Rewind

• Save the Date: Happy New (Fiscal) Year Party is July 19
• ELGL in the Lake Oswego Review
• First 90 Days Q&A Summary
• 04.27.12 Knope(s) of the Week
• 04.29.12 The Sunday Post
• RSVP for ELGL Forum with Patrick Quinton, PDC Executive Director

Participate

RSVP for ELGL Forum with Patrick Quinton, PDC Executive Director - The rescheduled ELGL forum featuring Patrick Quinton, the Executive Director for the Portland Development Commission, is fast approaching. Mr. Quinton will be speaking on economic development issues in the Portland area. The luncheon will be May 2, 2012 from 11:45 AM-1:15 PM at 1900 SW 4th Ave., Room 2500 A. Space will be limited so please RSVP no later than April 30, 2012 to jessicastruyk@gmail.com with your lunch preference.

Hillsboro Parks and Recreation - City holding information session for the public to learn more and provide input on the city’s opportunity to build a professional baseball stadium – 6 pm May 7 at parks admin office (4400 NW 229th Ave).

Spotlight

Re-examining tax system a start to fixing the city of Salem’s budget - The City Council will try to minimize the damage, but it has few ready options. Using volunteers to replace staff, pay and benefit reductions to save jobs, and fees for security in downtown garages are stopgaps that leave the city’s basic situation unchanged. Salem long has used volunteers, while furloughs and benefit cuts don’t address the underlying issue, which is a broken tax system.

Apple’s Tax Strategy Aims at Low-Tax States and Nations - Apple serves as a window on how technology giants have taken advantage of tax codes written for an industrial age and ill-suited to today’s digital economy.

Wal-Mart’s U.S. Expansion Plans Complicated by Bribery Scandal - Wal-Mart has worked hard in recent years to polish its reputation and give elected officials, community groups and shoppers a reason to say yes to their stores, especially as it pushes aggressively into big — and historically hostile — cities. Now, the revelation of a bribery scandal involving the retailer’s Mexican subsidiary is giving critics a new reason to say no.

Vancouver Fire Department goes under microscope - Panel will look for ways to improve how it delivers services; levy or bond could result.

Career

Has the long-anticipated retirement tsunami finally started? Figures released earlier this month by the Office of Personnel Management seem to suggest that the giant wave of baby boomers leaving federal service may be starting to build.

I can’t find qualified employees - Although millions are unemployed, some small business owners are having a hard time finding employees with specialized skills.

You Can Prevent Silo Thinking – Management Tip of the Day

Inside the UGB

• Battle over light rail continues
• Portland mayor, city commissioner candidates answer family-oriented questions: Omamas voter guide

Outside the UGB

• Recall petitions certified
• City budget work delayed
• Former city manager Cooper takes CFO job with Florida company
• Kenmore city manager appoints Overleese as city engineer
• Heated email exchange precedes Port Angeles city manager’s exit
• In lieu of taxes, Congress should pay real value to fund rural timber counties
• Clark County looks to spur business development
• Eugene worker to be boss at LCOG

Social Network

Interest in Pinterest Reaches a Fever Pitch [INFOGRAPHIC] - Could Pinterest be the silver bullet for retailers on social media? This infographic explains why Pinterest users are such good consumers.

5 starter steps for Twitter newbies: Can You Tweet Your Way to Your Next Job? 5 easy steps to showcase your expertise and get in front of recruiters and hiring managers.

Stay connected by following these feeds.

Facebook:  The Participatory Budgeting Project, Streetsblog, City Parks Alliance

Twitter: Civic Commons, City Limits Magazine, United We Serve

Pinterest: UNICEF, West Seattle Blog

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