Messy paper trail behind Hayden Island plans

The Portland Tribune reviewed hundreds of internal City Hall e-mails regarding the West Hayden Island planning process, and found questionable activities behind the scenes.

Mayor Sam Adams' proposal involves building a  300-acre marine terminal and setting aside 500 acres for wildlife protection and recreation.

A Portland Tribune review of hundreds of internal City Hall emails about the West Hayden Island planning process, obtained in a public records request, found:

• City planners worked hand in glove with their Port of Portland counterparts, a curious relationship between a developer and the city bureau that must review its development proposal.
• When the mayor’s hand-picked West Hayden Island task force wasn’t going his way – despite 17 months’ work and $500,000 in public spending – his staff sought to squelch publicity about its findings.
• Adams’ spokesmen and other key staff disregarded the Oregon Public Records law and city and state records retention rules, which are designed to assure the public’s right to know the workings of government.

Read more at The Portland Tribune.

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