January 28, 2016

Elders in Action’s Personal Advocate Program helps change lives for the better.

Personal Advocates are volunteers who work with older adults facing difficulties in their lives. They provide important relationships that engage and empower individuals who contact Elders in Action for assistance.

Every year, Elders in Action’s Personal Advocates help many older adults with a variety of challenging situations, including assistance in setting a budget, helping determine health benefits and resources, terminating a bank card, situations of elder abuse, and much more.

Nick is proud to be Council liaison to Elders in Action, a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to creating a vibrant community of active and engaged older adults.

Check out Elders in Action’s website to learn more.

Portland’s art tax is a good thing (OPINION)

Stanley Penkin in The Oregonian

Straight Talk: Islamophobia (Part 1)

Laural Porter in KGW News

Straight Talk: Islamophobia (Part 2)

Laural Porter in KGW News

Transgender people deserve dignity and respect (OPINION)

Andrea Zekis in The Oregonian

Homelessness: Portland mayor quietly tolerating tent camping

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Portland voters to decide 10 cent gas tax in May

The Associated Press

February 1, 2016

It’s budget season!

Today I submitted Requested Budgets for the  City’s public utilities – the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and the Portland Water Bureau (PWB).

Together, these two bureaus manage over $20 billion in infrastructure, employ more than a thousand people, and protect six watersheds.

The requested budgets reflect our priorities for each bureau: clean water in our rivers and our taps, maintaining our aging infrastructure, and ensuring that we are ready for “the Big One.”

For the third year in a row, I directed BES and PWB to keep their combined rate increase below five percent – and once again they have delivered.

Thanks to my two bureau directors, Mike Stuhr and Mike Jordan, the new Portland Utility Board (PUB), the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and many others for helping to shape the budget proposals.

Over the weekend, The Oregonian ran an op-ed I authored. It answers many questions we are asked during the budget season, and explains why I am so proud to lead these bureaus.

Your voice matters!

Over the next few months, you can attend a Budget Forum or Hearing – find one that is convenient for you. In the meantime, you can comment on the requested budgets, and I hope you do so.

When the BES and the PWB budgets are finalized, you’ll be able to find them on the City Budget Office website.

 February 3, 2016

City Council had special visitors this morning!

Fourth-graders from Boise-Eliot/Humboldt School and their art teacher spoke at Council about their experience inside the majestic Bull Run Watershed.

Last fall, students participated in a unique field trip to the Bull Run that focused on water and art. The Portland Water Bureau guides hundreds of students through the Bull Run every year, to study water science and engineering. The Boise-Eliot/Humboldt field trips added a special mission: visit Bull Run and share their experience with Portland through art.

The tour was designed for students to experience the watershed through their five senses - including taste! Students took a silent walk through the forest, recorded sounds from inside a dam, practiced photo yoga, and tasted an oxalis plant.

After their trip, they created the beautiful artwork currently on display in City Hall’s atrium, which runs through February 25^th.

Special thanks to Briggy Thomas and the Portland Water Bureau team!

Check out the Water Bureau’s website for more information.

Bull Run Art Exhibit

Portland City Hall atrium

Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm

1221 SW Fourth Ave.

Students create art project after field trip to Bull Run Watershed

Fox 12 Staff

Where to celebrate Valentine's Day with kids, and other February family events in Portland

Amy Wang in The Oregonian

Why Portland utility bills will raise a bit (OPINION)

Nick Fish in The Oregonian

Students create art project after field trip to Bull Run Watershed

Fox 12 Staff

Where to celebrate Valentine’s Day with kids, and other February family events in Portland

Amy Wang in The Oregonian

Oversight Committee Praises, Challenges Portland Housing Approaches

Rob Manning in OPB

Vote delayed on Right 2 Dream Too’s move

Brad Schmidt in The Oregonian

Homeless camp relocation hearing postponed

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune