While city leaders hold a work session later this month to talk about how to renovate the sports arena where the Trail Blazers play, the team’s owner is scheduled to speak at an annual meeting held by Portland’s chamber of commerce. But the chamber wants the Council to move its public meeting to avoid the scheduling conflict, saying councilors should instead join the big-ticket event. The scheduling conflict highlights the tensions around who is making decisions about public dollars, and what renovations are necessary to keep the arena in good shape for the NBA franchise. Supporters argue the Trail Blazers are an economic asset the city can’t afford to lose, and critics say the city can hardly afford to hand money over without knowing what it will get in return. Full story by Jeremiah Hayden at the link in bio. #portland #pdx #modacenter #oregon