October 8, 2013

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) was awarded the 2013 Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Julian Sustainability Practices Award!

The award recognizes outstanding contributions made to promote sustainability in public works in Oregon.

BES received the award in recognition of their Tabor to River program.

Tabor to River covers 2.3 square miles from Mt.Tabor to the Willamette River in Southeast Portland. This area has a combined sewer system that mixes sanitary sewage with stormwater runoff. Very heavy rains can cause sewers to back up into basements, flood streets, and overflow to the Willamette River.

Tabor to the River combines innovative stormwater management techniques with sewer repairs and improvements. The work will stop basement flooding, manage stormwater more naturally, and begin to restore the health of our watersheds.

Goals of the program include:

• Planting 3,500 trees

• Adding 500 green streets

• Building 100 private stormwater projects
• Repairing or replacing 81,000 feet of sewer pipe
• Removing invasive plants from parks and natural areas
• Improving wildlife habitat, cleaning the air and making neighborhoods healthier

To learn more about the Tabor to River program, visit BES’s website.

October 9, 2013

This morning, Nick was proud to join the rest of City Council in awarding a grant to support Janus Youth Programs’ Village Market.

The Village Market is a corner store in the New Columbia community. Until 2 years ago, there was no source for groceries within a mile of New Columbia. In a neighborhood where many families are lower-income and travel by bus or on foot, accessing affordable food was a challenge.

The Village Market is committed to providing quality, fresh, healthy, affordable groceries for our North Portland neighborhoods. It serves as a model for the region, and helps build the case for healthy food access for all neighborhoods.

City support of the market will cover operational costs of the project as it moves toward financial self-sufficiency.

To learn more about the Village Market, visit their website.

Portland City Council, Multnomah County chip in to keep Village Market alive

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Village Gardens will raise money for market gardens, incubator kitchens at University of Portland fundraiser

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

October 10, 2013

This morning, Nick was honored to join Portland’s First Lady Nancy Hales, Multnomah County Chair Marissa Madrigal, Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, and other community leaders at the first Street Roots Family Breakfast.

Street Roots is among our community’s most thoughtful and informed voices on issues of housing, homelessness and social justice. At times they are strong supporters of our work, at other times they are forceful critics.

Street Roots — published biweekly here in Portland— has been Portland's leading publication addressing homelessness and poverty since 1998. The newspaper is a platform for people experiencing homelessness and poverty, giving them a voice in our community’s political and social dialogue. Not only that, Street Roots creates income opportunities for vendors.

Special thanks to Street Roots' Executive Director Israel Bayer for convening this great event.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the paper from your local Street Roots vendor.

West Hayden Island annexation: Portland City Council considers costs, health and timing

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Council mulls West Hayden Island development conditions

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

New Ballot Language for Proposed Water District Calls Out Its Ambiguities

Dirk Vanderhart in The Portland Mercury

Who will represent east Portland in proposed utility district? Judge doesn't know

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Water District Backers Seeking Signatures

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

PWB selling land, neighbors unhappy

Tim Becker on KOIN.com

Group hopes to halt sale of city land

Drew Dakessian in the Portland Tribune

Back Under the Same Roof

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Hales Sort of Compares Randy Leonard to a Hoarder

Denis C. Theriault in The Portland Mercury

Murmurs: All the News That's Fit to Drink

In Willamette Week

Portland City Council, Multnomah County chip in to keep Village Market Alive

Casey Parks in The Oregonian

Gateway Green fundraising effort tops $120,000

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Mayor Emanuel to Devote $50 Million of Water Infrastructure Spending to Improve Stormwater Management in Chicago

Portland Water House: price slashed to $439,950

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

October 11, 2013

A year ago, Portland City Council wrote a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee requesting a commemorative stamp be made in honor of former San Francisco Supervisor and LGBTQ activist Harvey Milk.

Yesterday, the U.S. Postal Service announced they will issue the commemorative stamp!

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in California.Harvey was very open about his sexuality and encouraged other LGBTQ people to come out and be proud of who they are.

The stamp marks an important milestone; Harvey will be the first LGBTQ elected official to be featured on a U.S. stamp.

Harvey’s leadership and courage inspired many, and paved the way for future generations of LGBTQ leaders.

Harvey Milk Commemorative Stamp Letter

Harvey Milk to Be Honored on U.S. Postage Stamp

Sunnivie Brydum On Advocate.com 

National Coming Out Day

Maureen McCarty on the Human Rights Campaign Blog

photo courtesy of Advocate.com