Canfield & Company: GREEDY Multnomah County

Canfield & Company: Should 16 year olds vote? NO WAY!

Troutdale city staff: Community events a burden?

In a recent Gresham Outlook article,  Troutdale city manager Ray Young proposed that the city should charge additional fees to the non-profit organizers of community events to  recoup the $18,000 in costs and staff time for road-blocking "Bollards" during events in downtown Troutdale.

“We are recommending to council to begin charging something," Young said. "It is a burden on staff, which means the city subsidizes events on closed streets, to review plans, close streets and monitor the traffic issues."

Why does city staff feel that subsidizing community events is a burden? 

I’ve lived in Troutdale since 2001. I served on the city council for four years, and on the city’s budget committee for at least eight years. In all that time, I’ve never heard a city employee claim that subsidizing community events was “a burden on staff”.

The city of Troutdale has a long history subsidizing the costs of special events, such as Summerfest, the Christmas tree lighting, and the Troutdale cruise-in. The city’s leaders and its citizens have financially supported these events because they know they have a positive impact on the city’s local economy. More importantly, these events give a major boost to Troutdale’s community spirit and pride.

These non-profit events, which Mr. Young was quoted as saying are a “burden” to city staff, succeed in attracting visitors who spend money in Troutdale. That money creates income and supports jobs in Troutdale. The people who have those jobs in Troutdale use that income to pay taxes. Some of those taxes go to pay for Troutdale city employees. These events are a win-win for city staff, Troutdale residents, and the non-profits who receive donations resulting from these events.

The Gresham Outlook has also questioned why the city wants to burden community events with costly additional fees and red tape. In their Thursday, August 16, 2018 online edition, the Gresham Outlook wrote, in their editorial "Bollard' fee puts public events at-risk in Troutdale", 

Having said that, it's disappointing to hear that the city of Troutdale may impose a fee — for installation and removal of bollards — on groups that organize these events. Many of these groups are nonprofit organizations, most with tiny budgets, and in some cases they're raising funds for a philanthropic purpose. Imposing an additional fee would likely siphon off dollars away from charitable organizations that benefit from these events.Given that the city of Troutdale operates with a $10 million annual budget, the city could easily absorb the $18,000 cost of the bollards without breaking a sweat.”

I urge Troutdale residents to contact the Troutdale city council  and demand that “no extra fees or charges” i.e. the “bollard fee”  should be charged for  non-profit community events in Troutdale.

Canfield & Company; Oregon's increased minimum wage

Why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills?

Troutdale just raised residential water rates. So why does Troutdale subsidize business water bills? Watch our next episode soon at robertcanfield.com!

CANFIELD & COMPANY-- with guest: Troutdale mayor Casey Ryan

Cronyism is alive and well in Troutdale

Troutdale resident John Wilson gave me permission to share the public comment he gave at the February 28, 2017 Troutdale city council meeting:

"I would like to talk about cronyism.  For those who do not know what this means, I will give you the definition:

Cronyism is the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues, especially in politics and between politicians and supportive organizations.  For instance, this includes appointing "cronies" to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.

  Mayor and the council, you may be wondering why I would like to talk about this.  The reason is what took place at the Committee Interview and selection meeting a few weeks back.

 First, let me say I am not hurt, upset or angry that I was not selected, and if Glenn White and Zach Hudson want to keep the Citizens Advisory Committee from having a knowledgeable member on that committee,  it was their call.

 I attended the entire meeting and I am here tonight for the other citizens of Troutdale that gave up their evening in hopes they could give back to the community.  I had told Rob Canfield who was also there, that after Corey Brooks interviewed  he would be selected for the Budget and Planning Committee, no matter who else interviewed.

 There were many better qualified candidates to be on the budget committee, more qualified than all of the City Council and myself.  You have one candidate who had a Masters degree and works for the county preparing budgets.  They have done this for many years.  Glenn (city councilor Glenn White) is on record as saying he thought there may be a conflict since he did budgets for the county.  Glenn, you have had the applications since January, you had plenty of time to check, you didn’t because you already knew who was going in this seat.  This was a very empty  gesture on your part.
 

Almost everyone that applied for the Budget committee had a bachelors degree and worked in accounting.    Glenn do you remember  last year when you were insistent that the person selected should have a degree in accounting?  You are on the record as saying this.  What happened to the same philosophy this year?  (City councilors) Glenn, Rich, Zach and David you could hear crickets around the room when Tanney announced Corey as his selection for the voting seat and alternate.

