BLOG: Why I am Working 100 Hours at Portland's Most Common Jobs
Sam Adams
Individual and family prosperity in Portland is on the wane. Its decline is illustrated by a two-year reduction in local median family incomes, coupled with a steady increase in our cost of living.
San Francisco, California has been already been deeply bruised by these trends. It is a beautiful city, but one where costs have pushed out many middle-income families, leaving it increasingly a city of the wealthy and the subsidized poor.
San Francisco’s present-day bipolar economy is not what I want for Portland’s future. Neither should you.
Thus, during my first 100 days in office, I visited over 100 businesses to learn what they need to succeed and as well as hire more local workers at living-wage jobs.
Reversing the region’s economic trends will be very tough. But, doing so will be impossible if the region’s public, private, labor and non-profit leaders do not quit sniping at each other and learn to pull together towards achieving quantifiable economic goals – an effort never before attempted.
With this in mind, during my business visits, I was looking for common economic ground: I found a lot of potential for it.
As a result, along with some of the best and brightest local economists, I am pushing for a region-wide discussion of the Economic Dashboard Goals. Please check it out and add your comments at: www.commissionersam.com.
Having better learned firsthand the rigors of owning or managing a local business during my first 100 days in office, between now and Labor Day I am working 100 hours in Portland’s most common jobs. Most jobs in Portland are often exacting but low-wage service industry jobs, with few benefits.
Nationally, 64 percent of people living in poverty do work. Over 70 percent of Oregonians living in poverty, work. I want to see our city more clearly through the eyes of these Portlanders. I know for many it is not such a simple or comfortable life. From what I learn, I will fight to increase the region’s individual and family prosperity.
Posted by Sam Adams on July 7, 2005
(7) Comments | Permalink | TrackBack (0)
Filed Under 100 Hours, Blog, Front Page, Jobs & Economy
Comments by site visitors
Does anyone know if this is a reduction in existing resident's income level or an influx of new lower income people?
Thanks
JK
Posted by: jim karlock | Jul 13, 2005 6:02:43 PM
JK
The reduction of income is based on underemployment and the creation of lower-wage jobs, particular in the service sector. As a result, it has created an influx of new lower income people. There are a lot of cities that are facing this reality. A popular example to reference is San Francisco. The middle-income class has all but disappeared. As a result, income disparity has significant increased between the lower income people and the higher income people.
Warren
Posted by: Warren Jimenez | Jul 14, 2005 9:19:25 AM
Commissioner I believe someone once said “half the fun is getting there“.
So may I ask how are you going to be getting to these jobs? I am not trying to be sarcastic, nor am I intending to make fun of this because I do think the work many of us perform is unappreciated. We might get along with out doctors, but try going without garbage men. Many of them start early before the buses begin running. The janitors working nights. How do they get to and from, or the nurse’s aid on the swing shift? Many of these are low paying jobs, with odd hours and limited transportation options. May I suggest that you take this into consideration?
Thank you and I appreciate your efforts.
Michael Wilson
Posted by: Michael Wilson | Jul 18, 2005 7:28:17 PM
Michael,
I have been simply driving to each job... You are right to point out the transportation challenges dimension of the working poor. In fact, many of the people I have thus far worked with get to work via bus or bike. I will take your advice and do the same for my next ‘job.’.
Sam
Posted by: Sam Adams | Jul 18, 2005 8:20:22 PM
I drive a Truck for a living Some Night you ought to come out and get a feel for transportation issues from a person who has pretty good knowledge of traffic and wouldn't mind givingsome insite. If not you maybe one of your Folks
Posted by: David | Aug 1, 2005 2:21:16 AM
Sam,
Need a job idea? Call Park Chambers at the Fat Tire Farm, 503-222-FARM, see from the inside what life is like at one of the 55 bike shops around town.
You'll get a clearer perspective of how to acheive that 'Platinum Status'.
Posted by: Roger W. Louton | Aug 18, 2005 9:24:28 PM
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Hi Sam,
I sure wish you were doing this in my city so you could see some of the issues that I face
Posted by: Sherrie | Jul 10, 2005 10:35:22 PM