It appears time to consider the possibility that the pro-business, anti-public ethos that plagues American politics has also started to infect Portland's city council.

To wit: Most Portland city councilors love to make deals with corporations, but have no interest in finding a way for people to protest overnight in city parks, despite repeated attempts on the part of OccupyMaine members, the city manager, the city attorney, and even a fellow councilor to persuade them to try it.

We'd hope so, of course - we'd hope that the council would behave equably toward all petitioners, from all quarters. We'll have to see whether Portland's councilors are up to that challenge, which is made sharper by the anti-corporate nature of the Occupy movement's message.

Stand up for urban chickens. Next week, on Wednesday, February 18, at its 7 pm meeting, the Portland City Council will discuss an ordinance that would allow city residents to keep chickens in their back yards. Folks working toward a "Sustainable Portland" by 2030 are asking residents to support this effort, which mirrors a successful effort in South Portland in 2007

Last night the Portland City Council approved reopening negotiations with the politically connected Ocean Properties (you know, the one run by the gov's cousin and his brother - except now the gov's bro is just a "consultant"). Of course, we've been calling for a complete do-over since August 2007 (see "Saving a Sinking Waterfront") but the council isn't interested.