October 18, 2013

Last night, Nick was honored to attend the 30^th Annual Asian Health & Services Center Dinner at the H.K Café in Eastport Plaza.

The Asian Health & Services Center (AHSC) opened its doors in 1983 as the Chinese Social Service Center, serving the Chinese immigrant community. Volunteers, headed by Dr. Erik Szeto, worked out of a Southeast Portland church basement.

With the growing Asian population in Portland, it became clear that the mission and vision for the center had to expand.

Today the center provides a bridge between Asian and American cultures to reduce health inequity and improve health care quality for all Asians.

Nick reflected that in Washington, D.C., talking about healthcare changes shuts down a government. Here in Portland, we throw a party!

Special thanks to Dr. Szeto for convening a great event, and to AHSC for 30 years of service to the community.

Portland needs a sharpshooter at the till

The Oregonian Editorial Board

Sources Say: Ballot initiative language bolsters foes' arguement

In the Portland Tribune

Water District Backers Refuse to Participate in City Club Study

Dirk Vanderhart in The Portland Mercury

Water district proponents refuse to participate in City Club of Portland study on rates, oversight

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Water Rebels Spurn City Club

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week

Coding for Quakes

Nathan Gilles in The Portland Mercury

Tigard drinking Portland water again after total coliform concerns

Fenit Nerappil in The Oregonian

New Lease on Life

Donovon M. Smith in The Portland Observer

Could selling the Portland Water House help stabilize rates?

Oregon Politifact

Shutdown sets back Willamette Superfund work even further

Andy Giegerich in the Sustainable Business Oregon

 October 21, 2013

The Portland Water Bureau is looking for your feedback on the final design plans for the visible features for Washington Park Reservoirs 3 and 4. 

Due to a federal mandate, Reservoir 3 will be replaced with a 15-million gallon underground reservoir, and Reservoir 4 will be updated to use as an overflow and storm water retention tank, including a de-chlorination facility.

The Water Bureau wants the public to weigh in on the more visible features of the reservoir sites. Click through the virtual “Open House” and tell us what you think. What should be done to the land on top of the new buried reservoir? Should we create reflecting pools? Should some of the land include sloping green spaces? 

Your comments will be shared with the project team and representatives on the Community Sounding Board. The Board is comprised of park users, neighborhood association representatives, and Portland Parks & Recreation staff; they will advise the PWB as the design is finalized.

The virtual open house will be available until October 24. Visit the PWB website to share your comments to help finalize the design.

October 22, 2013

Head out to the City of Portland Archives and Records Center (PARC) on October 24 to hear about two local artists working with a piece of our city’s history.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council commissioned Kaia Sand and Garrick Imatani for an artist-in-residence project with the PARC. Their work, The Watcher Files Project, shares several months of art, poetry, and research focusing on surveillance files the Portland Police Bureau gathered on activists in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.

The the discussion of their progress in celebration of National Archives Month. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP as seating is limited.

To learn more about Kaia and Garrick’s project, visit their website at http://looseleafservices.us/

Don’t forget to join Nick tonight at 5 pm, in City Hall’s Council Chambers to commemorate 100 years of the Commission form of government in Portland.

Portland's commission form of government turns 100: What do you think of it?

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian

Commissioner Nick Fish hopes for 'spirited discussion' at event commemorating commission

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian

October 22, 2013

Join us today at 5pm to commemorate 100 years of Portland’s Commission form of government.

Portland voters adopted this government system in 1913. Since then, Portlanders have voted eight times to keep in intact. Love it or hate it, Portland is one of the last cities in the country to have this unique government form.

Portland historian and scholar, Dr. Carl Abbott, will give us all a history lesson about pre-1913 City government and the transition to the Commission form of government. Current and former elected officials will share stories from their time with the City, and there will be historical exhibits and light refreshments on the first floor following the presentations.

Centennial Commemoration of the Commission Form of Government

Portland City Hall, Council Chambers

October 22, 5 – 7 pm

Free & open to the public

All-star cast of former Portland politicos touts commission form of government

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian

Portland's commission form of government turns 100: What do you think of it?

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian

Commissioner Nick Fish hopes for 'spirited discussion' at event commemorating commission

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian