News
UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Begins
Sam AdamsBad news, it is confirmed that Wal-Mart is on the march into Portland with a new location on Hayden Island. Soon, we will announce an organizing meeting to fight their proposal. Stay tuned. Thanks for all the blog posts and emails. To keep the dialog going, here are my thoughts...
Posted by Sam Adams on May 31, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Livability & Environment, News, North Portland, Transportation, Wal-Mart
Downtown to Gain Retail Czar
Roland ChlapowskiDowntown finding its inner mall Commissioner envisions retail district to compete with suburban shopping By NICK BUDNICK Issue date: Tue, May 16, 2006 The Portland Tribune With downtown retailers increasingly competing with suburban shopping malls for customers, city Commissioner Sam Adams and the Portland Business Alliance are looking at a...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on May 26, 2006
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Jobs & Economy, News
Driver Distraction Causes Accidents
Sam AdamsWhile I care deeply about creating a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly transportation system that supports a healthy and dynnamic economy and healthy, livable neighborhoods, safety is my number one priority. I believe that one fatality on the road is one too many. That is why I held Portland's first Transportation Safety Summit to get people focused on ways that we can make Portland's streets safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.
Posted by Sam Adams on April 21, 2006
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Filed Under Front Page, News, Office of Transportation, Public Safety, Transportation
The City should extend its equal benefits law
Jesse BeasonLet me tell you about Kelly and Dolores. They've been a family for 17 years. While Dolores works as an electrician, Kelly stays at home to care for their 4-year-old son, Avery, and newborn baby girl, Evan. Dolores' health care policy covers employees, married spouses, biological children, stepchildren, adopted children and anyone an employee is caring for such as siblings, parents, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. But the policy does not cover domestic partners. It does not cover Kelly, her partner of nearly two decades. This is wrong...
Posted by Jesse Beason on April 10, 2006
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Filed Under Equality, Front Page, Good Government, News, Our Initiatives
UPDATE: TRAM TOWNHALL MEETING
Roland ChlapowskiNOTICE: Commissioner Adams and Mayor Potter to hold a Town hall to discuss Tram issues. THE DATE HAS CHANGED FROM WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED. Sam values transparency and open government greatly. In the spirit of open government, he is sponsoring a Public Town hall to discuss the tram project currently...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on March 6, 2006
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Filed Under Events, Front Page, Good Government, News, Office of Transportation, Tram, Transportation
Sewer Fix Has Heads Pounding
Maria Thi MaiThe collapse of the Portland's 100-year-old sewer underscores our need to invest in maintenance before we have a collapse. Last fall, the 100-year-old Woods Line brick sewer collapsed. Click here to read what Anna Johns of the Tribune has to say about it. BES quickly moved into action with setting...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on March 3, 2006
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, News, Southwest Portland
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
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
Go To Portland! New York is Dead
Jesse BeasonFrom New York Arts Magazine: I return from Portland, Oregon and the Portland Institute for Contemporarys Arts' Time Based Art Festival, a geographical-cultural missionary of sorts. I feel like Malcolm X, ossified and stalwart in my political beliefs, before being thrust into Mecca and realizing that my entire paradigm for...
Posted by Jesse Beason on December 2, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, News
Stormwater Discount Passes Council
Maria Thi Mai
City Council approved a resolution yesterday (Wednesday. November 30) to deliver stormwater discounts beginning in September 2006. The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Sam Adams, sets a timetable for starting discounts and retroactive credits, establishes the basic program elements, calls for aggressive marketing and outreach activities, and targets special efforts to serve low income ratepayers. In addition...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on December 1, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, Good Government, Livability & Environment, News
Baseball: MLB and PGE Park
Sam Adams-----Original Message----- From: Adams, Sam Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 3:39 PMTo: Logsdon, DaveCc: Miller, Tom; Kovatch, Ty; Cogen, Jeff; Durston, Bob; Hamilton, Nancy; Grewe, Tim; Acker, John; Leonard, Randy; Saltzman, Dan; Sten, Erik; Potter, TomSubject: RE: Florida Marlins Dave, Thanks for the update. As you know from my published...
Posted by Sam Adams on November 25, 2005
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Filed Under Downtown Portland, Good Government, News
A conversation with Sam Adams: 100 businesses; innumerable goals
Mary Jo MarkleRead an interview with Sam published by The Daily Journal of...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 15, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Businesses, APNBA, Jobs & Economy, News, Our Initiatives
Citizens Gain Seats at City Budget Making Table
Mary Jo MarklePortland City Council unanimously voted to add citizens to the city's budget committee in a Council session on Wednesday, November 9, 2005. 5 Portland residents will be selected to: recommend programs, operations and policies; provide advice about budget and service issues; and assist Council in planning for the future. The...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on November 9, 2005
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Filed Under East Portland, Front Page, Good Government, News, North Portland, Northeast Portland, Northwest Portland, Our Initiatives, Southeast Portland (inner), Southwest Portland
The Most Important Profession
Jane AmesEducators 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...
