Troutdale Mayor's Exclusive Interview

Interview with Mayor of Troutdale

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Jim Kight of Troutdale has been under attack by his political enemies from the day he took office in 2008. In spite of the personal attacks on him by the opposition he continues to effectively represent and serve the city.

 

At this point he has shown to be gracious and patient with those who are his ardent critics. True leadership doesn’t take things personally but focuses on what is best for the community. Troutdale has made major strides in the last four years under Mayor Kight’s leadership. His energy and talent has been directed in accomplishing those projects that would best serve the community. He keeps his eye on the ball.

 

Q. How do you envision Troutdale’s progress?

 

A. We are almost at build out for homes with only 16 acres of developable land.  The one area that shows the most promise is our industrial area north of I-84. We are making major improvements with the $43.1 million from the Port of Portland investment at our Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park, home of FedEx Regional Hub. Our south side of the downtown shows promise for redevelopment which will help match our north side. The recent purchase of Troutdale Market Center home of the former Thriftway shows real promise with the proposed new tenants.

 

Q. What is the biggest concern you hear from community members?

 

A. They are worried about keeping their jobs. You look around neighborhoods and notice empty houses. They are often empty because someone lost their job and couldn’t make the mortgage payments.. One of the reasons I’ve have been working so diligently to make transportation improvements is that it creates immediate jobs and more importantly supports freight movement to our north industrial sites.  The major impediments to the industrial sites has been poor arterialconnections to these areas.  With the $22 million dedicated to the two-way on Marine Drive off of exit 17 that negative will be removed. We have the potential to have hundreds of new jobs at the TRIP location. With the pending construction of the $680 million Troutdale Energy Center thousands of jobs will be created.

 

Q. What is Troutdale’s strength as a regional player or is Troutdale more self-contained.

 

A.  We are the envy of many cities that in the region for several reasons.  Currently we have actual and proposed $844 million in projects both private and public in our city. In this economy that is unheard of. We are also at the west end of the Columbia Gorge, which is a real haven for tourists. During the peak of the season, for example you will find it difficult to get a room at McMenamin’s Edgefield from May to September. Over 40,000 people attend the outdoor concerts at Edgefield. There isn’t another location quite like this in the Pacific Northwest.

 Troutdale is considered to be a respite from the big city and a fun place to visit. Our strength is in our ability to make people feel they have been brought into a big family. That is the attraction of a small city.

 

Q. Your faultfinders claim that you are assertive. What is your response?

 

A. Being assertive isn’t necessarily a negative. Where would we be if Thomas Edison decided not to be persistent? How would the course of history been changed if not for the tenacity of President Abraham Lincoln? Would Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas be in office today if he wasn’t forceful and determined?

 

Keep in mind that we are competing with 242 other cities in Oregon for transportation improvements, and to attract businesses to our cities.  A local example is Mayor Scott Brugge of Scappoose, who eliminated all fees for business licenses. As a result millions of dollars have been invested in his city of 6,680 creating new jobs close to home.

 

In today’s economy you had better be at every meeting selling your city otherwise it’s is a guarantee that improvements will not happen. Investment dollars don’t come to your community by the mayor staying home or being at work. I’m selling and marketing our city at every opportunity. That is one of the reasons I believe that the electorate chose to put me in office. They know I get things done.

 

Q. The office building that was built next to your home has been the focus of controversy. What is your explanation of the process?

 

A. We need office space because our business was starting to take over our home. Little did I know at the time that my opponent wouldn’t allow me to have shared office space at city hall. So now my office space serves as the mayor’s office as well.

 

The building was constructed by a general contractor so that there would be an arms-length transaction. The final blueprints were signed and approved but all departments, inspected and approved with a final certificate of completion given 17 months ago. In the final report authored by the investigator, she concluded the building was built according to current code and that eleven city employees testified that no undue influence was used.

 

The building project set idle for over a year and a half and the city had ample time to terminate the project or ask for corrections. Actually we received notices to quickly complete the project as approved or we would have to start over and pay for the same permits twice.

 

Q. At this point over $48,750 of city taxpayers’ dollars have been spent to what amounts to financing a smear campaign with public funds. What is behind all of the energy that your opponent is putting into it?

 

A. What I find most egregious is the total waste of taxpayers’ dollars. The published cost of this investigation doesn’t even include the thousands of dollars in staff time and resources. What a waste! They have spent what amounts to an annual salary for a police officer or our share for an economic development director for three years.

 

 Not surprisingly my opponent outright refused to listen to explanations from the building department or the planning department. I wasn’t allowed to speak in my own defense or provide any explanation nor was there any public involvement. None whatsoever!

