More than 200 people showed up at the First Unitarian Church (thank you, Rev. Kate Lore!) downtown on Tuesday 7/21/09 from 7 - 9 p.m. to discuss the challenges and opportunities for people living inside and outside, as we seek better ways to share public spaces and provide services.  THANK YOU to the volunteers from Resolutions NW, and staff from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement including the incomparable Judith Mowry; City staff including Dora Perry, Sara Hussein and Tim Crail from my office, and Carmen Rubio, George Hocker, and Sally Erickson under Commissioner Fish's leadership; Commander Mike Reese of the Portland Police and Human Rights Commissioner Arwen Bird; members of the SAFE Committee including Mike Kuykendall and Doreen Binder; and EVERYONE who attended and participated.

Full details coming soon.  I truly appreciated the constructive conversations I heard, and the questions and suggestions raised.  I am so honored to serve the wonderful citizens of Portland, who care about each other and are willing to give time and talents to seek to understand challenges and make things even better.  Commissioner Fish and I are grateful you shared your gifts with us at this meeting.