main way of getting around.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Amy Ruiz, news editor for the Portland Mercury, will leave the paper to join the Mayoral team of Sam Adams.
According to the Mercury blog, Ruiz will be Adams’ Strategic Planning and Sustainability Policy Advisor.
Ruiz covered many transportation and bike-related issues during her tenure at the Mercury including the scrapped Sauvie Island/Flanders St. Bridge project and the Safe, Sound and Green Streets proposal, in addition to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project (she has been a vocal opponent).
Ruiz will bring to Adams’ office a passion for policy issues and a general wonkiness (and I mean that as a compliment), along with an attention for detail and strong work ethic.
The Mercury’s loss is Adams’ gain. Not only will Ruiz likely prove to be a solid member of his staff, but by hiring Ruiz, Adams has taken away someone who would likely have been one of his biggest critics. Ruiz followed City Hall politics very closely while with the Mercury and while she meshed with Adams’ penchant for green initiatives, she wasn’t afraid to call Adams out.
I’m sure there are also a few folks on the CRC staff who will breathe a little easier knowing that Ruiz isn’t sitting in the back of their meetings, typing away on her laptop.
Ruiz will join former Oregonian reporter Wade Nkrumah (Adams’ new communications guy) and former BTA executive director Catherine Ciarlo (who will be Adams’ transportation policy advisor).
For more on this story, or to bid farewell to Ruiz, check out the announcement on Mercury blog.