Tuesday, December 21, 2010

'TIS THE SEASON FOR SCAMS

From Attorney General John Kroger:

Many con artists take advantage of the hectic holiday season. Regardless of how you celebrate, Attorney General John Kroger urges Oregonians to be alert for opportunistic scam artists. The Oregon Department of Justice has received complaints about some of the following holiday scams:

Delivery Confirmation Scams. Victims receive a very convincing email stating that a package could not be delivered and instructing the recipient to open and print an attached claim form. The attachment is actually malware - a virus that sends your personal information to identity thieves. DHL, UPS and other delivery services may send email notification that a package was not delivered, but rarely include attachments. Con artists also send malware that appears to be a holiday e-card.

Free iPad Pop-up Ads. Shoppers should be cautious of products like iPads or gift cards offered for free or at prices far below competitors'. A recent scam using Facebook offered $1,000 gift cards to the first 20,000 people to complete a series of quizzes. Websites, quizzes and pop-up ads that offer free products are often created to steal credit card and personal information, by either installing malware or simply asking for it. Victims will not receive the product, but may have a few surprises "pop-up" on their credit card or bank account statement.

Lampooned Holiday Vacations. If you have ever tried booking a last minute getaway during peak travel times, you know availability can be sparse and prices expensive. Be wary of holiday rentals that seem too good to be true. Cyber-thieves post fake vacation rentals and ask for down payments by credit card or wire transfer, leaving would-be vacationers stranded with a different kind of memorable experience.

Whether you are braving holiday travel, looking for those last-minute deals online, or planning the perfect New Years' getaway, Attorney General Kroger offers the following advice:

· Do not open suspicious email attachments. If you think it may be a legitimate delivery confirmation email but are unsure, call the delivery company or try to track the package online.

· Avoid the lure of pop-up ads and cheap vacation rentals. Never give personal information unless through a secure site.

· As always, be mindful of free wi-fi in places like hotels and airports. Thieves use unsecured networks to hack into your computer and steal information.

· Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus software.

· If you suspect a virus or malware is lurking on your computer, stop shopping, banking, and other online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other sensitive information.

· Use your antivirus software to perform a scan and delete flagged items.

· For more on what to do in an e-mergency see: www.onguardonline.gov.

Attorney General John Kroger and the Oregon Department of Justice are committed to protecting Oregon's marketplace and keeping the Grinch from ruining your cheer.

If you or someone you know has been scrooged, please call the Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Winter Message from our House Rep. Tina Kotek

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. I am honored to have been re-elected to serve you for two more years. Thank you.

With the campaigns behind us, my colleagues and I are focused on preparing for next year's legislative session. As you may have learned by now, the election left the incoming Oregon House of Representatives tied with 30 Democrats and 30 Republicans. Oregon's Constitution does not provide rules for this situation, so a bipartisan negotiating team has been meeting to create a shared governance model that will allow us to get the business of the people completed in the four-month time frame we have set for ourselves.

The Legislature's job is to balance Oregon's budget - projected to have a $3.5 billion hole - while protecting Oregon's most vulnerable and the vital services we all depend on. This challenge will test us and the state. We must also create jobs and help the state's economic recovery. I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to find solutions to our shared challenges.

Save the Date! Join Me for Coffee and Conversation on January 8th

Coffee and Conversation with Rep. Kotek
Saturday, January 8, 2011
9:30 a.m. to 11:30
Arbor Lodge New Seasons Market (Deli Seating Area)
6400 North Interstate Avenue

I hope you'll join me and your neighbors on Saturday, January 8th to talk about the upcoming legislative session and other important issues. We will meet in the deli seating area of the Arbor Lodge New Seasons Market from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Legislature will convene the following Monday, so we'll have a timely conversation. So, please mark your calendars and join the conversation in the new year!

Preventing Foreclosure- Funds Available!

The Hardest Hit funds Oregon received from the federal government to help homeowners avoid foreclosure are now available. The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative starts its first program this Friday, December 10th. The Mortgage Payment Assistance program will help 5,000 unemployed or financially distressed homeowners in Oregon pay their mortgage for up to one year. You can fill out the application and learn more at the Oregon Homeowner Help website.

