Archives : By Month : February 2006
Portland Tops List of Bicycle-friendly Cities, Again
Roland ChlapowskiPortland was once again awarded the recognition for being the Best Overall City for Bicycling in North America by Bicycling Magazine in its annual review of bicycle-friendly cities. With Portland's Best Overall designation in Bicycling Magazine's 2006 rankings, Portland now has been dubbed the America's best city for biking by...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on February 27, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Livability & Environment, News, Transportation
BLOG: Little has been done recently to help Oregon’s GLBTQ community
Sam AdamsMy remarks to the Oregon Queer Youth Conference, Saturday February 25, 2006, 10:00 AM, Catlin Gabel School: In the past year, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community (LGBTQ) has achieved strides in acceptance with the popular movies like, “Brokeback Mountain” and with critical recognition for other queer-themed movies...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 25, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Equality, Front Page
Portland Regulates Payday Lenders
Mary Jo MarkleMeet Maryann Olson. In order to pay for orthopedic shoes, she took out a $100 loan from a pay day lender. To make her payments, Maryann had to take out a series other loans. The spiral of debt continued until Maryann owed high interest loans to six different pay day...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on February 24, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Good Government, Jobs & Economy
February 24th BLOG Update: Oregon's Irish Famine Memorial Foundation Complete
Sam Adams
Surrounded by soggy green hills and shrouded in fog, it was a perfectly Irish morning for us to break ground on Oregon's Irish Famine Memorial. Victor General Father Dennis O'Donovan along with Father Joseph Brown blessed the gathering. Tim Birr played the bagpipes. City Commissioner Randy Leonard and I said...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 24, 2006
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Blog, Front Page
BLOG: A very interesting idea to promote bike-oriented development
Sam AdamsHello All: Jim Labbe recently emailed me with a very interesting idea to promote bike-oriented development linked to existing and future trail and bike paths. I thought I would post it to gather your comments. Sam Commissioner Adams, I had a policy brainstorm this weekend whilst out dreaming and scheming...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 24, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Transportation
Business #146: ORRCO Oil Re-Refining
Warren JimenezORRCO Oil Refining is located in North Portland close to the Portland Expo Center. We met with Bill Briggs, Founder and President and Steven Gunther. ORRCO is a leader in petroleum recycling. Through new technologies developed by ORRCO, they have the capabilities to recycle antifreeze, oil filters, oily rags, and...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on February 23, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Jobs & Economy
City Hall 1st Thursday Celebrates Black History Month
The Office“From Brokenness to Beauty” - 1st Thursday Celebration of Portland’s African American Community in City Hall. THURSDAY, MARCH 2nd, from 5pm-7pmPortland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue Portland’s City Council welcomes you to come and share in the celebration of Black History month with artwork by Portland artists of color....
Posted by The Office on February 22, 2006
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Events, Front Page
Worksystems Announces New Structure
Warren Jimenez"Over this past summer and fall, I wanted to work “100 hours” in Portland’s most common, lowest paying jobs. What kind of jobs did I work? I worked as a receptionist/office clerk; courtesy clerk; waiter; prep cook; groundskeeper; street paver; retail salesperson; teacher's assistant; truck driver; sidewalk ambassador; hotel room cleaner; customer service representative; cashier and janitor...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on February 22, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Workforce
Big Pipe Contract Goes to Council
Maria Thi MaiToday, Council will consider the largest contract to come before the City of Portland - $426m for the East Side Big Pipe. This is the last phase of the City of Portland’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) control program. A construction contract with the joint venture Kiewit-Bilfinger Berger (KBB) went to the City Council this week. Yesterday, (February 21), Sam and others briefed reporters from the Daily Journal of Commerce, KOPB, KATU, KEX, KOIN and the East County News...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on February 22, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment
BLOG: Third Columbia River Crossing Instead of Replacing I-5 Bridge?
Sam AdamsThe I-5 bridge is a major lifeline for our community, linking Portland and Washington and carrying the freight, commuters, and traffic that support the economy and vitality of the region and the entire West Coast. While it has served us well over 88 years, the bridge has been stretched far...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 22, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Transportation
BLOG: Leave No Brick Unpainted...
Sam AdamsThis morning, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Measure 37, thereby ensuring that Measure 37 will continue to have a powerful impact on land use regulations in Portland. City Council has recently seen what I think was a terrible unintended consequence of Measure 37: applications for larger-than-life billboards...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 21, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Good Government, Livability & Environment
"An American Looks Like Me"
Jesse BeasonLast weekend, Sam read an Excerpt from Posessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker - a favorite - at the African-American Read-in. You can read more about the Read-in in The Oregonian. Context: At this point in Walker’s novel, we find Tashi serving in the home of her tribe’s...
