Bull Dog Dion, City Councilor Who is a Candidate for Mayor, Said he Would not Change his Vote from Earlier This Month. to Allow for the Expansion of the 654 Riverside Street, Facility. as Councilor Regina  Philips Had Hoped For.  He Admitted to this Blogger that He is a “Jerk,” but a “Good One.”

Kristen Dow, Direcdtor of Portland’s Health & Human Services Orrice, Asks the Dysfunctionals to Expand the 654 Riverside Shelter to Allow for 50 Moe Beds.

During a Rally Before the Council Meeting a Group Opposed to the Cruel Sweeps Sought Shelter from the Rain Under Nearby Trees

A motion to reconsider a motion that failed on October 2 failed again this evening and was brought up at the request of Councilor Regina Philips because of new information received from the city’s Health & Human Services Center Direcdtor Kristin Dow. The new information was that more and more of the homeless are accepting offers to go to sheltered places.  An affirmative vote tonight would have permitted the expansion of 50 more beds at the 654 Riverside Street, Homeless Services Center.

Watching sausage made is  easier to stomach than waching this Bunch try to  agree on anything of significance.  Meanwhile, it’s getting colder and colder out with the number of tents in Portland now standing at 285 according to  Dow. who testified before the Bunch of Dysfunctionals.  Dow urged them to approve the bed expansion to give those who want to move indoors that option.    Living indoors is much better than living outdoors, Dow told the Bunch.

Bulldog Dion came out of his corner ready to take on Councilor Philips and anyoe else who supported the reconsideration motion.  He said councilors should not be given the opportunity to vote again.  “We have to live with our original decision.”  He admitted to this blogger that he is a “jerk”, but a “good one.”

Director Dow told the Dysfunctionals that loss of autonomy is an issue for the homeless – something they fear most of all.  She said that adding 50 beds will not solve the housing problem, but it will give the homeless a “choice.”  The new data is that more people are moving inside rather than staying outside.

“Heads at home are spinning with what is going on here in chambers,” said Councilor Zarro.  “We all hear from the public that the growth of encampments is concerning,” said Mayor Snyder.

A dreaded sweep of the Marginal Way Parking Lot is scheduled for November 1, 2023.

The subject will come up again on the November 13 council agenda so the Councilors can take another swipe at the expanding members of the homeless population in Portdland.