Archives : Posts By Author : Jane Ames
Posts by Jane AmesSenior Policy Director
Education and Public Safety
Excerpts from Sam's speech to the PSU Ferdinand Society
PSU 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...February 16, 2006 in Front Page, Higher Education Industry, Speeches & Testimony | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sam Helps Kick-off: CASH TAX ASSISTANCE SITE
CASH (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...February 16, 2006 in Front Page, Good Government, Jobs & Economy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
The Community Visioning Project
Liesl Wendt is the Vision Project Manager in Mayor Potter's Office. I asked her to write a guest blog to introduce people to the Visioning Project and invite your participation. Please take part in defining Portland's future. You might have heard about the Portland Community Vision Project - a City-supported,...January 29, 2006 in Good Government | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sam to State Reps: "Schools are our Highest Priority"
Sam made 7 trips to the state capital in Salem to lobby on the public school funding and other issues. He testified on behalf of the Mayor and City Council on April 14 before the Joint Ways and Means Committee about the importance of school funding. Sam asked that the...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Education | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Top 5 Chronic Problem Properties
Identify and address chronic public safety, code enforcement and neighborhood livability issues on identified chronic nuisance and repeat crime-locations throughout the city: an idea brought to Council by Mayor Tom Potter and Commissioner Randy Leonard in November, 2005. In April, 2004, Sam proposed that the Police Bureau, other city agencies,...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
CommissionerSam.com blogger suggestion leads to OLCC investigation
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...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Equality | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
"Take Your Valuables With You" automobile crime prevention campaign approved
Although downtown Portland has become safer over the last few years, we can and must do more to make it even safer. One strategic area is reduction of car break-ins. Downtown Neighborhood Response Team Officer, Jeff Myers, has learned from experience that the most effective message we can convey is...December 29, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Citing US Patriot Act provisions, Sam votes to withdraw City from the Joint Terrorism Task Force
In early January, 2005 the new City Council faced the decision of whether or not to withdraw from the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Two Portland Police Officers had been assigned to the JTTF since 1997, and while Council had renewed participation in 2003, Sam had serious reservations about...December 26, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Creating the Higher Education Liaison
Portland's post-secondary research and education institutions are the foundation of Portland's economic health. As a candidate, Sam regularly noted the economic importance of higher education and encouraged the City to build a closer relationship with higher education. As commissioner, Sam assumed a new responsibilty: Higher Education Advocate. In this role,...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Education | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Public Safety Planning and Budgeting Collaboration Project
Public safety is one of local government's most sacred and expensive responsibilities. Between Multnomah County and Portland, we spend over $360 million per year on prevention, enforcement, and treatment responsibilities. Sam relentlessly pursued a project in which public safety agencies from both jurisdictions would be budgeted together and operated in...December 19, 2005 in 2005 Year-in-Review, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
The Most Important Profession
Educators are the most important professionals in our society. So says the Milken Family Foundation and it annually selects outstanding K-12 educators throughout the United States to honor for their dedication and excellence. On Tuesday, November 8th, a room full of educators, students, community members and various dignitaries gathered for...November 8, 2005 in East Portland, Education, Front Page, News | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Thoughts about the Drug-Free, Prostitution-Free Zone Changes and the Forums
I spent the evening of Nov. 1st at the forum held by Mayor Potter to discuss the current Drug-Free Exclusion and Prostitution-Free Exclusion Zone ordinances and the proposed changes. It was a good crowd of between 125-150 that gathered at Emanuel Temple in North Portland. I join others in thanking...November 2, 2005 in Good Government, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Ready, Set,...Winter
Tuesday Nov. 1st was ruled by weather. The day began with a downpour that flooded streets and basements, sent people into sandbagging efforts, and I know the PDOT maintenance workers had a wet, hardworking day. Thank you to all the people working to help make our community safe and functioning...November 2, 2005 in Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, Office of Transportation | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Police Recording System: FIX IT
The Portland Police Department’s reporting, recording, filing and distribution system must be improved soon. Our focus need to be on what the most efficient path forward is, from right now. It's unacceptable that our officers are spending time handwriting reports which then are routed through an archaic and inefficient process...November 1, 2005 in Good Government, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Car Prowlers are the Ultimate Window Shoppers
Sam and PDOT (Portland Department of Transportation), are developing a partnership with the Police Bureau, Smart Park, ONI (the Office of Neighborhood Involvement), and Mayor Potter’s Office. We will be placing signs on the green parking pay stations in the downtown area, printing reminders on parking receipts, and creating signs...November 1, 2005 in Downtown Portland, Public Safety, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
After-School Care is Part of Education
Council Session: Tuesday, Sept. 27 Resolution #36338 (click here to read the resolution) to establish goals and standards for city-funded, after-school programs. I want to thank ‘Stand for Children’ and commend them for their advocacy for children, families and strong communities. • You are developing into a powerful and responsible...September 28, 2005 in Education | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
City and County will Design a System of Public Safety
