The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that the state does not have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the environment.

The majority court opinion denied the claims of ​Kelsey Juliana and Ollie Chernaik​, two young Oregonians who filed suit in 2011 against the state of Oregon for failing in it's public trust duty to protect essential natural resources including water, wildlife, and the atmosphere -- from ongoing impacts of the climate crisis. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit were seeking a ruling through the lawsuit that would have made it illegal to use any natural resources in Oregon, unless government approved.

Writing for the majority, Justice Lynn R. Nakamoto affirmed the reality of climate change, but did not agree that the state has a responsibility to protect the environment:

"On review, the parties continue to dispute the scope of natural resources subject to the public trust doctrine and the state’s obligations with respect to natural resources subject to the doctrine. Urging an expansion of the public trust doctrine, plaintiffs contend that the state has, and breached, fiduciary obligations to prevent impairments due to climate change with respect to a range of natural resources in Oregon. Although the state agrees that the natural resources in Oregon that plaintiffs describe have suffered some adverse effects of climate change brought on, in part, by carbon dioxide emissions, the state contends that the Court of Appeals correctly determined that the state does not have the obligations that plaintiffs claim..."

Former Chief Justice Thomas Balmer explained in a dissenting opinion that in reaching its decision the majority had reframed the plaintiffs’ case to reach the adverse result. In the ​divided ruling​, the Court agreed with the youth that navigable waters are subject to the public trust doctrine, but said the state has no affirmative duty to take care of its resources.

Kate Brown decided she need to weigh into the decision by the Oregon Supreme court, and she takes the opportunity to further advocate for her radical climate change agenda, which is set on suppressing industry and commerce in Oregon. Brown is know to use Emergency Clauses and Executive Orders to get her way, when others don't agree with her.

“As I have said throughout this legal process, I agree with the plaintiffs, and other young people across Oregon and the world, when they say there is an urgent need for climate action.

“The unprecedented wildfires that raged across the West this year should have been a wake-up call for everyone: we need to be taking impactful steps immediately to address climate change. That’s why I took executive action in the spring to reduce Oregon’s carbon emissions, after Republican legislators walked out two years in a row to block climate action legislation. At every turn, the industries that are dependent on polluting the climate have tried to delay action—placing the health and economic burdens of climate change onto Oregon’s youth.

“To all of Oregon’s young people: If you’re frustrated by the speed at which your government is addressing the most urgent crisis of this generation and the next, know that I am too. There is a place where Oregonians can make their voices heard––the ballot box. If you care about climate change, if you care about the future of this planet, if you want future generations to have clean air and clean water, then please, vote.”

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-10-24 13:18:20

Last Update: 2020-10-24 15:06:11

On Thursday Jackson Count Sheriff's dispatch received a report of an assault with a weapon at 8005 Gladstone Ave., White City, Oregon. Deputies found the victim deceased at the scene and learned the suspect had fled on foot.

The investigation has determined that the victim was stabbed with a knife by a male who frequented the address. The victim was a resident at the house.

The victim is identified as Amanda Gail Berthelot, 63 years old, of White City, Oregon.

The suspect was originally contacted approximately 90 minutes after the stabbing in the 2600 block of Falcon St in White City. He was detained on a Parole Violation on an Original charge of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and lodged at Jackson County Jail.

The suspect is identified as Hector Cruz Orozco, birthdate 08/24/1996 who has multiple listed addresses in White City.

On friday, additional charges were added on Orozco. He is now charged with Murder, Animal Abuse I and Tampering With Evidence. The animal abuse stems from an earlier incident involving the suspect killing a dog.

The suspect is lodged at Jackson County Jail. The case will be reviewed by the Jackson County Grand Jury.

The Major Assault Death Investigation Unit was activated and JCSO investigators were assisted by members of the Oregon State Police, the OSP Crime Lab, Medford PD, Central Point PD, Ashland PD and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-10-24 10:23:11

Last Update: 2020-10-24 17:54:26

This is a closed event with limited capacity. There will be dancing in three ballrooms in a 17,000 square-foot facility, with an outdoor area for mingling in the frosty air! The event features country line & partner dancing, Salsa & 80s Disco! Let's countdown at midnight.

