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Welcome to Commissioner Amanda Fritz's site! **************************************** Dear Neighbor,
Mayor Sam Adams and I are very grateful to the more than 250 neighbors, business owners, artists and visitors who participated in our community forum about Last Thursday on Alberta. Thank you to Eric Barton for donating the use of the beautiful Acadian Ballroom - and for providing lemon bars. Things go better with lemon bars, in my experience. Certainly, this forum went well. One testifier called it "the anti-tea-party", which I thought apt. Despite everyone caring passionately that their opinion is the right way to go, respect for all even those with different perspectives was evident. I learned a lot, thanks to those who spoke on all sides of the issues.
We heard a wide range of opinions in public testimony about Last Thursday (which is a monthly street fair generated by the community, for which the City currently provides financial and logistical support). I came away with greater understanding of what many people value about the events, while also hearing face-to-face from some neighbors who are negatively impacted by behaviors of some participants. More than 70 people volunteered to work to make the events more enjoyable and sustainable for everyone, including looking for ways to provide financial support, peer monitoring, and reduced impacts for neighbors.
The Mayor and I will talk soon about what the next steps should be. It was clear to me both that the event should continue, and that more people are willing to help take responsibility for making it work better for everyone. This will be important in the months ahead, both to make the events safe and enjoyable, and to decrease dependence on City funding. We are facing a shortfall of many millions of dollars in the July 2010 - June 2011 City budget, with many vital services underfunded.
Information about how the City budget is prepared, and how you can make a difference in choosing priorities for spending and cuts, is here. The bureaus submitted their proposed budgets on February 1st, and more information on each will be posted on that page. I will appreciate your feedback on how to spend taxpayers' money to provide services to Portlanders. Look for Community Budget Forum events, March 1, 3, and 6th - see here for times and locations.
Are you wondering about the Portland Plan? Missed the workshops?
• download the presentation,
We want to know your opinions, please.
Sincerely,
***************************************** Sign up now for health care coverage for kids! See here on my blog. ****************************************
Helpful phone numbers:
City/County Information - 503-823-4000 Call this number to find the answer on any local issue
Statewide Information - 1-800-SAFENET (723-3638) Call this number for State of Oregon services
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Photo by Robert Wilson
The 2009 Pride Parade was especially fun for me, as my three children Luke, Ali, and Maxwell carried the banner for our group. Many thanks to everyone who cheered and clapped for us.
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Where's Amanda? See here for summaries of last week/next week's calendars
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Former Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury introduces Amanda at her Swearing-in Ceremony Saturday, January 3rd, 2009
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My team's goal for this web site is that it will become one of your favorite places for finding out information quickly, and for giving feedback on projects and issues you care about. For instance, check Next Up at City Council for a preview of the issues the Council will consider this week.
I believe the people of Portland, when given accurate, inclusive information that isn't full of acronyms and insider-speak, make good choices about what's worth spending time and money on, and what isn't. As a community organizer, I've experienced problems with finding that accurate, clear data. It shouldn't be so hard for citizens to find out what is going on in City government. I promised during my campaign for City Commissioner to work to make it easier, and this site begins the process of honoring that commitment.
for tips on how to use my site to stay connected with what's happening at City Hall, in my bureaus, and in Portland's neighborhoods. |
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