May 24 2021
Two new staffers also joined the Portland mayor s office in top positions so far this year.
Mayor Ted Wheeler s staff is changing again.
Communication Director Jim Middaugh left two weeks ago to become executive director of the Multnomah County Drainage District. Its mission is to reduce flood risk by maintaining the county s levee system, manage drainage, and respond to emergencies. Before joining Wheeler s staff, Middaugh had been Metro s communication director and had worked at City Hall for former Commissioner Erik Sten.
And Deputy Chief of Staff Sonia Schmanski is leaving this Friday, May 29. She had previously worked for the late Commissioner Nick Fish and said it was time to explore life outside City Hall.
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Hardesty Says Wheeler Must Hold Police Accountable if He Wants an End to Destructive Marches In chiding Wheeler, Hardesty waded into an ongoing civic debate about Portland policing and the nighttime protests by a group of roughly 100 leftists. Portland Clean and Safe workers respond to downtown property damage from an April 16 riot. (Chris Nesseth) Updated April 29 Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty issued a measured rebuke Wednesday to Mayor Ted Wheeler’s call for a crackdown on black bloc marchers who smash windows, saying the city shouldn’t expect peace until it disciplines police officers who thrashed protesters last summer.
Ted Wheeler Could Use Some Advice, Right?
So we imagined what former Mayor Vera Katz might have to say at this particular juncture in Portland history.
By
Beth Slovic
4/27/2021 at 4:35pm
We couldn t help but wonder: What Would Vera Do?
Back in the day, embattled Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler attended Lincoln High School with former Mayor Vera Katzâs only child, Jesse. I knew Vera initially as the lady who would tell us to keep it down, says Wheeler, who went on to earn Katzâs endorsement in his 2016 mayoral bid. In January, Wheeler hired former Mayor Sam Adams, Katz s chief of staff.Â
By Stacey Lynn
Apr 23, 2021
We asked you Wednesday what was it that made you fall in love with Portland. For me it was a love-at-first-sight thing. I was 21 and driving through from California to Bellingham, WA to visit a friend. The River, the trees, all the green! When I got back home I started looking into radio stations in Portland and put my intention into moving here. Once here I fell in love with the people. You all made me feel so welcome. I knew I d never want to leave. I ve had a couple opportunities to take radio jobs elsewhere over the past 26 years but I m happy right here. And I m heartbroken like you for what has happened to our city. We want to help but how? What are the steps? Step one is hearing from the man put in charge of restoring this city s beauty and reputation. Former Mayor Sam Adams is now working with Ted Wheeler as the Director of Strategic Initiatives.
By Stacey Lynn
Apr 23, 2021
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is in FULL BLOOM! This is not a drill. I repeat: FULL BLOOM! But remember you MUST buy your tickets online ahead of time. Walk-ups aren t welcome this year due to Covid.
Grab your T-Rex loving littles and walk amongst life size dinosaurs at OMSI s Dinosaurs Revealed. See how they move, hear them roar, and explore their world throughout the Mesozoic Era.
While award show viewership is at an all time low, I still love doing this. Print out your own Oscar Ballot, pick your winners and pop some corn for The Oscars Sunday Night. (I know I haven t seen many of them either! That s what makes picking winners fun.)