This event is a fundraiser put on by volunteers to support the business that is currently shut down in the fitness sector. You must pre-register for entrance by calling: 971-998-5120 no later than December 30th.

See you there!


--Northwest Observer Party Crew

Post Date: 2020-10-23 21:21:36

Last Update: 2020-12-24 12:50:01

Effective immediately and over the objection of the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Governor Kate Brown has issued an executive order regulating temporary worker housing in the agriculture industry saying, “It is by now very clear that this virus has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color. We have also seen outbreaks spread quickly in crowded housing, and in settings where workers live together and work in close quarters.”

The order contains several provisions.

Housing operators must identify one or more individuals who will be responsible for identifying appropriate physical distancing and sanitation measures and ensuring that such measures are implemented, including planning and implementing housing operation activities so that unrelated occupants will not need to be within 6 feet of each other.

The order claims that having a limited number of toilet facilities can encourage crowding, which in turn promotes the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, portable toilets or chemical toilets must be sanitized three times a day, and plumbed common-use toilet facilities must be sanitized at least twice a day, or more often, if necessary.

Each sleeping room without double bunk beds must have at least 50 square feet of floor space per occupant. Where there are double bunk beds for related individuals, provide 40 square feet per occupant. Do not use triple bunks, and do not allow the use of double bunk beds by unrelated individuals. Beds and cots must be spaced at least six feet apart between frames in all directions and arranged so that occupants sleep head to toe, or beds and cots must be separated by a bed length, floor to near ceiling temporary non-permeable barrier.

Housing operators must clean the facilities' high-contact areas and equipment before each occupancy. They must also ensure that high-touch or high-contact surfaces and areas in common use facilities are sanitized at least two times daily.

This Executive Order remains in effect until April 30, 2021.

Shortly after the Governor issued the executive order, the Oregon Farm Bureau expressed dismay at the Governor’s decision to release a last-minute Executive Order extending the rules for employer-provided agricultural housing and shocked that the Governor would add criminal penalties to the enforcement of these rules.

Adoption of the original temporary COVID-19 rules for agriculture allowed no meaningful public input and resulted from an activist petition, not from any public health or scientific experts.

The Farm Bureau points out that there has not been an identified “outbreak” of COVID-19 in agricultural housing since the beginning of the pandemic, even before the temporary rules were adopted. OR-OSHA’s data shows that of the 11,617 complaints made to the agency, and subsequent violations found, agriculture represents only 33. Almost all of these cases were minor, such as not having enough posters displayed. The Oregon Health Authority has made it clear that social gatherings off-site are the major driver of continued spread of COVID-19, not on-farm employment and housing.

They note that outbreaks are actively occurring off-site in community-based and other housing. Because of bed-spacing, prohibition of bunk beds, and other technical requirements, the temporary rules reduced the amount of safe on-farm housing and pushed employees out into unregulated environments. Farmworker advocates acknowledge that community-based and off-site housing doesn’t require social distancing, yet this housing has not been the subject of increased regulation, scrutiny, or criminal penalties. The Oregon Farm Bureau says that it agrees with the need to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in housing, but believes there is a way to protect employees without displacing them.

They also say that lack of public comment on the order also subverts the requirements of the Oregon Administrative Procedures Act.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-23 18:07:28

Last Update: 2020-10-23 20:16:50

The Oregon Health Authority has come out with a plan for distributing and administering the COVID-19 vaccine, once it is developed, approved and released. The plan, mostly a technical discussion of the nuts and bolts of distribution and cooperation with local health officials, begins with a strong statement on equity:

Oregon’s plan to allocate and distribute COVID-19 vaccine is grounded in a commitment to health equity, which requires an examination of how power and resources are distributed. With this foundation, the vaccine plan presented here represents a starting point for the iterative, responsive work of co-creating this strategy in partnership with communities most impacted by longstanding health inequities and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This introduction presents the framework for Oregon’s approach to co-creation and community collaboration.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn focus to the inequities many communities face. We have been presented an opportunity to put our values into action. This plan is intended to be a living document that represents just one step of many for Oregon as we work toward the goal of eliminating health inequities in our state by 2030.

