Julia Brim-Edwards Explained

Julia Brim-Edwards
Office:Multnomah County Commissioner from the 1st District
Term Start:June 12, 2023[1]
Predecessor:Jessica Vega Pederson
Constituency:3rd district
Birth Date:5 September 1961
Spouse:Randall Edwards[2]
Children:3
Education:Oregon State University (BA)
Birth Name:Julia Ann Brim

Julia Ann Brim-Edwards (born September 5, 1961) is an American businesswoman and politician. She has served as a county commissioner for Multnomah County, Oregon since June 12, 2023,[1] representing district 3. She has also served on the Portland Public Schools Board of Education since 2017, where she previously served as board chair from 2001 to 2005.[3] In 2016 she was appointed to the Oregon State University Board of Trustees.[2] Prior to 2022 Brim-Edwards worked as a senior director at Nike.[4]

Early life and education

Brim-Edwards grew up in Mt Tabor and attended Glencoe Elementary and Washington-Monroe High School.[3] She played six sports as a high school athlete and was inducted into the Portland Interscholastic League Hall of Fame in 2015.[3]

Career

Portland Public School Board

On September 5, 2023, the school board unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Brim-Edwards to take control of the Grant High School field and expedite repairs to its damaged artificial turf.[5] The field, owned by the Portland parks bureau, had been abruptly closed just days before the start of the school year, prompting significant criticism from parents.[5]

Multnomah County Commissioner

In July 2023 Brim-Edwards opposed a plan by the county health department to distribute tin foil and straws to fentanyl users, stating "there is no compelling evidence that it is comparable to safe needle exchanges or that the county currently has capacity to connect individuals to treatment who want it".[6] The plan was suspended by chair Jessica Vega Pederson three days after it was first reported.[7]

In September 2023 Brim-Edwards criticized a decision to replace the county's former sobering center, which closed in 2020, with a stabilization center intended for longer-term treatment.[8] Unlike the previous center, which accepted drop offs from first responders and was often described as a "drunk tank", the replacement would provide 30–60 days of transitional housing and stabilization treatment for patients leaving other sobering programs.[8] Brim-Edwards emphasized the need for a new crisis treatment center, arguing that the original sobering center had seen over 5,000 patients during its final year in 2019.[8]

On May 21, 2024, Brim-Edwards won reelection with 76% of the vote.[9]

Personal life

Brim-Edwards and her husband, Randall Edwards, raised their three children in Southeast Portland where they both volunteer in the classroom and in school athletics.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Julia Brim-Edwards sworn in as District 3 Commissioner . June 14, 2023 . August 7, 2023 . June 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230614215131/https://www.multco.us/multnomah-county/news/julia-brim-edwards-sworn-district-3-commissioner . live .
  2. Web site: Julia Brim-Edwards . June 8, 2023 . August 7, 2023 . July 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702040315/https://www.multco.us/commissioner-brim-edwards . live .
  3. Web site: Board of Education / Julia Brim-Edwards . August 7, 2023 . March 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306024227/https://www.pps.net/Page/1825 . live .
  4. News: Jaquiss. Nigel. February 16, 2023. Julia Brim-Edwards Officially Enters Race for County Commission. Wilammette Week. August 6, 2023. March 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322121642/https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/02/16/julia-brim-edwards-officially-enters-race-for-county-commmission/. live.
  5. News: Lucas. Manfield. July 10, 2023. Two County Commissioners Demand Health Department Delay Plans to Distribute Foil to Fentanyl Smokers. live. Willamette Week. https://web.archive.org/web/20230728030914/https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/07/10/two-county-commissioners-demand-health-department-delay-plans-to-distribute-foil-to-fentanyl-smokers/. July 28, 2023. October 1, 2023.
  6. News: Lucas. Manfield. July 10, 2023. Two County Commissioners Demand Health Department Delay Plans to Distribute Foil to Fentanyl Smokers. live. Willamette Week. https://web.archive.org/web/20230728030914/https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/07/10/two-county-commissioners-demand-health-department-delay-plans-to-distribute-foil-to-fentanyl-smokers/. July 28, 2023. October 1, 2023.
  7. News: Manfield. Lucas. July 10, 2023. Multnomah County Reverses Plans to Distribute Foil to Fentanyl Smokers. live. Willamette Week. https://web.archive.org/web/20230728030943/https://www.wweek.com/news/2023/07/10/multnomah-county-reverses-plans-to-distribute-tin-foil-to-fentanyl-smokers/. July 28, 2023. October 1, 2023.
  8. News: Parfitt. Jamie. Dooris. Pat. September 27, 2023. Some Multnomah County commissioners displeased with proposed replacement for Portland's long-shuttered sobering center. live. KGW. https://web.archive.org/web/20231002012428/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/multnomah-county-bhecn-sobering-center-crisis-commissioners-proposal/283-dc92fd2e-e3a9-4e3e-8c44-0be331aad819. October 2, 2023. October 1, 2023.
  9. News: Auden Land. Joni. May 22, 2024. Multnomah County Commission races: Brim-Edwards secures reelection, while Sam Adams vies for runoff spot. Oregon Public Broadcasting. June 20, 2024.