Posted by Jane Ames on November 8, 2005
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Filed Under East Portland, Education, Front Page, News
"Why don't the 'walk' signals give you enough time to cross the street?"
Maria Thi MaiWhy don't the 'walk' signals give you enough time to cross the street and why aren't there sidewalks on Taylor's Ferry? were several among many questions students asked Commissioner Adams. This afternoon in the pouring rain, Sam and I stopped by Jackson Middle School to acknowledge Rob Coats' students for...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on November 4, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, News, Southwest Portland
They Promised But Did They Deliver?
Maria Lynn LimLast summer, as local candidates for city hall were clamoring for precious votes, The Mercury hosted a series of three, townhall forums. For each, we asked the candidates to provide 5 specific promises for projects they would accomplish during their first year in office. Cleverly, it was called the You...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on October 13, 2005
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Filed Under News, Our Initiatives
New Development, New Day for Lents
Warren JimenezToday, begins a new day for the Lents community. By a 4-1 vote, PDC approved Assurety Northwest to begin developing a towncenter in Lents. Assurety Northwest, a full service insurance agency dedicated to providing quality products, competitive rates and outstanding customer service, will bring 45 family wage jobs to Portland....
Posted by Warren Jimenez on October 12, 2005
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Filed Under East Portland, Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News
Stormwater hits East County News front page
Maria Thi MaiAdams, Potter hear sewer fee complaints; relief possible - http://www.eastcountynews.com/cat/20#8661...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on October 7, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Livability & Environment, News, Southeast Portland (inner), Southwest Portland
Street Twigs
Maria Thi MaiLast Saturday (Sept 24), Sam and I stopped by Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood's dedication of Street Twig. This 16-foot-tall sculpture represents a gigantic Big Leaf maple Twig and was hand forged by Nick Lyle and Jean Whitesavage of Whidbey Island, Washington. Come on by the corner of 16th and Weidler and...
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on October 6, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Events, News, Northeast Portland
What should we do with Corno's fruit?
Maria Thi Mai
As seen on Northwest News Channel 8 KGW: What would you do with a 6 foot cornstalk sign that has been a Portland icon for more than 50 years? Wander down Martin Luther King Boulevard past the Corno's Grocery site near Alder Street and feast your eyes..
Posted by Maria Thi Mai on September 20, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Front Page, Livability & Environment, News, Southeast Portland (inner)
The Launching of a Partnership
Jane AmesThe 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...
Posted by Jane Ames on September 14, 2005
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Filed Under Events, Front Page, Good Government, News, Our Initiatives, Public Safety, Speeches & Testimony
Assistance for Katrina Survivors
Jane AmesMAYOR, 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...
Posted by Jane Ames on September 11, 2005
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Filed Under Events, Good Government, News, Southeast Portland (inner)
Sharrows: Moving Towards a Bicycle-Safe, Platinum Portland
Roland Chlapowski
Get Ready Portland! - Soon, you are going to see new markings on our roads - something called "sharrows." These innovative new pavement markings are part of a pilot program being rolled out by the City of Portland's Department of Transporation to study their effectiveness in our city...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on August 26, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Livability & Environment, News, Office of Transportation, Our Initiatives, Public Safety, Transportation
City Commissioner moonlights as waiter in noodle house
Maria Lynn LimArticle from The Asian Reporter, August 16, 2005 Nobody knows who I am, and it's so refreshing, said Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams as he took a break from his shift bussing tables at Pho Hung Restaurant on SE Powell Blvd. on Sunday, August 7. In the past month, Adams...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on August 18, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Hours, News
The Eastside Guy Discrimination in the Rose City
Maria Lynn LimArticle from Brainstorm NW, by Dave Lister August, 2005 In Portland, we honor cultural diversity. All races and creeds exist together in a harmony unparalleled in most American cities. Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Caucasians participate equally in community activities and the political process, and there are special activities to celebrate...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on August 12, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, News
What Sam said about FPD&R...
