|
News Home | Project Spotlight | Press Archive | Network eNewsletter
Hello Oregon Solutions Network:
We are celebrating five years of serving Oregon's communities in collaborative projects. Our portfolio of projects is diverse -- encompassing 30 sustainability projects across the state. Our success is due to the participation of leaders and visionaries that understand the value of collaboration.
We thank the conveners of all our projects for their commitment to public, private, nonprofit, and civic engagement to solve problems in communities. This month we highlight former state senator and Superintendent of Public Schools Verne Duncan for his leadership in the Willamette Falls Locks project.
Thanks,
Greg Wolf, Director
Oregon Solutions
 Convener of the Month, Verne Duncan
Governor Kulongoski designated the effort to keep the Willamette Falls Locks open and operating as an Oregon Solutions project in 2005 and appointed Verne Duncan, former Superintendent of Schools as the project convener.
Verne worked with Oregon Solutions staff to bring stakeholders and partners together to find a solution and by May 2006 this diverse team of 16 public, private and nonprofit partners raised $425,000 to keep the Locks open for the 2006 and 2007 boating seasons, providing sufficient time to develop a more sustainable solution to the problem.
During his public service career Verne Duncan established a reputation for integrity and an ability to work with all parties to reach constructive solutions; traits that served him well as an Oregon Solutions convener.
"Governor Kulongoski chose the right person to lead our team. His leadership has been the key to finding an integrated solution for the Willamette Falls Locks. We thank him for his support." --Oregon City Mayor Alice Norris
"I am pleased to have been a part of this very successful project. The Oregon Solutions Community Governance System is a unique catalyst for bringing public, private, and civic resources together to solve problems. Without Oregon Solutions, I'm not sure we could have achieved the same level of success within our timeframe." --Convener Verne Duncan
|
