Make change to handle traffic

To the editor:
After 45 years of growing, it’s time for another type of growth for the Tri-State tractor and engine show and the city of Portland.
Seeing this year’s show has reminded us once again of our thoughts along the line of safety.
Since the Tri-state Association has already taken steps to move traffic more smoothly onto their grounds and the fairgrounds by moving traffic to the north, away from East Votaw Street, we think it’s time for the next step.
Vendors and their customers along East Votaw have grown steadily over the years. The street isn’t that wide in the first place, and adding blocks of vendors, tents, tables and their customers milling from one to another is a definite safety hazard. There is barely enough width to the street for two lanes of traffic — now add the people. The pedestrians walk right out in the street as though there are no cars or anyone else within miles.
Before somebody gets injured or killed, we need to change this. We need to make those blocks of East Votaw for pedestrians and golf carts only during the tractor and engine show.
Someplace nearby to park would also be a big plus.
You see those cars parked now in spaces intended for their own customers in all the surrounding business lots, plus both sides of East North and East Race streets.
Maybe the Scouts would like to handle the parking at a nearby location.
We miss the trolleys, also, since people could park downtown and ride the trolleys back and forth. That made a difference, too.
We welcome all the visitors, but the growth has created a need for a different solution.
What do you think?
Sincerely,
Charles and Verna Loper
Portland[[In-content Ad]]