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illamette Week is in the midst of its most critical annual fundraiser. As a local independent newsroom, we rely on your generosity. Donate now and keep the city accountable.
**STOP THE NEGATIVE RUMORS ABOUT OUR CITY**
We’re told to care about billionaires’ opinions (“Hotseat: Lauren Noecker,” WW, Dec. 17), yet Portland’s spirit isn’t swayed by wealth. The city has 100 neighborhoods, and even after excluding the downtown core, they all thrive. The ongoing 82nd‑street rewiring is laying the groundwork for the Numbers district’s future. I’d rather live in Portland than in Oklahoma City, Peoria, or Dallas. The city’s vibrancy comes from its creatives and a robust upper‑middle class that keeps the economy humming. I’ve visited every U.S. state and 35 countries, and Portland remains a standout city. It’s worth seeing WW cover how Portland endures despite Trump’s negative press, which has led some outlets to follow his false narrative. Viva Portland Siempre!
**CHEAP RENTS ARE A STRENGTH**
Lauren Noecker’s interview about Portland, Oregon, and the local economy highlights a misconception: many think there’s a “housing crisis” here. While affordable housing for low‑income residents is limited—an issue Keith Wilson is tackling—cheap rents actually give Portland a competitive edge.
**PORT EXPANSION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT**
Nigel Jaquiss explained the questionable aspects of the Coos Bay container port plan (“If You Build It, Will They Come?” Oregon Journalism Project, Dec. 17). He overlooked the environmental fallout. A new port would dredge the lower estuary, destroying eelgrass beds that serve as a carbon sink and critical habitat for salmon, Dungeness crab, and other species. Marshes would vanish, water quality would suffer, and dredging spoils could be dumped into the ocean. The deep channel would expose the estuary to storm surges and tsunamis. Redeveloping the railroad to Eugene would also have significant effects. A follow‑up piece is needed to fully address these concerns.
**NO SUCH THING AS SANTACONI**
Willamette Week was misled by a fake SantaCon. The “OG SantaCon” started in 1996 by the Cacophony Society, featured in Chuck Palahniuk’s *Fugitives and Refugees*, was never a for‑profit event. The recent “Stumptown SantaCon” is a rebrand by a new group that responded to a cease‑and‑desist letter in 2013. The DOC NYC film *SantaCon* coincides with this rebranding, but the original Portland SantaCon was a culture‑jamming, consumer‑critique event. For a profile of the original’s toy‑making workshops, see April Baer’s NPR story (Dec. 5, 2008).
**LETTER TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES**
Letters must include the author’s street address and phone number for verification. Keep them 250 words or fewer. Submit to: P.O. Box 10770, Portland, OR 97296. Email: [email protected].
