I hope it does not wind up like Martin Luther King street names. Straight through the ghetto. In a strange town and want drugs, find Martin Luther King park, boulevard or street. Somewhere on these, there will be an open air drug store. I thought that the naming of streets for him should have been the main street. Period.

None of them

Just because someone is famous somewhere else for something admirable, does not mean we can impose this idea on others, nor does it entitle us to do so for the sake of just doing it.

Are we THAT bored with our lives to do this?

Personally, I don't care IF they name a street after him or anyone else and if they do, which street it is.

I have a singular concern about renaming and that is the costs to businesses. For those of you who don't know, in the printing biz, volume purchases equate to large price discounts. It is not uncommon for a business to order several years of imprinted merch. if they can store it. I personally had a 220 sq ft storage unit separate from my businesses just to store these items.

I also encountered a proposed naming change while in AZ. This was a major business street. The city council didn't listen to our concerns until we started talking about suing for compensation to the tune of $5.8M. You see, even the smallest biz could have $2-3K in imprinted merch that would go to waste if the name changes.

Just something to think about...

I tend to agree with your one last thought, Jeff. Did Cesar Chavez ever set foot in Oregon? And really, why a street? Wouldn't a park be just as much of an honor? Or is it only an honor if it greatly inconveniences a whole bunch of other people?

Not to mention, mp97303, the changes the common citizen would have to do would be even more. Banks and others entities now are beginning to charge their customers with fees just for even thinking of changing adresses. It is even worse with the DMV.

All this for someone who rarely, if ever, set foot in the State of Oregon. Just because he was famous for something admireable, does not entitle us to honor him in such a way that it imposes and disrupts our lives that is not very cost effective. to begin with.

And just to humor Jeff...

SW Ankeny from Broadway to Park. Just two blocks. Few people impacted. That's it.

I agree with jfwells...a park is much more suitable.

None of them should be renamed. This is silly. As Bojack pointed out last year, Cesar Chavez doesn't even have any connection with Portland, so why are we renaming a street for him? Let's move on to something more important.

I can't think of a worse time to be spending city, business and individual resources and money on what will likely be a costly and disruptive endeavor. School days and resources are being slashed, unemployment is rising, but yes lets rename a street.

If we really want to honor Cesar Chavez and the Latino community, it should be in form of better jobs, education, health care and other social services, not a street. If anything should be named that comes close to exemplifying his great deeds, why not a park or some other public outdoor space.

Metropolis, is not necessarily Oregon.

Instead of renaming a street how about naming the new library that is supposed to be opening in the Kenton neighborhood in honor of Cesar Chavez.

I have to agree that there are more cost effective and potentially "quicker" ways of naming something after Chavez. Here in The Eug one of our newest schools is Chavez Elementary. Our Main Bus Transit Station is Rosa Parks. There are two MLK streets. The first one is in Eugene. It is actually a Eugene/Springfield Arterial. Only Eugene changed over. Springfield decided not to due to costs for the city and business owners and instead decided to name a new street that was being built for MLK. We have the Pete DeFazio Bridge. Alton Baker Park. All sorts of things. There are plenty of--what I would consider-- better ways of naming things in honor of great people in our history. Especially now when things are as cash-strapped as they are.

Make the change mean something. Rename NW Westover.

(for all the noobs in town, that's the street which starts above NW 23rd and snakes its way up the West Hills, some of the most expensive real estate in the city limits).

Don't rename anything.

Name new things after people - but leave the old stuff alone. We lose enough history as it is... America is so bad about just "deleting" history.

I hate that they renamed Portland Blvd. It was, after all, named after our city!

Of these, the only one I would even kind of sort of support is 39th. There is nothing really tied to 39th and we already have a few "named" streets in our number grid - one more wouldn't kill things.

But who the hell seriously considers naming a street after someone an "honor" ? How many people can tell me who Ainsworth, Ladd, Couch, Failing, Lovejoy, Hawthorne, Glisan, McLaughlin, or any other characters our streets are named after are, or what we are honoring them for? Only historians and nerds (like me) know this stuff. The vast majority don't. No one cares who those people were. But the streets have become a part of our community and our city and our landscape.