Mary Jo MarkleWe need to modernize the system, and we need to put ourselves in a position to establish the policies and answer directly for them. Sam Adams, August 10, 2005, The Oregonian The Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund (FPDR) has been a hot issue around City Hall the past...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on August 10, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Good Government, News, Our Initiatives
An Economic Success: Importing Jobs to America
Roland Chlapowski
It seems like you can't read the news nowadays without hearing about another company or manufacturer closing down its U.S. operations and moving overseas. Unfortunately, “outsourcing” is the catchphrase of our times...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on August 5, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News, Office of Transportation, Transportation
Victory: South Waterfront Investment from the Feds
Roland ChlapowskiI live in the Brooklyn neighborhood in SE Portland right over the Ross Island Bridge. Usually, I catch a bus and make my way downtown to get to City Hall by 8:30 or so. It only requires one bus line and the entire trip rarely takes more than 10-15 minutes...
Posted by Roland Chlapowski on August 5, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, Livability & Environment, News, Southwest Portland, Transportation
Drill's over: A two-year effort to bore beneath the Willamette concluded Monday
Maria Lynn LimArticle from Daily Journal of Commerce, August 2, 2005 After about two years of mining work, the last of two original tunnel boring machines that dug a 14-foot diameter, three-and-a-half mile tunnel for Portland's nearly $300 million West Side Big Pipe project has reached the end of the line. Workers...
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on August 3, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Front Page, News
Portland's National Night Out is a Success
Sam Adams
Neighborhoods are safer when neighbors know each other, exchange telephone numbers and communicate and notice when something doesn’t seem right.
It isn’t high tech, fancy, or needs a big budget; it’s just effective...
Posted by Sam Adams on August 2, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, News, Public Safety, Southwest Portland
Business Association Grants awarded at celebration event
Warren JimenezAugust 2, 2005 Last night, business associations came together to celebrate funding of 32 projects through the Supplemental Grant Program administered by the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations. In May, Sam introduced a resolution to create this program that was unanimously approved by City Council and PDC. These funds...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on August 2, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News, Northeast Portland, Speeches & Testimony
Sam serves burgers and floors
Ben DuPreeFrom the East County News: As a follow-up to his 100 businesses in 100 days program, Adams has vowed to spend 100 hours working in ordinary jobs throughout the city before Labor Day. The most common jobs we're attracting that are growing in Portland, Adams explained, tend to be the...
Posted by Ben DuPree on July 29, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Hours, News
Wireless plan is still online
Ben DuPreeFrom the Portland Tribune: Companies aren’t happy about Portland’s foray into wireless Internet service, but so far they’ve failed to slow the city’s plan. Bills in Congress and the Oregon Legislature this year have taken aim at efforts by Portland and other cities to build wireless Internet networks. The efforts,...
Posted by Ben DuPree on July 26, 2005
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Filed Under News
Worksystems Inc. hires new executive
Warren JimenezJuly 14, 2005 To Our Partners: On Tuesday evening, Worksystems, Inc.’s (WSI) Board of Directors named Andrew McGough, the current Chief Operating Officer of WSI, to be the agency’s next Executive Director. The Board was unanimous in its decision to offer Andrew the position. “The Board is united in its...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on July 14, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, News
Mercury article: LOOK WHO'S TALKING: Backroom Deals See the Light of Day
Mary Jo MarkleThe following article appeared in the The Portland Mercury on July 7, 2005: City commissioner Sam Adams wants you to know who's been talking to him. It's hardly a radical idea--to make lobbyists publicly register any attempt to persuade city policies. But even so, Adams' proposal to regulate lobbying entities...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on July 8, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, News, Our Initiatives
Support Democracy
Jane AmesEthiopian-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...
Posted by Jane Ames on June 28, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Events, News
Firehouse center board gives city parks control
Andrew TuttleThe Oregonian June 28, 2005 The board of the financially troubled Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center has voted to suspend its work and hand over supervision of the day-to-day operations to Portland Parks and Recreation and Commissioner Sam Adams' office, Adams said Monday. Adams said he'll convene a community meeting in...
Posted by Andrew Tuttle on June 28, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, News, North Portland
Arts group takes a new tack to court corporations
Jesse BeasonFrom the Portland Business Journal, June 24, 2005 - "A local arts nonprofit group's campaign to win support within Portland-area companies could be an uphill battle. But the Regional Arts and Culture Council has strong support from a number of prominent businesspeople, and hopes with their help to meet ambitious fund-raising goals.
Posted by Jesse Beason on June 24, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, News
City Hall's New Bureau Assignments
Andrew TuttleMayor Potter released bureau assignments yesterday. Below are the assignments.
