ENDORSEMENTS

In an unusual circumstance, we have reversed an endorsement. Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by 8 pm May 16.

permitting issues. A developer didn’t want to pay to widen 49th Avenue for required parking, Forsyth says.

“There were so many permit issues,” agrees Peggy Aeh, who was a member of the aerie until it shut down for good during the pandemic. She’s now part of the organization’s state leadership.

The aerie closed for good at the beginning of the pandemic.

Like other fraternal organizations, the Eagles have struggled to recruit younger members. WW profiled a similarly vacant Elks lodge last year prior to it burning down in April.

“Remember, that without all of you, our Aerie is just a building,” wrote President Dave Haskins on Facebook, announcing the closure March 19, 2020. The following year, ownership of the building was transferred to the North Portland Eagles, the last remaining aerie in Portland.

The property is still for sale, Aeh says, although WW couldn’t find an active listing online. Spots in the parking lot, however, are available for rent for $7 an hour.

“It hasn’t been a good market,” Forsyth muses. “They might

MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER

District 3

Julia Brim-Edwards

At this difficult juncture in Multnomah County history, voters need a budget hawk who will help Chair Jessica Vega Pederson devise and execute a plan, even if that means making some people angry.

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD

Zone 3

Patte Sullivan WW initially endorsed Derrick Peterson in this be attached to a higher price tag than they’re able to get.” contest. On May 3, he withdrew from the race, following media reports of his church ties to a Christian nationalist group. Since then, he has declined to answer WW’s questions regarding his affiliations. But WW obtained a text message from Peterson to a PPS board member in which he says that if he wins the seat, he will keep it.

Aeh said she would put WW in touch with the administrator responsible for the building, but the newspaper never heard back.

Without its membership, the East Portland aerie was soon transformed.

For a while, a member lived in a trailer in the parking lot to keep away vandals, Aeh says. But that seems to have accomplished little. Soon, the decade-old mural spanning the Hawthorne side of the building was ruined by graffiti and had to be painted over—before soon being coated in graffiti yet again.

Forsyth says he’s glad to see the property being used by unhoused Portlanders. “They’re able to sort of live on the edges of it without getting harassed too much,” he notes.

But he’s changed his prior views about the prospect of redevelopment. “Maybe it is a better use of the resource for it to be turned into condos and ease some of the housing crunch,” he says. LUCAS MANFIELD.

It’s unusual for this newspaper to reverse an endorsement, but Peterson has left us little choice with his inconsistency and lack of transparency. His opponent, Patte Sullivan, is not running a serious campaign, but she is well intentioned and, as a former teacher, has relevant experience. Also, it’s clear why she’s seeking the office. Vote for her.

MEASURE 26-238

Imposes capital gains tax to fund eviction relief services and legal representation

No

We encourage voters to reject this sloppy, unnecessary measure and instead raise their voices to encourage the county to deploy existing funds to help more residents avoid eviction.

MEASURE 26-240

Five-year renewal of Portland Children’s Levy Yes

Voters should renew the Children’s Levy, which has demonstrated a track record of real good for vulnerable kids.