What's wrong with Portland

As someone from a BIG CITY, I too like the small town atmosphere and elected to move to Portland because I hate traffic. I do wish that a "good hospital" was not so far away or that I didn't have to make a day trip if I want to go to the mall but I agree, I think it's nice here and we should clean it up a little and make our small town look a little better.

this was put under the wrong thread so I moved it.

I am new to Portland as well. I chose this community for the small town feel. I agree the citizens of Portland should take a good look at what we have instead of worrying about what we don't have. Anything that is needed is within a 20 minute drive from Portland. The congestion, fast paced, unfriendly atmosphere of the big city is what would replace the friendly faces I have come to know if Portland expands. I for one would be against any new growth in my adopted home town.

Posted by: Coda Davison at September 30, 2008 01:30 PM

Hello to all in Portland, I wanted to tell everyone that this is a beautiful town. We live on the West Coast and are considering moving to Portland. We are a "Gay" male couple and we want to know how the city of Portland would welcome us to your community. Please everyone leave your comments so we will know.

Thank you,

Mr. and Mr.

GOMER - I actually seen today they had main street blocked off doing the restripping, etc and it appears when going onto 109 from Main Street it will be a RIGHT turn only

is Main St. going to be 2-way now ? if so pleaseeeeeee tell me there will be a traffic light at Broadway/109.

The encouragement to run for office is just that. No sarcasim, no anger, no hidden message.
When I got tired of complaining I set out to do something about it. So I ran for office. Lost by 9 votes. Waited 2 years and ran again and won.
It can be done by an "outsider", a "nobody", or a "non-good-ole-boy", because I did it. My wife and I mailed letters and bought 25 signs which we moved around town.
Have the betterment of town in view, without trying to prosper your self or someone else; and just go for it.
If nothing else you will scare someone who is looking to be re-elected.
It requires a lot of time and sacrifice if you want to know the issuses and really want to make a difference; but it is worth it.

It dosen't take very long for newcomers to notice that Portland is a VERY political little town and it's mostly a matter of who you know, who you are related to, and which church you belong to. That's about it.
And that line about " run for office" is just another way of saying..."take it or leave it".

In the meantime, just try to enjoy the fact that living in Portland allows you to take advantage of KY's lower sales tax rates, and no tax on food or medicine !

The fact that Portland is truly a Good Ole Boy town is why it will never grow to the potential is has...it's a shame really. But the powers that be cling to the "big fish in a little pond" syndrome and that's just how it is.

New Mom:

I had the same questions when my husband and I moved to Portland almost 2 years ago. There ahve been community sponsored clean up days, to which only a handful of people have shown. If you read through any of the previous threads, you will see that there have been complaints and discussions for quite some time about this. In just about every one, the response is just about the same, "Why don't you run for office. . . ." If it were that simple, believe me, I would!! But a previous poster hit the nail on the head, this town is knee deep in the Good Ol' Boy Network! Heck, they even tried to deny hiring the new Parks & Recreations Director because he wasn't from Portland! So for now, we are just biding our time until the economy gets better and we can sell. Yes, when we were looking to move into the area, we truly believed they were a "City on the Grow." There is a great deal of potential here. And Councilman Callis can talk up this "motel" that is going up by I-65 all he wants. My husband and I both are of the opinion that it is going to be a 20 room motor lodge at best!!

Yeah, reader should be getting his/her news here on this blog. We all KNOW how much more reliable this blog is. Teehee!

Forgive reader he or she doesn't know. They've read the paper to much and warped their mind. LOL

Reader,

What in the world does The Leader or The Progressive have to do with the topic, "What's Wrong with Portland."

Other reader, first you assume too much. I do not nor have I ever worked for The Portland Leader. I simply love how the only people who worked at the leader who appeared in the paper are those who John Cook had to hire private investigators to find dirt on from other states. Yet The Portland Progressive's owner can't seem to keep his flashlights to himself nor can he keep his nose out of business that doesn't affect him. He likes nothing more than to stir things up for the sake of news rather than do any real journalism. Instead he only seems to think people care about car wreck photos, who's sleeping with who, and whether or not Tim Coker appears in his newspaper or not. By that I mean keeping him out of it at all costs, especially when Tim runs for any sort of office.

