LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[August 17th, 2005] PEDAL EXTREMITIES

I am so tired of bicyclists whining about unfriendly motorists, et al. ["Riding Herd," WW, Aug. 10, 2005]. Perhaps if we didn't see 99 percent of them continually doing stuff like blowing through stop signs and not waiting for traffic lights, we'd have a bit more sympathy. The arrogance and entitled attitude ("I'm helping the environmennnnnt") that comes across from this behavior, does nothing to foster positive relations. Don't even get me started on Critical Mass.

Literally, over a period of several years, I've yet to use up all 10 fingers in counting the number of times I've seen a bicyclist obey the traffic laws, which they are supposed to follow. It is so extremely rare that it really stands out, and I always want to compliment the very small percent who did.

Bicyclists can't have it both ways. As long as their attitude is one of blatant disregard, they are not going to gain the respect of motorists. And this comes from someone who is an anti-war protestin', recyclin', nonprofit workin', never-in-a-million-years-would-I-own-an-SUV, liberal female.

Rashas Weber
Southwest Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET AROUND?

I can tell that Frank DiMarco, self-described "Portland bicyclist" [Mailbox, WW, Aug. 10, 2005], has never attended the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's Bicyclist's Legal Clinics, or he'd know every cyclist has the right to the full travel lane if (a) she can go the speed of traffic, or (b) it is unsafe to stay to the side of the lane. Angela Valdez was probably following the letter of the law when she was hit by a motorist.

We disagree with Mr. DiMarco that cyclists should "get the hell off the main streets." We at the BTA believe that bicyclists should have equal access to all parts of our road system. Why should cyclists have to take a less-convenient route, while autos get to go from point A to point B in a (nearly) straight line? Also, many of the "alternative routes" Mr. DiMarco refers to don't have signals at major streets, so it can be difficult to go long distances.

Most cyclists will choose neighborhood streets because they like quiet streets, but cyclists who choose major routes have a good reason: They use the signals at major crossings, they are strong, speedy cyclists who want a direct route, or they simply need to get to a destination that's on that street. Don't forget that cyclists, just like motorists, need to get from any starting point to any ending point. Does Mr. DiMarco think cyclists shouldn't shop at businesses on Hawthorne or Belmont?

Our next free legal clinic will be held on Sept. 21, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Please call to RSVP and for directions (503-226-0676).

It doesn't need to be a civil war out there, folks. We're all just trying to get around. With a little bit of effort and empathy, we really can share the road.

Jessica Roberts
Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Southwest 12th Avenue

IN DEFENSE OF NEPOTISM

Some of the things I see in your newspaper lately really make me wonder what your editors are trying to prove! All at once you are attacking anyone and everyone that has a hint of belonging to the establishment. The recent "investigation" as you put it [Murmurs, Aug. 3, 2005] of a city employee who has worked diligently long and hard for the city's fire department is going beyond acceptable journalism!

I personally know Mike Speck and have had business dealings with him for the past 20 years. He is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and has always been a "straight shooter"!

It's time you stopped picking on anyone and everyone that has a hint of a tie to the establishment bureaucracy.

Many corporations in the city give work to relatives or individual contractors who own contract firms. As long as they do a good job, where is the ethical violation? The so-called bidding process does not always create the best bang for the dollar and can require hours and hours of city supervision to get a quality product!

I suggest you concentrate on the real corruption that is going on under your nose in this city and leave the good workers alone to do their jobs as they see fit!

Dave Pitzer
West Linn

Editor's Note: We aren't the only ones to question the actions of Michael Speck, the Portland Fire Bureau facilities-maintenance manager who awarded about $85,000 in contracts to his son's business. On July 29, after a probe sparked by WW's document request, the bureau suspended Speck for four weeks without pay for violating city purchasing policies.

TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY

I take great exception to your characterization of the Oregon House Democrats in your "Dubies Awards" [Aug. 3, 2005]. You stated that the House Dems ran "only" nine minority reports during this legislative session, suggesting they were wimps.

In truth, the House Democrats fought their guts out for what's right for all Oregonians.

After the Democrats offered a minority report forcing a vote on a "no-cuts" schools budget, Speaker Karen Minnis and Republican Leader Wayne Scott adopted an insidious counter-tactic: Whenever a bill emerged with any possibility for a minority report-even unrelated policy bills-it was referred to the House Budget Committee, where the rules prohibited minority reports. This allowed them to avoid votes on issues they found embarrassing.

Unable to run minority reports, the Democrats offered motions to pull bills from committee for a direct floor vote. More than a dozen times, the Democrats forced the Republicans to vote on issues such as school funding and affordable health care.

The tactic so infuriated Minnis that she again changed the House rules, and stripped the minority of the prerogative to withdraw bills from committee. Never in Oregon's history has the house majority gone so far to stifle minority dissent. For this, you attributed great political skill to Minnis. Whether or not bullying constitutes political skill, this is no way to run a democracy.

Minnis and Scott may have succeeded in blocking many good bills in 2005, but they won't be in charge forever.

Jon Isaacs
Campaign Director,
Oregon House Democrats