The Public Statues -- Again

Gone, but not forgotten

Leadership has not been an apparent trait at City Hall in recent years.  That appears to be changing, thanks to the one commissioner who is probably the most mild-mannered of the five council members, Dan Ryan.

Last year, Ryan quietly negotiated unanimous council approval to restore the historic David P. Thompson elk statue and the granite fountain upon which it sat.  (The elk and fountain are expected to return early next year.)  Now, since being given charge of the Portland Parks Bureau, Ryan has taken unexpectedly bold steps.

On July 19,  during council testimony about restoring – or not – historic statues that were toppled by protesters, it became clear that the city-funded Regional Arts and Culture Council would NOT be the agency to determine the future of Portland’s public arts policies.  RACC long ago had decided in its infinite wisdom (for itself) that the historic statues would not be returned to public places because of flaws in some of the historic figures’ conduct.

 Soon thereafter, Ryan also announced that city funding for RACC would terminate at the end of the fiscal year next June 30.  Rather than RACC making public art decisions, the City Council will precede with a lengthy community process involving tours, public discussions, and programs hosted by a monuments review panel.

 How long the process will take and what the eventual outcome will be are anyone’s guess.  On the plus side, all sorts of opinions and historical aspects can be analyzed in public, rather than delegating the decision to a small group whose collective mind was already firmly entrenched.

Ryan’s non-combative demeanor no doubt has helped him negotiation council consensus.  One might wonder, however, who has his “ear” on matters of art and preservation.

 While Building on History has no inside information, an ad hoc group calling itself Concerned Citizens has been communicating with Ryan and his staff for many months.  The group includes members with backgrounds in politics, the arts, history and city government.  One of its members is Mike Lindberg, who served on the City Council from 1979 to 1996. 

 While some public advocates shout from the rooftops and try to generate publicity for their cause, others – like the Concerned Citizens – work quietly behind the scenes to influence the levers of governmental power. 

 Ryan’s firm grip on the Parks Bureau was demonstrated recently in yet another way.  He convinced the City Council to rename O’Bryant Square in honor of the late Walter Cole, who built a lengthy and honorable reputation as a drag queen known as Darcelle.  His downtown nightclub was known for its good humor and respect for people of all walks of life.

Being a nice guy, it appears, is worthy of public honor while defeating slavery, winning a revolution against oppression and creating national parks and public forests might not qualify. 

----Fred Leeson

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