Recap: A4D Meeting with Commissioner Ryan
A Conversation about Portland
A4D’s new year of monthly meetings got off to a great start with Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan as our guest at the January meeting. Co-chair Roberta Ruimy opened the meeting with her inspiring words, reminding everyone that A4D Does NOT Give Up. Steering Committee member Melinda Fleming followed up with a report on the activities of COIN Squads, which you can read here. Melinda also encouraged members to check out A4D’s website, where graphs displaying the work of COIN Squads across the state can be found. Co-chair Mary Chaffin updated the group on two of five initiative petitions endorsed by A4D: IP-17, the Reduction of Gun Violence Act, and IP-18, Reduction of Harm from Weapons Act. You can read about them on the website of principal sponsor Lift Every Voice Oregon. Do sign the petitions and reach out to Lift Every Voice Oregon if you’re willing to collect signatures. Steering Committee member Bill Vollmer described the other three initiative petitions, IP-43, -44, and -45, which deal with campaign finance reform. You can read all about them here. After urging everyone to write postcards in support of Jamie McLeod-Skinner, Mary welcomed Commissioner Ryan, who provided insight into the complex issues surrounding houseless-ness and explained the Safe Rest Villages program. He then answered questions from members about community receptivity, mental health, the perceived slow pace of progress, trash, and other critical aspects of this most challenging of problems. Go here to read about Safe Rest Villages, check out local houseless-ness data here, and to receive Commissioner Ryan’s newsletter, follow this link. The meeting closed with breakout groups and plenty of lively discussion. Please join us for our next meeting on February 22 at 5:00pm!
Meet Nick Kristof This Wednesday A COINversation
Oregon gubernatorial candidate and acclaimed writer Nick Kristof joins the COINversation this Wednesday, February 2. To submit questions for Kristof, please register HERE. And save the date. Next Wednesday, February 9, gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek will visit COINversation.
To All COIN Squaders
Don’t forget to record your activism here this week!
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