Mailbox

[September 5th, 2007]

Capability Comes In All Colors

Why in the interests of the whole community would you want a mayor, or any official, of a particular skin color? How about a capable person, regardless of color?

Your article [“Black Power-less,” Aug. 29, 2007] assumes that there is some inherent worth in having a person from a special interest group who does not reflect the majority as mayor. I think the whole idea that a black mayor would somehow be better for the black community solely by virtue of their genetic background weird, unrealistic and (curiously) racist. The implication of a Portland that is good for one skin color automatically being bad for another is bizarre. People are people. Good for the many is good for all.

Portland is so uncomfortable about race! MLK said that he dreamed of a U.S. where people were judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Your article assumed that there’s something inferior about a particular race and that only special treatment can level the playing field. White guilt is a conceit that doesn’t help anybody.

Steve Bennett
via wweek.com

That Explanation’s Not Gonna Fly

While I am pleased that you mentioned our recent success with Boeing in the Winners column [Aug. 29, 2007], I think you have given your readers a mischaracterization of the City of Gresham’s agreement with Boeing.

Our City Council approved a short-term tax exemption called an Enterprise Zone. Boeing will now be able to invest in new equipment and improvements to their existing facilities as well as make a small building expansion that will accommodate their role in building the new Dreamliner at their Gresham plant. Once the abatement ends Boeing will pay full taxes on a facility that is now worth significantly more.

As part of our agreement with Boeing they are required to add a minimum of 140 new jobs. These are good, family wage jobs that are required to pay at least 200 percent of the Oregon minimum wage by a set date or they loose their abatement. As you reported, Boeing plans to add more jobs than required. Also as part of the agreement Boeing will pay a Community Service Fee in the last two years of their agreement that is equal to 25 percent of the abated taxes.

The Boeing expansion is a sure thing and we have a signed agreement to prove it with accountabilities and protections built in. The agreement is on the City’s website if WW would like to actually read it.

Boeing and its employees are active in Gresham and we are proud to have them here and investing for the long-term in our community.

Laura Bridges Shepard
Communications manager, City of Gresham
via wweek.com