The report alludes to a historical inequity in health care, but does not go into examples:

The inequitable burden of disease and other negative health conditions on communities of color and indigenous and American Indian/Alaska Native communities are not new. COVID-19 has simply highlighted this inequity at a time when more people are paying attention to illness, health and racial justice in the U.S.

The document refers to Governor Kate Brown's general policy framework for an equitable response to COVID-19, summarizing as follows:

Governor Kate Brown shared a framework for applying equity across the state’s response to the pandemic. This framework highlights three equity values that guide our work: 1. Prioritizing Equity: Prioritizing equity and addressing racial disparities as we work toward recovery from COVID-19. 2. Addressing Health and Economic Impacts: Address underlying systemic causes of health and wealth inequalities especially for those most impacted. 3. Ensuring an Inclusive and Welcoming Oregon: Commitment for Oregon to be an inclusive and welcoming state for all.

The document cites the following data to support the racial and ethnic impact of the disease, but in the case of COVID-19, race and/or ethnicity may be proxies for poverty and derivatively the type of living situation. Living environment -- most notably communal living -- has been a strong indicator of likelihood of contracting the disease. For instance, the disease has been prevalent in prisons, care centers and dorm-type living situations.

Race	Cases	% of total cases	Cases per 100,000
White	16,037	42.8%	448.4
Black	1,261	3.4%	1562.0
Asian	1,068	2.9%	589.7
American Indian/Alaska Native	920	2.5%	1887.6
Pacific Islander	627	1.7%	3774.4
Other	12,308	32.9%	n/a
More than 1 race	728	1.9%	362.2
Not available	4,518	12.1%	n/a
Total	37,467	100.0%	884.4

Ethnicity	Case count	% of total cases	Cases per 100,000
Hispanic	14,060	37.5%	2585.6
Non-Hispanic	18,865	50.4%	510.9
Not available	4,542	12.1%	n/a
Total	37,467	100.0%	884.4

Aside from equity considerations, vaccinations will start with healthcare and essential worker occupational health vaccination clinics.

One thing that the document doesn't discuss, is whether or not the vaccine will be mandatory, or what level of official encouragement people will get to have them receive the vaccine. Many people will want to get the vaccine. Some will resist.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-22 17:11:23

Last Update: 2020-10-22 20:42:49

A statue that has stood for 87 years in southeast Portland was torn down, being the latest atrocity amidst a series of Antifa and Black Lives Matter vandalism and rioting that has plagued Oregon's largest city for much of the year 2020. The statue of the former Oregonian newspaper editor had stood since 1933.

This is the seventh statue torn down in Oregon overall and the fifth one this year. It seems to be connected to the same rioting leftist group responsible for the other statue vandalism. The vandalism occurred on the so called "Day of Rage" this year, October 12th, also known as Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day.

The violence has continued with no authorities in the area including the Multnomah County District Attorney willing to arrest and convict some of the rioting persons. It is unclear if or when the Democrat leaders of the state and city will step in to protect the history of Oregon.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-10-22 10:15:40

Last Update: 2020-10-22 10:49:16

The McMinnville Chamber of Commerce hosted a virtual candidate forum on October 19. Participants were the current Mayor, Scott Hill and current City Councilors Kellie Menke from Ward 2, Adam Garvin from Ward 3 and his challenger Tynan Pierce. Lisa McCracken the challenger for Ward 1 had a conflict and could not participate. Other participants were challengers Heidi Parker for Mayor, Chris Chenoweth from Ward 1 and Brittany Ruiz from Ward 2 for City Council. The forum was hosted by McMinnville Chamber of Commerce Board Chair-elect Patrick George and Linfield professor Kevin Curry. Six questions were asked, and each candidate had two minutes to answer them.

Questions involved complaints often heard about city government and challenges facing the city.

Why are you running?
The incumbents stressed experience. The challengers emphasized a need to change.

The next question involved a common complaint of a failure to show respect to testifiers at council meetings, a lack of proper notice of issues on the agenda and enough time to consider testimony before concluding an ordinance.
There were sharp differences of opinion on this between incumbents and challengers.