 

It is important that voters check out who is making the donations and who is endorsing the candidate. Then ask the question who serves to gain if their candidates win.

 

 

 

Lighten Up and Have Some Fun in Troutdale

LIGHTEN UP &

HAVE SOME FUN

 

Troutdale’s newest entry under " refreshment and fun things to do" is the J Gelati shop.  It is located in the Safeway complex off of Cherry Park in the northeast corner of the complex.  Proprietors Glen and Sally Mackey are Troutdale residents who have started a second store selling delightful treats.

 

 

 

 

Sally and Glen Mackey owners/operators of JGelati's

 

 

J Gelati’s serves both frozen custard ice cream and Italian Ice. The Italian ice comes in 14 flavors and the frozen custard has 28 flavors, in season.  They use local fruits including some of the products grown in the owners' own yard. The custard comes in many combinations but the most popular is the Italian ice in the middle and the custard on the top and bottom.  Kids love it and sometimes come in their jammies to get this special treat.

 

J Gelati’s has been delivered to special parties and weddings.  At weddings the colors are matched to the preference of the bride. Not surprising they catered an Italian dinner. The local school children and the Girl Scouts have found them and consider coming to J Gelati’s a very special treat.

 

From Tracey Weld who lives in Sacramento, “I had the vanilla frozen custard with lemon Italian ice and it was instant love."Jayne Bailey of Vancouver, Washington wrote “Pure heaven in a JGelati’s. I particularly liked the root beer ice and salted caramel custard. It's so yummy to the tummy.”

 

It's another success story for Troutdale’s Open for Business Plan. When I asked Glen and Sally both praised the fee holiday so they could easily start their business in Troutdale.

 

2467 S.W. Cherry Park Road

Troutdale, Oregon

(503) 989-5605

Troutdale Energy Center

Troutdale Energy Center

 

 

In the year 2020 the Boardman power plant will have to convert to using another fuel source in order to replace the coal burning plant that is currently in operation.  As a result there are several proposals by private companies competing to replace that energy source.  One of the companies is Development Partners from White Plains, New York.  This company has 18 electrical generation plants throughout the U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Troutdale is currently being considered by Development Partners for a co-generation plant on lot 3 at the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park. The location would be to the east and slightly south of FedEx Regional Hub.  The property has some constraints with wetlands but it appears to be a perfect fit for this particular parcel.

 

At this point the company has paid $34,000 for two applications to the city of Troutdale. Should this project move forward and be completed it would be the largest industrial project in the region at $680 million. The projected jobs are 2,315 and 2,350 indirect jobs as a result of the four year project. The property taxes paid out look like this.

1. City of Troutdale first year $908,000
2. Local schools $1.2 million
3. Multnomah County $3.4 million

 

The electrical plant will generate 653 megawatts of power which will provide service to 350,000 homes. The additional advantage of the location for this plant are that there are grids very close for Pacific Power and Light, Bonneville Power Administration and Portland General Electric. Additionally there is a main gas line that is on the property from Northwest Gas line.

Site Plan for Troutdale Energy Center

 

 

There are many steps to see this project come to fruition but the area certainly would benefit but having the power closer to the users and providing family wage jobs.

Troutdale Receives Governor's Award

Troutdale Receive Governor's Award

 

 

 

The City of Troutdale received the Fitness Leadership Award at a recent League of Oregon Cities Convention in Salem, Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

Receiving the award for the city was Mayor Jim Kight from Oregon Mayor's Association President Keith Mays, mayor of Sherwood, Oregon. The award was received by two cities in Oregon, Troutdale being one of the two.  The award comes from the Oregon Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The mission is too move us closer to "healthy, physically active citizens all across our great state, " commented Trevor Hostetler in a letter to the city.

 

 

Currently Troutdale is the only city in East County that has a recreational program for children and adults.  The summer program is very popular for families. When you take a look at the activities and sports you wish you were a kid again.

 

Field trips included, Oregon Zoo, Oaks Park, OMSI Children's Museum and a trip to a working farm.They played games together, did arts and crafts, went swimming and had a good time just being a kid.  The eight week program called Camp Kaleidoscope, under the leadership of Mollie King, attracted 184 children from age's four to twelve.

 

One of the keys to the success of the program is the junior volunteers.  Many of the junior volunteers attended the recreation program when they were younger.  Collectively they volunteered 788 hours to the program.  The age of the junior leaders was from twelve to fourteen.  Mollie King, recreation manager opined "The Camp Kaleidoscope staff and myself are truly thankful for the junior leaders and interns this summer.  Their help was invaluable". 