Posted by Jesse Beason on February 21, 2006
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Events, North Portland
BLOG: The Plight of the Working Poor Gets Some In-Depth Newspaper Focus...In Seattle
Sam AdamsTo learn their plight firsthand and help put a spotlight on Portland's working poor, this summer I worked 100 hours at Portland's lowest paying jobs. I worked as a cashier, retail salesperson, waiter, receptionist, hotel maid, janitor and more. [Read More...] Based on what I learned, my staff and I...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 20, 2006
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Filed Under 100 Hours, Blog, Front Page, Jobs & Economy
Excerpts from Sam's speech to the PSU Ferdinand Society
Jane AmesPSU is a real-world university; it really reflects Portland and truly serves the city. I’m a good example. My background:I lived on my own in high school, and paid my own way through my first round of college. I quit college when I got a job with now Congressman Peter...
Posted by Jane Ames on February 16, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Higher Education Industry, Speeches & Testimony
Sam Helps Kick-off: CASH TAX ASSISTANCE SITE
Jane AmesCASH (Creating Assets, Savings and HOPE)Kick-Off Event: Lloyd Center, 3rd floor between the Food Court and Nordstroms. Thank you to a wonderful set of Partners: CASH; Executive Director Jim Harper; AARP; Social Venture Partners; and the IRS, with leadership from Senior Tax Specialist, Kathy Howel. We are here for the...
Posted by Jane Ames on February 16, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Good Government, Jobs & Economy
BLOG: We Must Stop Lurching From One “Temporary” Local School Funding Crisis To The Next...
Sam AdamsToday’s Education Summit at the Convention Center identified some of the raw materials for our school funding solutions: • one-time local government contributions;• limited school districts budget cuts;• business tax surcharge with tax reform;• local property tax levy in the fall;• new funding source for schools, like a cell phone...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 16, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Education, Front Page
Agency Puts its Heart Into The Arts
Guest Author
Chris R. Rasmussen is chairman of the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s board and president of Washington Trust Bank, Oregon region: Portland Tribune columnist Phil Stanford recently mentioned the Regional Arts & Culture Council and its public art program in two of his columns...We believe Tribune readers and the community need to be given a more comprehensive view of RACC and its role and responsibility in the region...
Posted by Guest Author on February 15, 2006
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Front Page, Regional Arts & Culture Council
Green Side Up
Maria Thi MaiRemember, green side up, Governor Kulongoski says with a smile as he is seen here watching Sam dig a hole for one of the 10,000 trees that were planted last Saturday. Sam and I joined Michael Bogert, EPA, Stephanie Hallock, DEQ, Travis Williams, Willamette River Keepers, Cheryl Kennedy, Confederated Tribes...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on February 14, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Events, Front Page, Livability & Environment
Dear Sunset Magazine,
Maria Thi MaiLast December, Sunset Magazine encouraged its readers to use ivy for decoration with their poinsettia arrangements. The use of English Ivy and other invasive species is contrary to Sam's Invasive Species Resolution and his work to get City bureaus' pulling together to tackle ivy and other invasives. Here is his...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on February 14, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment
"...Portland says it's not liable for cost overruns..."
