PORTLAND — The city has hired two men to assist in efforts to combat obesity.
Pete O’Donnell, a registered nurse and a former mayor and city councilor, is the program coordinator of Healthy Portland, a program of the city’s Public Health Division. Bruce Hyman, who has worked as lead planner and project manger for trail projects, has been hired as bicycle and pedestrian program coordinator in the city’s Department of Public Services.They will be working to improve nutrition, encourage residents to be more active and make it easier to walk and bike in the city.
O’Donnell will work on a statewide educational campaign for a new menu labeling law the calls for fast-food restaurants to post nutritional information about the items served. He will also promote voluntary labeling among local restaurants.
Hyman will develop policies to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and infrastructure and work with local partners to encourage walking and cycling.
The city received a $1.8 million Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant funded through the federal stimulus package. Both positions are funded through the grant.
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