New Mayor Has Harsh Words for Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement

Michael Mehaffy shares news of statements by Portland's newly inaugurated mayor, Ted Wheeler, with regard to the city's embattled Office of Neighborhood Involvement, or ONI.

According to a "pop quiz" posted by the Willamette Weekly, the mayor believes ONI is one of the two most corrupt bureaus in the city (along with the Police Bureau).

That statement criticizing the city bureau designed to ensure civic engagement in a city that prides itself on community involvement did not come out of the blue. A city audit announced in November found "a trifecta of problems inside Portland's office promoting neighborhoods and civic engagement, including poor oversight, unequal funding and unfinished plans," according to The Oregonian reporter Brad Schmidt.