Sandy River Bridge to Open

 

Sandy River Bridge Scheduled

To Open

Monday, September 17th, officials from Oregon Department of Transporation, Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners, Hamilton Construction Company and City of Troutdale met to tour the new I-84 eastbound Sandy River Bridge. This is part of a $92.4 million bridge replacement project, the largest in the state of Oregon.  Completion of the bridges is scheduled to be in the fall of 2014.  The tour is in preparation for the opening of the I-84 eastbound brdige which is planned for September 29th. For the next three weeks it wil remain a one way bridge.  However, in three weeks it will be converted to a two-way bridge as I-84 west bound traffic is diverted to this new bridge.  At that poin the I-84 westbound bridge will be removed and construction will begin for the westbound span.

 

 

 

Mayor Jim Kight making a presentation to officials from ODOT, Hamilton, Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners.

 

 

The new pedestrian and bicycle crossing and connecting tunnels and trail system will be completed in spring of 2013.

 

 

Officials touring the eastbound bridge prior to opening September 29, 2012.

 

 

The I-84 eastbound Sandy River Bridge is 2.5 times wider than the old bridge, including a 16-foot pedestrian path.  Both bridges have only three piers in the water while the old bridges had nine in the water. The new bridge is 840 feet long more than five times the height of the state's capitol building.

FROM SUPERFUND SITE TO EMPLOYMENT SITE

FROM SUPERFUND SITE TO

EMPLOYMENT SITE

We are all familiar with the term superfund site or Brownfield as it is euphemistically referred to.  In 1939 Alcoa built an aluminum reduction plant in Troutdale to support the U.S. government’s efforts in World War II. Reynolds Aluminum leased the plant in 1945 and purchased it a year later.  It was operational until 2002 and provided at its peak over 1,000 jobs for East County residents. Three years later the smelter and adjacent properties were declared a Superfund site by the EPA due to hazardous industrial byproducts generated over the 60 years the smelter was operational. Alcoa, Port of Portland and the City of Troutdale worked in a collaborative effort to turn this Brownfield site into a major job center for the East Multnomah County community. It is because of the major investment of over $223m in remediation and development that this property will now generate over $46m in state and local taxes, more than 3500 jobs, and $141m in personal income and finally $218m in local purchases.

 

 

TROUTDALE REYNOLDS INDUSTRAL PARK

 

Alcoa, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the City of Troutdale, acknowledged the redevelopment potential of the site and moved ahead on a plan to preserve approximately half of the property as industrial land. State grant money was found to create an economic development action plan for the area.

Early and engaged cooperation from all parties helped to move the project from the National Priorities List to Consent Decree. Just four years after the plant closed, the site was ready for redevelopment. Superfund cleanup projects typically take up to minimum of 10 years or much longer because of litigation.

The Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park (TRIP) is now home to the new regional hub for Fed Ex that serves Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Western Montana. They are fully operational with over 700 employees with expected growth of 1,000 employees within five years and a $57m payroll.

The City of Troutdale wants to thank all of the partners involved in this successful venture and look forward to additional development within the ten remaining properties adjacent to Fed Ex Ground Service.

Brewligans in Downtown Historic Troutdale

Brewligans in Downtown Histroric Troutdale

Our newest entry to the downtown business district of Troutdale is Brewligans. Owners John and Sunny Griffin have opened a storefront that provides a wide variety of specialty beers, gourmet hot dogs (all beef or vegetarian) and lots of fun.

 

The owner; John Griffin

 

John’s background is in radio and he has worked in Portland, Bend and Hawaii for a number of years. Sunny is currently is attending nursing school at Mt Hood Community College. So what is a busy young couple doing opening a new business? John has had an interest in specialty beers, brewing beer and recognized that east county was missing such a venue. What he wanted to bring to the community is “good beer”. He has five taps that are changed out for new and different beers each week. He is stocked with 87 different beers and that number will continue to increase.

John and Sunny Griffin

 

 

 

While you are eating those hot dogs and drinking your brew you can also play Atari and Nintendo on the couch. You will find the big screen behind the bar.

If you don’t happen to be a beer drinker, John has thought of you as well and he stocks many different specialty soft drinks that go with the hot dogs.

They are open 7 days a week, Sunday through Thursday noon to 8 ish and Friday and Saturday noon till 10 ish.  All ages are welcome.

If you are looking for fun and a new place to hang out give Brewligans a try.  You can also go to their website at www.brewligansbottleshop.com. They are located at 275 E. Columbia River Highway,  in Troutdale, of course.

 

The Ultimate Test

THE ULTIMATE TEST

During the course of our lifetime we will meet people who change our lives in a positive way. Maybe it’s a high school teacher, one or both of your parents, a lifetime friend or possibly an encounter with an individual that has suffered an experience no human being should have to go through.

