Leonard Listens and Learns. You Can Too 10/12/02

Leonard Endorsement
Randy Leonard has joined Metro Exec Mike Burton and Metro Councilors Rex Burkholder and Bill Atherton in REJECTING the public policy created by the $200 million Villa remodel project. The policy inherent in this project says, "Low income clients are best served by gathering as many of them as possible into a single compound of government owned buildings. This policy supports the herding of an overwhelming number of low-income people into the single neighborhood which already has the highest number of HAP low-income clients in the city of Portland, Multnomah county and the state of Oregon. It acknowledges that neighborhood stability and community balance are irrelevant to its purposes."

Leonard took two hours out of his busy campaign schedule to listen and learn about the $200 million Villa remodel project. A few days after our conversation he wrote this to me, "As hard as I have tried, I cannot think of a persuasive argument for lumping people of low income into one area of the city. I can tell you that absent something I have not heard....and I have no idea what that might be...... I could not support throwing adults and children into one area that is stigmatized because of a families income level." Randy Leonard now has a better understanding of the consequences on individuals, schools, crime, public housing policy, neighborhood stability and community balance of this $200 million project than any other elected official in the state of Oregon.

Randy Leonard has shown courage in the legislature, on the campaign trail and as a firefighter who has had first hand experience dealing with problems at Columbia Villa. Political courage is always in short supply. I'm going to vote to bring more of it to the Portland City Council.

October 23rd Public Policy Discussion
On October 23rd, 7 PM at the historic Kenton Firehouse there will be an opportunity for every Oregonian interested in the $200 million Villa remodel project to get the real story. As the main speaker I will explain the history, status and consequences of this massive housing project. The Arbor Lodge and Kenton neighborhood associations are jointly sponsoring this event. Neither the Housing Authority of Portland nor its wholly owned subsidiary, The Community Association of Porstmouth, will be participating. This event is for the rest of us. (Call Ronna Seavey at the North Portland Neighborhood Office for directions and details, (503)823-4524). And yes, there will be refreshments.

Portland Open Studios
If you can't attend the October 23rd event then you may stop by and talk with me directly on Saturday or Sunday October 19th and 20th between 10 AM to 5 PM. My wife, Bonnie Meltzer http://www.bonniemeltzer.com , is one of 103 participating artists in Portland Open Studios, http://www.portlandopenstudios.com . On Oct. 19th and 20th our home and her studio will be open to the public. Buy a tour guide and come by. Art and politics are always on the agenda at our house.

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