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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2012)
Local News Judge: Fairness Hearing on Police Needed Groups that want to have a say in the DOJ agreement with PPB must file by Jan. 8 By Helen Silvis Of The Skanner News A federal judge has ordered a fairness hearing to allow public testimony on the settlement agreement, filed between the Department of Justice and the City of Port- land. The agreement makes sweeping changes to policing in Portland. However, the police union objects to its impact on collective bar- gaining. And other groups in the communi- ty, such as such as the Albina Ministerial Alliance, say community involvement is needed. Judge Michael H. Simon said everyone who wants to testify about the agreement should be able to have their views heard. Judge Simon also said he is open to holding the hearing outside of work hours to allow more people to testify. Jo Ann Hardesty, a member of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform was one f a small group of citizens who attended the hearing to ask for more citizen oversight. “Judge Michael Simon really understands why the community has to be engaged and involved in this settlement agreement,” she said. “And so I believe for the the first time we have a federal judge who will make this accessible to the public… “Ultimately we’re going to pay $26 mil- lion for it. We should have a bigger voice in what it looks like and how it’s implement- ed.” Deadlines Jan. 8: Groups or individuals who want to be a party with legal standing to intervene in the agreement must file a motion with the court. Jan. 22: Comment on how the fairness hearing should be organized, should be sub- mitted to the clerk’s office in the federal courthouse. Feb. 19 at 9 a.m.: Next hearing before Judge Simon. No date has been set yet for the fairness hearing. The Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform and the Port- land Police Association already have stated they will seek to intervene in the settlement agreement. The AMA coalition wants the public to weigh in on every aspect of the agreement from use of force policy, to the mental health crisis response teams that the PPB is already creating, and the job description of an independent compliance officer who will be hired to oversee the reforms. The police union has different concerns. It asked the judge to throw out the settlement agreement saying it interferes with its col- lective bargaining rights. Mayor Adams has said the City will consult with the DOJ when collective bargaining is impacted. Members of the Albina Ministeria; Alliance argued for more public input. From left: Rev. Leroy Haines and JoAnn Hardesty with defense attorney Michael Rose. Rev. Leroy Haines said he welcomed the judge’s decision to order a fairness hearing, but he criticized the police union’s action. The fairness hearing will focus on whether the agreement is a just resolution to the problems identified in the Department of Justice report, released September 2012. After a 15-month investigation the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice concluded that Portland Police Bureau, “engages in a pattern or practice of using unnecessary or unreasonable force during interactions with people who have or are perceived to have mental illness.” “… the intervention motion by the Port- land Police Association that is attempting to hinder any form of change within the Port- land Police Bureau, and the issues of exces- sive force and deadly force: we believe this is a detriment towards the community for that to happen. For the PPA to prevent nec- essary reform from taking place, would be a setback for the City of Portland, a setback for community policing and certainly a set- back for justice in our community.” The City of Portland and Portland Police Bureau have never accepted the conclusions in the report: that the bureau violated the rights of citizens, by using excessive force. But to avoid penalties the City and the DOJ worked on a settlement agreement that was filed Dec. 17, along with the DOJ lawsuit outlining the civil rights violations. The Department of Justice did not investi- gate PPB’s track record with African Amer- icans and other minorities, but the report noted the “tense” relationship between police and minority communities as well as concerns voiced by community members, Quartet Opens February 8 on South Waterfront The restaurant will feature a happy hour, NW food with a Southern influence and live music Frank Taylor, left, and Paul Keeler are partners in Portland Prime and will open Qartet on February 8. Portland restaurateur Frank Taylor’s newest venture, Quartet, will open Feb. 8. Based at 1910 S.W. River Drive, on Portland’s southwest waterfront, Quartet’s menu will focus on contemporary, seasonal Pacific Northwest cuisine with a Southern influence, while the wine and beverage list will highlight the best of Pacific Northwest’s wines, brews and spirits. Happy hour will start at 3 p.m. daily, with din- ner at 5 p.m. seven days a week. “Quartet is a combination of hospitality, cuisine, music and lively, friendly ambiance,” Taylor says. “ It will be a casual, affordable waterfront dining destination in an ele- gant, one of a kind waterfront setting.” Quartet is redesigning the space formerly occupied by Lucier. A new bar will feature a a baby grand piano, a new entrance door, and remodeled interior architecture. The redesign aims to preserve some of the beautiful features of the original Lucier design, but adding a more open, ener- getic ambiance. Entertainment will include live piano music performed by local and national artists. Greg Gonzales the general manager, is a 25-year veteran of Portland’s restaurant community. Gonzales comes to Quartet from El Gaucho, where he was manager for the past 10 years. Gonzales has also served as manager for the Esplanade at RiverPlace Hotel, and as opening manager for Mortons. A search for an executive chef is underway, with an announcement planned by end of the year. Quartet will be giving back to Portland even before it opens, with a special benefit fundraiser planned for Self Enhancement, Inc., which will feature a Grammy award winning, international entertainer. Quartet is owned and managed by Keeler Hospitality Restaurant Group. Parking for Quartet guests is available at an adjacent 200- car lot, or by valet. At 7,657 square feet, the restaurant seats 214 inside and on the patio overlooking the Willamette River. Private parties can reserve a 24-seat secluded dining area with adjacent patio. From facing fear to falling in love: best moments 2012 By George Webster and Sarah Brown (CNN) — For some it was an exhilarating holiday to an exotic place, finding new love or conquering their greatest fear. For others, it was witnessing an historic event. And for a few, it was simply a case of being in the right place at the right time to capture a moment that will forever stick in the mind. CNN asked people from all over the world to send in their highlight of the year. From the Philippines, to Scotland, to South Africa, hundreds of people shared their most treasured images. 2012 was the year the Olympics games came to London, and, unsurprisingly, many people sent in their images of the various competitions held around the capital. Gaya Ilang, who works as the artist Gaya3in1, was lucky enough to participate in the Games’ spectacular opening ceremo- ny — playing a nurse. She sent in an image of proud participants posing eagerly just everyone’s faces,” she said. Sport of a non-Olympic kind captured the imagination of Jamie McCaffrey from Ottawa, Canada. He submitted this lively image of soldiers from the Lake Superior Scottish Reg- iment of the Canadian A r m y Reserves competing in the tug of war at the annual Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville Ontario. “The sight of these soldiers in a brutal test of raw strength while combined with the skirl of the pipes, the colors and flash of the different tartans on the kilts, and the cheer Jessica Munoz from California, U.S., was thrilled to be reunited with her soldier husband before they took part in the ceremony. “I like this [image] as it has performers from different categories — a snapshot of the ceremony — and reminds me of the excitement of the day, clearly visible on of the crowd was a feast for the eyes and ears,” he said. “Although, I understand that the music of the bagpipes may not be for everyone — subtle it is not,” he added. From the bombast of organized games to the quiet joy of a proud parent, many people chose their children as the source of their best moments of 2012. Charlotte Brocker from Berlin, Germany, captured a wonderful image of her son Malik wearing his Ramones t-shirt on a bike ride in August. Malik was born with clubbed feet and a physical condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenitas, which means he has little muscle strength in his limbs. See MOMENTS on page 10 December 26, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 3
