605-2021

June 29, 2021

As Mayor and Commissioner of Finance & Administration, I request Council confirmation of the following appointment to the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission:

Appointment               Membership Category         (1st) Full Term
Ron Bronson               Public-At-Large                      July 28, 2021 through July 27, 2025

Our appointee, Ron Bronson, brings a unique perspective as someone who has worked in government and understands the various layers of decision-making. He is a skilled communicator and is committed to ensuring that the Commission’s decisions and advocacy work include and add context for the mistakes of the past to ensure they are not repeated. Ron is a dedicated volunteer and proactive individual with a history of initiating projects that celebrate his community such as Design Week in Indianapolis and his @PortlandNeon Instagram account.

Member Statement:
As a Black American born in this country whose family has been in this country since at least the 1700s, and as a veteran, I believe strongly in the need for amplifying and expanding the stories we tell through historic preservation. Part of my interest in this committee — and this hobby — has been born out of my own growth and awareness around these issues. Books like Quintard Taylor “History of Black in the American West” shaped my own understanding of black migration, because growing up on the east coast, I didn’t know of the legacy of black people in this part of the country. Beyond just the black-white lens, we have so many people and communities who have been central to the growth of this city. We should not and cannot obscure their contributions and should solicit their input.