   The best qualified are supposed to be picked, but instead the friend of Glenn, Rich, Zach, David and got picked.  This person campaigned with Zach, Rich and Glenn and was supported by Tanney. For qualifications,  the other candidates had college degrees and experience with budgets and planning. The only qualification Corey Brooks could offer was his association with  (city councilors) Glenn, Rich, Zach, and David.

  The people who came in applying for the Planning Commission  had  college degrees.  One had a Masters degree in planning and land use laws.  Did he get picked?  No. The same person that was picked for the budget committee was also picked for the planning commission-- Corey Brooks.  

I do believe that Corey Brooks is a good husband, Father, honest and a good member of the community but he did not rise above the others, others raised well above him.

 My belief is that he was picked for the budget committee and planning commission  so he will have some city experience under his belt in two years to run for office. Because he is friends of Glenn, Rich, Zach and Tanney, all the other applicants had no chance of being selected .

In other words--- cronyism. 

Mayor,  I believe that as long as these three councilors  and the chair of the budget and planning commission are around,  the application to be on one of the committees should include “ Unless you are friends with Councilors Glenn White, Rich Allen, Zach Hudson or Committee Chair Tanney Staffensen ,don’t apply for the Budget Committee, Planning Commission or Citizen’s Advisory Committee because cronyism is key to getting on them”.

 Mayor, I believe that a committee person should only be chair of one committee and should only be chair once in their 2 , 3 or 4 year tenure. I believe that I have proved my point tonight with what has taken place in the Budget and Planning Committees by the current chair and certain members of the City Council.  I would like you to look into this and hopefully make it happen.

 While the council and the selection committee are free to choose whomever they want, certain council members have demonstrated that they have no ethics when it comes to selecting the right people for certain committees.  I do believe that the middle schools teach ethics,  and would suggest that these city councilors go back to middle school and take those ethics classes. 

 I do not hold you Mayor Ryan or Councilor Lauer responsible for this,  as this is the first rodeo of this type you have been at.  I also do not hold Councilor Morgan responsible as he was not at this meeting.
 

I do hold Councilors Glenn White, Rich Allen, Zach Hudson, David Rimpa as well as Tanney Staffenson, the Chair for the Budget Committee and Planning Commission responsible for the cronyism that took place at this meeting."

Troutdale's wind really blows. 30MPH all day yesterday.

From the National Weather Service at Troutdale:

                                       Sustained/Gust

13 Feb 9:53 pm	41	27	57		E	31G37
13 Feb 8:53 pm	41	28	60		E	31G39
13 Feb 7:53 pm	41	28	60		E	29G40
13 Feb 6:53 pm	42	29	59		E	29G37
13 Feb 5:53 pm	43	28	55		E	33G40
13 Feb 4:53 pm	45	29	53		E	29G40
13 Feb 3:53 pm	47	30	52		E	30G43
13 Feb 2:53 pm	48	30	49		E	26G40
13 Feb 1:53 pm	47	31	53		E	30G43
13 Feb 12:53 pm	46	31	55		E	29G46
13 Feb 11:53 am	46	30	53		E	31G43
13 Feb 9:53 am	43	30	60		E	31G44
13 Feb 8:53 am	41	29	62		E	33G43
13 Feb 7:53 am	40	28	62	28	E	33G45

Rich Allen has no right to expect blank check from Troutdale

The Troutdale city council, along with the city of Troutdale, are considering whether to have the city provide Troutdale city councilor Rich Allen legal fees in defense of a civil lawsuit filed against Mr. Allen. The city's insurance provider already declined to provide coverage for the libel lawsuit against Mr. Allen.

According to a Gresham Outlook article on December 26, 2016, 

"Troutdale's insurance provider has declined to provide protective coverage for a libel lawsuit targeting embattled City Councilor Rich Allen.

A review by CityCounty Insurance Services states that Allen "was not acting on behalf of the City of Troutdale … when he authored the newspaper article that gave rise to the lawsuit filed by Eastwind Development."

 "There is only coverage under the Trust Agreement if the lawsuit is related to actions taken by Mr. Allen in his official capacity as a city councilor," CIS manager Bill LaMarche wrote in an email. "Therefore, CIS cannot defend nor indemnify Mr. Allen in this matter."

Eastwind Development launched a $250,000 defamation lawsuit against Allen on Nov. 17, alleging he knowingly published false information that damaged the company's reputation and smeared the business as unethical."

Mr. Allen has no right to expect a blank check from Troutdale residents to defend his egregious behavior. The city of Troutdale should not pay Mr. Allen's lawyers to represent a city councilor engaged in alleged reprehensible conduct.

