A report by Commissioners on their recent activities and initiatives
Commissioner Susheela Jayapal
Over the last two years, gun violence has increased throughout Multnomah County, due in part to the impacts of isolation related to COVID response, and partly from systemic causes. One of the local leaders stepping up to help stop this trend of violence is Lionel Irving “Mo”, founder of Love is Stronger. The organization works to decrease the number of gang members and inmates through mentorship and education in North and Northeast Portland. Commissioner Jayapal and Mo met in the Eliot neighborhood to discuss his work, upcoming celebrations, resource fairs, and cleanups in Dawson Park. Commissioner Jayapal also met with faith leader Pastor Kenneth J. Ransfer Sr. from Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in the Cully neighborhood. Pastor Ransfer is somewhat new to the neighborhood, but wants to build community - such as utilizing the large church space for things like a mental health care clinic, computer labs, before/after school programs and much more.
Commissioner Jayapal also hosted a virtual Constituent Coffee on April 8 to catch up with constituents and provide information and resources regarding houselessness, behavioral health, and air quality. You can watch the recording here. Last week the Commissioner joined Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Ambassador Katherine Tai for a reception with women leaders in the Asian American Pacific Islander community. As the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Tai serves as a member of President Biden’s Cabinet. She is also the Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Commissioner Jayapal ended the week touring the art at the Central Courthouse with the Regional Arts & Cultural Council (RACC) team to hear about their current projects and see the outstanding installations in the courthouse.
Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson
Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson toured the new Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office training facility in East County to start off the month of April. The facility is used for on-going classroom and scenario-based training for deputies who need to maintain their certification and engage in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education. She toured this facility as part of the Multnomah Board of Commissioners annual county jails visit, and also visited the Inverness Jail.
Commissioner Vega Pederson also took part in a National Walking Day event at Gateway Discovery Park. She joined the Multnomah County Health Department’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Health (REACH) team and Oregon Walks, along with other participants, united in the belief that all pedestrians deserve safety while active in their communities and that our infrastructure must prioritize people. Commissioner Vega Pederson understands that investments in people, whether they be parks, sidewalks, protected rolling lanes, or community centers make a large difference in communities, and say to residents, "You matter." These investments can strengthen connections & reduce violence.
The Commissioner also met with the District Attorney Mike Schmidt to discuss the DA’s budget, body worn cameras, gun violence issues, and staffing needs. She met with Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty to discuss transportation issues, the city-county Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), and budget issues. Commissioner Vega Pederson also discussed the JOHS IGA with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, along with public safety matters and the city-county partnership in addressing homelessness.
Commissioner Lori Stegmann
Earlier this month, Commissioner Stegmann joined Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall, members of the City of Gresham City Council, members of Central Bethany Development, YBA Architects and other community partners to break ground for the latest building to the Downtown Rockwood area: AVIVA Apartments. In the heart of downtown Rockwood, AVIVA Apartments will offer studio, one, two and three bedroom floorplans,as well as community amenities and onsite retail.
Last week, Commissioner Stegmann and the Department of Community Services joined the neighborhood coalition of Gresham’s meeting to provide details about the vision for the County’s Vance Properties. As we enter the next phase of this development, the County will be seeking out public-private partnerships to develop the space and transform it into a community asset our residents deserve. This is an exciting opportunity to mitigate some of the environmental challenges by redeveloping the area into a combination of light industrial and workforce development along with increased greenspace and natural areas for recreation.
Commissioner Stegmann was proud to join U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkeley in celebrating the confirmation of the Honorable Kentanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. Her historic bi-partisan confirmation shows the promise of our democracy. (include emailed image)
On April 4, Commissioner Stegmann joined Oregon Walks and Multnomah County’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) team for Take Back the Block. Multnomah County’s REACH program works in collaboration with government agencies and community organizations to make physical activity accessible for all. Held during Public Health Week and National Walking Day, this event promoted walking as a means of physical activity, and increased awareness of pedestrians and the importance of their safety.
Commissioner Sharon Meieran
Commissioner Meieran introduced the International Trans Day of Visibility Proclamation which she sponsored in collaboration with her Board colleagues. The proclamation was especially meaningful for Commissioner Meieran, who is the mom of two trans/gender non-conforming teens. Presenters included Malo Ala’ilima from Pride Northwest and UTOPIA PDX, Stacey Rice from Stacey Rice Consulting with support from Lynn Schemmer-Valleau of the County’s Aging, Disability & Veterans Services Department, and Mikki Gillette of Basic Rights Oregon. Mikki is also a gifted playwrite, and Commissioner Meieran was thrilled to attend the world premier of Mikki’s brilliant play, The Queers, the same week. A list of resources for trans community and caring community members is posted on Commissioner Meieran’s website.
Commissioner Meieran also brought forward a resolution appointing Cynthia Castro as her Interim Designee. The Interim Designee plays a very important role, as this individual will serve in the Commissioner’s stead should she be unable to serve for any reason. Cynthia is currently Commissioner Meieran’s Chief of Staff and lives in District 1 with her husband and two children. She joined Commissioner Meieran’s team in September after a long tenure at the City of Portland, working for Commissioners Carmen Rubio and Amanda Fritz. At the City, Cynthia spearheaded programs related to language access, equity, and health, and served as liaison to Portland Parks & Recreation, the Office of Equity and Human Rights, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Cynthia earned her Masters in Public Health from Oregon State University, and her broad range of work in Public Health spans Benton County’s Health Department, the Office on Women’s Health, University of Washington’s School of Public Health Nutrition Program, and University of Arizona’s Minority Health Disparities Program.
Cynthia has been invaluable in helping bridge the (gaps in procedure and culture) between the City and County.
Finally, Commissioner Meieran visited Dignity Village. Dignity Village is a self-governed shelter village comprising 50-60 formerly houseless individuals. It was established in 2000 and is located in Northeast Portland. Residents have their own living structure, pay a monthly fee and work a certain number of hours to support the operations and maintenance of the village. The Dignity Village model is well-aligned with Commissioner Meieran’s vision of urgently developing a broad, coordinated array of shelter models that meet a variety of needs at a scale that can truly make a difference in terms of the worsening crisis of unsheltered homelessness we continue to face.
Upcoming
Saturday, April 23, 2022
March Against Murder: Join Commissioner Stegmann on April 23 at 1 p.m. for the 2nd Annual March Against Murder. At the invitation of residents of the Cully neighborhood, we will gather at Fernhill Park (NE 42nd and Killingsworth) and will march to Khunamokwst Park (NE 52nd and Alberta) to elevate the voices, experiences & concerns of youth and residents who have been impacted by community violence. This event is a platform for individuals and organizations workingwith our youth to share how they are working to end the use of violence and murder as a legitimate form of conflict resolution.
Monday, April 25, 2022 Commissioner Jayapal will be attending the North Portland Doers meeting on April 25th to meet with organizations and individuals who are doing incredible work, focussing on houselessness, food insecurity and housing in North Portland. Contact us at district2@multco.us for more information.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 and Saturday, April 30, 2022
Commissioner Meieran's Budget Open House: As in prior years, Commissioner Meieran will be hosting virtual Budget Open Houses which provide opportunities for people to learn more about the County’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Development Process, hear about her budget priorities and share their thoughts about how the County should be spending public dollars. The first open houses will be held on Wednesday April 27 4-5 pm and Saturday April 30 9:30-10:30 am. Click Here to RSVP!
Thursday, April 28, 2022 join Commissioner Jayapal at the Hi-Top Tavern to discuss why giving cash with no strings attached is a good way to shrink poverty with Oregon Coalition for Cash.