Name two important challenges to McMinnville.
Mayor Scott Hill named restructuring financing and equity/diversity/inclusion. Heidi Parker brought up safety and security and a tough love approach to homeless. Kellie Menke suggested expanding the Urban Growth Boundary and attracting businesses to create jobs. Brittany Ruiz pointed to access to services for all. Chris Chenoweth also wants to expand the UGB, as well as clear the roadblocks to businesses choosing McMinnville. Adam Garvin pointed to the need to keep the cost of living low and improve public safety. Tynan Pierce voiced climate/clean water, racial justice, and compassion for the “houseless”.

Are fees and fines excessive and applied capriciously?
The incumbents cited a holistic approach to financing, the challengers expressed a need to rethink spending priorities that lessen dependence on fees and fines.

How do we handle race and inclusion challenges?
Scott Hill suggested collaboration and the creation of a task force. Heidi Parker has seen bias from her bi-racial marriage. She says that equal treatment for all is the answer. Kellie Menke has Japanese aunt and lesbian sister. She thinks that training is needed and that we need to eliminate housing discrimination. Brittany Ruiz has Hispanic husband and is of scientology faith and says that minorities need equal access to services. Chris Chenoweth says that there is no place for bigotry and that equal enforcement of laws is a must. Adam Garvin suggests training for local solutions, not national solutions. Tynan Pierce says that Oregon was founded on systemic racism and that we need nationally funded solutions

How to fix homelessness?
Scott Hill thinks we need to bring groups before council to teach solutions and bring local partners together. Heidi Parker points out that mental health and addictions are the problem, and that we need to help those that want help and eliminate harm to businesses, even relocate those refusing help. Kellie Menke says that the issue is well addressed with new ordinances, but that lack of Block Grants hurts funding. Brittany Ruiz says that a task force is needed. The solution must show compassion. Chris Chenoweth points out that this is a complex problem and we can't just treat just the symptoms. We need to enforce the laws equally. Adam Garvin thinks we can learn from other communities and that funding can come from higher levels of government. Tynan Pierce thinks that McMinnville has done poorly and that we need more compassion and more funding, and less police.

The entire event lasted about an hour and a half.




--Tom Hammer

Post Date: 2020-10-21 18:07:57

Last Update: 2020-10-21 19:22:16

The Department of Administrative Services and local governments can do more to ensure that expenditures under the CARES Act meet federal standards, according to a management letter issued today by Secretary of State Bev Clarno. The letter, addressed to DAS Director Katy Coba, outlines findings from a real-time Audits Division review of local government reimbursement requests.

The $2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed into law in late March, provides financial assistance to individuals, businesses, community organizations, and state and local governments. Oregon is estimated to receive about $13 billion in total CARES Act funding.

Coronavirus Relief Funds must be used for non-budgeted COVID-related expenditures incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2020. At the direction of the Legislature, DAS is paying reimbursements for $200 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund money to help Oregon’s cities, counties and special districts respond to COVID-19. Auditors selected a sample of reimbursement requests from 32 jurisdictions totaling $21.7 million, or 47%, of the total amount requested in the first round. The requests primarily covered employee leave and local government payroll related to COVID-19. Auditors evaluated requests for adequacy of documentation and allowability under vague and frequently changing U.S. Treasury guidance.

Overall, auditors found three of the 35 reimbursement requests reviewed were at high risk for questioning by municipal or federal auditors. Twelve requests, including the three considered high risk, lacked clear documentation. Other issues identified included risky submission practices for payroll and leave costs, significant mathematical errors, and expenses reported in incorrect federal categories.

Auditors suggested six actions DAS can take to promote accuracy and help reduce the risk of expenses being questioned. The real-time aspect of this review allows DAS and local governments to address outstanding issues before the cutoff date of December 30, 2020, for Coronavirus Relief Fund expenditures.