CITY, COUNTY, And CITIZENS CRIME COMMISSIONER LAUNCH PUBLIC JOINT BUDGETING SAFETY PARTNERSHIP Introduced by Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, City Council approved a resolution that puts in motion a process to jointly design and budget for our public safety system according to citizenry's priorities. People do not care about whether...September 28, 2005 in Events, Front Page, Good Government, LPSCC, Our Initiatives, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
The Launching of a Partnership
The following is a summary of Sam's comments before City Council as he introduced the Public Safety Partnership. “…the fact remains that we are but the agents of the people, and our duty is to them alone and to none other.” Mayor Harry Lane, July 11, 1907 (who is also...September 14, 2005 in Events, Front Page, Good Government, News, Our Initiatives, Public Safety, Speeches & Testimony | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Assistance for Katrina Survivors
MAYOR, RED CROSS AGREE TO STAFF SHELTER24 HOURS TO HELP HURRICANE KATRINA SURVIVORS Mayor Tom Potter and Red Cross officials on Sunday agreed to staff the former Washington-Monroe High School shelter site around the clock to provide assistance to Hurricane Katrina survivors who are coming to Portland on their own...September 11, 2005 in Events, Good Government, News, Southeast Portland (inner) | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (1)
A Ribbon of Humanity
Faces of addiction can heal and grow strong again. On September 5th a long human ribbon of various colors and stories wove its way from Oregon over the I-5 bridge to Washington and back again. The news accounts estimated around 1500 people; it sure felt like more from inside that...September 11, 2005 in Events | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Hot Town, Public Safety in the City
Public safety can be defensive and dramatic: Late night shootings in different parts of the City, robberies or assaults taking place, parties that get out of control and property or people getting hurt, drug deals and abuse, or identity theft destroying people’s lives. The list is long; people’s ability to...September 11, 2005 in Events, Northeast Portland, Public Safety, Southeast Portland (inner) | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Public Safety Priorities
We are moving forward on our multi-jurisdiction public safety partnership. In regular speak, that means political leaders within Portland and Multnomah County are working together on a project to identify our communities’ highest public safety priorities. Then we will allocate our combined public safety tax-dollars on the necessary services to...July 27, 2005 in Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (1)
LET THEM VOTE.....SB 1000
“Hello, I am Sam Adams and I want to thank you for coming from all over Oregon to tell Speaker Minnis to let them go, let them speak, let them vote.” Sam scratches changes in the speech and tries another version. The phone rings and he answers as I stay...July 21, 2005 in Equality, Events, Good Government, Speeches & Testimony | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (1)
Southeast Public Safety Forum Drop-by
Sam dropped by the SOUTHEAST PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM hosted by SE Precinct Commander Rosie Sizer and Crime Prevention Program Coordinator Galina Grigoryan on Monday, June 27th. The Commander, Emergency Response Team Officers and representatives from the various neighborhood and business associations were reviewing current crime statistics for the Southeast and...June 29, 2005 in Our Initiatives, Public Safety, Southeast Portland (inner) | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Support Democracy
Ethiopian-Americans rallied at City Hall on Tuesday, June 28th. Sam was there to support those gathered in support of fellow Ethiopians fighting for Freedom and Democracy in the wake of the May 15, 2005 general election in Ethiopia. Over 25 million Ethiopians registered, and it is reported that 90 percent...June 28, 2005 in Equality, Events, News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
It's Not Just Meth
Sam spent Friday, June 17th at a Meth Congress presided over by Mayor Potter and County Chair Linn. From the first speaker to the closing remarks a few themes set the tone of the event. This is not only a Meth crisis, it is a drug crisis. Meth is one...June 21, 2005 in Events, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Juvenile Justice Works for the Future
Tim Nacoste is a Custody Services Supervisor and Measure 11 Overseer, and Faye Fagel is Custody Services Manager at the Multnomah County Juvenile Justice Center. They gave Sam a tour of the Justice Center in Southeast Portland at the program's 100 year anniversary on June 10th. Sam was struck by...June 16, 2005 in Events, Public Safety, Southeast Portland (inner) | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The Use of Deadly Force Issue Needs the Light of Day
One of Sam's campaign promises is to insure that investigations of “use of deadly force” cases become transparent. This will necessitate a change in Oregon State Law. When Grand Jury cases involve police use of deadly force that results in the death of an individual, the proceedings should be recorded...June 13, 2005 in Good Government, Livability & Environment, News, Public Safety, Speeches & Testimony | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sam Walks his Talk for Schools
There are several ways to walk your talk for schools. Commissioner Adams has been visiting various schools in Portland since January, talking with and reading to students, discussing City Government with Bill Stack’s U.S. Government class at Wilson High in SW Portland, and celebrating reading with Woodstock Elementary 5th graders...June 6, 2005 in Education, Speeches & Testimony | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
What If We Could Fight Both Meth and Crack?
Oregonian column by S. Renee Mitchell on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 Whenever Northeast Portland activist Richard Brown attends a meeting about neighborhood crime, he waits to hear the word: methamphetamine, which has wrestled our otherwise civil citizens -- some as young as age 12 and 13 -- into a kind...May 25, 2005 in News, Our Initiatives, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sam Adams on the Joint Terrorism Task Force Decision
After months of consideration, I have decided to support the City of Portland’s withdrawal from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). It was a challenging decision; I recognize that Portland’s citizens are divided on this issue. Some believe withdrawing from the JTTF leaves the city more...May 2, 2005 in Good Government, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Sam's Chief's Forum Representative
In early April, Sam was pleased to appoint The Recovery Association Project Multnomah County Co-Chair Gary Cobb to The Portland Police Bureau’s Chief’s Forum (PDF). As a representative of the Recovery Association Project, Gary provides a useful perspective and thoughtful voice to the Chief’s forum community. A good deal of...April 11, 2005 in News, Public Safety | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