To those who say that only the "lifers" can get elected into city council here, I have this suggestion:

1. Rent out a vacated building.
2. Start a Church.
3. Put posters and yard signs all over town promoting your church.
4. Write a trillion letters to the paper.
5. Run for office.

There you have it! Hey, it may take awhile to build a congregation, but in as little as 2-3 years, a sufficient following will build up, and there you go! City Council!

Oh yeah,:

Number 6: Rally against liquor by the drink, while taking your family to a liquor-by-the-drink establishment in Rivergate, Gallatin, Franklin, or Bowling Green! That way, no one from home will see you giving your $$$ to the exact same type of business you say Portland shouldn't have!

Now that's Funny....

Lee, sounds like you might be considering running for City Council......LOL LOL

Hey Other,
Does this mean you're going to beat the people at the Leader with a flashlight?

I am new here (April of 2008) and just love this town. Sure there are problems (I have not seen any) but tell me where there is no problems?

Some people would complain if they got hung by a new rope.

You know "reader," if you spent more time working on the Portland Leader instead of trying to tear down the Progressive maybe your paper wouldn't suck so bad.

Just sayin'.

Sounds like a campaign declaration to me Tim,I'm behind you 100%.But I won't tell anyone that if you don't want me to.LOL

Jaws, believe me, it's not just the newcomers who have a hard time getting involved. I've been here all my life pretty much, have four years of City Council experience, and volunteered for 3 committees since I left office a little over a year ago. The only one that I was put on, they neglected to tell me when the meetings were, and I just happened to walk in on one when I was there picking up some other information I had requested. I also found out it wasn't the first meeting they had either.

Now I don't know what the deal with that is. Maybe there are some real valid reasons about this stuff I am not aware of. But for a group that always is complaining that there is not enough citizen participation, I really didn't think I'd have this much trouble helping where I could while not having the responsibilities of a Council member.

Looks like if you want to be involved, Mr. Callis may be right. Some of us might just have to run for and get elected to office to begin to change things.

What's wrong with portland? Oh maybe the fact that The Portland Progressive's owner goes around hitting people with flashlights, having editors of other newspapers arrested for cursing at him, and has the shortest fuse anyone has ever seen.

new mom - I realize you're also new to the blog like you are to portland, glad to have you here. I'm not trying to be smart, & I don't see where anyone is argueing, but merely voicing their opinions. Your post is "What's wrong with Portland" that's leaving it wide open. It doesn't read "What can we as citizens do to help Portland" My take on your post is there's something wrong with this town, people need to quit complaining, clean it up and be greatful for what they have. Not I'm new here and would like to know are there any groups, organizations or committees that the City has where I can become involved and/or be of some help to others. Don't get offended, you're just getting slightly broke in, people have really been kinda nice in their replies on this touchy topic, heck in my 3 years on this blog I've been hung up by my ears and whiplashed so much I feel neglected when they don't... LOL As you can see Portland is a touchy subject. And yes the City does have clean up days, the only problem is I think it is right before Strawberry Fest, they gotta get the city all spiffy before visitors come, not sure they do it any other time of the year though. I hope you stay around the blog and participate as much as you can, new thoughts and ideas are great to have though not always what the lifers like to hear. Have a Good one! - Judy

Jaws
Like I said I'm not from here and was asking to see what I could become involved in.

Judy you stated
"You said below to clean it up, well I hate to tell you but it's called trespassing when you go on someone elses property without permission little own touch anything."

I was talking about cleaning your own area and having city clean up days or park clean up days. I was not asking anyone to trespass on someones property.
I didn't post this to argue with people I was posting to maybe get involved or help someone else out.

MDL - YES, I agree we all need to get out and vote in the elections! I understand what you are saying about the powers that be, I used to think the same way but we are up against a brick wall here. Especially if the City isn't willing to invest into improving this town first. Having KY just over the border with such low taxes makes it difficult for businesses to want to locate 5 miles away to a 9.75% community when 6% is just a hop skip and a jump away. It's risky business. I only wish there was some sort of Hardship tax discount the state would give where bordering cities to lower tax states would get a break on sales tax to entice people from jumping state borders with their money. Oh well..... just rambling my inner thoughts! Maybe some day change will come, we just have to keep up hope!

