Mayor Sam Adams and Governor Ted Kulongoski have just announced that Oregon’s proposed Sustainability Center will be a first-of-its kind “living building,” assuming, that is, that the so-far imaginary thing ever gets built. The joint press release put out by the mayor’s and governor’s offices this afternoon is remarkable, if anything, for its optimistic language. […]
City Hall
Posted inNews
Saltzman Launches “Operation Cool Down”—Sizer Says Avoidance of Racial Profiling A Priority
UPDATE, 1:38 pm: It is not yet confirmed whether Saltzman drew inspiration for the program’s name from 1984’s Operation “Cool It Now,” by New Edition, but let’s hope so. If not, can we take this opportunity to recommend repeated viewing of the video for all the gang-affiliated youth, Guantanamo-style, in the holding cells at Multnomah […]
Posted inPortland
“Give Help, Give Help, Choose Local!” Council Launches Volunteering Program
Mayor Sam Adams and all of City Council volunteered at the Oregon Food Bank this afternoon, to kick off the Better Together strategy, encouraging Portlanders to volunteer more during the recession, and choose local businesses, to support the city’s economy. If you’ve never volunteered, now’s the time to do it. Go to the website, portlandisbettertogether.com, […]
Posted inPolitics
“Why Are You Leaving, Gary?”
City Council agreed this morning to May 19th for a special election to replace outgoing City Auditor Gary Blackmer, and thanks to behind-the-scenes work by City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, the discussion was remarkably relaxed and uncontentious. Mayor Sam Adams kicked things off by asking Blackmer why he was leaving. “Is it Dan [Saltzman]? It’s Dan, […]
Posted inCops
Facing Tough Economic Climate, Downtown Cops, Businesses Want Stricter Commitment Laws
Downtown cops and business advocates began a push for tighter laws on involuntary commitment for people suffering with mental illness at a meeting at city hall this morning. I wrote in depth about the civil commitment process, here in Portland, last February, but the bottom line is, that there are laws in Oregon that allow […]
Posted inNews
Adams Launches $503m PDX Economic Stimulus Package
If you’re in public relations, and let’s face it, most of us end up there, the thing you’re always thinking is: How can I create a spectacle? So congratulations to Portland’s city council this morning, for managing to corral virtually all the local media to the announcement by Mayor Sam Adams of his $503 million-plus […]
Posted inPolitics
$50,000 Of Public Financing Cash For City Auditor’s Election
The city’s Citizen’s Campaign Commission is mulling whether to allot $50,000 of taxpayer money to publicly-financed candidates running for the newly vacant city auditor’s position, at a meeting in the city auditor’s office this evening. That’s $100,000 per candidate less than they’re technically allowed under city code. City Auditor Gary Blackmer resigned last week, and […]
Posted inPolitics
What Happened To Adams’ 100-day Plan?
Update, 12:33 pm: Adams’ communications director Wade Nkrumah says “It’s not online, it’s been taken off, and I don’t know why. I’m sure it’s going to be back up—there’s nothing wrong with the plan, certainly. It’s just not online.” He’ll let us know more when he does. How curious… Original post, 10:26 am: On Saturday […]
Posted inPolitics
Adams Releases Plan For First 100, er, 95 days, In Office…FIRE UP THE WONK SIGNAL!!!
Landing in the inbox at 6:36pm last night—way to time it for maximum exposure, guys—was a press release announcing Mayor Sam Adams’ plan for his first 100 days in office. Although, since he’s already been in office since Monday, let’s call it his plan for his first 95 days, and counting, shall we? “The 100-day […]
Posted inPolitics
“We’re Caught Between A Server And A Hard Place…”
Welcome to Portland’s slick new City Council for 2009. Kidding. No sooner had Randy Leonard been officially sworn in for his new term yesterday than he was proposing a delaying a code change that has so far delayed development on SE Division for 31 months, in aid of “protecting the neighborhood,” even though the neighbors […]
Posted inCity Hall
And So Sam Adam’s Tenure Begins With a Tap Dancing Saxophonist
Last night, City Hall was a circus. No, seriously. Clowns, stiltwalkers and acrobats navigated among the ample crowd that turned out for Sam Adam’s “Come Meet Your New Mayor and City Council” party. There was free beer, free cheese squares and (perhaps) more importantly, Adams and newly-elected councilwoman Fritz spent the whole two hour event […]
Posted inNews
Blackmer Resigns As City Auditor
The Tribune has the scoop. I thought he looked despicably sheepish as I nodded hello to him on the way downstairs at City Hall two hours ago… Good luck in the future, Gary.