STOP CHANGING STREET NAMES - it erases history.

Leave Broadway be. It's unique in that it's the only street that crosses NE, N, NW and SW Portland. The "weirdness" in that it runs both N/S (on the west side) and E/W (on the east side) is precisely the reason NOT to rename any part of it. How many cities in the world have a street that does that?

I suggest renaming Couch Street. It preserves the progressive alphabet street naming convention (there's got to be a better way to phrase that!) in downtown NW, and it relieves Portland residents of the question of whether to correct someone when they mispronounce it or to childishly snicker in silence.

Grand. Don't rename 39th; make 42nd Douglas Adams Blvd.

Oh, and Bush coming as it does between eminent personages and Presidents could leave a newbie with the impression that Portland named a street for a member of the Bush crime family. Very unseemly.

Actually, are nominations closed? Why not rename Bush to Cesar Chavez? Kind of like Spain renaming all the streets that were named after Franco era fascists.

None of the above. Let's name a park or a library or something of honor for him. A street is not something people love -- parks and libraries and things like that are.

Have to say, I like Torridjoe's idea -- build a fountain and place of respite at the Farmer's Market and name the whole square for Chavez ... now that would be an appropriate honor.

An open question to the street renaming people: Is your objective to honor Sr. Chavez or is your objective to show the people of Portland how much political power you might wield?

Perhaps this is something that should be decided by Latinos and not a bunch of white liberals?

White shame at its' fullest and most pathetic is on full display here.

I support naming no streets after Cesar Chavez until they rename a street after former US Senator Mark O. Hatfield.

Hatfield did more for the people of Oregon than Cesar Chavez, but then again, Hatfield does not have a race lobby behind him and a city full of Whites, many of whom are ashamed of their heritage.

Was that politically correct? Eh, I could care less nowadays, but then again maybe that caring less is part of my "White Privilege". LOL.

Commence the ad hominem comments calling me a racist because I opposed the idea until a more influential figure in Oregon society gets his due.

I know what I am, I know that same heritage makes others ashamed, I know that other groups use that shame to their "advantage," and I am fully aware of their agenda.

The question of what "has Cesar Chavez done for Oregon" pales in comparison to the body of work that Mark O. Hatfield's life was for Portland, OR and the people of Oregon.

Shame on me. LOL.

Actually, moonbat, one little issue is that there is darn little that hasn't been named for Hatfield already.

I'm old enough to remember a good tradition that has been lost, which is that we didn't use to name things for living people. That's a tradition we should return to.

You want big let's go big. Cesar Chavez stadium, home of the new MLS franchise. That's right. I went there. ;)

Jeff said" Couldn't you have tried to work a Limbaugh code word in so we'd know you were channeling the GOP leader?"

Jeff, you are better than that.

Why not rename the entire city of Gresham? It'll give them something tangible to resent.

This entire effort is beginning to seem so much like the kind of branding the Rose Festival fell victim to, though in its case, the reason was money. Here, I'm not sure anymore what the reason for naming a street after Cesar Chavez is. Why do people really want to do this? Chavez was a great man and a figure of lasting importance, but is naming a street the only or best way to keep him and his life's work in the public consciousness?

Adding to the distressful character of this effort, is that it seems as though the street named can't be a little street. It has to be a major thoroughfare or a 'boulevard'. And, the street probably just can't be simply named 'Chavez St', or 'Chavez Avenue' It's probably going to have to be 'Cesar(insert middle name)Chavez' Boulevard. Something huge and inescapable. I hope not pretentious.

Instead of an ag worker, I almost wish Cesar Chavez had been a soccer player. Then his name, what with the city signing onto to this MLS deal, would have been a shoe-in for rechristening Civic Stadium....that is, pge park, Cesar Chavez Memorial Soccer Stadium. I'm sure that enterprise is going to be on the lips of large numbers of people.

