Voters stupidly approved a levy that allocated millions of dollars to the regional governmental layer known as Metro. These funds were to be used exclusively to "preserve" natural areas.
So, what are the folks at that brain-trust thinking of doing? Why, they think that maybe they should buy the Blue Heron industrial site in Oregon City. Blue Heron Paper Co.went bankrupt earlier this year, and Metro's considering a multi-million-dollar buy. A "natural" area? Hardly - the place has been industrial space since 1829.
This is just more governmental mission-creep. It appears that they'd like to get more involved in development: If Metro buys the land, it will years before it opens to the public or results in new commercial projects. It's classic bait-and-switch: We need you to give us millions of dollars so that we can "preserve" natural spaces.
Now that we have your money, we're getting into commercial development. Go die in a fire, and have a nice day.