Recently I met a man who has survived five death camps. His story is beyond remarkable and it is encapsulated in the final words of his book. “I am determined not to be bitter but better. The Germans enslaved me for three years, but I am determined not to be enslaved to anger for the rest of my life”

 

 

Alter Weiner the survivor extraordinaire.

 

Alter Weiner was liberated by the Russian Army at the age of eighteen from a work camp during World War II.  He shared his story with high school students at Reynolds High School at their “Living History Day”. He has spoken to thousands of young people in high schools and colleges throughout Oregon and Washington. His life story has changed the lives of students who were on the verge of suicide or were disenfranchised from their parents. One parent at Sandy High School called the school office and wanted to know what happened at school today.  Her daughter came home and put her arms around her and told her how much she loved her. That daughter had listened to the story of Alter and recognized how much she had in life. She also realized how much she had taken for granted. Alter lost it all: parents, siblings, his home, possessions and, most importantly, his freedom. But he still survived and more than survived, he is letting a generation that has accumulated more material wealth than any other in the history of the world know that they should take nothing for granted.

What follows is a interview with Alter Weiner, a man whose purpose and hope inspires those who need it most: our young people.

Q. Alter, give us a background of where you came from.

A. I grew up in a small town in Poland called Chrzanow. My father was a wholesale grocer. We lived in an apartment above the store where my father worked. During that time we would be considered to be an upper middle-income family. My father was very religious and would go in the morning and evening to the synagogue for worship. His faith and devotion to God became my anchor in the storm that was to be unleashed when I was 15 years old, and has carried me through to this day.

Q. What took place when you had reached the age of 15 and for the next three years?

A. By then, my father had been murdered and I was ordered to a work camp. All possessions were gone. I had three items. A striped suit without pockets, a metal bowl and a metal spoon. That was the sum total of what I had for the next three years. I never finished grade school or high school during that time. My immediate family disappeared.

At the end of my internment I weighed eighty pounds with no family, no money, no skills and no home.

Q. What do you credit as your survival during this bleak time of your life?

A. God! When I was marched to the factories to work I would pray the entire way, and when I was marched home at the end of the workday I prayed without ceasing.

I wanted to honor and model my life after my father. He was deeply religious and, in spite of circumstances, he never blamed God when things got difficult. My mother, upon returning home from being interned for 3 months, exclaimed “Don’t worry children possessions can be replaced. God will compensate us with a better livelihood. Trust the Almighty”. That was her response to coming home and finding the store had been stripped to the walls.

Q. What do you tell young people that you meet?

A. Number one, be grateful for what you have. If you have family that loves you, show your appreciation. If you have a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear and food to eat, be grateful. Take nothing for granted and be appreciative of the little things in life. There were times I never saw a blade of grass, a flower or a kind word or a touch from another person.

 

 

Alter has received over 16,000 letters from students, teachers, prisoners who have heard him speak. He has also written a book entitled, “From a Name to a Number”. You can go online to amazon.com to order the book or go to the public library. I’ll caution you that there is a waiting list for the book. A good portion of the book is made up of questions that he has received and his responses.

 

 

IBEW Local 48 Steps Up

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has once again come to the rescue in Troutdale.

It seems that when the lighting for the Centennial Arch in downtown Troutdale was designed they forgot to light the name of the city.  This of course became immediate apparent when it was dark and you couldn't see the Troutdale name on the very top of the arch.  The arch spans East Historical Columbia River Highway just east of 257th.

Soon you will see the name of the city above "Gateway to the Gorge".

Noticing this deficiency I received a call from Clif Davis, business manager (yes his name has only one "f").  He generously offered to cover the cost of the labor and materials if the city would pay for the flagging in order to direct traffic.

We applaud the IBEW local 48 for helping to put the city name "up in lights".

Thanks IBEW Local 48!

Troutdale Experiences Growth

Troutdale Experiences Growth

Troutdale is experiencing an economic vitality that is unique to the Portland Metropolitan area. The downtown storefronts that were once empty have filled up with new businesses.  Our “Troutdale’s Open for Business Plan” which has been marketed through the media we believe is one of the major attractors.

 

Audience getting ready for the Ringo Star Band at McMenamins's Edgefield

 

McMenamin’s Edgefield continues to have sell-out concerts attracting 5,000 music lovers with 18 summer concerts to choose from. Their hotel is sold out from May to September. They have purchased the county jail next to their property and will be converting it to create 115 additional guest rooms.

