Search Results

More Could be on the Horizon (AP) Breanna Stewart joined the New York Liberty two years ago with one goal in mind: to bring the long-suffering franchise its first championship. WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones soon joined her and the pair helped the Liberty accomplish their mission, a year after they suffered a disappointing  loss in the Finals  to Las Vegas. “The wait was so, so, so worth it,” Stewart said. “We talked about it two years ago when it was free agency, and we wanted to come together. You look back and me, JJ, (Courtney Vandersloot), we all came together to win a championship. Last year we lost in the Finals. But look at us, now we’re here.Top of FormBottom of Form. Now with the core group mostly intact, winning more championships might be in the future for Stewart and the Liberty after Sunday’s 67-62 overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx in the deciding Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. She had won two titles before with Seattle, but this was special for her as the only player born in the state of New York on the roster. “This is more personal because I’m from New York. I’m from upstate,” she said. “I came here for a reason, and that’s to win a championship.” With Stewart, Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and other key players signed for next year, there’s no reason to think the Liberty couldn’t repeat. “I think it’s been fun. Hey, let’s not stop at one, though. Let’s go for two,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “It’s hard to win because this league is so good. You need a little bit of luck on your side, but you also need talent. You also need talent, the right talent to put together.” It won’t be easy. The league will look different with the addition of Golden State as a 13th team. They’ll also be squads like Minnesota, Las Vegas and others hungry to knock them off. In the past 20 years, only the Aces have repeated as champions, winning in 2022 and 2023. This series was a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking season for the league. All five games came down to the last few possessions and have included two overtime games and a last-second shot, which have led to record ratings. The five games produced a record attendance for a WNBA Finals. Many of those New York fans, dying for a championship in a city known for winning titles in other sports, will celebrate at a parade later this week. It most likely will be in the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan — right across the bridge from Barclays Center where the Liberty play. Then it’s on to the offseason with the first order of business for the league and players being whether either side will opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement. They have until Nov. 1 to do it. For now, the Liberty can enjoy their first-ever title. They had been this far five times before, losing each time, including last season’s defeat. Some of the great Liberty players of the past like Teresa Weatherspoon and Sue Wicks, who came up short in their time of winning a championship, were in the sellout crowd Sunday to see the team win. “I told her I hope you enjoy this because this is for you,” Vandersloot said she told Weatherspoon. “You laid the foundation and, you know, sometimes it doesn’t show right away. ... I hope she feels appreciated because, you know, she kind of started this and now the city has won and that can never be taken away.”

~Celebration of Life~ JaVonn Owen Safford Sunrise Aug 24 ’01 - Sunset Sept 6 ‘24 Vonn was born August 24, 2001 in Seattle WA to the union of Van Owen Safford and June E Sanders. Van took care of him at home for his first five years of life. This is where he honed the skills of fixing and making things with his hands. Unfortunately, his father passed away from COPD before Vonn entered kindergarten. Vonn attended Hawthorne Elementary and moved on to Orca K-8 for middle school. At Orca K-8 (formally Whitworth Elementary) Vonn joined JazzEd and learned to play the trombone. He loved jazz and had the opportunity to jam with Wynton Marsalis at the Triple Door as a fundraiser for the school and the grand finale as his exit from middle school. In 2016 he entered Grover Cleveland Stem High School choosing the School of Engineering and Design (SoED) program and experienced many opportunities and firsts. 1. Summer of 2017 he was one out of 15 of 500 chosen to intern with King County Metro Wastewater to study how wastewater is processed for over two million households. 2. He was the first Black person of the Major Taylor/Cascade bicycle club at his school and participated in bicycle runs which took him to places throughout the city such as the 2019 Seattle to Portland run. 3. He was a member of the Young Shakespeare Workshop and developed a love for the arts and he performed in many plays at Cleveland High School. 4. He was the first graduating class of the school during Covid. His graduation and accolades were celebrated in the school parking lot and on the sidewalk in front of his home. We will remember Vonn for the relentless passion he had for his pursuits in life. He was passionate about gaming, his favorite game being, “Monster Hunter”. He wanted to tell stories and build worlds through gaming design and his dream was to build his own independent gaming company. To pursue that passion, Vonn went to AIE (Academy of Interactive Entertainment) after high school. He graduated from his program in 2022 with an Associates in Advanced Professional Game Development, specializing in Game Design and Production. Vonn was passionate about building and making things, especially classic cars. He bought a 1996 Acura Integra (his first car), replaced parts, and made it his own. He even formed a car group named Evergreen Synchro with the concept of hosting events and filming the process of restoring late-model cars. To fund this passion, he worked at Home Depot throughout college and most recently took on new jobs as an employee of Zimmer Biomet in Bellevue and O’Reilly’s Auto parts in Renton. Vonn had a big heart and was protective of his many nephews and nieces. Vonn leaves to cherish his memory: his mother, June. His siblings, MarCe’al: Bella, Christian and Aajiyah. Jhinea: Gesani, Jherrico, Najeh, Reign and A’Raya. Kiersa (Jonathan): Joelle. And several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be sorely missed.

