July 30, 2025

Learning to work together

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Jacq Tjaden, left, and Portland City Councilor Dan Ryan dig deep during a dragon boat practice last week. Some city politicians who’ve battled in budget meetings have found a way to work together, seeing how their ability to row together on a dragon boat team could help them navigate choppy waters in City Hall.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

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Portland City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane, left, talks with Jacq Tjaden, following practice.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

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Portland City Councilors and staff, including Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane, left, Councilor Eric Zimmerman, second from right, Councilor Sameer Kanal, right, at dragon boat practice last week.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

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(Left to right) Shaniqua Henry-Davis (advisor to Councilor Kanal), Kezia Wanner (Chief of Staff to Councilor Ryan), Christopher Van Velden (communications director for Councilor Zimmerman), Jamey Evenstar (Councilor Candace Avalos' Chief of Staff), and Councilor Sameer Kanal at practice last week.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

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Portland City Councilor Eric Zimmerman, left, and staff members supporting other city council members give a cheer after dragon boat practice on the Willamette River in Portland, May 29, 2025. Council members and staff have formed a dragon boat team.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

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The group was practicing for the city’s annual dragon boat race, which takes place this weekend. It’s a competition, based on a historic Chinese tradition, where more than 80 teams compete to see who can row 500 meters across the river the fastest.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

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