Take a look here to download all the goodies, in raw form, or just take a look below for highlights.
Who lobbied whom, and about what?
The Port of Portland logged the most contacts with city staff—more 30 sit-downs, phone calls, e-mails and public forum testimonials—to talk mostly about West Hayden Island, but also the airport and other issues. They reported spending $1,565.
Also reporting dough spent? The Portland Business Alliance, with $1,289. Their president, Sandra McDonough, sat down with Mayor Sam Adams once in April and again in May to talk about economic development issues. The Alliance also had chats with officials about budget cuts and, in a session with Commissioner Randy Leonard, the city's sidewalk rules.
The League of Women Voters e-mailed the commissioners, the mayor Sam Adams and City Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade in mid-June to share thoughts about the Police Review Board.
(These are summaries just from "registered lobbyist entities," keep in mind. So it's not a full accounting of who came to see city officials with concerns. Take a look at officials' calendars if you want more information about who's pulling the levers of power.)
After the break: Who scored the best shit?
Befitting his status as the ceremonial head of Portland, Mayor Sam Adams wrangled the most expensive prize, according to disclosure statements filed with the auditor's office. The National League of Cities ponied up $1,625 to send the mayor to an education conference.
A couple members of his staff did well, too. Arts and culture coordinator Cary Clarke (nee Mercury music writer) scored theater tickets, vinyl LPs and a CD by "Boy Eats Drum Machine," all adding up to $66. Arts director Jennifer Yocom also scored theater tickets, worth $22. Another staffer, Kimberly Schneider, enjoyed (we hope, for the money) a $35 breakfast courtesy of the Portland Business Alliance.
Meanwhile, the city's International Affairs director, Noah Siegel, received a flood of trinkets—listed as "goodwill" items, values not included—from the Chinese city of Kaohsiung, Zimbabwe, and from the Indonesian consulate. (We plan to ask what the Zimbabwe gift was all about.) Siegel also scored a $50 membership to the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation.
Government Affairs director Martha Pellegrino also ate well, receiving a $125 spot at an Oregon Partnership dinner and a $75 lunch courtesy of PGE.
Commissioner Nick Fish reported receiving a book worth $26, "Comeback America," presented by citizen Warren Risher at a council meeting. Dan Saltzman reported receiving the same book, but also a $25 VIP pass at the Laughing Planet Cafe and a $35 framed picture of the Jefferson High School basketball team.
Police Chief Mike Reese reported the most "wearable" presents. The principal at his alma mater, Roosevelt High, gifted him with a school sweatshirt and T-shirt, amounting to $40. He also got a $15 Juneteenth T-shirt, presented at the city's parade.
