Daily Report: October 13
Notes and reflections from Saturday, October 10.
Meeting the Mayor and the Chief Justice
The day started with a meeting with City Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade and Drummond Kahn, Audit Services Director to learn about the various functions of the Auditor in keeping city government accountable. We then toured City Hall with International Affairs Director Noah Siegel. Not only did we find a Russian Flag in the Rose Room (all the flags of Portland’s Sister Cities are displayed) but we happened upon Mayor Sam Adams who stopped to shake everyone’s hand and posed for a picture. He also took Vera Katz’ picture off the wall to explain that his career began working for her and that she is a fine Russian woman.
We then met Irene Konev, Community Outreach Coordinator for Independent Police Review. Because of her Russian background she was of particular interest to the delegates who learned about the large Russian population in Oregon, in addition to police oversight efforts.
After lunch we toured the newly rehabilitated White Stag building just south of Burnside along the river. John Woelfie, Facility Services Manager showcased the LEED energy efficiency standards of the building, as well as its many architectural features blending the old with the new.
Following the tour the delegates split into two groups: one to meet with Bureau of Environmental Services and the other with the Water Bureau. Both were more technical talks about planning, construction and construction contracting, as well as engineering challenges.
Chief Justice de Muniz and Delegate Veronika Trushkova.
The evening ended with an elegant dinner at one of the host family’s homes in the Irvington neighborhood. The special guest was Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court Paul de Muniz. He requested a meeting with our delegates because he is extremely interested in Russian justice issues, and has been working with Portland’s Sister City Khabarovsk on implementing legal reforms to the Russian criminal justice system.
One of the delegates commented that de Muniz has a very difficult job, but also a very open heart, which is an unusual combination.
Pat Osborn
