Some years back, Portland re-named Union Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. They renamed Front Avenue to Naito Parkway. Renamed Portland Boulevard to Rosa Parks Way. Now, Harry Tommy Potter and his merry band of lizards wizards are working with a Latino group toward renaming Interstate Avenue to Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Yes, that's decisive leadership in Portland. Never mind the fact that it costs taxpayers a lot of money to produce and change out the street signs - money that might be used to fill a pothole or two. And most certainly, never mind the cost to businesses - this is important work that Tommy's got going here, so businesses will just have to suck it up.
It's how Portland maintains its business-friendly image.
Well, as long as Tommy wants to buff the city's "progressive" image by renaming a street after Chavez, he ought to check into whether or not he can get a better deal by purchasing in bulk. Because we really need to name another street in Portland to honor the man whose vision and drive remains the forward-thrusting impetus behind what Portland is today.
We need to name a street after Neil Goldschmidt.
Metro headquarters is on Grand Avenue; perhaps we could rename it to "Goldschmidt Gateway" - although the "planners" could probably come up with a catchier title.
