Leah Barbaree's blog

Why I think Sam Adams and his Staff are Fabulous...

Leah Barbaree — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 11:12:11 -0800

Staff Associate, Leah BarbareeWhen I applied for an internship with Sam Adams, I honestly didn't know who he was. (Yup, I was one of the ones who said, "I'm applying to work at a brewery?") Now that my internship is over, I know how lucky I am to have worked with Commissioner Adams and his staff. I leave with new friends, invaluable experience, and more confidence in my ability to a positive influence on the community.

The way Sam and his staff operate is an anomaly (well, at least to a girl who'd just moved from Alabama). Everyone is laughing and crazy, yet at the same time, everyone is super-productive and always has 10 more innovative ideas to put on the table. In my interview, Chief of Staff Tom Miller went over what he expected and warned me not be deceived by the office's "informal attitude." Not until the entire staff made me yell as loud as I could at the staff meeting on my first day did I really understand what he meant. They did it to break me in and soon I was off and rolling on my own projects and feeling like a part of the unique balance that makes the office such an exciting place to be.

Sam gave me, and all his interns, serious projects and duties. My main responsibility was the "See and Be Seen" bike safety campaign. I found sponsors, organized the meetings, brainstormed the events and promotions, and helped decide on the campaign's design. We had 60 cyclists and three news stations turn out for the campaign's kickoff and now the ads are all over Tri-met buses, shelters, and bench backs. Aside from 'See and Be Seen," I often staffed Sam, set up meetings, wrote speeches and talking points, worked with constituents and bureau employees, and was invited to sit in on policy discussions.

Sam is a tough boss. As busy as he is, he always knows what each staff member is doing and poses the questions that ensure the work done is to his liking. It's the ability to be both a firm manager and an active representative that makes Sam such a great leader.

Leaving the office is kind of sad because I know I'll never find another one quite like it. I'd like to extend a million thank yous to Sam and everyone in his office for the opportunity to get to know and work with them.

A Willamette River Trail Loop Gains Ground on Swan Island

Leah Barbaree — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:07:00 -0800

Sam Adams joins Francie Royce, Debbie Caselton, Lenny Anderson and Gregg Everhart (left to right) for the ribbon cuttingA new extension of the Greenway Trail opened in 2006 on Swan Island. The new 3/8-mile section, known as the "Going to the River Trail" is located between the Willamette River and North Going Street. The trail is accessed near the big pipe pump station Swan Island's industrial area. Trail goers can enjoy a scenic view of the Fremont Bridge and appreciate the beauty of the spot that was formerly a superfund site.

The trail extension was inspired by North Portland Greenway (npGreeway) and funded by the Community Benefit Opportunity Program (CBO). NpGreenway is a non-profit organization dedicated to extending North Portland's trail system in an effort to increase recreation and commuting options. The CBO was created by the Bureau of Environmental Services to mitigate the impacts of the Big Pipe project.

As the Commissioner of Environmental Services, Sam presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony on October 16, 2006. Lenny Anderson, director of the Swan Island Transportation Management Association and Gregg Everhart of Portland Parks and Recreation spoke along side Commissioner Adams at the event.

Planning is in progress for further extensions of Swan Island's trail network. Commissioner Adams is working with City Bureaus and the Swan Island Transportation Management Association to see more ribbon cuttings in 2007.

Related Documents

Swan Island Trail Action Plan

Weblogs

Growing Portland's Bicycle Industry

Leah Barbaree — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 14:20:30 -0800

The local cycling community is working with Sam and his team to organize a cohesive strategy for growing the local cycling industry at even greater rates in 2007.

The strategy is part of the effort to make Portland the first city to receive Platinum Status as a Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists. The Portland Platinum Steering Committee and PDOT, chaired by Sam, organized the first Portland Bike Summit, held last June, and called for the Bicycle Industry Growth Report that was released at the Summit.

A business symposium held at the Bike Summit generated the idea that local cycling businesses could work with the Portland Development Commission to develop an organized strategy for growing their industry. In October, around 25 industry representatives gathered in City Hall for an initial goal-setting meeting. Commissioner Adams set the mood by outlining the role of cycling, a healthy and energy efficient option, in his overall vision as Portland's Commissioner for Transportation.

The discussion began with the attendees listing their ideas and pet projects including a bicycle show, developing bicycle tourism promotion, organizing support for cargo bikes and alternative designs. Many great ideas were voiced, and in the end the caucus was able to settle on three priority goals:

1. Establish Oregon Bicycling Businesses Association
2. Establish Programs to Provide Technical and Financial Assistance to Bicycling Businesses
3. Establish an Annual Portland Bicycle Race

Since the initial meeting, sub-committees have met and outlined the next steps necessary for achieving each goal. The sub-committee and full group, with the support of Commissioner Adams, will continue to their work in 2007.