“It is crucial this funding be used to help Oregon communities overcome the public health crisis,” Secretary Clarno said. “Local governments are working hard on this, but the state can do more to ensure accuracy, transparency, and adequate support for these funds.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-21 18:07:16

Investments in equity, COVID recovery, violence prevention and environmental stewardship top Mayor Ted Wheeler’s list of budget priorities for the City’s annual fall spending review.

Each fall the Portland City Council reviews the City’s budget to determine whether any mid-year changes are needed because of new and unforeseen circumstances. The fall check-in typically is used for technical adjustments and small changes. This year, because of fiscal uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Council is considering more significant decisions.

The Mayor seeks to take measured steps to rebuild reserves while also making targeted investments to help Portland recover equitably and sustainably. Below is a description of the Mayor’s proposal (please note the dollar figures are approximate, may be rounded, and are subject to change).

Equity Community Investments

Community Reinvestment Initiative

Around the country, communities are calling for divestment from police agencies and reinvestment in community. The Mayor’s 19-point racial justice plan calls for reducing the Police Bureau’s budget and reinvesting in communities of color. The Mayor is partnering with City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly to propose a $3 million investment in a community-led process empowering Black Portlanders to decide how best to invest in the community. We will work with Reimagine Oregon and other community partners to design this process.

Approximately $1.9 million would come from ongoing cannabis tax revenues previously dedicated to the Police Bureau. An additional $1.5 million will be made available from one-time funds. The balance will be used to help staff, support and report on the process.

“Community members know what they need to advance public safety and economic empowerment,” the Mayor said. “This proposal will give the community voice and votes to decide how best to invest in the changes needed to advance equity and racial justice.”

Increasing the City’s Capacity to Advance Equity

People of color, indigenous people and members of the LGBTQIA+ community face barriers related to employment, health care, policing, education and more. The Mayor is committed to building city employees’ capacity to understand and fight for equal access to opportunity for everyone and to build relationships with community-based organizations. To do so, the Mayor will ask the Council to create new positions focused on equity and justice.

LGBTQIA+ Policy Analyst

This new position in the Office of Equity and Human Rights will supplement analysts who currently focus on racial equity. The position will help ensure every City bureau works to provide equal opportunity to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and to remove barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ people. Just as important, the position will increase the City’s ability to partner with organizations like the Cascade Aids Project, Pride Northwest and the Human Rights Campaign. The position will be supported with $125,000 in ongoing revenue.

Increased Capacity for the Office of Equity and Human Rights

The Mayor will ask the Council to support three new positions in the Office of Equity and Human Rights. The positions will focus on providing more training for City employees, on data analysis to ensure the City is making progress on its equity goals, and on increasing the accessibility of all City facilities and programs. The request also includes support for two AmeriCorps VISTA interns who will focus on Black male achievement. Finally, the Mayor will direct that bureaus jointly fund a fourth position focused on civil rights investigations and trainings. Combined, these requests require $430,000 in ongoing funds.

“We need better understanding and capacity among our employees, and we need a stronger focus on accountability for progress. This proposal helps us accomplish both these important objectives,” the Mayor said.

Improving Tribal Relations

The city of Portland has one of the largest urban Native American populations in the nation. Tens of thousands of tribal members live in the City. The City is a leader in working to improve relations with Native Americans and with Tribal nations. Currently, the City’s tribal relations program has two staff. The success created by the City’s one liaison, while significant, does not match the City’s goals of making Portland a destination for Native people to live, work and visit, and to ensure Native people are visible and supported.

“We need to weave knowledge of and respect for Native people and culture into the fabric of the City’s operations and relationships. That requires more than one person,” the Mayor said.

That’s why the Mayor will ask Council to approve a third position to support the existing tribal liaisons’ highly successful work. The new position requires $130,000 in ongoing funds.

COVID-19 Recovery

Portland was in the first wave of cities responding to the pandemic this spring. With both City funds and federal relief dollars, Council prioritized immediate relief to vulnerable renters, people living outside, and small businesses. The City stood up its Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) to keep people informed about the latest public health information and to ensure a coordinated City response to the pandemic. The ECC continues to work closely with Multnomah County to ensure the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness.

The Mayor’s proposal continues funding for the ECC so no staff there are laid off; invests in the central city so it is clean, healthy, and welcoming to employees and visitors; and offers a lifeline for City-owned arts venues to avoid higher costs down the road.

