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PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mary Gay Broderick, (503) 823-2947, marygay.broderick@portlandoregon.gov

Long-time youth advocate and community volunteer Julie S. Young was named to the Portland Children’s Levy Allocation Committee.

Young replaces former Allocation Committee and city-appointed member Alissa Keny-Guyer, who resigned last month after she was appointed to fill Ben Cannon’s seat in the state legislature. Current Allocation Committee members include Portland City Commissioner and Chair Dan Saltzman; County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury; Adrienne Livingston, executive director of the Black United Fund of Oregon; and Ron Beltz, senior vice president of APIC Property Management.

Saltzman made the announcement today, citing Young’s many years of civic commitment as a clinical social worker, nonprofit board and committee member and children’s activist. The Portland City Council will be asked Wednesday to approve the appointment. “Julie is an ideal fit for this position as she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her involvement with organizations such as the Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon, the Oregon Community Foundation, Social Venture Partners and City Club,” Saltzman said. “We’re pleased to have her on board.”

Young, who holds a Master of Social Work and was selected from a bevy of candidates who applied for the opening, said she is committed to the success of the Levy. Her professional career has been devoted to working with diverse populations and vulnerable families, and she has a keen insight into child welfare, foster care and the juvenile justice systems through her work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and a community mental health practitioner.

“I believe the Levy is the smartest long-term, dollar-for-dollar economic development strategy the City of Portland has. While the return on investment may not be immediately obvious, research has repeatedly demonstrated that all of society benefits from physically, mentally and emotionally healthy children,” she said.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Brendan Finn, (503) 823-4151, brendan.finn@portlandoregon.gov

Commissioner Dan Saltzman has filed a resolution for next week’s Council hearing to require members of the Portland Police Bureau to take a Physical Fitness Test as a requirement for the Bureau’s Health and Fitness Pay Premium.

When the City Council approved the most recent labor agreement with the Portland Police Association, they were told by the Bureau of Human Resources that the test administered would be a physical fitness test that would show an ability to perform the physical duties of a Portland Police Officer. In reality, the test administered was only a biometric screening. Everyone who showed up for the screening—a small blood sample, blood pressure reading, and BMI measurement—received the premium. In fact, so many bureau members showed up (91%) that the Bureau’s premium pay budget is already starkly in the red.

“It’s laughable,” said Commissioner Dan Saltzman. “We should not reward people for having a pulse. We may not be the most physically fit group of elected officials, but we’re not fools. We are certainly able to discern when an agreement made in good faith is not being kept by all parties.”

The resolution would rescind the Health & Fitness premium until such time as an actual physical fitness test is administered.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Amy Trieu, (503) 823-3035, amy.trieu@portlandoregon.gov

On December 1, 2011 the flag of the City of Portland will be lowered in honor of 13-year old Julio Marquez, a victim of homicidal violence. Julio was a student in the David Douglas School District. The City of Portland flag is lowered at City Hall, the Portland Building, the World Trade Center, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and Jeld-Wen Field.

On Wednesday, November 30 at the 9:30am Portland City Council meeting at City Hall, Commissioner Dan Saltzman will make remarks in honor of Julio.

“I am saddened that our community has lost a young person to a senseless act of violence,” said Commissioner Saltzman. “Julio’s story reminds us that each child is a child of this community, and we need to take care of all of our children.”

City Council approved a resolution in April 2009 to lower the City’s flag in honor of children who die from abuse, neglect, or homicidal violence. This marks the ninth time that the flag has been lowered.

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Anyone who has information about this case is asked to call Detective Bryan Steed at (503) 823-0395 or Detective Rico Beniga at (503) 823-0457.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Tipsters can remain anonymous

Call (503) 823-HELP (4357) or head to crimestoppersoforegon.com to leave a tip.

Commissioner Saltzman visited Open Meadows' Step Up Program at Madison High School and just had to share this poem a student there wrote:

Finding Happiness

When I came from Jason Lee

I was just very lonely,

Then Step Up came to me

And there became a "We".

I found some great big hearts

That love and care for me.

Now I became a part

Of one big family.

I will never forget

What they have done for me.

And I'll never regret

Going out there to see

And know just what I feel.

I felt really happy

Because I know for real,

They really do love me.

*Thank you Step Up!!! You're the best.*

--Oscar