As part of the search for Vancouver’s next police chief, the city is hosting a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 30 for community members to meet finalist Interim Police Chief Troy Price. View Price’s bio on the Police Chief recruitment page. During this moderated discussion, the candidate will answer questions submitted by the audience and from a recent online survey. “The police chief is one of the community's most visible and impactful positions. It is important to hear about the community's expectations for and the qualities desired in the next chief,” said City Manager Lon Pluckhahn. “The input we gather throughout the search process will continue our commitment to increasing transparency, inclusion, and innovation in law enforcement." Police Chief Candidate Forum Is Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 to 8 p.m. Located at Evergreen Public Schools Administrative Service Center, 13413 N.E. LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver, WA 98684.

A lot of Political Changes to Come in a Race with Homelessness at its Heart AP-The open mayoral race in the state’s most populous city features 19 candidates — all vying to lead after years of growing frustration over  homeless encampments . Among them: three City Council members, including one ensnared in a driving record scandal; a stripper; and a trucking company CEO vowing to end unsheltered homelessness in 12 months. The race was thrown open when Mayor Ted Wheeler decided against seeking reelection after holding the city’s top post since 2017. Wheeler rose to national prominence in 2020 as nightly protests erupted on Portland streets and around the country in response to the   police killing of George Floyd . Whoever wins the mayoral seat will oversee a completely  new system of government . Portland is expanding its City Council from five to 12 members, who will be elected by voters in individual districts rather than citywide, and adding a city manager position. And all the candidates — including the nearly 100 running for the new council seats — will be elected by ranked-choice voting for the first time.  Changing Portland’s charter had been on the ballot before, but failed until  voters approved the overhaul  in 2022. The most recent charter review kicked off amid the 2020 protests and a nationwide reckoning with racism that prompted conversations about making government more accountable and equitable. Numerous candidates of color are now running for the new council seats and mayor in the majority-white city. But it’s still unclear how voters, and those elected, will navigate the new system and its logistics. “I don’t think that anyone has a really clear sense of exactly how things are going to work immediately after this election,” said Chris Shortell, associate professor of political science at Portland State University. There are a few constants in this year’s campaign, however — concerns over homelessness and public drug use. Surveys conducted over the past few years have shown that Portland residents view homelessness as a top issue, said John Horvick, senior vice president of polling firm DHM Research. “The key issues remain the key issues,” said Horvick. “Those continue to be the organizing principles of Portland politics and will certainly be through this election and beyond.” City council members Rene Gonzalez and Carmen Rubio have led in fundraising among the mayoral candidates, along with Keith Wilson, whose freight company includes electric trucks. They’ve presented different visions for reducing homelessness in a metro area where a January 2023 count found nearly 4,000 people living unsheltered. Gonzalez, who is endorsed by law enforcement groups, pressured Multnomah County, home to Portland, to pause giving tents and tarps to homeless people. He has pushed for stricter enforcement of anti-camping rules. Rubio has called for more outreach workers and improved coordination between the players in the homelessness response system, such as shelters and social service groups. Wilson, who founded a nonprofit working to increase homeless shelter capacity, has pledged to end unsheltered homelessness in his first year on the job. His campaign website says he’ll accomplish this ambitious goal in part by increasing the number of nighttime walk-in emergency shelters in existing facilities such as churches and community centers. The three leading fundraisers are followed by City Council member Mingus Mapps, as well as Liv Østhus, a writer, musician and stripper whose stage name is Viva Las Vegas. Mapps, whose campaign has struggled to gain momentum, is hoping to become Portland’s first Black mayor. If either he, or Rubio or Gonzalez — who have Latino heritage — are elected, it would mark the first time a person of color has led the city. For much of the year, Rubio and Gonzalez were viewed as frontrunners. But recent revelations about Rubio’s driving record — as well as Gonzalez’s, to a much lesser extent — have shaken up the race. Rubio has received roughly 150 parking and traffic violations over the last two