Housing Stability and Safe Sleep Options

The Mayor has prioritized renter and homeowner stability, and the safety of people experiencing homelessness, since the pandemic began. In his proposal, $3.6 million in federal funds is allocated for several hundred additional shelter beds through the cold and rainy winter months, and $1.4 million will support rent assistance to help people stay in their homes.

Two important programs to help people experiencing homelessness stay healthy and safe are funded with federal money that expires at the end of this calendar year: three outdoor camps serving about 100 people each; and 100 port-a-potties places throughout the community. The Mayor proposes to use unspent funds from the Portland Street Response, on a one-time basis, to continue these services through the end of this fiscal year. This allocation is $2.1 million in total.

Sustaining the COVID-19 Emergency Coordination Center

In addition, the Mayor also is asking to City Council to approve continued support for operation of the COVID Emergency Coordination Center with a one-time allocation of $290,000 to match FEMA funds supporting operations at the ECC.

Garbage and Litter Pick-Up

COVID health guidelines are changing how we live and work, and have affected how we are managing shared public spaces. That’s why the Mayor is asking the Council to approve an additional $800,000 for garbage and litter collection and to support the work of the Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program. The Mayor is requesting $650,000 in one-time funds and an additional $150,000 from reallocations within the existing budget.

Additionally, the Mayor proposes $77,000 in one-time dollars to extend our contract and continue our partnership with SOLVE for Keep it Pretty, Rose City cleanup events. This level of funding will allow SOLVE to expand their events and increase engagement in underserved neighborhoods, especially East Portland. This investment will fund the agreement through the end of 2021.

Downtown Retail Activation

Cleaning up Downtown is a great start. The Mayor also wants to help Downtown business re-open safely and help bring customers back to the City’s core. That’s why the Mayor is seeking Council approval of a one-time investment to support ongoing marketing of downtown’s wide range of open shops and businesses.

The Mayor seeks to invest $150,000 with Travel Portland, which is working closely with an array of partners including the Old Town Community Association, Portland Business Alliance, public agencies, and other community partners to raise the profile of businesses that are open downtown.

The Mayor also will ask the Council to make a one-time investment of $50,000 in Prosper Portland’s work to activate downtown neighborhoods. Prosper is working with local business and community groups to sponsor open-air markets, performances and other activities designed to bring people into the downtown core. This one-time $200,000 investment will be redirected from the City’s spectator venues fund.

Maintaining the Viability of City-Owned Performing Arts Venues

City-owned facilities operated by Portland’5 Centers for the Arts include the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Keller Auditorium, Antoinette Hatfield Hall and the Winningstad Theater, Newmark Theater and Brunish Theater. To protect public health, these City-owned facilities are closed.

Although some of the venues are offering virtual programs, revenues are not sufficient to sustain operations while the City of Portland and Multnomah County are still in Phase I of COVID recovery. To avoid major costs to the City, and to ensure the venues are ready to reopen when conditions allow, the Mayor is asking the City Council to approve a one-time investment of $1.6 million to maintain minimal staffing and maintenance.

“Our arts venues bring culture, people and jobs to our downtown. We need to them to be ready to re-open when conditions permit. We need to protect our past investment in these important community assets,” Mayor Wheeler said.

Violence Prevention

Enhancing the Public Health Response to Gun Violence

The COVID-19 crisis is increasing stresses and strains on people across the Portland community at the same time social distancing and other public health guidelines make providing social services more difficult and expensive than ever. One terrible result is an alarming increase in gun violence.

“Just like a virus, ending gun violence requires prevention, education and intervention,” the Mayor said. “We know what to do. We need the resources to do it. That’s why I am asking the City Council to increase its investment in the Office of Violence Prevention,” he said.

The Office of Violence Prevention works on the root causes of violence to both prevent violent incidents and reduce the need for law enforcement. The office coordinates resources and services, administers grants for non-profit organizations that strengthen community, and facilitates community conversation and problem-solving. Given the COVID-caused crises in our community, the need for more community-based violence prevention and problem solving has never been greater.