 

Pressure Washing interior walls Harvest Christian Church

 

Harvest Christian Church located on 257^th just south of Historic Columbia River Highway is well underway. Pastor Mike Halstead is leading out in the construction of what will be one of the largest church facilities in East County.

Troutdale Market Center

 

And the list goes on. Troutdale Market Center formerly the location of Thriftway has been purchased for redevelopment. Key Bank and Gresham Nissan have opened on Stark Street. In a challenging economy the advent of millions of dollars of investment both private and public is unequaled.  Our city has been truly blessed.

New Police Community Center Opens in Troutdale

NEW POLICE COMMUNITY CENTER OPENS IN TROUTDALE

The newest addition to the downtown community is our Troutdale Police and Community Center. This facility replaces the current police station, which was originally built as a bank branch with four employees. Currently there are 34 employees that operate out of that old bank building. Calling it inadequate would be quite the understatement!

However, the voters in Troutdale approved a bond measure that allowed construction of the current building located on Kendall Court just a block south from downtown. The city originally purchased the property several years ago in anticipation of replacing the city hall and the police station. However, the city council determined that first priority was the construction of a new police facility.

The new facility has features that will make police work much more efficient. From the outside you will notice large roll up steel doors and a sally port allowing police vehicles to drive inside the building. This is referred to as a Sally port. The purpose is to bring arrested subjects into the building to safely be placed in one of three holding cells. The accommodations in the holding area are for both adults and youths. This area has been carefully designed to protect all classes of arrestees.

On that same level is the evidence room where materials can be cataloged and processed. They also have the ability to bring a vehicle inside that has been used in committing a crime or used in some other illegal activity.

The community room has been carefully designed to provide multiple services. Meetings involving neighborhood watch, code enforcement and educational classes for the public will take place. Police officers from other agencies along with our officers will conduct training exercises. This room can also serve as an Incident Command Post should the need arise.

 

 

Dan Reef with Triplett Wellman adds polishing touch to Troutdale
Police Medallion at the main entrance.

 

 The second level will house locker rooms and clean-up areas for officers. The command center of the department will have separate work spaces as well. Detectives will finally have enough room to work to make their job much easier.

When the construction team visited other communities’ police stations they heard from every chief in those communities that they had not planned for enough storage. We have learned from others that storage on site is critical for efficient operations. There is adequate storage for evidence and documentation and other tools that are critical to police work.

At this same facility we have an investigator for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. If there is a complaint locally the investigator can respond quickly. Otherwise we would have to call in an investigator from The Dalles. There is some cost recovery from the OLCC for this accommodation.

Every attention to detail from the construction team has been carefully scrutinized. Police Chief Scott Anderson, Lieutenant Joel Wendland will finally be able to get some rest after spending countless hours totally immersed in this project. The building has been constructed for current and future needs and hopefully will serve our city well for decades to come.

 

 

 

Mike Goss, the chairman of the Police Advisory Safety Committee, commented “in a difficult economy, when most bond measures failed, we all said, YES.”  It’s our community’s way of paying it back to our police department. It’s also our way of paying it forward for all the services we will receive from this facility, for the rest of the century.”

Government first priority to the citizenry is to make sure we live in a safe community. This facility will help to accomplish that goal for generations to come. We want to thank the voters and residents of Troutdale for their support.  The morale in the department is very high as a result. From the chief comes an invitation to come and visit the community center and help your officers to continue to make Troutdale a most livable city. An engaged community is a safe community.

Troutdale Receives Fitness Leadership Award

Downtown Troutdale Receives New Black "Carpet"

 

Downtown Troutdale Receives New Black "Carpet"

 

The asphalt layers of Multnomah County Transportation Division are currently prepping the Historic downtown streets of Troutdale.  Soon the downtown streets will receive a new layer of asphalt and stripping.  This is all part of a $500,000 overlay project for Multnomah County.  The historic downtown Troutdale is one of the five projects slated by the county during this construction season.

 

 

 

 

 

The preparation work started in late July and will continue until the 10th of September. The final coat of asphalt will be laid the third week of September.  There was a delay in the final coat being applied in order to accommodate the downtown merchants so that it would be less disruptive to their businesses.

 

 

The project will use 500 cubic yards of asphalt or over 1,000 tons of paving material.  The final overlay will be 1 1/2 inches deep and stretch approximately 2,000 feet through the downtown section from curb to curb. 

 

While there are some disruptions in traffic flow, we all look forward to riding on that smooth, clean black "carpet".



Electric Roof Offers Financial Jolt

Tube Specialties produces products for Daimler, the parent company for Freightliner Trucks and other heavy truck industry manufacturers.  This family operated business started at their Troutdale location in 1996 and also has another location in North Carolina.  Both facilities have 212,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space.  In addition to servicing Freightliner Corporation, they also make products for the construction industry and parts for agricultural equipment. Established in 1963 by their father, Mark and Gary Weyhrich are the two brothers currently active in the business.