decades. She failed to pay many of them for months or even years and had her license suspended six times. She lost some endorsements following the news, which was first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. “The best I can do at this point is to say again that I’m very sorry, and that earning Portlanders’ trust back is an ongoing commitment I take very seriously,” Rubio said in an emailed statement. Gonzalez also had his license suspended twice over 20 years ago and racked up seven speeding tickets between 1998 and 2013, including one that was dismissed, as first reported by Willamette Week. “As a younger man, I sometimes drove too fast,” Gonzalez said in an emailed statement. “But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more responsible and it is reflected in my record.” The news about driving records has created an opportunity for Wilson, who has never held elected office, said Shortell, the Portland State professor. “What looked like it was going to be a straightforward race has shifted in recent weeks into a little bit more open-ended race,” he said. “That has, when combined with the ranked-choice voting system, opened some space for Keith Wilson.” Under  ranked-choice voting , voters rank their picks in order of preference on the ballot. If a candidate is the first choice of more than 50% of voters in the first round of counting, that candidate wins. Otherwise, the count continues to a second round. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who chose that candidate as their top pick have their votes redistributed to their next choice. The process continues with the candidate with the fewest votes getting eliminated until someone emerges with a majority of votes. If Rubio and Gonzalez end up splitting voters, Wilson could be a second choice for enough voters to potentially advance, Shortell said. The new voting system, new form of government, and sheer number of people running for office represent a lot of moving parts for both candidates and voters, and it may take multiple election cycles for City Hall and residents to get a clear sense of how things work, Shortell said. “Right now it’s a new system, and everyone is trying to figure out what it means,” he said. “And that’s the nature of change.”

Almost 6% Increase in Students Compared to Fall 2023 Clark College continues to see an increase in enrollment across all categories. At its Oct. 16 board of trustees work session, the college announced a 5.8% increase in total unduplicated headcount compared to fall 2023, and a 16.8% increase between fall 2022 and fall 2024. The college released its official enrollment numbers at the end of the 10th day of class of the fall term on Oct. 4.  Clark College enrolled a total of 8,651 students during fall 2024 term. This translated to the full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment numbers at 6,164. Additionally, 879 students are enrolled in community and continuing education classes. In fall 2020, early in the pandemic, enrollment at community colleges nationwide—including Clark—dropped sharply. Since then, enrollment at Clark and other community colleges has experienced an uptick. Clark’s enrollment increased by more than 10% in fall 2023. Enrollment numbers are provided by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), which tracks enrollment data for the 34 public colleges in its system. Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards said, “I am so pleased to see our enrollment numbers continue to climb. Our numbers are up in every category: students planning to transfer to a four-year institution, Running Start, international, and those pursuing a bachelor’s degree on our campus. It’s good news all around for Clark College.” She added, “A notable 47.1% of our students are in the first generation of their family to attend college and 39.1% of our students are 25 or older. Clark is a great place for people to embark on a new career pathway, get a fresh start, and find help along their educational journey.” Despite challenges of rolling out the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the federal level, Clark’s financial aid office has verified and processed more than $7.32 million in financial aid grants and loans to our students fall term. This does not include $2.4 million from other sources for scholarships, veterans, and workforce education. Dr. William “Terry” Brown, Clark’s Vice President of Instruction, attributes the college’s continued growth trajectory to its dedicated faculty and staff who provide students with a high-quality educational experience and who listen and respond to what the community wants and needs. “When our community asked for a bachelor’s program to train teachers, we delivered — and our first cohort graduated in June. Then our community asked for a two-year program to train surgical technicians, and we are developing that program now. We are committed to training tomorrow’s workforce in Clark County for in-demand, living-wage jobs.”  Clark College offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education.