The Mayor is asking the Council to approve two new positions for the program. One will provide support for the office’s existing staff to increase their capacity and effectiveness. The other will focus on coordinating programs designed to foster existing and grow new community partnerships to prevent violence before it occurs. The Mayor seeks $271,000 in ongoing funds to support this vital work.

Environmental Stewardship

Portland has long been a leader in environmental stewardship. There is increasing urgency to protect Portland’s environment and for the City to do its part in the fight against climate change. The Mayor’s proposal makes several investments to keep important work going.

FEMA Floodplain Update

The National Flood Insurance Program is managed by FEMA and provides renters, homeowners, and businesses insurance coverage for flood damage. The program is complex, but a key feature is that local floodplain management rules must comply with Endangered Species Act protections for wild salmon and steelhead. City bureaus are working on a multi-year project to keep local certification and maintain flood insurance protection for the people of Portland. $260,000 in one-time funds will allow the City to meet a critical FEMA deadline, stay in compliance, and continue important community engagement about the future of floodplain management and flood protection.

Columbia River Levee Reconstruction

Portland is part of a group called Levee Ready Columbia working to bring the Columbia River’s local system of flood control levees, 27 miles in total, up to federal standards so local residents and business owners qualify for affordable flood insurance. Setting aside $315,000 on an ongoing basis ensures Portland continues to meet its obligations.

Dark Skies

The Portland Dark Skies Project will reduce light pollution in Portland, reducing negative health impacts to humans and negative impacts on wildlife, reducing energy waste, and bringing back the night sky. Last year, Council directed the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to develop recommendations to get us there. In his proposal, Mayor Wheeler directs the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to develop a budget proposal to fund an important piece of the solution, Code updates, for Council's consideration as soon as practicable and no later than the Spring FY 2021-22 Supplemental Budget Process.

Willamette River Superfund Clean-up

In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated a 10-mile stretch of the Willamette River a Superfund Site. This is one of the most complex superfund sites in the country, and it wasn’t until 2017 that EPA released its final clean-up plan. The City is partnering with the EPA and others to make sure the work is moving forward and being led by community values and organizations. $1 million in one-time resources will ensure the City meets its obligations.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-10-21 17:22:37

Last Update: 2020-10-21 17:41:51

A disproportionate number of Democratic legislative candidates have found themselves in hot water this legislative cycle. In a year in which the party is hoping to pick up seats in order to cross the next threshold -- to gain a quorum-proof majority -- they seem to have problems with elections integrity in many of their races. This fact may hold them back.

One wonders why, among the surely many talented possible candidates, the Democratic side has been unable to field a slate of integrity. Could it be that there is such hubris in the party that ethics is regarded as optional? Here are some of the examples.

• Democrat Lynette Shaw running against incumbent Republican Ron Noble in House District 24, which is the McMinnville area found herself making a false statement in the voters' pamphlet about her education. She claimed that she received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota, which she did not.


• In Bend, Democrat Assistant District Attorney Jason Kropf has run into some trouble of his own. After the Oregon Trial Lawyer's Association reportedly asked a harassment victim working in the District Attorney's office to stay quiet in order to help Kropf's campaign. He has since returned $10,000 from the Trial Lawyers, which doesn't look good.
  
  This scandal is a sequel, of sorts. You'll remember in the previous cycle, Helt's opponent, Nathan Boddie was accused of groping a 23-year-old colleague. Boddie refused to step down and he went down to Helt, despite the large registration advantage Democrats hold in the district.


• Democratic Coos County Commissioner Melissa Cribbins is running in the Coos County area against local businessman, Republican Dick Anderson. She has been called out for spending public money on personal business. Cribbins spent over $56,000 on the county credit card in just three years for airfare, hotels, meals, drinks, gifts, transportation, parties and special classes.

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-21 10:27:48

Last Update: 2020-10-20 20:54:48

Violence seems without end in Portland, Oregon.