Tube Specialities, Troutdale, Oregon

 

Each of their two plants has 150 employees providing family wage jobs.  In order to survive in the current economy they have strived to provide economies within their business to maintain those jobs. Among the concepts was the idea of utilizing the solar roof panels to offset the cost of their utilities.

Duro-Last roofing, in conjunction with Solar Nation and Competitive Commercial Roofing, replaced the entire roof of Tube Specialties Troutdale facility with a prefabricated membrane. The roofing is customized for each specific application because it is designed to have solar panels anchored to the roofing material.  All the work is done in the factory located in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is guaranteed for 25 years, plus a 15 year guarantee on the contents of the building in case the roof leaks. 

The roof is designed to last as long as the solar panels that are embedded in the membrane of the roof. This Duro-Last roof is designed to reflect 85% of the sun’s rays. This makes it the highest reflective material in the commercial roofing industry. They are unique in that they make everything within their plant including the fasteners, edge detail, plates, and screws.  Nothing is outsourced.  They have four plants within the United States and they are family owned. This company received the 2009 Oregon Sustainability Award from the governor’s office.

One of the final pieces, and the one earning Tube Specialties a return on the investment (ROI) of their new roof, is the application of solar panels generating electricity on their roof.  Solar Nation is a local Gresham company that not only provides the solar panels, but the design, engineering and financial model and the complete electrical installation. Solar Nation has built their business model on the concept of having the business owner come to them for a turnkey installation. The business owner initially has to finance the project, but 95% of the investment is financially reimbursed through the Business Energy Tax Credit, Federal Investment Tax credit or grant, and finally the Energy Trust of Oregon.  So after installation the business owner is out of pocket 1-5% for the total project.  The projected ROI is expected to be five years generating many tens of thousands of dollars in energy cost savings over the life the solar panels and roofing material.

You might question that the weather in Oregon is not conducive to generating electricity from solar panels.  Cooler climates are actually better suited to generating electricity then hot climates and that is because in very hot climates, the solar panels are designed to shut down if the sun is too intense.  Our weather mirrors the same characteristics of Germany and this year alone they are building five gigawatts of electricity (one billion watts of electricity) which is equivalent to the production of five nuclear power plants.  Like Germany, Oregon is one of the leading states in providing incentives for energy independence for our businesses.

Each of the companies providing the products, engineering, design and installation are experiencing explosive growth in their businesses.  Each business shared with me that they are hiring additional people to handle the increased customer demand for their solar products. They are providing the state of the art technology that can be delivered to a business offsetting their cost of providing electricity for their operation.  Those companies that survive this economy will do so because they taken the bold steps needed to provide efficiencies and creative sources of income for their companies.  After all, not long ago who would have ever thought your roof could generate money for your business.

 

Troutdale's Featured Business-Ristorante DiPompello, a Restaurant With a Heart

 

A grandmother's love for her grandson is responsible for the wonderful Italian restaurant we all enjoy located on our main street in historic downtown Troutdale.

 

As a little boy and later as a young teenager, Saul Pompeyo learned to cook from the hands of his paternal grandmother.  Each summer Saul's family would travel 2,000 miles from Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula to stay the summer at grandmother's house.  Guests were a common occurrence and grandmother enjoyed entertaining. At her side was her grandson who learned from the best of the best.

 

Ristorante DiPompello is owned and operated by Saul and Ruby Pompeyo.  They have achieved their dream of having their own family Italian restaurant.  As a memorial to his grandparents, the original Italian family name, DiPompello, hangs over the marquee at the entrance. Parents of two small girls Sophia 2 1/2 and Daniela 9, they work seven days a week to create a wonderful epicurean delight.  Ruby makes the homemade sauces every day and helps out part time with the cooking.

 

Saul has an extensive background in operating all phases of a restaurant.  After all, he grew up in an Italian restaurant operated by his father in Mexico City.  It provided for the family until the earthquake in 1985, which destroyed the family business.  He continued with his career until 1998, when he was recruited to manage a downtown Portland restaurant.

 

Afterwards, he opened several new restaurants then decided the time had come to take the challenge of opening his own restaurant.  He chose Troutale because he likes the small town flavor of the community.  He wants to know his customers as his friends.  Because making friends is so important to him, he stresses food quality with every meal that is prepared.  "We want to know everybody and have a relationship with our customers and provide the best food we possibly can" Saul comments.