Jaws & DC - Yes we need new blood in the city, there's some that I agree are just along for the ride and others interest benefits them or their business. Jody would get my vote too for Mayor! It will be interesting to see who runs again and who any wanna be newcomers may be.

I have actually seen some positive things happening over the past 12 to 24 months.

We all complained about how there were eyesore properties around town, many of which I have seen some things done about.

That being said there is still room for inprovement, we still have all of the "Trailors" coming in to town along 52 west, which need to go, we still have the eyesore "Metal Junk Yard" coming up 109 from the south, although I understand there have been attempts by the city to clean that up, with little obvious improvement.

I don't have a great deal of love for Mr. Callis, for many reasons.

Seems everytime Mr. Callis get's into a "debate" with anyone, his answer is always run for office yourself if you want it to change.

Well, I wish it was that easy. Portland is a community that is in the grips of the Good Ole boy network. If your not from here, it is very VERY difficult to get involved with anything such as city politics. So while it is easy to tell folks to get involved with city council etc..., it is not quite as easy to do.

I have seen progress over the past 4 years, although it is very slow, it is happening.

I still think we need new blood with regard to city business, but until we can get beyond the Good Ole Boy Network, it is not going to happen.

Really the only one I have seen that has an "Out of the box" attitude and truly has a vision for the future of Portland is Jody McDowell. I wish he would run for Mayor. He would have my vote.

I think some of you need to run for council jobs. That is the only way we are going to get some positive change around here. If not some of you then at least elect someone new. The only council member that seems to care enough to listen to us would be councilman Callis. The rest sould be replaced because they only care about themselves.

Judy,
I do understand. But for some reason, it seems the 'powers that be' here haven't made it happen. Sure, I'd like that stuff to be here, a little bit of it anyway. However, I really don't think it'll happen just from what the ones here have complained about. I vote each election that I've been living here. I've seen very little change. If more voters would get out and actually vote, then maybe something would happen!

When are you people going to accept that Portland is not Franklin, Rivergate or even White House.
None of your whining or bright ideas is going to change that.

new mom - As a homeowner here in portland I take pride in my property and keep it maintained, as a citizen I'm supportive of the community & schools, and I DO shop Portland First when I can! I make an appoint to visit most any new business that comes to this town and let them know we/I am glad they are here, I communicate to family and friends in my network the need to help support what little businesses we have BUT that only goes just so far! I contact our city leaders and appropriate departments when I feel issues are in need of being addressed, and might I add they have been extremely open to hearing from the public they not only reply quickly but act on matters in the same manner. We as citizens have little control of the City as a whole other than our own little piece of the pie that we live in. What do you think we the residents can do to improve it?? You said below to clean it up, well I hate to tell you but it's called trespassing when you go on someone elses property without permission little own touch anything.

MDL - perhaps 45 min to franklin or Gallatin was a bit overstated, but as for Rivergate or BG from door to door I think 45 min is fair. That's besides the point. You noted in your post below:
"All the surrounding areas offer sufficient choices for all needs."
and Portland has next to none! That's the PROBLEM!! People just don't get it! You take ALL that money that WE take to other cities/states and put that back here in Portland by giving us CHOICES in town for shopping, dining, entertainment and this town would glow from top to bottom! It's called Sales TAX REVENUE!! It's called JOBS for our residents which in turn makes more money to spend!! Nothing would be left unattended, we could have that Civic Center, New City Hall, an Awesome Public Safety department that is adequately staffed, clean water & adequate sewer systems, Parks, Sidewalks, Greenways, Paved & Curbed Roads, the list goes on and on, not to mention Lower Taxes!! But many don't want that, they would rather maintain the status quo as it is and throw hundred's of dollars MORE each year into the Property tax pool (a result of Property tax increases), see very little appreciation in their home investment and continue driving all over creation to support other towns. I'm sorry but that my friend is backwards. Then people move here adding more strain on an already stressed community and complain that the roads stink, the water is undrinkable, taxes are high, the Public Safety department is half staffed, the town is dirty and not maintained but I like the small town feel that's why I moved here. um HELLO!

New mom,

You say

"For those who are mad about Portland and the way it is....What do you do to improve it?"

