COMMISSIONER RANDY LEONARD'S BLOG

Randy In the News 10.29.11

KATU story about Occupy Portland moving to Jamison Square.

Oregonian article about admonishments to not expand Occupy Portland camping to other parks, where rules have not been suspended.

Randy in the News 10.28.11

KATU story about Occupy Portland.

 

Spirit of Portland Awards

 

Last night, Commissioner Leonard joined the rest of City Council in honoring citizens, employees and organizations for their outstanding services, which embody the spirit of Portland. This year, Randy nominated Greg Madden & the Timbers Army with the Commissioner's Award.   This is an annual event that showcases the best of Portland.

Portland Fire & Rescue Responds to Commercial Fire in North Portland (7911 N. Lombard)

About 8:00 am, firefighters responded to a commercial fire in an auto shop in North Portland. The business owner discovered the fire as she was opening for the day.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in a back corner involving a car and a portion of the structure. Firefighters from St. John's Fire Station 22 quickly extinguished the fire.  This fire was especially dangerous due to the presence of propane and acetylene tanks.

There were no injuries associated with this fire. The fire was recalled at 8:32 am.

Fire investigators are on-scene working to determine the fire's cause and damage estimates.  This press release will be updated with this information when it becomes available.

Response Information:
-5 engines
-2 trucks
-2 fire investigators
-32 firefighters

Contact Info: Lieutenant Damon Simmons, Media Pager:(503) 940-6003

Portland Fire & Rescue responds to early morning house fire on NE 125th

At 2:21am this morning Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire at 702 NE 125th. Initial reports stated that the front of the house, as well as some trees, were on fire. At 2:25am crews arrived they encountered heavy fire from the exterior of the building extending into the eves and attic space. Fire crews aggressively attacked the flames on the outside of the structure and then entered to check for any fire extension into the interior of the house. A hose line was also pulled to each side of the house to protect the homes on either side from fire spread. A fire crew was sent to the roof and cut a hole to ventilate the heat, smoke and fire gasses. Once inside, after extinguishing most of the fire, crews noticed that the ceiling was sagging and backed out as some of the rafters collapsed. The crew notified command of the partial collapse. At 2:31am crews were ordered to withdraw from the building and, once all firefighters were accounted for, the remainder of the fire in the attic was put out while working around the partial collapse.

"As we came around the corner and saw the amount of fire, we knew we had to act quickly to make sure no one was inside," said Firefighter Matt Slosser. "Fortunately the occupants escaped the fire safely."

The fire was brought under control at 3:01am. One male and one female were displaced from their home. The Red Cross is on scene to assist them with finding alternate housing. There were no injuries at this fire.

Fire crews remain on scene to clean up and monitor for hot spots. Fire investigators are also on scene working to determine the cause of this fire and the damage estimate. Updates on the cause and the damage estimate will be given as they become available.

With the main body of the fire on the front of the house, it's an important reminder that the front door is not always the best way to exit your home in case of fire. Having a second means of escape in case of emergency is vital.

Photos will be updated to this press release as they become available.　

Contact Info: PIO Anthony Schaffer 503-940-6003

Portland Fire & Rescue Responding to 2nd Alarm Apartment Fire on SE Powell Blvd.

 

Fire Investigators have determined that this morning's fire in SE Portland was caused by a youth-occupant with an open flame heat source. Total damage is estimated at $65,000.

Portland Fire reminds citizens that it is not uncommon for children to misuse fire. Without the right knowledge, kids can make errors that can lead to tragic results. 

Consider the following to address firesetting behavior in kids:

 - Keep matches and lighters in a safe place - Access is the number one reason kids play with fire. Keep matches and lighters safely stored, locked up if necessary.

- No Secrets - Don't make the storage location a secret. Have kids help determine a safe place and ask for their help in keeping matches and lighters there at all times.

- Set the right example - Kids will do as you do, not do what you say. They will only know how to be as careful with fire as the example you set (that's why most child fire play occurs after the July 4th Holiday).

- Treat matches and lighters like tools - Matches and lighters are dangerous tools that need the same care as things like power saws, sharp knives, and loaded guns. If you store and treat them like dangerous tools, kids will learn to see them as tools.

- Teach your child about safety - Many parents say "…my child knows better!" Talk with kids to know what they know.

-Dangerous Firesetting - All firesetting behavior is dangerous, but when a youth begins setting fires in response to their stress or crisis, help is needed quickly. Kids may not realize why they are acting the way they do (asking them why they set a fire will likely result in "I don't know").

Need Help? - If you need help or have questions about this behavior, contact the Youth Firesetting Intervention Program at Portland Fire & Rescue. You can reach a specialist at 503-823-3700.

#####

 

Portland firefighters responded to reports of smoke and flames coming from an apartment building at 13746 SE Powell Blvd. (The Shalamar Apartments). When firefighters arrived at 1:32 am, they encountered flames pouring from a ground floor apartment unit that had spread to the second story and attic. Due to the fire's size and extension to the apartment building's attic space, the Incident Commander called for a second alarm at 1:45 am bringing additional firefighters and equipment to the scene to attack the blaze.

While ladder truck crews advanced to the roof to attack the fire and open the roof to release heat and smoke, engine crews aggressively advanced on the blaze from the ground and searched each unit to make sure all occupants had safely escaped. 

"Apartment fires in the early morning hours are always of particular concern to firefighters because we know people are home and likely sleeping," said Public Information Officer Anthony Schaffer. "Fortunately everyone escaped this fire safely." 

The fire was brought under control at 1:59 am. A total of three apartment units sustained fire damage. Four individuals - two males, one female, and a 5-year old male - as well as two cats were displaced from their apartment. The Red Cross has been called to assist the family with finding alternate housing. Additional reports indicate that a 3-year-old child suffered smoke inhalation from the fire. The child was treated at the scene by Portland firefighter/paramedics and did not necessitate transport to a hospital. 

Firefighters will remain on scene throughout the morning to monitor for hot spots. Fire Investigators are also on scene working to determine the cause of the fire and damages. 

 

 

 

 

With two small children involved in this morning's fire, it's an important reminder to plan and practice a fire escape plan with your family. Know two ways out of every room, make sure doors and windows are clear and easy to open, and have a safe meeting place outside where firefighters can easily locate you. Practice your plan at least twice a year - in the day and night. The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office offers a helpful escape plan map you can download and customize at:  

http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/docs/Escape.pdf

*****

Portland firefighters are currently attacking a 2nd alarm apartment fire at 13746 SE Powell Blvd. (The Shalamar Apartments). A Public Information Officer will arrive on scene shortly and updates will follow as they become available.　

Contact Info: PIO Anthony Schaffer 503-940-6003

Portland's federal delegation backs City effort to avoid LT2 costs

In August, the EPA announced that they would be reviewing the reservoir component of the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2) for New York and its Hillview Reservoir.  The rule requires that all surface drinking water systems like Portland build expensive facilities to treat their water for Cryptosporidium, and eliminate or treat any open storage that exists in the system, such as the reservoirs at Mt. Tabor and Washington Park.

In response to the EPA's change in course for New York, Portland quickly submitted correspondence requesting an indefinite suspension of Portland's open reservoir compliance schedule while the EPA considers the rule.  If the EPA identifies alternative compliance options under the rule, Portland could avoid up to $145 million or more in associated compliance costs.

As reported by the Oregonian, Senators Merkley and Wyden, along with Representatives Blumenauer, DeFazio, and Schrader continued their strong efforts on behalf of Portland's ratepayers by submitting a joint letter supporting Portland's efforts to gain relief and flexibility from these requirements.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To read the letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson from Portland's federal delegation, click here.

To read correspondence documenting Portland's efforts seeking relief from the open reservoir requirements of the rule, click here.

For complete information on Portland's LT2 compliance efforts, click here.

Enough is Enough - Global Intervention Now to Save Tibetan Lives

  

From the Oregonian:

About 50 Tibetans in the Portland area and others quickly organized a lunchtime prayer Wednesday in Pioneer Courthouse Square to draw attention to turmoil in the Himalayan nation in which nine young Tibetans have set themselves on fire.

"What people don't understand is that these young people are self-immolating, they are protesting so that others won't have to," said Migmar Gyalnub, with the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association, which scheduled the prayer service with the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress.

Under a temporary shelter, the Tibetans set up a table to venerate a photograph of the Dalai Lama, whom Tibetans recognize as their spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama left Tibet more than 50 years ago as part China's domination of the mountain nation.

As about 30 Tibetans gathered Wednesday, into their midst walked City Commissioner Randy Leonard. Gyalnub offered Leonard two long white scarves -- Leonard draped one around his neck, the other around the photograph of the Dalai Lama.

Leonard took the microphone and told the gathering that he stands with their cause. Then Leonard stopped speaking to compose himself so that he could thank Gyalnub and other Tibetans in Portland "who surrounded me and my entire family and gave us hope" during "the darkest days of my life" -- after the May death of his adult daughter Kara.

Leonard said that before his family even knew it, Tibetans had gathered in a temple and chanted for more than 12 hours to remember his daughter.

The Tibetans planned to pray at the square until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

-- Anne Saker

Posted by Anna DiBenedetto

Randy In the News 10.21.11

Oregonian PolitiFact article debunking Eileen Brady's claim that "City Hall inaction" is the reason the City is planning to cover and treat it water at EPA's mandate.

Randy In the News 10.20.11

Oregonian article about a demonstration for Tibet.

Oregonian article about Occupy Portland.