Special April 1 Edition







Local News

The selection committee has already announced its choice for the 2019 Lake Oswego Reads event: the illustrated guide for assembling an Ikea coffee table. "It's an excellent choice, since the material lends itself to so many interpretations," said committee chair Paul Cracker.




Reclaimed land! Influenced by prior work in Holland, workers are finishing the Wizer’s Block development with the last piece in the plan, Lakewood parking. The City Attorney's Office is awaiting a ruling on public access to the site.
BEFORE
AFTER


Regional News
The City of Portland's "Vision Zero" program aims to completely
eliminate pedestrian deaths and serious injuries. In partnership with Metro, the city will achieve the goal by allowing traffic congestion to reach the point that the average vehicular speed is zero. "Research has found the stationary cars pose much less risk to pedestrians," said PBOT spokesperson Ima Buss. "Our concern at that point will be bicyclists running into the parked cars."

National News
In 2017, the entertainment industry surpassed the manufacturing sector in share of Gross National Product. It was spending by the White House that tipped the scale.

Speaking of which, it appears that the proposal to tie Medicaid benefits to work requirements is just the beginning. The White House has proposed withholding Social Security and Medicare payments from retirees who don't have jobs. "Us real estate speculators and hedge fund managers and other hard working people are tired of supporting these deadbeats," President Trump tweeted.

Quotes
"What's the big deal about illegal immigrants? You're all illegal immigrants."
                           -- Bobby Whitefeather, Sioux Nation
"Ah, but so are you, my friend."
                           -- Woolly Mammoth
"Ha! You're all interlopers!"
                           -- T. Rex

World News
The 10-square-mile nation of Kafiristan has upset the balance of world power by building a fort made of twigs and empty refrigerator boxes. In response, the U.S. Congress quickly approved another $100 trillion in military spending to counter this threat. "Future generations of Americans will be glad to pay this debt in exchange for their freedom," Congressman Rex Blohard stated in a press conference.

March 2018


2017 Employee Survey Results
A summary of the results of the 2017 Employee Survey has been posted on the city intranet site. If you're outside the network, you can also see it here. There were several helpful comments and observations in the responses to open-ended questions; these are being shared with the management staff of the respective departments. Thanks to all of you who took the time to participate in this survey.

Introducing New Staff


Johnna Richards has joined the LOPD staff as Community Service Officer. Johnna was born and raised in Anacortes, WA. She became interested in law enforcement through a ride-along with the sheriff's office, and attended Southern Oregon and Portland State Universities in criminal justice. She did an internship with LOPD under the direction of Darryl Wrisley, which ultimately led to her application. Johnna lives in Beaverton and in her free time enjoys outdoor activities, and especially spending time on the coast.


After fifteen years as an officer with the West Linn police department, Brad Moyle has joined the LOPD. Brad grew up in a military family; he was born in England and graduated from high school in Gresham. He lives in the Colton area, and has two grown children: a son who works for Bob's Red Mill, and a daughter at Eastern Oregon University. When not working, he enjoys travelling. And he has two dogs.



Joshua Loesche (pronounced "leshy") has also joined LOPD as an officer. Joshua has had recent law enforcement experience as a reserve officer with Tualatin PD, but he worked for twelve years as a youth pastor, gaining some skills that should serve him well as an officer. He was born in Fresno and graduated from high school in San Luis Obispo. He and his wife Jennifer (an architect) live in Tigard; they have two children, 14 months and 3 1/2 years old. And a dog. In his free time, Joshua enjoys home remodeling work, and going to the coast.


You can greet Penny Buhler afternoons at the front counter of the Planning & Building department. Penny was born in New Orleans and spent the last decade serving in the US Navy, in a variety of roles, including logistics, legal issues, and personnel. Penny lives in Wilsonville and has a three-year-old son. Her long term career goal is to be a nurse. She also enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking.






Lucas Fortune is our newest firefighter. He was born and raised in Welches,
and graduated from Sandy High School, where he was on the snowboard team. His interest in the fire service came through his father, a volunteer firefighter with Hoodland Fire, and his experience in the Explorers program at Hoodland. Most recently, Lucas has served as a volunteer firefighter in La Pine.  Lucas has a dog, and also enjoys outdoor activities including fishing and snowboarding.




Kassandra Bartol is one of the newest additions to LOCOM. She was born and raised in the Carver area, and graduated from Clackamas High. An influence in her interest in 911 dispatch has been her father, who serves with the Milwaukie police department. Since LOCOM provides dispatch service to Milwaukie PD, there's a good chance Kassandra will hear her Dad's voice at the other end of the radio in the coming years. After a two-week stint at the state academy, she'll help with the transition to the new CAD system. She has two dogs and some fish, and enjoys...outdoor activities, like hiking, fishing, hunting, and rock climbing.



With Larry Sell's retirement as plumbing inspector, Elizabeth Bunga has been anxious to fill the position, given the high demand for folks who have construction-related skills. She was fortunate to be able to hire Bill LeFave, who has had extensive experience in plumbing and related fields. For the past fifteen years he has owned a business specializing in plumbing and fire suppression design and related services. He says he was getting burned out as a business owner and is looking forward to job with more predictable hours. Bill was born in California in a military family, lived in Montana, and graduated from high school in Boise. He lives in Beaverton near the Alpenrose Dairy property; he and his wife have two dogs. He also enjoys outdoor activities, including fishing.


Welcome all, and please excuse any inaccuracies from my note-taking during our conversations.