December 10, 2020
Dear Portlanders,
Three months ago, to the day, when so much of the state of Oregon was in flames, I was sworn into office in a special election to serve out the remaining term of the late and great Commissioner Nick Fish. For many reasons, it seems fitting that my onboarding has been referred to as a “trial by fire.” Together, as a community, we are all navigating life in this unprecedented time—facing multiple crises and unrelenting uncertainty. Our shared experiences and local challenges have heightened the community’s desire for city leaders to break down silos—to unite—to build forward.
In response, my first days have been spent in collaboration with my colleagues on City Council, and with our partners at Multnomah County and Metro—because complex local problems require complex local solutions. I believe no single elected official can effectively improve results and outcomes for the community. Resiliency is built with shared responsibility, accountability, and courage. My team will rely on these values as we move racial equity work from proclamations of the moment to actions that deliver results. I will continue to rely on strong evidence and data to prove we can effectively and systematically eliminate inequities, especially when it comes to community safety.
As is my preferred style, I am playing a bridge-builder role, encouraging unity and earning the necessary buy-in to build a better system. Our region is program rich—and system poor. Nowhere is this more evident than in our failing mental health system. The countless gaps in the way we address behavioral health are weighing down our efforts to build a community safety system focused on racial justice. There is little hope for progress in either police reform or houselessness until our state commits to significantly improving its mental health system. Thankfully, voters and investors are committed to this effort, as evidenced by the passage of the HereTogether Metro homeless services measure last spring.
While I do support the focus on affordable housing for the long-term, I will remain insistent about the critical need to increase investments in behavioral health and peer-to-peer addiction and recovery services now. This is how we will achieve lasting results for the chronically homeless. Sadly, too many houseless in our community are suffering with mental and behavioral health challenges, causing harm to themselves and others. I speak from lived experience on this issue, as my brother, Tim, died on the streets. This crisis is impacting everyone in our city, and if we do not treat this like an emergency, it will threaten any hope of a vibrant future for us all.
Our collective joy has been hit hard. COVID-19 has stifled the flow of currency for too many—especially those in hospitality, music, film, and the arts in general. As such, an economic plan to build forward is top of mind. My team is working to guide the city’s permitting bureaus to provide agile and streamlined processes, which will directly impact development and enhance capital. Going forward, I will continue to support coordination with those who directly assist our customers. We will work to improve practices and collaborate with our private sector partners to bring revenue back.
My first three months have been challenging and productive—and I love it! I look forward to welcoming new leadership to the City Council team in January. I look forward to uniting colleagues, partners, and stakeholders as we work together to bring racial justice and prosperity to the City of Roses. And as always, I will listen to your feedback, because I am deeply committed and proud to serve in this role.
Thank you, Commissioner Eudaly and Commissioner Fritz, for your service. And to the entire Council and the City’s dedicated employees—thank you for being welcoming and helpful as I was onboarded during a unique time. Our best days are ahead of us. So, let’s allow the crises we face to be opportunities—and don’t ever bet against Portland!
Sincerely,
Dan Ryan, City Commissioner
