As the soon to be larger Portland City Council held hearings on how to spend more millions on the homeless problem there was an awkward start.

First, a county representative, Frieda Stuft, enthusiastically described their success in handing out “lots and lots of tents and tarps and other camping gear.”

Next on the agenda, a City Employee, “Hugh Ian,” requested additional funding for their street cleanup program since no matter how often they clear the streets and parks there are always “lots and lots of tents and tarps and other camping crap.”

“We can’t keep up with it,” Ian said. “Where do the homeless keep getting this stuff?”

A four hour discussion followed leading to no decision. Given time constraints, two speakers were bumped from the agenda.

The next speaker came to tout the success of their NGO’s program of giving away free syringes, meth kits, bongs, crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia.

The second bumped presenter on the agenda was there to request additional funding for clearing streets and parks of syringes, used meth kits, bongs, crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia.