PORTLAND -- The man who filed hundreds of complaints about sidewalks, stirring outrage and suspicion among neighbors, says he isn't profiting from the repairs.
While I've always made sure that the sidewalk in front of my house was safe, it became clear that other residents did not consider sidewalk repairs a priority, said the man who filed complaints under the name Dan Wallace. Neither I nor anyone I know is profiting from sidewalk repairs.
The man declined to be identified or interviewed on camera by KGW, but he did admit that Dan Wallace is not his real name.
After waiting years for these sidewalks to be fixed, I submitted locations to the city that I thought should be inspected, said the man, who agreed to answer questions by email.
I just wonder what bee is in his bonnet? asked neighbor Liz Lae.
Emails obtained through a public records request showed Wallace complained to the city of Portland about 738 sidewalks between March and May.
Homeowners are responsible for repairs. On average, the city says sidewalk repairs cost homeowners $1,632.
Nobody ever complained about my sidewalks, said Tori O'Keefe, whose Northeast Portland home was included in the complaints from Dan Wallace.
The sidewalks outside O'Keefe's home show no significant signs of damage or disrepair.
You have that much time on your hands to go around and inspect people's sidewalks? O'Keefe wondered.
According to the city, one inspector will have to spend 14 to 16 weeks in Northeast Portland processing the complaints filed in Wallace s name alone.
We are looking at addressing if other cities get multiple reports from one person or a few people, how do they address it? said Diane Dulken, spokeswoman for Portland's Bureau of Transportation.
It turns out other major cities handle complaints in a different fashion.
In Denver, for example, the city only allows one complaint per person, per year.
They have to give us the location of the damaged sidewalk and they have to give us their name, address and phone number, said Heather Burke, spokeswoman for Denver's Public Works Department.
If someone wants to remain anonymous, they must contact a city council representative.
We found that it has been effective, Burke said.
Inspectors still have not gotten to every complaint filed by Wallace, so Portland neighbors can expect more notices to complete repairs.