On October 19, 2020, at 10:03 p.m., Portland Police Bureau Officers from East Precinct and Transit Police responded to the 1100 block of Northeast 99th Ave in the Hazelwood neighborhood on reports of a robbery. It was reported that four young males between the ages of 11-15 exited the Max at Gateway where they approached an adult woman, who was homeless, and attempted to steal her purse. The woman struggled with the youth to retain her purse. The woman's husband confronted the youth and was stabbed in the neck by one of them. The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The suspects fled the scene and no arrests were made. Once at the hospital, it was learned that the victim's injuries were non-life-threatening.

A few hours later, at 1:03 a.m. on October 20, 2020, a victim of a stabbing walked into an area hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The adult male victim, who is also homeless, was stabbed five times near his camp in the Lents neighborhood by an unknown suspect. No crime scene was located and no arrests were made.

The last stabbing was reported at 2:39 a.m., where another victim walked into an area hospital with a serious, but non-life-threatening injury after being struck with a hatchet. The adult male victim was uncooperative with police, however, officers learned that the incident occurred in the Lents neighborhood near Southeast 92nd Ave and Flavel St. No crime scene was located and no arrests were made.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-10-20 21:25:50

Last Update: 2020-10-20 22:05:39

Attornys from Alliance Defending Freedom representing a private, religious K-12 Oregon school filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday against Governor Kate Brown to challenge her order threatening private schools with 30 days jail time and $1,250 fines for reopening in-person instruction, despite allowing public schools of identical size in the same county permission to resume in-person classes.

After nearly two months of advising that Hermiston Christian School could provide in-person instruction to the 51 students enrolled in its K-12 program, Brown reversed course and, on July 29, ordered private schools in Umatilla County and elsewhere to remain closed while offering exemptions to public schools with 75 or fewer students. On the same day Brown extended the prohibition of in-person instruction to private schools, a spokesperson for the governor expressed a desire to prevent a “mass exodus” from public schools and emphasized that public schools could suffer a reduction in funding if students disenrolled to obtain education elsewhere.

“While responding to crises can be difficult, this case is not. There is no legitimate reason for allowing public schools with 75 or fewer students to provide in-person instruction while denying the same opportunity to small private schools, including religious ones,” said ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker, director of the ADF Center for Christian Ministries. “Hermiston Christian School operates in the same county as a public school that is open, and it operates with the same number of students, who are performing the same type of activity, working in an even larger physical environment, and complying with the same health and safety protocols. Gov. Brown’s refusal to extend the same treatment to Hermiston Christian School as she does to small public schools violates the U.S. Constitution and discriminates against parents who choose to provide a religious education for their children.”

After receiving the governor’s assurance that in-person instruction would resume, Hermiston Christian retained its teachers and staff, made expenditures to meet or exceed the state’s health and safety protocols, and told parents that they could plan on in-person classes for their children. On September 16, the Oregon Department of Education granted Hermiston initial approval as an Emergency Child Care Facility for school aged children and, after conducting a virtual inspection of school facilities, noted that Hermiston Christian’s “facility is very clean and organized. [Staff] were very well prepared and are following the Health and Safety Guidelines.” However, the Umatilla County Public Health Department has advised the school that it is not permitted to provide in-person instruction even if the students are in its facilities for childcare.

“Gov. Brown’s personal preference for public over private education does not permit her to discriminate against faith-based schools,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman. “Oregon’s Department of Education has personally evaluated Hermiston Christian School and found that it is a safe place for school-aged children to spend full days, but the very same department threatens imprisonment and fines if the school dares to educate those very same children while they’re in the building. Public health crises do not suspend the Constitution or permit elected leaders to favor secular public schools by granting them unique exceptions.”

The complaint notes that Hermiston Christian serves some low-income families in its community who cannot simultaneously supervise their children’s remote education while working outside of the home to provide essential income. As the complaint explains, “Most distance-learning models rely on increased levels of parental involvement, which imposes unique burdens upon single parents or low-income families with two working parents.”

ADF attorneys filed Hermiston Christian School v. Brown in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Pendleton Division.

This is the second lawsuit filed against the Governor in the past few days. Friday, a group of legislators filed a suit based on separation of powers and other issues.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-20 18:42:19

Last Update: 2020-10-20 19:27:48