It seems right that whatever eventually bears his name should have something to do with the legacy he achieved; agriculture, workers rights, heroism as a champion in achieving ethic and minority dignity for all. I'm beginning to think that's never going to happen. More and more, it looks the the city's people are going to wind up with another arbitrary street re-naming simply because it can be done.

Reason for not renaming 39th?

And changing the numbered streets could become a problem, particularly if we start naming the major crosstown thoroughfares.

Excuse me, but there are already "numbered" streets that are instead named streets: Broadway and Park on the west side are part of the regular grid.

support naming no streets after Cesar Chavez until they rename a street after former US Senator Mark O. Hatfield.

Hatfield did more for the people of Oregon than Cesar Chavez, but then again, Hatfield does not have a race lobby behind him and a city full of Whites, many of whom are ashamed of their heritage.

Yep, there just aren't enough monuments to Hatfield and his pork-barrel skills already. As for the "race lobby" inanity and my alleged shame about my heritage, give me an effing break.

This is silly. As Bojack pointed out last year, Cesar Chavez doesn't even have any connection with Portland, so why are we renaming a street for him? Let's move on to something more important.

All hail Jack Bogdanski! Let's name a street in his honor: change MLK to Smartass Boulevard.

And while we're at it, better rename a bunch of high schools: Madison and Franklin are hte most obvious examples. After all, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin had nothing to do with Oregon. Purging those names would definitely be a Bogdanskian action of the first degree.

Sewer.

How about an INS detention facility?

If it's good enough for a U.S. President, It's good enough for Cesar Chavez!

How about Vista Avenue?

There must be a filter that trolls use to flag the name "Cesar Chavez" on blogs, thereby alerting there to the opportunity to post inane comments like "How about an INS detention facility?".

BTW here's some verbiage from Chavez' Wikipedia page:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Born March 31, 1927, Yuma, Arizona, U.S.

"César Estrada Chávez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was a Mexican American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. Supporters say his work led to numerous improvements for union laborers. His birthday has become a holiday in eight U.S. states. Many parks, cultural centers, libraries, schools, and streets have been named in his honor in cities across the United States."

"Later in life, education became César's focus. The walls of his office in Keene, California (United Farm Worker headquarters) were lined with hundreds of books ranging in subject from philosophy, economics, cooperatives, and unions, to biographies of Gandhi and the Kennedys. He was a vegan."

"There is a portrait of him in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Oh, and Chavez' non-existent link to Oregon? BULLSHIT.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "In 1973, college professors in Mount Angel, Oregon established the first four-year Mexican-American college in the United States. They chose César Chávez as their symbolic figurehead, naming the college Colegio Cesar Chavez. In the book Colegio Cesar Chavez, 1973-1983: A Chicano Struggle for Educational Self-Determination author Carlos Maldonado writes that Chávez visited the campus twice, joining in public demonstrations in support of the college. Though Colegio Cesar Chavez closed in 1983, it remains a recognized part of Oregon history. On its website the Oregon Historical Society writes, 'Structured as a "college-without-walls," more than 100 students took classes in Chicano Studies, early childhood development, and adult education. Significant financial and administrative problems caused Colegio to close in 1983. Its history represents the success of a grassroots movement.'"

An article on Colegio Cesar Chavez in Mount Angel.

Cafe Today:

None of them should be renamed. This is silly. As Bojack pointed out last year, Cesar Chavez doesn't even have any connection with Portland, so why are we renaming a street for him?

Bob T:

Because some people have to do these things to make them feel good. Last time they did that they proudly elected the "first gay mayor of a major city", and were rewarded with a nice corporate welfare package for a multi- millionaire (which everyone knew Adams supported before the election, but no matter -- feeling proud of themselves was more important than, well, important things).

Bob Tiernan Portland

My father was a deputy sheriff in Southern California during two of the UFW's "huelgas". He worked several 24 hour shifts protecting non-union pickers in the lettuce fields from being assaulted by the UFW. He had lettuce, rocks and bottles thrown at him by the UFW and their teamsters roughnecks.

Cesar Chavez is not a hero to me.