 

He must be doing something right because the restaurant is always full at lunchtime and the business has doubled since last year. They have expanded from three employees to nine this year alone.  Maybe their success is in part due to Saul's own version of the Stimulus Package.  This special runs from Sunday to Thursday where two people can have a full dinner including appetizer, choice of two salads or soups and your choice of two pastas and a dessert all for $22.00. During his popular lunchtime they have over 20 different pasta dishes for $7.50, which includes a salad or soup.  If you are on the run they have a dozen sandwiches to choose from.

 

They receive rave reviews from their loyal customers.  Bill Flynn and his family are frequent customers.  Bill stated,"we always bring our out of town guests to Saul's restaurant for dinning and good conversation."

 

Due to the popularity of Ristorante DiPompello, Saul has expanded to the upper floor for overflow and to serve banquets.

 

My suggestion is to give the cook in your house a break and come and have a great meal at very reasonable prices.

 

You will find Ristorante DiPompello in Historic Downtown Troutdale, 177 East Columbia River Highway.

 

Bon appetit!

 

Ristorante DiPompello open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out their 60 foot mural painted by a local Troutdale artist Roberto Herrera, who is an Italian from Argentina,  The mural depicts the city of Pompeii, Italy.

 

Saul Pompeyo, your host.





Alaska Airlines "Honor Flight"

 

Patient has it's virtue.  Nothing could be truer as in the case of Alaska Airlines. It took them 10 years but through Congressional action they  now have a direct flight from Portland International to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

 

A reception celebrating this achievement took place last evening (August 27, 2012) in downtown Portland. Hundreds of guests were invited for this milestone event. Brad Tilden, Chief Executive Officer of Alaska/Horizon was the key-note speaker along with Bill Wyatt of the Port of Portland, and Congressmen Kurt Schrader and Bill Wyatt.

 

The most interesting part of the evening was the introduction of several couples, husband and wives of World War II veterans.  Many of these unions have survived over several decades. One marriage in particular has lasted for 70 years.  They will be part of the group taking the inaugural flight back to Washington D.C. to view the World War II memorial and other sites in the city courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

 

Alaska Airlines has over 100 flights a day leaving PDX.  They serve 2.5 million passengers a year and are the largest carrier for our Portland airport.

 

As a footnote:

 

Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska,  has access to a private plane and remarked about the convenience of using our Troutdale Airport.  At the entrance to the reception was Captain Rick who learned how to fly from Troutdale Airport. Both of them commented how much the city and in particular our downtown has improved.

Mayor Jim Kight with CEO of Alaska Airlines Brad Tilden and Suzanne Waldrop Alaska Airline
employee

Our master of ceremonies for the Alaska Airlines event
Bill Wyatt, Executive Director Port of Portland

 

The Kids Had a Good Time

 

If it isn't too long ago you can remember what is was like being a kid in the summer. Mom and dad were always looking ways to keep you busy.  Maybe you worked around the house or went to the fields to pick berries.  More than likely you played with the neighbor kids or went swimming.

 

Today children have many activities to choose from that didn't exist in the past. Troutdale as an example has the only recreation program for children in East County. It is managed by our ever capable Mollie King. Now that the summer is coming to a close she provided a report on the summer program. When you look at the activities and sports you wish you were a kid again.

 

Field trips this year included the Oregon Zoo, Oaks Park, OMSI Children's Museum, Bullwinkle's, and a trip to a working farm. They played games together, did arts and crafts went swimming and just had a good time being a kid. The eight week program attracted 184 children from age's four to twelve.

 

One of the keys to the success of the program is the junior leaders.  Many of the junior volunteers attended the recreation program when they were younger. Collectively they volunteered 788 hours to the program. The age of the junior leaders was from twelve to fourteen. From the recreation manager, Mollie King, "The Camp Kaleidoscope staff and myself are truly thankful for the junior leaders and intern this summer. Their help was invaluable." Mollie also commented that she appreciated the dedication on the part of the parents of the junior leaders. They made sure they were at the camp daily and on time.

 

Next year if you are looking for a good positive outlet for your children consider our recreation program. They will have an experience that will last a lifetime.



Troutdale Happenings Featured on Comcast

Troutdale happenings were featured on TV, on Comcast Newsmakers with Ken Ackerman. I had the opportunity to present some of the best attributes of Troutdale to a regional audience.

Design Under-way On Interstate 84 Troutdale Interchange (Marine Drive)

The Oregon Department of Transportation has begun designing a project that will improve the Marine Derive/257th Avenue interchange on Interstate 84 in Troutdale at exit 17. Construction is expected to start in spring of 2014.

