Editor’s note: The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board rounds up hits and misses in state and local public affairs. “Peaks and Valleys” publishes on an occasional basis. To read today’s peak, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
The past three decades have witnessed an explosion of ways to communicate beyond mail and landline telephone calls. We have email, cell phones and social media to reach one another regardless of the time of day or where people are.
But apparently none of that technology could bridge the chasm between the office of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and the office of Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell just over the river.
Despite months of planning, revising and passingthe city’s new controversial camping ban, Portland officials apparently didn’t nail down with the sheriff what would happen once people were arrested for violating the city ordinance, which bans camping on public property if a person has access to reasonable alternative shelter. That …