Sideways topic... but I note Cesar Chavez was firmly against illegal immigration - believing it both undermined US workers and exploited illegal aliens.

He would therefore have been sorely disappointed by the US Senate recently stripping the E-Verify provision from the House version of the stimulus bill and voting to end the E-Verify program in six months. Drowning in a infinite sea of ineffective programs, leave it to our elected fools in Washington to end one that, while not perfect, does actually work.

So now, according to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), illegal aliens will take 300,000 of the 2 million construction jobs to be created by the stimulus bill. The CIS figure is based on Census Bureau estimates that 15 percent of all construction workers are illegal aliens or immigrants who are not authorized to work in the United States. Other experts put the figure far higher than 15 percent, and certainly higher in California and other Southwestern states, where illegals tend to congregate.

Sorry Cesar... and sorry for us also-

Kari says: We should name the new light rail bridge for Cesar Chavez.

I have an even BETTER idea... let's sell naming rights for the bridge (ala PGE Park, etc) and use the resulting $ to help fund replacement of the Sellwood Bridge and/or replace some of the $338M state lottery funds (originally ear-marked for schools) used to fund this bridge.

Tualatin Valley Highway, anyone?

As it is important to recognize important figures in American History, I propose the following street name changes:

1. George W. Bush Parkway
2. Bill Clinton Boulevard
3. George H.W. Bush Avenue
4. Ronald Reagan Boulevard
5. Jimmy Carter Way

...

You get the idea.

We can continue the tradition by naming a street after each of Oregon's Governors, each of Portland's Mayors, etc.

We can start by taking the streets that have become fodder for The Simpsons characters, because who remembers who Flanders REALLY is? No, not Ned Flanders. Not Bob Terwilliger, the crazy murderous clown with the spiky hair. Not Milhouse Van Houten, or the Reverend Lovejoy, or Mayor Quimby.

Whatever method is chosen to honor Mr. Chavez it should include a plaque where his staunch opposition to illegal immigration can be displayed, as the entry below from Wikipedia documents.

“In 1969, Chávez and members of the UFW marched through the Imperial and Coachella Valleys to the border of Mexico to protest growers' use of undocumented (illegal) immigrants as strikebreakers. Joining him on the march were both Reverend Ralph Abernathy and U.S. Senator Walter Mondale.

In its early years, Chávez and the UFW went so far as to report undocumented immigrants who served as strikebreaking replacement workers, as well as those who refused to unionize, to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

In 1973, the United Farm Workers set up a "wet line" along the United States-Mexico border to prevent Mexican immigrants from entering the United States illegally and potentially undermining the UFW's unionization efforts.”

Jeff Alworth:

Americans are kind of cool about not creating cults of personalities with living politicians.

Bob T:

Like the way Obama is a cult figure to millions? Things being named after him before the inauguration; his face all over the place like we were in Havana looking at Castro or Iraq under Saddam seeing that face plastered all over. You're really funny sometimes.

Bob Tiernan Portland

TorridJoe:

You obviously can't be thinking of the MLS deal, since Paulson isn't actually getting a dime from the City; the City is paying to build themselves a stadium and renovate a new one--and Paulson is covering the risk.

Bob T:

Oh dear. Look, if the city council votes to build supermarket buildings and then let Safeway, Albertson's and other use them would you say that those businesses wouldn't "be getting a dime from the Cuty"?

Bob Tiernan Portland

Posted by: Jeff Alworth | Mar 13, 2009 10:30:52 PM

Hatfield does not have a race lobby behind him and a city full of Whites, many of whom are ashamed of their heritage.

Was that politically correct?

Mainly angry and stupid. Couldn't you have tried to work a Limbaugh code word in so we'd know you were channeling the GOP leader?

One of the reasons it's ignorant (though the ways are many and resplendent) is because Hatfield is still alive. Americans are kind of cool about not creating cults of personalities with living politicians.