The project will include:

Widening of  Marine Drive between the two frontage roads to allow for two-way traffic. so vehicles exiting I-84 eastbound can turn directly on to Marine Drive instead of traveling all the way around on the frontage roads.

Replace the existing I-84 overpass bridges at Marine Drive with a new bridge that is longer to accommodate the widening of Marine Drive and to allow for the passage of taller vehicles (up to 17 fee, 4 inches)

The two Marine Drive intersections at the frontage roads also will be improved to meet current design standards.  The existing fee-flow right turn lane from the north Frontage Road onto Marine Drive will be moved closer to the intersection to increase drivers' visibility as they first yield and then merge with the new northbound traffic on Marine Drive.  Drivers on the north Frontage Road will also be given more space to merge into their desired lane.

Provide a longer left turn lane on the north Frontage Road for vehicles turning south onto Marine Drive.

Add bike lanes in both directions on Marine Drive under I-84

Add sidewalk on the west side of Marine Drive under I-84

These improvements will enhance operations and safety at this interchange and help improve freight access between I-84 and the industrial properties to the north namely Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park (TRIP).

Exit 17 before the third lane was added. The new Marine Drive improvements are to the right of this photograph.

Adding the third lane has eliminated the stacking on the freeway that was common with this exit.

\

This is exit 17 which has been changed to three lanes.

There is no more stacking on the freeway as a result

of this improvement.

This is Marine Drive heading south. It will be changed to

allow two-way traffic as you exit the freeway at exit 17.



Union Pacific Railroad: Shaping America for 150 years

 

We didn't have any difficulty spotting the Union Pacific train painted in Armour yellow with the bright signal red strip on the bottom. As you were directed on the Anniversary Special of Union Pacific at the Hoyt Street train station, we were impressed how attractive the train was. This train will travel throughout the twenty-three states that the company services.

 

Our host for this reception celebrating the 150 years of service to our country was Robert Turner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations. The train serves as Bob's home. His personal sleeping car was built in 1914. The Honduras mahogany paneling that surround his sleeping quarters speaks of a by-gone era when trains were the chief mode of transportation. The day quarters of the same car has elegant appointments throughout and  gas light fixtures that have been converted to electricity. Built into a cabinet is a television set that rises out of the base with the push of a button.  It seems oddly out of place, but a reminder that this is a working office with computers, and the like.

 

What follows is an interview with Robert, who is well versed in sharing the Union Pacific story.

 

Q. Bob, tell us  how Union Pacific Railroad was started.

 

A.  We attribute our beginnings with President Abraham Lincoln who, in July 1, 1862, signed the Pacific Railway Act. From that single act on the part of  President Lincoln we have grown to serve a majority of the United States with 8000 locomotives and 44,000 employees.  We are the fifth oldest Fortune 500 Company on the New York Stock exchange.

 

Q.  In a snap-shot what is Union Pacific doing today?

 

A.  At any given time throughout the day we have 140 trains a day going through the state of Nebraska.  Our headquarters is Omaha and is where the original Continental line began.  Throughout the 32,000 route miles we have 1,200 trains operating during a 24 hour period.  We move goods that keep America alive.  Literally every part of this nation's survival depends on the moving of products like food, oil, gasoline, chemicals, trucks and automobiles and a thousand other items.  In the process we save energy doing it.

 

Q.  How  efficient is moving freight on the railroad?

 

A.  We can move 1 ton of freight 500 miles on one gallon of diesel. A single freight train can take 300 trucks off of our crowded highways and freeways.  There is no doubt about the fact that trains are the most efficient means of moving large volumes of freight.  Manufacturers and shippers recognize that fact and as a result our business continues to grow.

 

Q.  What kind of growth do you see for Union Pacific?

 

A.  This year alone we will invest in purchasing 100 locomotives at a purchase price of $2.5 million each unit.  That is a real job creator at General Electric and Caterpillar which manufactures our locomotives From the year 2000 to 2011 we invested $31 billion in upgrading equipment and infrastructure to better serve our customers and provided thousands of jobs for the nation.

 

Q.  What do you see for the future of your railroad?

 

A.  We will continue to grow in order to accommodate the demands of our country.  Currently, besides purchasing new locomotives, we are building new rail cars because of the increased orders.  In part we see a change in manufacturing returning to America from foreign markets.  This is a complete turnaround from what we have experienced in the past as manufacturers were seeking a cheaper labor force to the south and overseas.  If this trend continues it will only help to strengthen our country and the railroad will continue to see prosperous times.

 

As a footnote Troutdale has twenty-seven trains on average day pass through our city.  There is also a railroad bridge traversing the Sandy River.

 

Standing is Brock Nelson and with the microphone Robert Turner both with Union Pacific Railroad.