WINNERS 1. Good news for county contract workers: Multnomah County Chair Beverly Stein drafted a resolution last week setting a wage and benefit floor of $9 for low-wage county workers, such as custodians, security guards, food-service workers and temporary clericals, who have been agitating for increased pay standards since January. The county is expected to pass the resolution next month. The proposed wage is a compromise on activists' demands for an $8-an-hour wage floor and $1.25 an hour toward health benefits. 2. Holy cow! More than a year ago City Commish Jim Francesconi started pushing the idea that if the city gave money to Portland schools, it ought to require an audit. Sticking to his proposal like that lucky Cubs fan clutched Sammy Sosa's 62nd homer, Francesconi was rewarded last week when the audit was completed, recommending 230 ways the schools could improve. 3. Toxic watchdogs got some compelling evidence for their cause this week when OSPIRG released a study based on industry data showing that the Columbia River was spiked with more cancer-causing chemicals than any other river in the country. That study should bolster support for legislation which would strengthen reporting requirements on the use of toxic chemicals.

LOSERS 1. Pi purists will have to suffer an imperfection permanently sketched in stone. The mathematical equation is part of the public art displayed in new Washington Park light-rail station. Unfortunately, the artist got the numbers wrong after the 11th decimal point. Tri-Met officials conceded last week that the error will stay, despite the artist's wish to make a perfect pi. 2. The 200 members of the U of O marching band may be reticent to give thanks this November, and for good reason. It turns out not enough people were giving. Because the band couldn't raise the $250,000 it needed to head to New York for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, it was forced to decline the invitation, which was extended to just 12 bands this year. 3. Who says you can't lose them all? In an impressively dismal performance, each of the Portland Interscholastic Athletic League's 10 high-school football teams lost non-conference games last week. Luckily the teams get to play each other for the rest of the season, ensuring that at least one of them will wind up with a winning record.

 

originally published September 16, 1998