Lighten up! This is a political blog. Every topic will make someone angry. There are some people that compulsively strike a balance. The point was not beyond the Pale. Do you listen to Limbaugh? I sure don't and would never have heard Rush code if you hadn't pointed it out. Thanks. Cult of personality. Give me a break. "Cult of personality" is your naming a street after Cesar Chavez and never a scientist, artist, poet, social worker- anyone that is actually exemplary. Has to be someone powerful, symbolic, with name recognition. That is cult of personality.

Man that's a pisser. I suppose the living nightmare that was the Plano, TX Mayor naming the new tollway George H. W. Bush Tollway, while he was in office, was just a figment of my imagination. Oh, right, Texans aren't "kind of cool" like other Americans.

You leave the impression that you would rather people do something else with sentiments such as YOMB's. YOMB is clearly between the parties. Would you rather s(he) discuss it with a Rushie? Not ask the question at all? Who are you trying to reach? Must only be party faithful. If I were running a blog like this I would consider reaching YOMB to be exactly what the blog was there for.

YOMB, you're better than black and white generalizations. You know you don't think that way. "Proud or ashamed of your white heritage"? Why can't it be both? You must know that's the reasonable position. If not, keep reading history.

This is silly. As Bojack pointed out last year, Cesar Chavez doesn't even have any connection with Portland, so why are we renaming a street for him? Let's move on to something more important.

All hail Jack Bogdanski! Let's name a street in his honor: change MLK to Smartass Boulevard.

That's so true. That very thread had all the Mount Angel info. The goddamned idiot skipped the non-Jack part of the last posting, then asserts as naught what he didn't read last time! He's probably the poster that couldn't get his head around "hispanic" on the last thread. Obviously, YOMB didn't read it either. It covered the basics, that "hispanic" isn't a race; they're caucs, "race lobby". You mean "ethnic lobby". Hoy! That would be pretty weird in politics! What the hell do you think motivates 80% of the politically active people across the planet!?! Let's outlaw Pakistan. The whole country was founded based on an ethnic lobby. Oh, right. That's why India doesn't think it would be such a big deal if they took it.

Let's rename the country to Unflinching Stupid Arses. That would at least be truth in marketing. The people of Iraq might understand a case of corn flakes from the people that destroyed their country if it said on it, "This food aid was provided by Unflinching Stupid Arses".

those businesses wouldn't "be getting a dime from the Cuty"?

Bob Tiernan Portland

Hey, you work for Multnomah County, right? I'll thank you to refer to him as "The Mayor", not "the cuty"...and it's spelled "cutie".

Doretta, I'm wondering about something that has always irritated me about Portland street signs, is this within the purview?

Specifically, the city core has the signs turned 90 degrees, relative to the direction they would face if they were not downtown. It's hard to communicate the question in print. I have never once been able to bring this question up with a local without standing under one and showing them what I mean. You will get a universal, "no they're not" if you just describe the situation. Is it simply that almost all have been turned around?

Another signage question...about tri-met stop signs. Does the city code regulate this? I would like to see a tri-met sticker on the back side so you don't have to walk around looking at the front of a number of similar looking signs to find the bus stop.

I rather like in the UK that most road names are pretty good descriptions of where they are, where they go or what they look like. I got really lost in Sussex once, and found my way back because "London Road" went to London. In Oregon it would most likely be the name of a cul-de-sac at the new Metolius build. Was the comment about scientists, et al., the kind of thing you'll be discussing?

Dil Mirch: The comment I quoted from this thread mentioning Bogdanski said nothing whatsoever about Mount Angel. Maybe you're referring to something on Bogdanski's blog? I wouoldn't know because I quit looking at his blog awhile ago: I really don't need another dose of GOP-Lite fulminating about how government is the problem, all public officials are incompetent or thieves, etc. But go ahead and call me a "goddamned idiot" if that makes your day. Just while you're at it, provide a link to whatever thread you meant when you wrote this: "That very thread had all the Mount Angel info. The goddamned idiot skipped the non-Jack part of the last posting...."