Related Documents

Community Partners

Weblogs

"See and Be Seen" lights up Portland

Leah Barbaree — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 12:57:28 -0800

A bike light parade on Alberta St. kicked off the campaignOur office began working with staff from PDOT's Transportation Options since October on the "See and Be Seen" bike light safety campaign. The project sprung from a similar campaign the Commissioner and his Chief of Staff Tom Miller saw in Amsterdam called "Licht Aan!" (Lights On!). Upon seeing these advertisements, the cycling and traffic safety advocate in Sam popped up and said, "Hey, Portland could use something like that!"

From here, we began to form a stateside bike light project to bring awareness to the increased dangers that arise when cycling after dark. The message speaks as much to motorists as cyclists because too many bicycle collisions occurring after dark are the result of motorist error. The project is the first public service announcement (PSA) Portland Office of Transportation has organized in over 10 years. To compliment the PSA, we have planned "See and Be Seen" events where we distribute free bike lights and discount vouchers.

"See and Be Seen" kicked off on November 30, 2006 at Last Thursday on Alberta Street. About 60 creatively lit cyclists gathered at dusk at the Community Cycling Center for a bike light parade. The next "See and Be Seen" event will take place on the PSU campus in January 2007 and the Tri-met advertisements will run into February 2007. We plan to make this an annual winter event to increase the bike light use and decrease nighttime collisions in Portland for good.

Related Documents

Community Partners

Media Mentions

Weblogs

"See and Be Seen" Bike Light Safety Campaign

Milestones

Campaign kicks off with Bike Light Parade on Alberta St. , Nov. 30
Public Service Announcement begins with advertisements on Trimet bus back, channel cards, bench backs, and bus shelters, app. Dec. 16

Clean River Rewards

Leah Barbaree — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:17:40 -0700

Sam filming the introduction for the Clean River Rewards videoThe Bureau of Environmental Services is launching a Clean Water River Rewards Program that will offer new incentives for homes and businesses to make their property more eco-friendly. Eligible accounts will be able to receive up to 35% percent off their monthly stormwater management fee. As part of the program, BES is putting together two informational videos for the website. One will lead you through how to fill out the registration form and the other describes ways to make your property more stormwater safe. There are separate versions of each video for residential and business property owners. All versions begin with a clip of Sam introducing the program and talking about the importance of stormwater management.

Sam Chris Prescott uses his rainwater barrels to irrigate his yard.filmed the introduction yesterday morning at the home of BES employee Chris Prescott. Chris's home is a poster child for proper stormwater management. All of his down spouts are disconnected and the water is instead diverted into rainwater barrels. Filters catch debris and Chris uses the accumulated water to irrigate his yard. Should the rainbarrels fill up, the overflow runs onto stone trails where the water absorbs into the ground before causing erosion. Plus the native vegetation Chris uses to landscape his yard is gradually beating out invasive non-native species.

So, kudos to Chris for making his yard eco-friendly. The city and the local wildlife appreciate it. And, if you like the idea of knocking 35% off your stormwater management fee by making your property more eco-friendly, visit the website (www.cleanriverrewards.com) or call 503-823-1371 to get started.

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Springwater Corridor Trail Bridge Dedication

Leah Barbaree — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:25:04 -0700

275 ft pedestrian bridge takes you safely over McLaughlin BlvdStreet girder bridge provides quick passage over Johnson CreekPre-fab bowed truss bridge over Union Pacific RailroadYesterday morning was the dedication of the Springwater Corridor Trail's three new bridges. I gathered with a congregation of local Parks supporters that included bikers, walkers, toddlers, seniors, and pets who turned out for the event. It was the culmination of over a year of hard work and planning that went into the challenging task of constructing the pedestrian bridges. Each bridge has a unique design and traverses a different type of terrain.

The morning's festivities began near the intersection of SE 19th and Ochoco where Director of Portland Parks and Recreation Zari Santer greeted everyone. Joining her at the podium were other local officials and project supporters including Milwaukee mayor, Jim Bernard, Metro Councilors Rex Burkholder and Brian Newman, and US Representative Earl Blumenauer.

After singing Happy Birthday to Rep. Blumenauer, we set out on the trail extension's official debut. Kilt-clad bagpipe players lead the procession, stopping us at each bridge for the ribbon cutting ceremony. This ribbon cutting was not about recognizing public officials or glorifying the project's creators. Although the proud leaders of the project had scissors in their hands, they brought plenty of extras and handed them to members of the crowd. The act reminded me that these bridges were built for us, the general public, and all we have to do to prove that their construction was worthwhile is enjoy them. At the end of the trail, we gathered for cider, cookies, and closing remarks from Mayor Potter and the 40 Mile Loop Board Member and trail advocate, Barbara Walker.

That was my first experience with the new bridges. I imagine the ones to follow won't have bagpipes and cider, but I'll be back soon. I hope that everyone checks out the new extension. Even if you don't venture to Southeast very often, make a point to spend your next outside play-time in the area so you can see the bridges. The space is bike, pet, and kid friendly and the walk is easy enough for anyone. You can catch the trail from the road at 19th and Ochoco. It takes about twenty minutes to walk the bridge extension or you can continue on the Springwater Corridor Trail.