Voter information

I received my ballot in the mail on Saturday and I can't wait to fill it out! I know about mine and who I'm voting for, but many still have questions. Here is a great link from Multnomah County to help you on your way.

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» May 5, 2008 - 0 comments

County seals a cooperative agreement with the PDC

Commissioner Cogen press release:
Portland, Ore. – Multnomah County Commissioners today unanimously approved a cooperative agreement with the Portland Development Commission (PDC) that allows the county to appoint a representative to PDC advisory groups that consider the creation, expansion or increase in maximum indebtedness of Portland’s urban renewal areas. The agreement also stipulates that PDC will consider the impact to other taxing jurisdictions as one of the criterion used to decide whether or not an urban renewal area is created or amended.

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» May 1, 2008 - 0 comments

May is Bike to work Month

This was passed on from Mike Lynch, fabulous county employee that gathers us all to participate in Bike to work Month:

May Is Bike To Work Month!

National Bike to Work Month has just begun.

Even if you only bike once, it will be a great help and an even better experience. Give it a shot – you could win one of the many prizes from the raffles, or just enjoy some of the benefits of biking:

Bicycling improves your health: national health statistics show that when you're more active, you decrease your risk for cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Biking is good for your budget: fewer car trips save you money. AAA estimates the cost of operating a new car is $4,900 to $10,000 per year.

Riding a bike makes you feel good: endorphins pump while you pedal. It helps you stay awake at work meetings, too!

You know you're doing something good for your body, your community and the planet when you drive less and bike more.

If you need any information about transit routes, safe biking routes, or anything else – let me know. Even if only part of your trip is on bike, it’s a start! So grab your bike [and helmet!] and enjoy biking to work this month.

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» May 1, 2008 - 0 comments

Chair Wheeler's statement on Cascadia

State and County Partner to Avert Mental Health Crisis
Statement of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler
May 1, 2008

For the last two weeks, Multnomah County staff has been working closely with the State of Oregon and Cascadia Behavioral Health to avoid a crisis in the provision of mental health services to our community. This morning, in Executive Session, the Board of County Commissioners heard a briefing on the crisis at Cascadia Behavioral Health. Last night, Cascadia’s bank told us that they had collected an outstanding loan by seizing the funds in Cascadia’s bank account which would have covered the paychecks that are due today to Cascadia’s employees.

Read more and discuss: Chair Wheeler's statement on Cascadia

» May 1, 2008 - 0 comments

Do you care about County politics?

Today in the Oregonian, there's a story about the Multnomah County commissioners' races and why residents should give though for whom they will vote:

The winners, plus Cogen and Wheeler, will run the third-largest government in Oregon, after the state government and the city of Portland.

It goes on to talk - in bullet points - what county government is responsible for:

Responsibilities include administering basic services (running elections, collecting taxes, keeping bridges operating); public safety (courts, jails, rural law enforcement and emergency management); a wide range of social services (health care and antipoverty programs for children, the elderly, and disabled; mentally ill and homeless people); and an assortment of other services (libraries, animal shelter).

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» May 1, 2008 - 0 comments