Oh, and by the way, what about renaming Madison and Franklin high schools, as I facetiously suggested? Neither James Madison not Benjamin Franklin ever came to Portland, which of course didn't even exist when they lived. Ditto for Thomas Jefferson, come to think of it. We've got people arguing that Chavez should not be honored in Portland because he supposedly had nothing to do with Portland. Well--so why are we honoring Madison, Franklin, and Jefferson?

I don't doubt that some people will argue quite sincerely not to name a street after Chavez, but puhleeze, the line "he had nothing to do with Portland" just doesn't cut it. This is the UNITED States of America, for crying out loud: I get to live in Oregon and still show appreciation and respect for someone from a state I've never set foot in.

Again, if you have a sincere reason to oppose the renaming proposals, by all means make your argument. Just don't start with the conclusion and then work backwards to come up with a goofball rationale like "Chavez never came to Portland".

Bob Tiernan: Yo, the Obama-as-cult-figure line is so 2008. It didn't work when Clinton supporters were using it last spring. It didn't work when the GOP used it during the general-election campaign. Now, I realize you're a Libertarian and all, and thus a self-defined ultra-rational guy who would never thing of elevating someone like Ayn Rand, say, or an abstract concept like "the free market", to an object of veneration.

Sorry, typo, I meant "never THINK of" :-O

I would never call a dirty hippie an idiot! I was agreeing with you and calling the guy you were responding to an idiot.

Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Mar 15, 2009 4:39:26 PM

Uh oh, looks like we're headed into some annoying territory again.

Reminds me of a quote, I think the Archbishop of Canterbury said, that the internet, "is, like, un-policed speech". Perhaps it's the teutonization of the world. It used to be said that inside every German was a policeman, including the policeman. Or American, with a world cop mentality. Don't worry Rowan, it's not un-policed; we all lend a hand!

Annoying is that the word "soccer" guarantees 100 responses, but the Fed duplicating private banking stupidity gets 15, if it's lucky.

I like the idea of naming things after locals who have contributed to Oregon. You suggetion of Ferrell was excellent

Seriously... why are we doing this in Portland and not Washington County? Washington County is 15% Hispanic, compared to 8% in Portland. Farm laborers that Chavez fought for are the lifeblood of rural Washington County's economy, while a few scattered tiendas and taquerias are about the most significant presence of Latinos in The Whitest City in America.

If Portland wants to honor a segment of its population, how about: Mikhail Gorbachev Avenue (Russian immigrants), Widmer Way (craft brewers), Goldschmidt Plaza (for light rail leadership) or Earl Warren Drive (a nod to the Californian heritage of many Portlanders).

Even as someone who supports recognition for a genuine mensch who stood up for the powerless and oppressed his whole life, I despise this Orwellian idea that daily usage is the proper standard for determining what place gets renamed for Chavez. Heck, if frequent usage is the standard, then we should call the stretch of I-5 from the river to I-405 the Cesar E. Chavez Interstate, because then every radio and TV traffic report will talk about conditions on the Chavez every day, just like the Dan Ryan in Chicago and the Beltway in DC ...

The way to actually honor Chavez is by giving his name to something that people love -- a park (Delta Park = Chavez Park), a library, a fountain, the Farmer's Market, a community garden, something like that. People who claim to be interested in honoring Chavez are selling him short by thinking in terms of a street or bridge in order to force people to say his name more often.

I personally thought David Reinhard had a very interesting idea last year (yes, I know, Reinhard having a good idea? but he did have one). He suggested renaming Delta Park for Cesar Chavez. That way, everyone who drove down I-5 would see a huge sign proclaiming Cesar Chavez Park. I don't remember all his reasons, but he made a really good point. As far as renaming the streets, Broadway is an iconic street - leave it alone; Grand is probably the best candidate of the choices, but it raises some of the same issues as did the renaming of MLK. However, MLK is changing drastically and maybe Chavez wouldn't be so bad; 39th I don't believe should be changed either, it's a major street, one of the first numbered streets I learned when I moved here and even though a numbered street just doesn't fit. My proposal is to rename Burnside. What better symbol than the street that unites North and South Portland. It also has the advantage of running out towards the agricultural fields on both sides of town which is something Cesar Chavez actually had to do with; if you could get Gresham to go along, you'd have Cesar Chavez Boulevard running all the way from Providence Hospital to the end of Gresham where it turns into U.S. 26 to Mt. Hood and Central Oregon. If you want visibility, there it is. It makes perfect sense to me, and I'm surprised no one's mentioned it before.