No offense....but haven't you been reading?

For those who are mad about Portland and the way it is....What do you do to improve it?

45 min each way? Franklin is 20, BG is 30, Rivergate is 30 and Gallatin is 20 at best. We don't eat fast food, so that's not an issue as far as 'restaurants' in Portland. All the surrounding areas offer sufficient choices for all needs. Yea, it would be nice if those places were here. But from the Portlandites who have been here forever or a long time at least, say that won't happen. Even if it did, I dare to say patrons would complain about the service and/or prices or the way the wind blows. Have there ever been any nice actual restuarants here? Five Chefs doesn't count, as they are nice, but only open limited hours and not really a family restuarant and affordable to everyone. But a nice sit down, bring your family have dinner or have a nice glass of wine with your meal, oh wait, I'm in Portland.............

New mom & What If
I'm not a lifer from around here, but I see a town that is afraid of change. I've also lived in booming areas where there is every convenience at your fingertips and other areas much like Portland with next to nothing to offer. I've lived here for 12 years and had visited here for 10 yrs prior to that and not too much has changed during this time so perhaps you have no worries.

I only hope that when your children get older you enjoy driving 45 minutes each way several times a week so you can give them choices on things to do or shops that carry clothing that they are willing to wear, or books that they need to read, or uniforms they need for sports, or games for their computers, the list goes on, oh and don't forget when you need something for home repair, pay 2x here in town or travel to get it at standard cost, new furniture-travel, carpet-travel, appliances-travel, Automobile-travel, Craft Supplies-travel, Christmas Shopping-travel, Pet Supplies-travel...... Ahhhh but if you need a $1. disposable plastic bowl yippee there's 3 dollarama stores in town, good thing, I'de hate to spend $10 in gas to go buy that $1 bowl that would wind up costing you $11.00 and if you work here in town that would probably be more than 1 hours pay! And I certainly hope you all like to cook, burgers & pizza get old real fast, just be sure you watch the sell by dates on stuff in these stores or you could find yourself throwing out more of your hard earned cash!

There are many valid complaints about Portland, a City that promotes itself as "A City on the Grow" or "Proud & Progressive". The only thing that will be Growing or Progressive is gonna be the debt to keep it running if some changes don't come about pretty soon. I agree with JimC and Gimmeabreak, and am keeping my fingers crossed :)!

GimmeAbreak Most of those unwanted people moving here are not smart enough to relize what you are saying. Remember most of them moved here for the great paying jobs. LOL....or to retire here in Paradise LOL.

They don't see that most of us just want better Resturants selections and Grocery stores and maybe a home improvement store. I think that we might see alot of change coming with the new Electric car plant coming to Franklin. Look at what Happened in Smyrna and Lavergn. Lets all keep our fingers crossed.

New mom,
I am glad to hear that someone feels the same way about Portland that my wife and I do. We haven't been here long, but we have noticed that there is nothing to do here. If I was a teenager, I would be going CRAZY to get out of this town.
Also, the people here aren't very nice or friendly until they get to know you. If you're new, you kind of get the cold shoulder. It's almost like a fraternity, you have to prove yourself to be accepted.
That's not the right way for a town to present itself.

new mom,
Amen. We weren't born and raised here either, which I'm kinda glad since it seems like the same arguments going on today that their parents had I think. Which I don't live in the small town I was raised in, nor would I move back there pretty much because of the small town politics. But being from 'not around here' is great cause you're not involved and so bitter about everything. Lived in Nashville for many years and trust me, it's a Godsend here. Live up there for a while and then maybe one would appreciate more here. Granted the arguments are valid, but the addage works the same if you don't like it, move. I think you'll find it more expensive all around if you do. Now don't bash me because of my opinion.......

When your taxes are more than your mortgage because that is the only way to support this town you might be thinking differently!! Small town or not it still has to provide the necessities, Safe Water, Sewers, Roads, Public Safety! You don't get that for nothing, without revenue from Businesses (Factories, Retail, Services etc.) the PUBLIC / HOMEOWNERS, are the ones that will eventually be paying the tab. If you want small quaint undisturbed living, try Scottsville KY, the meninites are still living in the past! This town must move forward or we'll have plenty of Mourning Mondays soon in Portland!!