Mr. Allen's alleged conduct raised in the lawsuit was not performed on behalf of the city.  Mr. Allen's alleged conduct raised in the lawsuit was not in furtherance of any adopted city policy.

Payment of Mr. Allen's legal fees would serve only Mr. Allen's private interest and not in the public interest of Troutdale's citizens or the city itself.

I urge Troutdale citizens to contact the city and the city council, and demand that they refuse to pay Mr. Allen's personal legal fees.

Threats and Intimidation Don't Belong in Troutdale Politics

Threats and intimidation don't belong in Troutdale politics. Here is a press release from the WCGC member PAC describing what's happening:

TROUTDALE, OR—Below is a statement from the WCGC Members PAC regarding the actions of certain Troutdale City employees and Diane Castillo-White, wife of Troutdale City Councilor Glenn White.

“In recent days, deplorable actions taken by certain Troutdale city employees and Diane Castillo-White - wife of Troutdale City Councilor Glenn White –that have been occurring in and around Troutdale.  On Saturday October 15th, a flyer was left at various residences calling into question the funding of campaigns of Casey Ryan, John Wilson, Robert Canfield and Randy Lauer.  This flyer falsely accused them of accepting thousands of dollars from the PAC and related donors.  It should also be noted that this flyer appeared the same day that certain City employees were seen canvassing on behalf of their preferred candidates; namely Rich Allen, Glenn White, Corey Brooks and Zach Hudson.  The WCGC Members PAC strongly denies the allegations in the flyer and invites anyone interested to look at the ORESTAR campaign finance website to see where PAC money is actually being spent.

Further, as the City Council is the ultimate decision maker regarding compensation and benefits for City employees, we ask that the City conduct an investigation into the potentially wrongful conduct of their employees and demand that Councilors Allen, White, Brooks and Hudson be recused from any and all Council meetings regarding labor negotiations for as long as they are in office.  The perception of ‘pay for play’ between staff and elected officials is troubling, as further evidenced by the candidate forum being hosted tonight by the City employees labor union, and we urge City Manager Craig Ward and City Attorney Ed Trompke to investigate this potential violation of the public trust.

We are also disgusted at the repeated intimidation tactics being deployed by Diane Castillo-White, wife of Councilor Glenn White, in her desperate attempt to get her husband, Councilors Rich Allen and Corey Brooks along with Zach Hudson elected. Castillo-White is widely known for her chair-throwing, profanity-laced verbal assault of a sitting City Councilor during which she threatened to ‘get him’ earlier this year.  

Her intimidation tactics have now risen to bullying local businesses to remove signs placed legally by the Casey Ryan campaign.  She has allegedly threatened to organize a boycott of these businesses yet accuses the property owners of dividing the City.  The WCGC Members PAC strongly condemns these desperate actions and calls on Councilor White to accept responsibility for the actions of his campaign, apologize and remove her from further involvement.  Failing that, we call on City Manager Ward and City Attorney Trompke, along with Mayor Doug Daoust, to draft a censure resolution of Councilor White at the Troutdale City council meeting on Tuesday October 25th.

The WCGC Members PAC will be looking into any and all legal remedies in response to these egregious, desperate acts.”

Interim Troutdale City Councilor Corey Brooks (second from left) campaigning with current and former Troutdale City employees and Dianne Castillo-White (second from right).

(Disclaimer: I am running for Troutdale City Council, and have been endorsed by the WCGC.)

Why I'm running for Troutdale City Council

Why I'm running for Troutdale City Council, position #4:

 OUR CITY IS GOING BROKE.
OUR CITY COUNCIL IS BROKEN.

Yes, Troutdale is slowly going broke. Our city has been deficit spending for many years. During this year's Troutdale budget sessions, the city's finance director advised that in five years, the city's reserves could be so low, it's possible the city may have to borrow money to pay its bills at that time.

The budget committee, which includes the city council, has kicked the deficit can down the road for the last ten years. It's time we lived within our means. I will work hard to make sure our city balances its budget. You and I have to to balance our personal budgets, It's time the city did the same!

Yes, our city council is broken. If you don't believe me, go to a Troutdale city council meeting or watch a meeting on TV. You'll see petty bickering, indecision, councilors raising their voices at each other.  THE MORE THEY TALK, THE LESS THEY SAY.

 It's embarrassing to see such a lack of professionalism and mutual respect from some of our elected officials! And it is not acceptable!

Right now,  some members of the city council seem like they're  more interested pursuing their own personal agendas instead of looking out for YOU, the Troutdale resident.