Sam AdamsCity's view of tram's cost adds to dispute Project - Portland says it's not liable for cost overruns, a legal opinion OHSU is reviewing Thursday, February 09, 2006 RYAN FRANK The Oregonian When the cost to build Portland's aerial tram jumped last year, Oregon Health Science University and South Waterfront...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 10, 2006
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Filed Under Tram, Transportation
BLOG: Local household budgets are exhausted...Mayor Tom Potter is right to call an Education Summit
Sam AdamsPortland’s median family income has taken a beating in recent years, while our cost of living has gone up, up and up. In the 11 years and three local school funding measures that I've worked on, I always wondered how low average incomes would have to decline before voters would...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 9, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Education, Front Page
Local Business Celebrates 2nd anniversary: Congrats Quirks and Quandaries
Warren JimenezLocated on Mississipi, Quirkes and Quandaries had there second anniversay. Sam and I remember the first time we visited Kirsten Holstein, business owner, during Sam's first 100 days in office. It was our pleasure to go to their celebration. Congratulations...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on February 9, 2006
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, North Portland
Proposed Budget for PDOT Submitted
Sam AdamsThis week, I submitted to Mayor Potter my proposed budget for the Office of Transportation (PDOT). You can read the cover letter of PDOT's proposed budget here. As you might already know, after I was assigned the commissioner-in-charge of PDOT 7 months ago, I learned that I was inheriting a...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 9, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Office of Transportation, Transportation
Cleaner Air Coming to Sewer Treatment Plant
Maria Thi MaiThe BES treatment plant on Columbia Boulevard will soon be generating it's own electricity and heat by reusing excess methane gas. Yesterday, (February 8, 2006), the Council accepted a $362,000 grant from the Energy Trust of Oregon to help finance this co-generation project. The Columbia Boulevard facility already reuses more...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on February 9, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Livability & Environment
OREGONIAN OP ED: Support for tram is not a blank check
Sam AdamsFriday, February 10, 2006 The Oregonian By City Commissioner Sam Adams Support for tram is not a blank check I make plenty of mistakes. You can ask anybody. Prematurely announcing the resignation of the Portland tram project's executive director was a pretty visible one. But while I am happy to...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 9, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Tram
FAA to Disperse Cargo Plane Noise
Maria Thi MaiFrom train whistles to race cars, Sam is an intimate neighbor to urban noise issues. This morning, Sam addressed the Port of Portland Commission on the cargo plane (box haulers) noise issue. He applauded the work of the Citizen's Noise Advisory Committee (CNAC), the ad hoc noise committee, the Port,...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on February 8, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Livability & Environment
Sam, the city and the arts
Jesse BeasonFrom The Oregonian: Sam Adams recently sat down with Oregonian art critic D.K. Row.A full transcript of their conversation is below. A shorter print version is in the Feb. 5 O! section. By D.K. ROW When Sam Adams and Nick Fish promised to boost funds for Portland's percent for art...
Posted by Jesse Beason on February 7, 2006
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Front Page, News, Regional Arts & Culture Council
PORTLAND TRIBUNE OP ED: Accountability counts most
Sam AdamsBy SAM ADAMS; Issue date: Fri, Feb 3, 2006 The Portland Tribune As a promoter of local public-private partnerships, I read with interest your Jan. 27 editorial, “Building trust takes long time.” I strongly agree with your editorial statement that “economic and community development best occur when municipal, private and...
Posted by Sam Adams on February 3, 2006
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Filed Under Blog, Front Page, Tram
Platinum: A Nine-Part Initiative For America’s #1 Bicycling City
Tom MillerA page right from the Executive Summary: The City of Portland and community partners will take between now and August 2006 in our effort to make Portland the first large city to receive a Platinum award from the League of American Bicyclists. Portland is now one of only four U.S....
Posted by Tom Miller on February 2, 2006
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Filed Under Transportation
The City's Biggest Pipe is the Biggest Project
Maria Thi MaiRain becomes stormwater when it hits the ground. And the rain we hear falling on our roofs are a gentle reminder to what is happening underground; Portland's Big Pipe Project. While this is not new news to most Portlanders, setting up a big tunnel stage in the Opera Plaza parking...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on February 2, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment
Help Wanted: WSI Needs Board Members
Warren JimenezWorksystems, Inc. (WSI) is a nonprofit organization that connects job seekers with employers by funding career placement and training services. WSI is staff to the local Workforce Investment Board for Oregon Region 2. The Board sets policy, provides strategic direction and oversight for the region’s workforce development system. The region...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on February 2, 2006
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, Workforce
Discussion of FPD&R Amendments underway
Mary Jo MarkleCity Council formed a reform team that will discuss how to amend the Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund. Council staff, FPDR Board members, city police and fire unions, citizen representative of the independent review committee members, and a member of the City Club of Portland are all participating...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on February 2, 2006
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Filed Under Good Government, Our Initiatives
Tram Audit Findings Support Adams' Actions
Tom MillerOn Wednesday, February 01, 2006 the Portland Development Commission (PDC) released the findings of the audit it commissioned at the direction of Portland Mayor Tom Potter and City Commissioner Sam Adams to review the Portland Aerial Tram project. The audit, completed by independent consulting firm Pinnell/Busch, Inc., had 5 key...
Posted by Tom Miller on February 1, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Good Government, Tram, Transportation
Portland: Best City to Have a Baby
Tom Miller- First Annual Report Hits Newsstands January 25th - - Portland, Oregon Takes Top Honors - Report answers what makes a city great for pregnant women, new parents and babies NEW YORK, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland takes top honors in Fit Pregnancy's Best Cities in America to Have a...
Posted by Tom Miller on February 1, 2006
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Filed Under Livability & Environment
