“Vision” for “Economic Portland”

Thank you to all who commented either on the site or via e-mail on whether we do or should care about VisionPDX. On balance, I think I and others should know what’s in it, whether or not any of it is useful and/or gets used – the two not always being the same thing. The following is my review of the next segment of the proposed Vision, on “Economic Portland”.

The main problem I see with “Economic Portland” is that it seems to be crafted thinking about business owners almost exclusively, rather than both employers and workers.

The proposed Vision statements, on which the survey asks, “Let us know if we got it right”, for Economic Portland are:

• Portland businesses champion innovation and independence while balancing environmental, social and economic sustainability.

My comment on this in the online survey was, “What does ‘balancing’ mean?” It implies environmental and social goals might play second fiddle to business needs. Whereas in fact, in some cases environmental and/or social considerations may trump economic needs. We don’t want auto shops innovatingly and independently dumping waste oil into creeks, now, do we? Not even a little bit, for “balance”.

I didn’t say on my survey response, but I suspect, that the word “innovation” has become code for “You or some other working person are about to be royally done over”.

• In our vibrant downtown and neighborhood hubs, businesses reflect their communities’ values and resources and help to define and support their unique local identities.

There’s that word, “hub” again. Has anyone read the entire document, and if so is there a definition of “hub”?

• Portlanders support and protect local businesses in order to enhance a feeling of community, preserve the uniqueness of neighborhoods and allow for creative development among residents.

I like that one. I’m lining up a post on the Think Local First campaign, coming here soon.

• Business and industrial activity creates jobs and opportunity locally for all segments of society, while connecting to regional and global economies.

What is a “segment of society”? It sounds classist and very un-Portland-like to me. What segment of society am I in, and how did I get there? How do I get out and into another?

• Equitable access to quality education and employment enables us to be self-sufficient, fully utilize our differing abilities and talents and thrive.

Nice visionish language, huh? Betcha there was knee-slapping and high-fiving when someone dreamed that sentence up. I’d go with something more down-to-earth if it were up to me: something like, “Everyone who wants to can get quality education and a satisfying job that pays the bills with some left over.”

And what else is not in the proposed Vision? Well, what about the workers? I’d like to see a Vision statement in Economic Portland saying something like,

* “Workers at all levels in both public and private sector jobs love their work and are compensated appropriately for it”. And,

* “Safety and mutual respect are top priorities for workers and employers.” And,

* “Economic development decisions are made for the benefit of many people and the long term public good” – this last leaving unspoken, as appropriate for a positive Vision Statement, “… rather than at the behest of and for the benefit of a few wealthy power players”. Hey, let’s make it positive, and add,

* “Decisions about economic development are made in open, transparent public processes with fair opportunity for all citizens to benefit from government decisions.”

Does anyone doubt most Portlanders would embrace that Vision Statement? I wonder why it isn’t in the proposal.