OP-ED: Opening doors to long-term relationships
Merit-shop contractors are passionate about training and developing a highly skilled workforce. I’ve used this space to talk about that quite a bit over the past several months. The […]
OP-ED: Stay away from these three stocks
Dear Mr. Berko: We have been with our broker, who may be getting long in the tooth, since October 2008. Our original $525,000 investment, from which we take $1,200 […]
OP-ED: Marijuana is legal in Washington; now what?
The day has finally come. As of July 8, people in Washington state can legally purchase small amounts of marijuana and smoke pot privately without fear of criminal repercussions […]
OP-ED: Prospect Capital’s prospects aren’t bad
Dear Mr. Berko: In June 2010, you advised me to buy 2,000 shares of Prospect Capital, which paid 13.3 percent, at $10.47 for “speculative income,” and I did. Well, […]
OP-ED: Oregon Supreme Court to decide water rights case
This past winter, in WaterWatch of Oregon v. Water Resources Department, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed and remanded an Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) order granting a municipal […]
OP-ED: Hungry to buy some cheap stocks
Dear Mr. Berko: I purchased 2,000 shares of Synovus Financial in January 2012 at $1.49 on your recommendation. I now have 287 shares at $24 and a nice profit […]
OP-ED: Tenants-in-common must beware of predatory wolves
Predatory companies are flooding the tenant-in-common industry.
OP-ED: Taking on NIMBY and the agents of CAVE
Battling NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) and the agents of CAVE (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) can appear a daunting task more suited to comic book heroes than developers. But taking on these forces ahead of a project can reap rewards for those who know how to present their development well.
OP-ED: Be safe and hire a trustworthy money manager
Dear Mr. Berko: I like your column because it also makes me laugh, but one big criticism I have is that you never follow up to advise people when […]
OP-ED: Medical information requests can be tricky
Banu Ramachandran says employers can lawfully ask employees about medical information for a variety of reasons, including to accommodate a disability or to provide required leave.
BLOG: How do we revitalize east Portland?
I have written generally before about the opportunities for change presented by ongoing planning projects in east Portland, and now things are really starting to come into sharper focus as […]
OP-ED: The power of asking a good question
An employee walks into your office with a problem. He outlines the challenges and obstacles he is facing on his project and asks for your advice. If you are […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization — the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion







