Apparently, members of Team Potter are whining about their “opponents’ contention that the mayor didn’t seek enough public input before putting a proposed change in Portland’s form of government onto the ballot”. That they are stubbornly blind about the way the real world works is unfortunate. Today’s Merc has it right: “The Charter Review Commission attempted to hold public meetings, and to take their work out to the community. But nobody on city council — or any other high-profile city leader — used their star power to organize public involvement by, for instance, holding town halls.” Instead, the Major Tom convinced City Council to fast-track the proposal, providing no window of opportunity for a major public body — Council, instead of an obscure and wonky committee most Portlanders didn’t know existed — to invite a real public discussion. Take your tears and shove ‘em, folks.