Apply to the United Health Foundation Diversity in Health Care Scholarship  Experience shows that when patients receive care from health providers who speak their language or understand their cultural needs, they are more responsive and engaged. This can lead to better health outcomes, as patients feel safe and trust their health care providers.  A young man, deeply connected to his Native American heritage from a young age, spent part of his childhood on a reservation. There, he accessed medical care through the Indian Health Service and witnessed the positive impact of culturally relevant care firsthand. After completing his undergraduate degree, he became an orthopedic scribe at a clinic near a Navajo reservation and is now pursuing a medical degree.  A young woman, inspired by her mother’s journey from Haiti to America in 1992 and her dedication to caring for her grandfather with prostate cancer, decided to pursue a career in health care. Now studying to become a registered nurse, she is determined to advance her career by focusing on maternal and infant health, areas where significant health disparities persist.  Both are advancing their clinical careers with support from the United Health Foundation’s Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program. Motivated by the desire to serve patients with similar backgrounds, they are committed to supporting their communities by providing culturally responsive care.  Since the program launched in 2022, the United Health Foundation has provided scholarships to nearly 2,000 health professionals and students from diverse backgrounds. This initiative is part of their commitment to making the health care system work better for everyone. Through the Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program, the United Health Foundation aims to support 10,000 current and future clinicians by 2033. The scholarship is available to historically underrepresented health professionals, helping them advance their clinical degrees or credentials. Scholars come from various clinical fields, including nursing, mental health, physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine.  The United Health Foundation’s Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program offers scholarships to current and aspiring health professionals from historically underrepresented backgrounds who aim to make a difference in health care. Committed to expanding a diverse health care workforce, the United Health Foundation provides scholarships to support the professionals.  If you or someone you know is a health care professional looking to further advance their clinical degree or credentials, encourage them to apply for a $3,200 scholarship by visiting https://scholarshipamerica.org/unitedhealthfoundation/

Click Here to Read Full Issue

Click Here to Read Full Issue

Father-Son Duo Make NBA History (AP) LeBron James grew up without a father, and the top scorer in NBA history has often said he savors every moment and milestone he can experience with his own three children. When he stepped onto a court Sunday night to play alongside his son, Bronny, for the Los Angeles Lakers, this moment was more than basketball history to him. It was the realization of a family dream. LeBron and Bronny became the first father and son to play in any NBA game together during the first half of the  Lakers  ' preseason contest against Phoenix, playing just over four minutes side-by-side in the second quarter. “It’s pretty cool for the both of us, and especially for our family,” LeBron said. “It’s definitely a moment that I will never forget.” The James family’s remarkable moment coincidentally happened on Bronny’s 20th birthday, and it felt like a celebration for the 39-year-old LeBron, who has spoken about his desire for this opportunity since Bronny was in high school. Although LeBron knows they’ll get more chances to play together in the Lakers’ upcoming season, the first time on court together in uniform felt “not real” to the four-time NBA champion and 20-time All-Star. “For a father, it means everything,” LeBron said. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have that influence on your son, be able to have moments with your son — and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for.” Bronny James entered the preseason game as a substitute to begin the second quarter, joining his father on court at Acrisure Arena in the Coachella Valley. Bronny was told by coach JJ Redick before the game that he would be playing alongside LeBron, but the rookie maintained his usual cool demeanor both before and after the moment. “I was pretty psyched for that,” Bronny said. Although he’s much less vocal about the whole situation than LeBron, Bronny is still learning how to navigate an on-court relationship with his father, who has repeatedly insisted that his son can’t call him “Dad” on the court. “I’m always thinking about, ‘That’s my dad!’, because that’s literally my dad,” Bronny