* to put a specific set of amendments in front of city council, have all of city council vote on them, and get all the ones they approve on the May ballot. That way Portlanders would know that they have a tangible alternative if they're feeling conflicted about 26-228 instead of just a pinky swear that he'll float some ideas to his colleagues for the May ballot. If he's so committed, why hasn't he done this? What is the value in waiting?
Mingus Mapps opposes charter reform. Who does he and his PAC represent? Large developers and property owners prominent in the Portland Business Alliance who dominate local politics and make large contributions to people like him, Wheeler, Ryan, etc.: Schnitzer Properties LLC, Artisan Properties LLC, Downtown Development Group LLC, JEMA Bitar Properties LLC, Income Property Management, Uptown Developers LLC, Pegg Investment Co, etc. Their 2nd biggest donor is an investment manager
A reader asked me to post this comment to the story:
I am confused about aspects of Jessica Elkan's statement as posted on Rose City Reform. Here are some of my concerns:
1. I don't understand how the Ulysses Proposal will protect and serve the interests of the City as a whole. The statement mentions "factions" but doesn't explain how a Council, elected by many districts with no at-large members, will prevent factionalism. It seems to me it is a recipe for nonstop district vs. district factionalism--over money, projects, priorities etc. As structured, there are no safeguards for the interests of the City as a unified entity. I am afraid your proposal will add to the dysfunction and for that reason and that reason alone, I would be inclined to oppose it.
2. I have the same confusion and concern about your position on the role of the Mayor. I would want the Mayor to represent the interests of the total City. I don’t see how that can happen if the Mayor is simply one of a multi-member Council. That's what we have now and it doesn’t work. Indeed, it is a major part of what is wrong with Portland.
Larry Kirsch
Northwest Portland
1. Do the math - the ACTUAL number of votes to elect a person in a multi-member district with a threshold of 25%+1 would be GREATER than the number of votes needed for a person to win 50%+1 in single-member district [with 9 districts].
2. A member getting 50%+1 vote to win will not represent as many peoples' philosophies as three members getting 25%+1 of the vote in a MM district.
3. They want 9 members on Council. Portland has about 670,000 people. Compare to: Salem - 170,000 with 8 members, Eugene - 180,000 with 8 members, Beaverton - 100,000 with 6 members. We need more than 9.
Mapps is a sitting city council member. As such he has the power *today* to put a specific set of amendments in front of city council, have all of city council vote on them, and get all the ones they approve on the May ballot. That way Portlanders would know that they have a tangible alternative if they're feeling conflicted about 26-228 instead of just a pinky swear that he'll float some ideas to his colleagues for the May ballot. If he's so committed, why hasn't he done this? What is the value in waiting?
As a political scientist, Mapps should know how problematic the winner take all system, especially when combined with gerrymandered districts. Btw, here are the private interests funding this effort including local PBA member and plutocrat, Schnitzer Properties LLC, who gave $25k https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/gotoPublicTransactionSearchResults.do?cneSearchButtonName=next&cneSearchFilerCommitteeId=21098&cneSearchContributorTxtSearchType=C&cneSearchFilerCommitteeTxtSearchType=C&srtOrder=desct&by=AMOUNT&cneSearchPageIdx=3
Mingus Mapps opposes charter reform. Who does he and his PAC represent? Large developers and property owners prominent in the Portland Business Alliance who dominate local politics and make large contributions to people like him, Wheeler, Ryan, etc.: Schnitzer Properties LLC, Artisan Properties LLC, Downtown Development Group LLC, JEMA Bitar Properties LLC, Income Property Management, Uptown Developers LLC, Pegg Investment Co, etc. Their 2nd biggest donor is an investment manager
See for yourself https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/gotoPublicTransactionSearchResults.do?
Filer/Committee Name contains 'Ulysses PAC' Here is a link to a screenshot of their biggest donors https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ahp2SivsUhhJgZUJ5bfgT5BaHuUuGA?e=88MhBB