CommissionerSam.com blogger suggestion leads to OLCC investigation
Jane Ames
An August 17, 2005 Willamette Week newspaper article reported a string of shootings outside a 
downtown nightclub. Mr. Rami Makaboul, the club manager, was reported to have included racist comments about where "black" citizens should and shouldn't recreate and he also indicated an OLCC (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) employee had previously made similar racist comments to him.
Sam blogged his strong disagreement with Makaboul's comments. In response, blogger Ben Kaplin urged Sam to request an investigation by the OLCC.
Sam followed up on Kaplin's request. The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation began on September 8, 2005 and was completed on Dec. 22, 2005. The results will be reported from the Oregon Department of Justice to the OLCC within a few days. We will update this report when we receive the findings.
Related Documents
- Investigation Number: DOJ 137420FF7627 (not available yet)
- Copy of Sam's Letter to Theresa Kaiser, OLCC Director
Community Partner
- Ben Kaplin, Blogger to Sam's site
- Willamette Week newspaper
- Oregon Liquor Control Commission
Media Mention
Our Blog
- OLCC Director: "I am committed to investigating this matter fully..."
- To Teresa L. Kaiser, Director, Oregon Liquor Control Commission: Request for Inquiry into Comment Allegedly Made...
- To Mr. Makboul: I strongly disagree with your statements...
Milestones
- August 10, 2005 - Mr. Makboul's e-mail to Mayor Potter and Police Chief Foxworth
- August 17, 2005 - Willamette Week story
- August 18, 2005 - Sam blogs about Mr. Makboul and alleged OLCC statements
- August 19, 2005 - Ben Kaplin urges Sam to request inquiry
- August 20, 2005 - Sam requests Teresa Kaiser, OLCC Director, to investigate
- August 24, 2005 - Teresa Kaiser responds and commits to investigation
- September 8, 2005 - Oregon Department of Justice opens investigation
- December 22, 2005 - Investigation completed
- December 30, 2005 - DOJ investigation reveals inconclusive results: DOJ was unable to find tangible evidence to conclusively confirm or deny the allegation.
Posted by Jane Ames on December 29, 2005
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Filed Under 2005 Year-in-Review, Equality
Comments by site visitors
Sam:
As a child, my sister and I were frequently called "gutter snipes" by our girl scout leader (she was, as they used to say, a bit touched).
I believe we are uniquely qualified for the position of Gutter Police Officer: my sister is now a Civil Engineer and I'm a Cynic. Can we join the above referenced cadre of Gutter Police? We are available so long as there are full City of Portland P.D. Health and Pension benefits, and we don't have to take any s(#t from Randy if we ticket his neighbors, cousins, old babysitters, etc.
We also know something about "cold turkey" drug and alcohol cessation therapy, if you would let us catch and release on the Transient Mall.
Posted by: Alice | Jan 22, 2006 9:31:23 PM
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I have questions regarding the proposed
Storm Water added assessments. I have read that due to a compign promise to East Multnomah County constituents to provide monetary reduction to their sewer bills if gutters are unhooked to allow the water to go into the ground, you are now preparing to require this county-wide. I have read that the increase for those who do not unhook their roof gutter, would be a "tax" of $ll or $12 per month.
I have three concerns regarding this proposal:
l. What consideration is there for a particular homeowner's geological condition to allow water to run off the roof into the ground? We live at the beginning of Tyron Creek and at the bottom of Mt. Sylvania. This lot was quite swampy when the house was built in 1987. All drainage codes were followed, but still the developer was called back to install more drains. We still have standing water and a spongy lawn when rain in heavy. Geologists who were called to review the sliding hillside at the apartments in Oregon City said the roof gutters were not carrying the water away (due to damage) and the added water was contributing to the slide.
2. Have you considered the economic impact on people like us, on a fixed income and retired? This could add up to $200 to $300 extra per year on top of very steep water/sewer bills we now pay. Removing the gutters for us and homeowners around us, would not reduce the run-off but would make the land around the homes even more swampy.
3. Do you intend to hire a cadre of gutter police to check to see who or who has not disconnected the gutters? What expense would that be?
Posted by: Betty Dodds | Jan 22, 2006 11:06:13 AM