said. “But when I’m playing, he’s just my teammate. That’s all.” Their minutes together weren’t as smooth as they’ll be later in the season: Bronny committed two turnovers and LeBron made another in their first two minutes. Shortly after LeBron hit a 3-pointer moments later, LeBron got the ball to Bronny and set a screen for his son’s 3-point attempt, but Bronny missed. “I was really hoping that wing 3 would have gone in,” Redick said with a smile. “That would have been a cool moment. But they’ll have a lot of moments together, I’m sure.” Bronny came off for a substitute 4:09 into the second quarter, and LeBron came off 25 seconds later at the next dead ball. LeBron had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes during the first half, and he watched the Lakers’ second half from the bench alongside Anthony Davis. Bronny played about nine minutes in the second half, but didn’t score in the Lakers’ 118-114 loss to the Suns. “I just told him, ‘Keep getting better,’” LeBron said. “He’s young. He wants to continue to improve, and that’s what’s most important. So every time you get a moment out there, just continue to make winning plays. Continue to learn from his mistakes and make winning plays.” LeBron James is beginning his record-tying 22nd season in the NBA, while LeBron James Jr. — known to all as Bronny — was the Lakers’ second-round draft pick this summer. After recovering from  cardiac arrest over a year ago , Bronny played just one season at Southern California before entering the draft. Redick had vowed that the pairing would only happen “in the flow of the game,” and wouldn’t be “gimmicky.” “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this, I really am,” Redick said. “It’s cool as a basketball fan. I think it speaks to LeBron’s longevity, but also his competitive stamina that he’s able to still be doing this in Year 22. It speaks to the work that Bronny has put in to get to this point, and really just the fatherly care, and certainly the motherly care from Savannah as well. Bronny, he’s such a great kid and a pleasure to be around.” The 6-foot-2 Bronny is expected to spend much of the upcoming season working on his game with the South Bay Lakers of the G League, but he will almost certainly get to play alongside his 6-foot-9 father in a real game early in the regular season. The games that count begin Oct. 22 at home against Minnesota.

Highlighting Dedication, Passion, and Excellence in Education In an exciting surprise announcement on October 2, 2024, Bryan Butcher Jr., a Beaumont Middle School math teacher, was named and celebrated as Oregon’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year! “Bryan exemplifies the impact committed teachers can have on students’ lives,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “From helping each of his students learn math in the way that works for them, to creating the Black Student Union at his school, teachers like Bryan go above and beyond to make Oregon schools a place where students not only learn, but feel a sense of safety, belonging, and pride. I’m thrilled to see his hard work being honored.” Bryan Butcher Jr. is a Portland native and Grant High School graduate. He attended Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Following graduation, Butcher joined Teach for America, and thus began a teaching journey which would eventually lead him to Beaumont Middle School, where he has taught math for the past eight years. When visiting Butcher’s classroom, you will see a thriving community of learners who are working together. With the guiding principles of respect and effort, Butcher believes maintaining high standards and expectations creates the conditions for students to flourish. Respect and effort provide an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and taking risks. In Butcher’s class, there is an expectation and joy that comes from learning, every day. “Bryan Butcher Jr. is not only an educator and an advocate, he is a champion for his students,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “This is a teacher who has engaged creatively with students and his community, learned enthusiastically from his colleagues, and carved out unique spaces for students to feel seen, heard, and valued. Mr. Butcher seeks to build confidence in his students by demystifying mathematical concepts and grounding his classroom culture in effort, respect, and a willingness to take academic risks. It is clear that Mr. B is beloved in his community because he prioritizes not only academic excellence but also the well-being of his students.” “My goal is to instill a sense of pride and acknowledgement in my students that they have already built the foundation to be successful,” Butcher said in his application. “Every year, I strive to create a classroom culture where rapport leads to learning.” The Oregon Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. Butcher was celebrated as a Regional Teacher of the Year in