Mayor Hales, Commissioner Novick call ‘urgent meeting’ in wake of collisions

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Coming to the table.
(Photo J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and City Commissioner Steve Novick have just announced an “urgent meeting” that will take place next week at City Hall to discuss bike safety following a spate of collisions that has sparked widespread concerns.

Novick is the commissioner in charge of the transportation bureau, which has committed to the concept of “Vision Zero” which is a policy and set of actions that aims to eliminate traffic deaths.

Here’s the official word about the meeting that just came down from Novick’s Transportation Policy Advisor Timur Ender:

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ODOT says new signals with left turn arrows coming to SE Powell next week

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They heard you.
(Photo: J Maus/BikePortland_

As hundreds of people take to the streets in an expression of frustration about unsafe biking conditions in Portland, the Oregon Department of Transportation has just announced plans to install new left turn arrows at SE Powell and 26th Avenue — an intersection where two people have sustained serious injuries in collisions this month.

This announcement comes as a surprise and is very likely a response to the collision that happened at the intersection today and the resulting public pressure that has come from it. ODOT rep Shelli Romero told me back on May 11th at the protest event at Powell and 26th that they want to “redo this signal” but no one expected such a quick timeline.

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Comment of the Week: What if there were a national campaign to shame people who drive illegally?

Busted!

Busted.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

Sex crimes are horrific, and — despite the concerns of some about civil liberties — many states respond to their horror by publicly shaming people who commit them.

Maybe traffic crimes should be punished similarly, BikePortland reader invisiblebikes suggested in a comment Wednesday beneath our post about the newly launched Vision Zero PAC, which aims to put a spotlight on politicians who defend unsafe driving. As invisiblebikes describes it, the government wouldn’t even be involved.

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Job – Accounting Specialist – Castelli USA

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

Company/Organization *
CASTELLI USA

Job Description *
Castelli USA is looking for a self-motivated and resourceful individual with a positive can-do attitude and a willingness to take initiative. This individual will have exceptional communication skills and be a team player. This position is responsible for various accounting duties including assisting with collections and customer service. Requirements include a strong understanding of basic accounting principles and an accounting or finance degree.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• 2+ years of accounts receivable experience, including collections/customer service

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Post customer payments to individual accounts on a daily basis and resolve account discrepancies as they occur.
• Respond to accounting-related customer inquiries regarding AR accounts.
• Review AR accounts to determine the appropriate action for collection.
• Collect on past-due accounts by sending statements and communicating with customers via phone and email while maintaining a strong focus on customer service.
• Use weekly holds report to monitor and follow up on accounts that are on hold.
• Work in tandem with Inside Sales to get holds released so orders can be shipped.
• Take on other various accounting related tasks on an as needed basis.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
• Outstanding organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly strong in Excel, as well as, familiarity with accounting and database reporting software.
• Ability to adapt to change and learn quickly.
• Ability to work well under pressure and quickly respond to customer requests.
• Strong business acumen with ability to make lower end decisions and give constructive feedback on accounting matters.
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative member of a team.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Compensation: Castelli USA offers competitive pay; health, vision and dental insurance; 401(k) plan with company match; profit sharing; and paid vacation. Castelli USA is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply *
For job consideration, please submit resume and cover letter to accounting@castelli-us.com

Job: Floor Sales – Athletes Lounge

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title *
Floor Sales

Company/Organization *
Athletes Lounge

Job Description *
Athletes Lounge, Portland Oregon’s shop for Triathlon is looking for a very experienced bicycle sales person. This position is full time and would start immediately. We are looking for retail and bicycle specific experience. Pay depends on experience. We offer full medical and paid time off.

How to Apply *
Please Send Resume and Cover Sheet to gary@athleteslounge.com

By pushing for road safety audit, state Rep. Ann Lininger steps into leadership role on Barbur

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Lininger says she had “a number of conversations”
with ODOT’s new regional manager about safety
improvements on Barbur.
(Photo via Oregon Legislature)

When the Oregon Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that it had decided to change course and formally consider a road diet on Southwest Barbur, its news release included two words that hadn’t been associated with the issue before:

Ann Lininger.

The state representative appointed last year to represent much of Southwest Portland and her hometown of Lake Oswego, Lininger was quoted by ODOT itself as favoring “improving safety for all users on this crucial roadway.”

Though she’s only one of many people who’ve contacted ODOT in support of low-cost, short-term improvements to Southwest Barbur — multiple sources said that U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer has expressed his opinion, not to mention Portland Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick and hundreds of local residents and organizations — Lininger is one of a few who’ve done so from a position few people have: direct authority over ODOT, thanks to her seat in the state legislature.

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Weekend Event Guide: Roses, urban repair, a bike swap, and more

Intersection painting on NE Holman-4-4

Ever wanted to help paint an intersection? You’re in luck this weekend.
(Photo J Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.
Have you looked at the weekend forecast? Oh my it looks swell. Summer is here and the streets will be crawling with lovely bike riders all weekend. You should join them!

Oil up your chain (and maybe even your skin if you’re looking to get tan), check out our event suggestions, and have fun…

Friday, May 29th

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Portland Community College Cascade Campus Bike Program closes abruptly — UPDATED

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An abrupt closure of the Student Center at Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus has left staff and volunteers with the school’s Bike Program scrambling and frustrated.

Tom Martin, the bike program coordinator at the north Portland campus contacted us today and said he and other staff were informed late afternoon on Friday about the closure and were given no prior notice or help finding another space on campus. Martin called the move, “A giant step backwards for students at Cascade Campus who need affordable transportation options.”

“The ASPCC [Associated Students of Portland Community College] funded bike program is being stonewalled and mothballed to the detriment to students, the community, and the environment,” Martin wrote in an email today that was sent to co-workers and volunteers.

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