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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2013)
Local News Precious continued from page 1 somehow we may feel that we failed this child –that we could not provide a safe haven for her, to care for her and let her know that she was loved… “The most enduring tribute we can give to Precious is to commit to show the same love to the countless other children in our city ‘Precious, you remind us of the value of all of our children. You remind us of the value of love’ state and nation that need out attention, our love, our advocacy, and our support. We need to make sure that they are not hungry, that they are educated well, that they are safe, and that they can envision a future that is strong and that they are loved. Precious, you remind us of the value of all of our chil- dren. You remind us of the value of love.” Minister Danny Osborne played soft music on the piano throughout the ceremo- ny. Pastor Kimberly Black, Pastor Mary Overstreet-Smith, Pastor George Merri- weather and Dr. T. Allen Bethel gave workds of uplift and comfort. MaryEtta Callier-Wells sang songs of praise. Baby Precious was interred at Riverview Cemetery in Southwest Portland. Oregon Safe Haven Law says a parent who can’t care for an infant can leave a baby, 30 days or younger, with a staff mem- ber at any: Hospital Doctor’s Office Birthing Clinic Police Station Sheriff Office Fire Department No questions will be asked. You must put the baby into the arms of a staff member. So long as the baby hasn’t been abused, you can leave your baby in safety with no fear of prosecution. One young mother brought her own newborn to the memorial, which drew dozens of mourners to honor a still-unidentified baby called ‘Precious.’ Artharee continued from page 1 versial comments that Artharee made at the Quartet event. At the event, Artharee introduced Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith saying, “Here’s our beauti- ful commissioner, Loretta Smith. Mmm, mmm, mmm—she looks good tonight.” And in response to a comment about his position of power in the city, Artharee answered that he was still a “field negro”. According to the report, Smith told investigators she was embarrassed by the comment on her appearance. “…she felt ‘minimized’ and disrespect- ed, particularly in her role as Multnomah County Commissioner,” the report says. “She also felt Mr. Artharee was trying to make it appear he had a close relation- ship with the commissioner and there was an inference he was untouchable due to his position with the mayor. Commis- sioner Smith felt Mr. Artharee’s demeanor came over as arrogant and intimidating.” Smith said Antoinette Edwards inter- jected to try to stop Artharee mid-com- ment, but he continued. She also told investigators that on three previous occa- sions Artharee had made similar com- ments about how she looked: once at an Oregon Association of Minority Entre- preneurs event, where she was a keynote speaker and Artharee introduced her; once in an elevator with county commu- nications director Dave Austin; and once at a gala event organized by the Delta sorority and the civic service group the LINKS. Smith also said she’d been on the receiving end of “backlash” from some who objected to her publicly criticizing one of the city’s few African American leaders. And she said she would not have made her concerns public, but once the press got the story, she had no choice. The witnesses were not named in the report. The concensus from the witness- es was that the comment about being a field negro was simply intended to mean Artheree would not forget his roots in the Black community. Artheree admitted that he often com- plimented women and men on their appearance. But he told investigators he did not intend to offend anyone and was remorseful. He said the behavior would- n’t happen again. The investigation concluded that Artharee’s comments both violated city policy. “An introduction of an Elected Official or any person at an official event, and in one’s capacity as a representative of the City, should focus only upon the person’s accomplishments, not on their physical appearance,” the report says. The comment about being a “field negro” should be understood in its cul- tural context, the report says. But never- theless it broke policy because, “it was not conducive to creating a respectful and professional workplace, free from harassment, discrimination and retalia- tion…” Hales said Artharee had offered his res- ignation, but he had refused it. “Baruti offered to resign from my staff, saying that the incident could prove to be a distraction from my priority of reform- ing the relationship between the police and the community. I turned down his offer because I believed, and I continue to believe, that Baruti is the right person for the task at hand. He is providing the essential leadership needed to strengthen community credibility with our Police Bureau.” Smith told The Skanner News several women had contacted her to express gratitude that she was pointing out gen- der discrimination. Willamette Week reported that several women legislators sent a letter to the city demanding action from Mayor Hales. Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, former Oregon Rep. Darlene Hooley and Reps. Shemia Fagan, Jessica Vega-Peterson and Jennifer Williamson said many peo- ple were disgusted at comments they called, “sexually suggestive and demean- ing. Commissioner Nick Fish released a statement saying the week-long suspen- sion was not a strong enough punishmen, I believe a one week suspension fails to send a strong enough message that work- place harassment will not be tolerated, and that all employees of the city, regard- less of their position, are required to con- duct themselves in a professional manner at all times,” he said. STATEMENT BY MAYOR CHARLIE HALES On June 6, at a public event co-sponsored by the city, Baruti Artharee, my policy director for police, housing and public safety, introduced Multnomah County Com- missioner Loretta Smith. The nature of that introduction was inappropriate. An investigation by the city’s Human Resources Department has concluded that Baruti’s actions were a violation of the city’s policy prohibiting workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The day after the incident, Baruti apologized to Commissioner Smith. In the follow- ing days, so did my chief of staff, Gail Shibley. And so did I. An investigation by the city’s Human Resources Department has concluded that Baruti’s actions were a violation of the city’s policy prohibiting workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The day after the incident, Baruti apologized to Commissioner Smith. In the follow- ing days, so did my chief of staff, Gail Shibley. And so did I. Today, I am imposing on Baruti a one-week leave of absence without pay. I also am ordering him to take individualized training on the city’s policy prohibiting workplace harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Further, I have informed Baruti no such incident in the future would be tolerated. I personally delivered a copy of the report to Commissioner Smith Friday morning and spoke to her regarding my decision. A copy of the report is attached herein. The names and pronouns of the people interviewed by H.R. have been redacted. Human Resources informed me the options included a letter of reprimand, unpaid leave of absence and dismissal. I opted for a discipline that reflects the importance of the issue to me and to the city. Though strict, this suspension is the appropriate corrective action. There were calls for me to act before the HR investigation was complete. However, having called for an investigation, a rush to judgment on my part would not have been appropriate. I have declined in the past to release personnel reports, and will decline to do so in the future. But this incident is different because the mayor’s staff lives under a high- er level of public scrutiny than do other city personnel. My release of this report does not constitute any precedent for releasing past or future reports to the public. I will make sure that everyone on the mayor’s staff is completely up-to-date on all of the city’s training, in regards to harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Baruti offered to resign from my staff, saying that the incident could prove to be a distraction from my priority of reforming the relationship between the police and the community. I turned down his offer because I believed, and I continue to believe, that Baruti is the right person for the task at hand. He is providing the essential leader- ship needed to strengthen community credibility with our Police Bureau. I benefit from a strong partnership with Commissioner Smith, with the Multnomah County Commission, and with the county at large. The entire City Council, and the city of Portland, benefits from those partnerships. Commissioner Smith has been, and will continue to be, a partner in our many endeavors. As I said from the start, this incident is a serious matter and required a serious response. That is why I handed the situation over to Human Resources for an inde- pendent analysis; why I delivered the report to the commissioner myself; and why I am releasing this information to the public. While we cannot undo the past, we can learn from it. In addition to my apology to Commissioner Smith, I apologize to the community at large. Everyone deserves respect for their competence and accomplishments. Women in particular. I and my staff will treat everyone in the community with respect. July 3, 2013 The Portland Skanner Page 3