September, and will receive a $10,000 cash award as the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year. A matching $5,000 is also awarded to the Portland Public School District. “It’s impressive to see how Bryan Butcher Jr. has built trust and genuine connections with students and his community,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We’re proud to celebrate his ability to help students overcome challenges, while meeting them with grace and encouragement.” The Oregon Teacher of the Year is selected after an extensive application process. Nominees from schools throughout Oregon submitted packets of information including testimonials and letters of support from administrators, students and colleagues. From the written material, applicants were assessed on leadership, instructional expertise, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, professional development and vision. As the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year, Butcher will serve as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers. He will also receive year-long professional development and networking with other state Teachers of the Year through the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program.

Stepping into the City of Portland’s Political Race When it comes to community, engaging in politics is more than service—it’s sacrifice. Stepping into the City of Portland’s political race for a commission seat takes courage, resilience, persistence, determination, and, above all, a belief that serving as an elected official will result in better lives for all of us who call Portland home.    Born and raised in Northeast Portland, Portland City Council District 2 candidate Tiffani Penson describes her vision for the City as one where people and businesses thrive, are supported by transparent City policies and practices, and that all Portlanders have access to opportunities. Her focus is on making Portland a safe and livable city, housing our neighbors, strengthening our economy and ensuring a skilled workforce, and crafting a city budget that is accessible and accountable.   Tiffani has twice been elected by voters to serve on the Portland Community College Board of Directors, once in 2019 and once in 2023. During this time, the Opportunities Center on 42nd Avenue was built, which includes affordable housing and daycare, through partnership with Home Forward and the Native American Youth and Family Center. As PCC Board Chair, Tiffani oversaw the executive search for PCC’s new president, Dr. Adrien Bennings, the first Black woman president in the school’s history.  Tiffani also co-led an effort to pass the bond measure to modernize and improve campus facilities.   Tiffani currently serves as the City of Portland’s People and Culture Manager, creating policies, leading and directing programs, and implementing change management designed to improve the experiences of those who work within the City and how the City delivers its services to the community.  After more than 20 years with the City, Tiffani is no stranger to change and knows a thing or two about how to draft policies and get funding. A few of her long-running accomplishments include the City’s We Are Better Together program, the youth Summer Works program, and support of small businesses and technical assistance- all efforts that take ingenuity, collaboration, drive, stewardship and, above all, commitment.   Tiffani has a long resume of community service. Most recently, Tiffani serves as Board Chair of KairosPDX, and as a board member of the Northwest Native Chamber and Oregon Humanities.  Her volunteerism also includes board service with Black Male Achievement, Business Diversity Institute, Black United Fund, and the Architecture Foundation of Oregon. She is a two-time recipient of the DJC’s Women of Vision Award, the National Association of Minority Contractor’s Chief Award, the City of Portland’s Shining Star Award, and the Northwest Native Chamber’s Warrior Award.   Her endorsements span the political and interest-based spectrum, with notable support from a wide variety of groups including SEIU, the NAYA Action Fund, Progreso Latino PAC, Portland Association of Teachers, United Portland, APANO Action Fund, the Carpenters Union, Portland Police Association, and Portland Firefighters Local 43, to name a few.   This is an important moment in the lifespan of the city. Portland is undertaking a transformation in its form of government that has been four years in the making, culminating this November with the election of 12 incoming City Commissions and a City Mayor. Three representatives from each of the four newly-formed districts will be elected in a ranked choice voting model, meaning the top three candidates with the most votes will be elected. The individuals elected will be responsible to make decisions on behalf of all Portlanders throughout the City, regardless of the district from which they come. Their decisions will impact us all.  