Public Safety
Commissioner Sam Adams responded to the APNBA's concerns about public safety and its effect on the business districts by working to form a city/county committee to study ways to reduce costs and consider the possibility of combining overlapping functions. The City and County plan to have a joint Council Session in September. "Our goal is not to have a report but to have approved budgets for the O6'-07' fiscal year that result from our work and have measurable outcomes agreed upon and funded," states Jane Ames of Commissioner Adam's office.
The City and County together spend over $361 million per year. Sam believes the money can be spent more effectively by pooling resources and deciding mutually how to define public safety and its priorities. Citizens do not look at public safety in terms of City or County, they look at public safety in terms of how safe they are and how safe they feel.
The APNBA'S initial letter and the letters from business associations evolved from a discussion at the October 2004, Quarterly Meeting, where the business associations discovered that they all faced similar problems and that their individual solutions weren't accomplishing the desired outcome.
Prosperity Now!
PGE has agreed to be the presenting sponsor for Prosperity Now!, the APNBA symposium scheduled for November 1st at the Ambridge Event Center with Mary Means who conceived and directed the Main Street Program as the kickoff speaker. Other sponsors are Portland Development Commission and the City of Portland.
The event covers three themes of importance to businesses as well as business associations; Creating Successful Urban Main Streets, Small Business Success Strategies, and Seeds for a Successful Business Climate with each theme offering a number of seminars. Cost is $65 - $80 and attendance is limited to 350.
APNBA's Liasion to the City
Commissioner Sam Adams is appointed Commissioner Liaison for APNBA. Sam views all his liaison assignments as a working partnerships and plans to meet with APNBA to define their relationship with his office. Sam invites everyone to meet him and his staff at his monthly First Thursday Open House, July 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., in City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 220.
Sam pushed for the creation of this position because of the importance of small neighborhood businesses to our local economy. He believes that "Small business creates jobs" and that a strong, local business association creates a neighborhood identity that makes Portland unique among cities. "I look forward to working in partnership with your organization. I am confident we can accomplish the goal of business success and family prosperity."
Warren Jimenez, Senior Policy Director, will serve as primary staff liaison for APNBA. Contact Sam at samadams@ci.portland.or.us or Warren at wjimenez@ci.portland.or.us or by telephone at 503-823-3008.
Coming Events July 6, 13, 20, 27: What's on Wednesday - Wow!, Nob Hill, 5:00 - 9:00PM.
July 8, 15, 22, 29: Armonia Latina (Latin American pop) Fridays in Fernhill Park. FREE, family-friendly, begins at 6:30pm.
July 14: 2nd Thursday Music Walk Marches Forth, Mississippi Avenue.
July 21 - 24: Flamenco Festival. For tickets to the performance, visit Flamenco Festival or call Ticketmaster.
July 23: 13th Annual Division/Clinton Street Fair, "Commerce & Community" 10:00 - 5:00PM on SE Division between 12th - 50th and SE Clinton between 21st - 27th. Parade starts at 11:00AM.
July 28: Last Thursday on Alberta Street. Contact Art on Alberta for more information.
July 30: St. Johns Window Project. Noon - 5:00PM. North Portland artists take over store windows. Be surprised every few feet!
Contact them here.
Mention your event here - contact the Editor for more information.
Volume 13 No. 7
The Business Voice is published 12 times a year by the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations
P.O. Box 5123
Portland OR 97208-5123
E-mail: info@apnba.com
Web site: www.apnba.com
Editor: Jean Baker
