Week of 2/15/09 - 2/21/09
* I attended dinner hosted by the Hop Sing Chinese Benevolent Society in Old Town Chinatown, celebrating the Chinese New Year. I sat with a former ambassador from Taiwan, and learned the rules for using chopsticks (there are none, use them however is easiest for you). I talked with a police officer about the proposed precinct reorganization.
* I met with Commissioner Leonard and staff to discuss the impact of a potential Citywide hiring freeze on staffing at the Bureau of Emergency Communications (the 911 center), and later to talk about the proposed new building for Emergency Services and also about the proposed Permit Center consolidation.
* Meeting with Jim Middaugh, Metro staff, to discuss the Office of Healthy Working Rivers
* Meeting with Vision Into Action staff, and with the Youth Planners program staff
* City Council meetings - Wednesday morning in City Hall, Wednesday evening at the Midway Library in East Portland
* Meeting with Housing staff from the Bureau of Housing to discuss their budget, and with Gary Blackmer to discuss the Auditor's Office budget.
* Meeting with Cyreena Boston, staff to Senator Jeff Merkley, to discuss federal assistance on cable communications infrastructure, the emergency management center, housing, and the Hooper Detox and Ramada Inn renovations. Later talked with Commissioner Leonard and Commissioner Fish regarding potential appropriations asks.
* Talked with Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler about the Hooper construction funding
* Harbor ReDi briefing from Portland Development Commission staff
* Attended Bureau of Emergency Communications User Board meeting
* "People's Forum meeting of Disabilities advocates/providers. Heartbreaking personal stories of seniors who can stay in their homes if provided as little as 6 hours per month in housekeeping assistance. I hope the State realizes that funding programs like Oregon Project Independence is far more cost-effective than moving elders into assisted living or nursing homes, as well as being more compassionate and respectful.
* Community Budget Forum in St. Johns Community Center on Thursday evening
* Meeting with Bill Wyatt and Tom Iveson of the Port of Portland, to discuss the Office of Healthy Working Rivers
* Multnomah County Democrats Celsi Dinner
* Community Budget Forum at Floyd Light Middle School on Saturday morning
* Oregon Action event to discuss racial issues and the move of the Racial Profiling Task Force into the Community-Police subcommittee of the Human Rights Commission
* Highland Christian Center gospel worship outreach service
Number of evenings I ate at home: 2 of 7
