Inbox

[March 26th, 2008]

No endorsement here

I would like to correct your Feb. 20 article titled “A Streetcar Named Sam’s Desire,” which describes Commissioner Sam Adams’ decision to cancel the reconstruction of Northwest 23rd Avenue. The story reports, “The Northwest District Association also endorsed Adams’ decision.”

In fact, the NWDA has not taken a position on this issue. Our board of directors felt misrepresented by your article, and asked me to request a retraction. When I spoke to the reporter, Nigel Jaquiss, he did not commit to a retraction or correction, but encouraged me to write to you. Mr. Jaquiss’ source for the erroneous statement was an informal email from someone who does not represent the organization, and did not purport to do so.

Mr. Jaquiss now has my email address and telephone number. I encourage the Willamette Week to call me for clarification of my board’s positions regarding policies affecting Northwest Portland.

Each position represents careful analysis and discussion. I also welcome you to attend any of our committee or board meetings.

Juliet Hyams
President, Northwest District Association

Nigel Jaquiss responds: While reporting the story I spoke to NW District Association Land Use Chair John Bradley. He told me the NWDA did not oppose the decision. I asked PDOT for any correspondence and received an email that PDOT represented as being from “Kim Carlson, representing the Northwest District Association.” The email from Carlson (who is the NWDA Transportation Chair) accepted the decision to cancel the project without objection. I apologize for assuming that if the NWDA did not oppose Adams’ decision then it must be supportive.

CORRECTIONS: WW “f’ed up” last week in spelling Rep. Mike Schaufler’s last name in “Trail Mix” with an extra “f.” There is only one “f.”

Last week’s story “Moving Man” (WW, March 19) incorrectly stated when Rob Milesnick moved out of an apartment in Northwest Portland and when he got married. Milesnick left Northwest in 2005 and was married last July.

WW regrets the errors.