If elected, I will have a different agenda- to do my best to  professionally and respectfully represent the 16,000 Troutdale residents who deserve a  balanced city budget, well-maintained parks, safer streets, and opportunities for new business.

In closing, let me tell you the most important reason I'm running for Troutdale city council: I LOVE OUR TOWN!

Let me know what concerns you have about our town!

Contact me at: troutdalecanfield@gmail.com

2015 Troutdale Kiwanis Cruise-In Video!!!

You asked for it, here it is! Enjoy our video of the August 2015 Troutdale Kiwanis Cruise-In, with your host Tana Canfield! Producer/Videographer/Photographer/Video Editor-Rob Canfield; Host-Tana Canfield; Technical Advisor-Mike Canty; Produced via the facilities of Metro East Community Media.

Coming up on East County Now- Nothing Screams Economic Success Like "Shipping Container Storefronts"!

Coming up up next on East County Now,  6 pm Saturday December 12, 2015, on Portland, Oregon area cable channels: Comcast channel 11, Frontier channel 22.
-Gresham Urban Renewal: nothing screams "success" like shipping container storefronts!
-Former Troutdale mayor Jim Kight....he's baaaack!
-Troutdale city councilor Rich Allen's Fantasy Wonderland!
Here's the show promo:

The Epidemic of Poor Customer Service

THE EPIDEMIC OF LOUSY CUSTOMER SERVICE:

6PM TONIGHT ON EAST COUNTY NOW!
Comcast ch. 11/Frontier ch. 22.

It's Troutdale Summerfest Today!

Troutdale. It's a small town, like thousands of other small towns across the country.  But it's different, isn't it? Because this is our home, all 15,000+ of us. Like other small towns, ours is a friendly place, where people say "hello, how are you?" to perfect strangers.

 It's a place where you see farm tractors driving by- not just in parades- but on any given day! It's a place where you can walk down the middle of Stark St. or Troutdale Rd. at night, because there isn't much traffic.It's a place where you might see a coyote, a beaver, a skunk, or even a cougar. It's a place where you see families at our parks having fun.

So today, let's celebrate our small town at our Summerfest event. Let's celebrate the place we call home, our beloved Troutdale.

COMING UP ON EAST COUNTY NOW July 11!

TOMORROW NIGHT ON EAST COUNTY NOW:

-Why can't you have your car DEQ tested at the Dairy Queen drive-through?

-Why kids should get a license before they drive...shopping carts!

-Why you should need a license... in bed!

-PLUS- things to do in East Multnomah County-- this summer!

All this and more at 6pm this Saturday July 11, Comcast channel 11, Frontier channel 22. (Portland Metro Area)

-THIS SHOW WILL REPLAY ON THE FOLLOWING DATES/TIMES-

Monday July 13, 5:30pm Comcast channel 21, Frontier channel 32

Monday July 20, 5:30pm Comcast channel 21, Frontier channel 32.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT A TAPING OF EAST COUNTY NOW

Check Out East County Now!

Check out our show about East Multnomah County! It's called East County Now. See our Facebook page for upcoming show times and topics: Facebook.com/eastcountynow.

Tomorrow night on East County Now:

-Marijuana shop in downtown Troutdale? An ode to 420.
-Rob's "Naughty and Nice List" for 2014
-East Portlanders- Think you live in a free country? Au contraire!
Tree hugger regulations gone wild!

These topics and more on the next East County Now.
Saturday, Jan. 15, 6pm, Comcast channel 11, Verizon channel 22
Monday, Jan. 26, 5:30pm, Comcast channel 21, Verizon channel 32
Monday, Feb. 2, 5:30pm, Comcast channel 21, Verizon channel 32

Parks Pants On Fire-- via Snowjob

It's only October, too early for snow in our part of Oregon. Guess again!  Visitors to last night's Troutdale city council  meeting experienced not a snow storm, but a  snow job of monstrous proportions. 

Last night, Troutdale Mayor Doug Daoust  introduced a Proclamation that would  ". . .recognize the "Springwater Area" and its regional environmental designation in support of volunteer efforts to protect our way of life through the stewardship of natural resources and in so doing,  support citizen health and wellbeing, healthy outdoor activities and the growth of our local economy."

Mayor Daoust invited Cathy Sherick from a group promoting the  "Springwater Parks and Community District" to explain what the proclamation was all about. Sherick told the city council her group was only there to get the city to agree to to the concept of the proclamation. 

The meeting became heated when several city councilors objected to the proclamation, saying this was the first they had seen or heard of it. A majority of the city councilors spoke against even considering the proclamation until they had more facts about the proposed Springwater concept. Mayor Daoust seemed surprised and angry at the mass objections from the rest of the city council.