In light of the enormity of this responsibility, the City organized the Independent District Commission to establish the geographic boundaries for each district.  As part of this work, the Commission recognized that it was imperative that historic Albina in N/NE Portland remain preserved in a single district and that keeping this community of common interest intact was a priority.   Based on census data, there was a 15% decrease in the number of Black residents living in District 2 between 2010 and 2020.  As the demographics of N/NE Portland continue to change, there is great importance on finding representatives that understand the historical and current context of those demographic shifts and the communities they impact. Differing perspectives on issues of government accountability, community empowerment, inclusion, and livability often split along racial lines, due in large part to the different lived experiences of people from different communities. In District 2, the disruption and displacement of the Black community from historic Albina continues to have a lasting impact. The City itself acknowledges the disparities and harm that the Black community have endured under City policies and righting those wrongs is a shared responsibility. Designing a voting block that honors the preservation of the historic Albina district to reflect its history and common interest is one important step. However, empowering the voice of that voting block by electing a City Commissioner who truly embodies and represents the history and the spirit of the Albina district is quite another.   To learn more about the ranked choice voting, go to www.portland.gov/vote/ranked-choice-voting . To learn more about the City of Portland’s district map, go to https://www.portland.gov/transition/districtcommission/map . To learn more about Tiffani Penson, go to www.tiffaniforpdx.com

Deschutes County Commissioner Joining the Oregon Transportation Commission Phil Chang, a Deschutes County Commissioner with a long career in natural resources management, is joining the Oregon Transportation Commission.  The Oregon Senate confirmed Chang to the five-member Oregon Transportation Commission. “We’re fortunate to have someone with Phil’s experience and insight join the Commission,” said Commission Chair Julie Brown. “He’s spent his career in public service and protecting what so many Oregonians value most about the state: Its natural resources. So much of what we do in transportation is focused on accommodating growth, being strategic about the impacts of our transportation system, and preserving that system, which is vital to everyone who lives, works and plays in the state.”  The Commission is the state’s transportation governing body, guiding statewide policy and strategic direction to improve and maintain Oregon’s comprehensive transportation network.   “Commissioner Chang will bring a unique focus to the Commission,” said ODOT Director Kris Strickler “He has worked at the local and federal levels of government and seen firsthand the good that government can do.”  Chang moved to Deschutes County in 2004 and became a commissioner in 2020. He spent nine years at the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, which serves three Central Oregon counties and their communities and focuses on finding collaborative regional solutions for issues. He also served as Senator Jeff Merkley’s Central Oregon Field Representative, helped create the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project and managed Oregon’s Federal Forest Restoration Program.  Chang also served on the Boards of Bend 2030, the Deschutes Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the River West Neighborhood Association. He has a bachelor’s from Columbia University in New York and a master’s from University of California, Berkeley.   “Giving back to the community has always been important to me whether that means volunteering for local non-profits or serving in elected office,” Chang said. “Public service is a calling for me and the work that the Oregon Transportation Commission does is vital to everyone in the state and is particularly important in growing regions like Central Oregon.”  Chang will fill the vacant position previously held by commissioner Sharon Smith, who stepped down in August.   Smith, who joined the commission in September 2019, served as Chair of the Continuous Improvement Advisory Committee and the Commission liaison to the Equity and Mobility Advisory Committee.   “We’re so thankful to Commissioner Smith for her years of service,” Chair Brown said. “I appreciated the insight she brought to the table and how carefully she weighed the issues before us. She really understands the importance of transportation and has spent her career working to better Oregon.”   The Oregon Transportation Commission is comprised of five commissioners from around the state who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon State Senate.