'Listening tour' a smart move (04/21/08)

Mayor Bruce Hosier got some exercise Friday.

And doing so was not only healthy, it was good government.

With an ordinance creating a historic preservation district in Portland's downtown on the table, the mayor was going the extra mile to explain the proposal, listen to property owners, and gauge public sentiment.

A public hearing on the proposal had drawn little comment, and that's not surprising.

Too often, folks wait until after action has been taken before voicing an opinion. Sometimes, that means they wait until it's too late. More often, it creates confusion and controversy that could have been avoided if there had been more citizen input early in the decision-making process.

Mayor Hosier was trying to avoid that all too familiar scenario.

By visiting with property owners, the mayor was able to outline what the ordinance would and would not do. He was able to answer concerns. And he was able to gather information and opinions that might shape the final language in such an ordinance.

Passage will ultimately be the decision of the Portland City Council. But it's the Hosier administration that will have to enforce any such ordinance and answer any complaints or objections that might surface later.

So, in some ways, the mayor's downtown visits on Friday weren't merely good government, they were smart politics as well. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]