Jim,

Good dialogue on this entry. Thanks. I agree with your comments about needing to understand the problems of business before setting goals. That’s one reason why I visited 100 businesses in the first days of my term and continue to do so. It’s also why I’ve been working at Portland’s most common and lowest paying jobs to understand the issue from the worker’s point of view as well. From this effort I helped recruit a business, Assurity NW, into your neighborhood, Lents.

Until the 2040 plan, I want to see business success and individual and family prosperity goals that have significant support from both business, labor and government. Regarding your comment about business picking winners: I see it as part, getting the winners to pick Portland, but mostly helping our local winners stay and grow here. Progress has been made since losing Columbia Sportwear and putting Adidas though hell, but, yes, we still have lots of work to do to remove unnecessary barriers to desirable development in Portland. I keep at it.

I missed you at the East Portland stormwater discount meeting. I was counting on you to tape it.

Sam