Posted by Andrew Tuttle on June 23, 2005
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Filed Under Arts & Culture, Education, Jobs & Economy, News, Public Safety, Transportation
Potter's changes rock City Hall
Andrew TuttleThe Oregonian June 23, 2005 After six months of quiet study, Mayor Tom Potter announced seismic changes Wednesday in Portland's government. The changes, made through personnel moves and assignment of the city's bureaus, are part of Potter's campaign promise to consolidate power in the mayor's office and the council as...
Posted by Andrew Tuttle on June 23, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, News
Wal-Mart cite collides with TriMet Goals
Andrew TuttleThe Oregonian June 20, 2005 A vacant industrial lot coveted by planners for a future light-rail station could be home to Portland's next Wal-Mart. Developer Howard Dietrich Jr. of Nelson Development Co. confirmed Tuesday that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is proposing a 150,000-square-foot store at 8300 S.E. McLoughlin Blvd., a property...
Posted by Andrew Tuttle on June 20, 2005
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Filed Under Livability & Environment, News, Southeast Portland (inner)
Pride Parade shakes a leg downtown
Ben DuPreeThe Portland Tribune - June 17, 2005 Demonstrate love and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friends, family and complete strangers this weekend at Portland’s 2005 Pride Festival and Parade. At last year’s event, 30,000 people celebrated the diversity of the local GLBT community. The annual Pride Parade will...
Posted by Ben DuPree on June 17, 2005
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Filed Under Equality, Events, News
Portland commissioner joins the blogosphere
Ben DuPreeThe Oregonian - June 19, 2005 Sam Adams became the first Portland City Council member with his own public blog this week, but neither he nor his staff nor the city's vibrant blogging community knows quite what to expect. The standard for political Web logs -- at least the ones...
Posted by Ben DuPree on June 17, 2005
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Filed Under News
Economic plan unveiled
Warren JimenezPortland Tribune - June 17, 2005 Commissioner Sam Adams this week unveiled a project he calls his “economic dashboard” — a framework that he’s spent the past five months crafting with the help of local economists, business leaders and other stakeholders. Adams says the project is still in its early...
Posted by Warren Jimenez on June 17, 2005
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Filed Under Economic Dashboard, Jobs & Economy, News
TILTING AT WINDMILLS? Sam Adams vs. Wal-Mart
Mary Jo MarkleIn the Portland Mercury, June 16, 2005 - Late last week, City Commissioner Sam Adams fired off a terse letter to Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's CEO. He was concerned that Wal-Mart has been steadily pushing forward plans to plop a Superstore in Sellwood, at the corner of McLoughlin and Tacoma. It...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on June 16, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, Livability & Environment, News, Southeast Portland (inner)
Portland Streetcar Receives Prestigious Award
Tom MillerPORTLAND STREETCAR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD THURSDAY $50,000 Prize Money Donated to Community Small Starts effort to Assist Streetcar Projects around the County (Portland, OR) The Bruner Foundation announced the 2005 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence Gold Medal Award Winner as the Portland Streetcar Project. Simeon Bruner presented the award...
Posted by Tom Miller on June 16, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, Livability & Environment, News, Transportation
The Use of Deadly Force Issue Needs the Light of Day
Jane AmesOne 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...
Posted by Jane Ames on June 13, 2005
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Filed Under Good Government, Livability & Environment, News, Public Safety, Speeches & Testimony
Officials oppose Wal-Mart
Andrew TuttleThe Oregonian June 10, 2005 Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams and Metro Councilor Robert Liberty are opposing construction of a Portland Wal-Mart before the idea has even been made public. Documents show a proposal by the Nelson Development Co. to develop a four-story, 338,000-square-foot retail center at 8300 S.E. McLoughlin...
Posted by Andrew Tuttle on June 10, 2005
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Filed Under Livability & Environment, News, Our Initiatives, Southeast Portland (inner)
Thinking like a business owner
Mary Jo Markle
The Oregonian, Editorial, June 1, 2005 - Call it a gimmick or call it a prolonged field trip, but Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams' decision to visit 100 businesses in his first 100 days on the Portland City Council was inspired...
Posted by Mary Jo Markle on June 1, 2005
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Filed Under Front Page, Jobs & Economy, News, Our Initiatives
Thortex plans on more jobs
Maria Lynn LimThe Business Journal of Portland, May 25, 2005 - Thortex Inc., a medical device manufacturer, will add 60 jobs when it expands its Northeast Portland facility. The expansion will bring the company's Portland employment count to 230 jobs. Thortex President David Walker made the announcement Wednesday with City Commissioner Sam Adams.
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on May 26, 2005
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Filed Under Jobs & Economy, News, Northeast Portland