Iread recently that Powell’s Books is laying off employees due to, among other things, Portland’s slow recovery from COVID-related issues.

I was downtown last Sunday for brunch, and the only thing missing on my walk afterwards around the city was people. Downtown was clean. There were barely any homeless people, and there were zero tents. I enjoyed the historic architecture, great local shops and peaceful waterfront.

If Portlanders want to keep local treasures like the world’s largest independent bookstore, then they better wake up, move past the exaggerated media urban stereotypes and realize 2020 is over.

Our city is turning the corner and waiting for its residents to finally realize it.

Ryan Miller, Portland

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