Mayor Daoust repeatedly echoed Sherick's claim that the proclamation was only to support the concept of a Springwater parks area.  You can watch the fireworks-- or snow job, to be more accurate, here: (the action begins at approx. 23:40 minutes into the video)   http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T02554&video=213009.

In spite of both Sherick and Daoust admitting  once or twice they were really talking about  forming a new parks tax district, they both talked out of both sides of their mouths and insisted they weren't talking about a  new parks tax district. Hence, the snow job.

I don't object to anyone proposing a new parks district. It never hurts to listen to new ideas and proposals. But Mayor Daoust and Ms. Sherick, give me a break! Who do you think you're kidding by continually insisting you're only there to talk about flowery concepts in a flimsy proclamation!  

Both Daoust and Sherick know what they want. They want a new parks taxing district. They want the new parks district to take control of Troutdale's parks and increase taxes for Troutdale residents.  

For proof, here is the smoking gun text from the Springwater Parks and Community Districts own web site http://www.springwaterpcd.org/plan/

Getting to YES         

    2013 - 2016

Building and Sustaining the Effort

• Assess community needs
• Propose a district concept map 
• Engage key community leaders and elected officials
• Invite and involve community schools, sports groups, parents, health providers
• Educate and inform the community
• Develop funding plan
• Secure additional resources

District Concept Development  

• City approvals of Springwater Concept Proclamations
• Gather feasibility data:  “Everyone puts coffee in the cup"
• Formalize defined Springwater District area boundaries
• Define key community challenges
• Refine solutions
• Design outcome measures

District Concept Refinement and Design

• List new capital improvements and new development efforts
• List upgrades to current parks and school operations and property
• Design policy body: how to elect or appoint leadership
• Staffing plan
• District Model
• Budget
• File with Secretary of State

The Public Campaign

• Implement a highly effective and large grass roots campaign / organizing effort
• Voter information
• Media, education and outreach
• New media: Facebook, Twitter

District Referendum goes to Voters                                                          November 2016

Compare the above actual goals listed on their web site with the flowery language of the proposed "proclamation":

I don't object to anyone proposing new ideas. However, you lose credibility if you attempt to hide behind feel-good proclamations and deny to an entire city council and Troutdale's residents your actual plans and motivations. The city council called out the baloney. They weren't fooled by this silly proclamation, not for one second. 

If you want a parks district, don't beat around the snow job bush! Proclaim what you want, up front and lay it out for everyone. And by the way, quit claiming  you're doing it "for the children".

 I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick and tired of the disingenuous baloney from our  local elected officials.

Troutdale City Council Campaigns: The Good, The Bad, The Empty.

They're not running against each other, but  Troutdale city council candidates David Ripma and Larry Morgan have both posted campaign videos on YouTube. And what about Morgan's opponent, Norm Thomas? Thomas has no campaign video, but we'll discuss his campaign web site.

In their videos, neither Ripma or Morgan said anything particularly valuable to potential voters regarding specific visions or goals for Troutdale. However, there was a tremendous difference in the impact of each video. 

First: the good: Morgan's video was short, concise, and to the point- about a minute and a half. He appealed to voter emotions by talking about growing up in Troutdale, and wanting to give his generation the same opportunities as previous generations.

Next: the bad: Ripma's video was extremely long, tedious, and unfortunately un-watchable due to Ripma's  decision to descend into policy wonk-speak. He droned on with numerous "umms" and aahs" about the tiniest details regarding a Troutdale city hall replacement.

He even contradicted himself regarding refurbishing the old city hall, saying refurbishing would be the "least expensive and best option". In his very next breath he said, "But that remains to be seen". Classic politician double-speak- Yes! But maybe No!

Ripma continues to drone on for the remaining video-over five minutes! The video violates a basic YouTube video rule: Grab their attention, keep it short, and use attention getting sound bites people will remember.

And last but most definitely the least: the empty. Incumbent Norm Thomas is Larry Morgan's opponent. Thomas doesn't have a video on YouTube. As far as I have seen, Thomas doesn't even have yard signs out yet. Thomas does, however, have a campaign web site.

On his website, Thomas listed several campaign endorsements, including the following:

PAUL THALHOFER, Mayor of Troutdale.

What can you say about a candidate for city council who claims to be endorsed by Thalhofer, who passed away seven months ago? It certainly shows a lack of respect for the late, great Paul Thalhofer, not to mention Troutdale voters.

There you have if so far. The good, the bad, and the empty of local political races in Troutdale.