Before Police Commissioner Saltzman’s appearance on Think Out Softball Loud Wednesday I voiced concern that host Emily Harris would ask the big man about three issues. She didn’t, so I asked Saltzman’s Chief of Staff, Brendan Finn, yesterday. “We’re in current discussions with our bargaining team regarding the drug testing issue and ongoing performance evaluations,” […]
Matt Davis
Matt Davis was news editor of the Mercury from 2009 to May 2010.
Posted inMedia
BREAKING: Oregonian’s Chief Political Editor Chris Broderick Resigns—Rats, Sinking Ship?
The Oregonian‘s chief political editor Chris Broderick announced his resignation today to the paper’s staff. Broderick has been at the paper more than a decade, having come from Colorado before that. He, more than any other editor at the paper, has driven the watchdog coverage of state government. A good example would be recent coverage […]
Posted inElection 2010
Who’s Your Choice For County Commissioner?
This week’s roundup of interviews with the eight candidates for county commissioner makes me wonder if you, Mercury readers, are having any ideas about who we should endorse in the race. Go read the interviews at “Not County-ing Their Chickens,” the title of which I’m going to keep repeating until Sarah Mirk acknowledges its true […]
Posted inNews
Read The Goddamn News
As usual I was on KPOJ at 8am this morning, talking about this week’s news run. Click here to listen again. HOT WHEELS Does the Recyclery deserve its reputation as a haven for stolen bikes? THE SPANK HEARD ‘ROUND PORTLAND Why Randy Leonard wants to strengthen the city’s Independent Police Review. ILLUSTRATION BY WILDER SCHMALTZ […]
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Hall Monitor
Wapat-oh, Dear
Jeff Cogen’s coronation as county chair means he’s off the hook for the $50 million unopened Wapato jail.
Posted inNews
The Spank Heard ‘Round Portland
Randy Leonard Takes on Police Oversight
Why Randy Leonard wants to strengthen the Independent Police Review.
Posted inNews
Not County-ing Their Chickens
Commissioner Candidates Want Your Attention
The eight candidates for county commissioner want your attention.
Posted inNews
BREAKING: City Hires Big Lawyer On Chasse Case
Having been denied the opportunity to try the Chasse case out of state last month, the City of Portland has decided to pursue a different tack, hiring a big name lawyer for its courtroom performance. Court documents show that her name is Anne Bremner. And if you believe her company website, then boy, is she […]
Posted inElection 2010
Meet A County Candidate: Loretta Smith
Loretta Smith is the last of the eight candidates I’ve interviewed over the last few days for these “meet a county candidate” blogs about County Commissioner seat 2. Having worked for Senator Ron Wyden since 1989, Smith’s the candidate with the most federal government experience. She wants Multnomah County to market itself as more friendly […]
Posted inNews
Food Scraps Pilot Program Launches
2000 homes will get these buckets next week. You can put your coffee filters, bones, donuts, mouldy cheese, scrapings from your dinner plate in there. Whatever! It’s all good. The idea is to reduce landfill. It’s the mayor’s idea. There’ll be four trial neighborhoods: One in North, one East of I-205, One in Northeast, and […]
Posted inMedia
Saltzman On Think Out Softball Loud Today: The One Question He Needs To Answer
Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman will be on OPB’s Think Out Loud this morning at 9am, along with the director of the Independent Police Review, Mary-Beth Baptista, and Copwatch activist Dan Handelman. I’ll be listening, and doing a softball watch here on Blogtown, like I did when the police chief went on the show in early […]
Posted inNews
Citizen Review Committee: Cops Dismiss Us
City Commissioner Randy Leonard is planning to strengthen police oversight this Thursday afternoon. In advance, the Independent Police Review has gathered its Citizen Review Committee to guage its opinion on the idea. “Some of the responses we have gotten from the police bureau, including from Assistant Chief Brian Martinek, have felt dismissive,” said CRC member […]