I think I can summarize the peculiar logic that is on display here. Whatever place might be named for Chavez, it MUST HAVE these characteristics:

--Be in an area with a large Latino population. --Be associated with agriculture.

Apparently this is because only those who are either Latino or associated with agriculture can possibly appreciate Chavez' fight for workers' rights. It's kind of like the way that only African Americans can possibly appreciate Martin Luther King Jr., I guess.

Perhaps we can get even more parochial and stereotypical than this.

Folks, yes, if you're commenting here, you probably live in Oregon, a melanin-deficient part of the United States, but if you live to a ripe old age, your last days will be spent in a majority-minority country (just as California is already). And your children will most certainly live in such a place. Wrap your heads around that idea the next time you're inclined towards stereotypes.

"We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."--Benjamin Franklin

None of these streets should be renamed, especially Broadway. Just like almost every small town in America has its Main Street, every big city has its Broadway. In downtown, Broadway is the street of theaters. Running through Northeast Portland, Broadway has its own identity like Interstate Avenue has an own identity. The two Broadways are connected by the Broadway Bridge. Both Broadway and Grand Avenue have a historical significance to Portland. 39th Avenue is part of a sequential numbered street system on the Eastside. I do not think the man to be honored by this street renaming proposal would himself approve of the costs that will be incurred by small businesses, or even by the City of Portland if any of these streets were to be renamed.

What is needed is an alternative resolution that would not pose financial hardships to small businesses, not cost taxpayers the extra money of requiring the City of Portland to change out a multitude of street signs, and not require a divisive process. Therefore, as a fitting tribute to honor Cesar E. Chavez, I suggest naming the proposed new bridge crossing the Willamette River between OMSI and the South Waterfront after Mr. Chavez. This is a bridge that people will cross over and ships will pass under. This is a bridge that can fill in the gap between those who labor in the fields and those who dwell in the central city. By naming a new bridge in honor of Cesar E. Chavez, it would receive far more community support as a whole because the divisiveness and costs of this renaming process would disappear.

While I don't support the logic,and shudder to admit it, I have to agree with Terry Parker's conclusion. The light rail bridge is a very apt tribute.

none. renaming streets is stupid. if they want to make a new street and call it that fine by me. I propose we change mlk back to union, rosa parks back to portland, etc.

I'm not sure why we should waste anymore money to rename a street or any other thing in Portland. We already pay for their health care, food, and shelter. Lunches at school during the year and summer. They have taken over and decreased the wages of carpenters and landscapers. They now work in the fast food industry where kids used to get their first job. They use false SSN#s and believe that they have "rights". Well, Americans have lost quite a bit and it continues....

We should stop naming streets after people, streets are dirty and disrespected, I wouldn't want some filthy thing named after me, and I'm getting tired of having to pay to upgrade my gps every time there is a new street or a name change... Just quit already, no argueing, name buildings instead, or your house!

"Oh, and Chavez' non-existent link to Oregon? BULLSHIT" non-existent link to Portland, go rename a street in Mount Angel! Less streets! Less renames to remember, name a farm!

So I wonder why we have to look for the biggest thing possible to name after Mr. Chavez? Why not create a gorgeous little pocket park, a splendid place of repose in the middle of the muscle-muscle that is contemporary life and head? Why must it be something BIG BIG? A wall, a mural, a garden and a place to pull off yer bones for some peace.

"...fitting tribute to honor Cesar E. Chavez"

We don't need a tribute to Chavez. He did virtually nothing for most of us. This is not (or wasn't) an historically Latino state or city. We do NOT owe Chavez anything commemorative. We should not be naming anything after him and I will personally help recall our city council including the mayor if they go through with it. They continue to make the most idiotic decisions..it's almost like they don't listen to those who pay their wages.