Following his inauguration, Mayor Sam Adams launched two important plans this week. First, Adams' plan for his first 100 days in office was released last Friday, January 9. The plan focused on education, the economy, and sustainability, with additional fields in transportation, arts and culture, and emergency management. Items on the checklist to be achieved by mid-April ranged from launching a quarterly council newsletter to wide-ranging plans to "stimulate public and private sector support of arts and culture" and "improve energy efficiency." Next, Adams launched an economic stimulus package for Portland on Tuesday, January 13, at a press conference at city hall. MD
***
No sooner had a new city council been sworn in than the race began to find a successor for City Auditor Gary Blackmer, who announced his resignation from elected office last Tuesday, January 6. Blackmer, who has served as auditor for 10 years, and recently oversaw Portland's controversial voter-owned elections program, not to mention the city's Independent Police Review, was midway through his third four-year term as auditor, and his resignation takes effect on May 18. The timing is tricky, because it's unknown whether a publicly financed candidate will have time to run a viable campaign for Blackmer's seat—even though the position qualifies for public money. Anyone interested in the position must be a certified public accountant, a certified public auditor, or a certified management accountant. MD
***
With their legs in a steel bear trap, covered in fake blood, PETA volunteers Meggan Anderson and Krissy Addington participated in an hour-long protest on Friday afternoon, January 9, by lying on the sidewalk at SW Broadway and Yamhill, outside Nordstrom. "It's a bit chilly for them," admitted PETA campaigner Nicole Matthews. "But it's nothing compared to the coldness of a person who continues to wear fur." The protest was the last stop on a Northwest tour by the animal rights organization. Sergeant Jim Dakin stood discreetly inside the doorway of Nordstrom, keeping an eye on things. "I'm just standing in here because it's warm and I forgot my coat," he said. "There's no issues here." MD
***
Catch the news as it happens at blogtown.portlandmercury.com. And see you on Tuesday, January 20th at the Oregon Democrats/Mercury's Obama Inauguration Victory Ball, at the Tiffany Center Emerald Ballroom, 1410 SW Morrison, 8pm, $100-120, and get down at the Change Is Here dance party, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, Tuesday, January 20, 8 pm, $8-10.