Bill Ideas in the Works

While the main focus of the legislative session will be passing budgets and protecting essential services, I am nonetheless working on a few pieces of legislation in response to constituent concerns. They include addressing public safety concerns at problem bars and taverns, protecting manufactured home community residents from unfair costs, and removing barriers for people with criminal histories from applying to work for the state. Here's an update on the first issue:

I have heard from many of you since I was first elected that we need to do more to curb problems that arise when local bars have repeat noise and violent offenses. Currently, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) can't do much to stop them unless the problem location meets a very high threshold of "serious and persistent" incidents. Over the past year, I have worked with Senator Jackie Dingfelder (NE Portland), the City of Portland, and others to revisit this issue once again. Our legislative package this year will seek to provide:

* Better upfront protections against problems, such as more efficient guidelines for who cannot get licensed by the OLCC so we can stop problems with poor ownership before they begin;
* Enhanced ability to confront licensees if there is a problem, such as giving cities the option to temporarily suspend operations at a licensed location for up to 72 hours if a particularly dangerous crime has occurred there; and
* Public safety expertise to the OLCC, by designating a spot on the five-person Commission for a law enforcement officer in order to bring a crucial public safety perspective just as there is a current designation for someone from the food and alcoholic beverage retail industry.

As always, I look forward to your feedback and assistance on this bill and others affecting our district.
It's an honor to serve you in the Legislature. Please contact my legislative assistant Alex Berke at our district office, by phone, 503-286-0558, or email, if we can be of any assistance to you.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A bit nippy



Ah the joys of winter snow in Portland. Guess it's time to get out the broom and clear the deck - [but it's so pretty I might wait a bit.]

Seriously - be careful if you are out driving - black ice [the kind you can not see] is very dangerous - it just looks like wet road but it's ICE!

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Voter Registration Deadline Approaching

Are you registered in Oregon?

Do you need to update your registration [moved? changed your name?]

You must do this by October 12

and you can do it online: http://oregonvotes.org/

[you can check your current info on this site]

If you prefer to do in on paper - I have forms available...contact me

Monday, October 04, 2010

Columbia Slough Events

Do you know a nature-loving toddler?
Tadpole Tales Encourage their sense of wonder and discovery at Tadpole Tales this October.

A specially designed program for parents and children ages 3-5, Tadpole Tales introduces little ones to the wonders of nature through hands-on exploration and inquiry. Join us for a short story, engaging activities, and fun take-home crafts. Themes will focus on autumn, from birds and bugs to frogs and leaves. Encourage your child’s natural curiosity for nature with this delightful parent-child program! $3 admission/donation per child.

Wednesdays in October, 10am - 11:30am
Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, 7040 NE 47th Ave, Portland OR 97218
RSVP please to Leslie at intern@columbiaslough.org

10/6: Pond Life
10/13: Leaves
10/20: Worms
10/27:Spiders

Upcoming Events

Twilight Canoe the Slough
Wednesday, Oct 6th, 6-8:30pm

Naturescaping Basics Workshop
Saturday, Oct 16th, 9am-1pm

Owl Prowl
Friday, Oct 22nd, 7-9pm

more info here: www.columbiaslough.org | 503.281.1132

Sunday, September 12, 2010

September Meeting

Monday, September 13, 2010
7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School
716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

A short discussion of the need to report crime.

Bridgeton Neighborhood Updates:

The latest plans for CRC-What we need to do now
The changes proposed for the Bridgeton Promenade
Discuss the latest request for support from Pen2
The Magnolia at the school and proposed levee changes at the school

Action item:

Form a committee to work on a neighborhood disaster response plan



If you have questions or comments, please send an e-mail to
Leslie Sawyer,
Co-Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association
parafriend@comcast.net

Matt Whitney,
Co-Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association
bridgeton.neighborhood@comcast.net

Monday, August 30, 2010

Reminder about the Foreclosure Townhall 8/31

Foreclosure Town Hall with our Rep. Tina Kotek and Special Guest Congressman Blumenauer tomorrow. [August 31]

At the St. Johns Community Center from 6-8pm.

Lots of good information and organizations on hand to answer questions.

If you or anyone you know are facing foreclosure - or you just want info - you should attend

Monday, August 23, 2010

Upcoming Foreclosure Town Hall and other info from Rep. Kotek

From Rep. Tina Kotek HD44

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope many of you had the chance to enjoy the great summer weather this week at the many National Night Out parties around the district. Knowing our neighbors - and watching out for each other - is an important part of keeping our community safe.

On August 31st, I will be hosting a town hall on the foreclosure crisis in St. Johns. I hope you'll be able to join us.

I've also been busy working on budget issues since I last wrote, so there's a quick update below. Lastly, my ever-helpful legislative assistant, Alex Berke, has scheduled some office hours at New Columbia for greater access to my office out in the community. We are always open to offers of public space for these community office hours.


Foreclosure Town Hall

The foreclosure crisis still has a strong grip on our nation and our neighborhoods. Many of us know people struggling to hold on to their homes. It might even be you. The foreclosure storm is ongoing, and Portland in particular is experiencing a late wave as home prices continue to stagnate or decline. Today, there are 164 properties in foreclosure just in my zip code alone.

I hope you will join me on August 31st at the St. Johns Community Center to share your stories and learn about resources to help people keep their homes. We will also have local experts on hand to discuss available resources. We will have plenty of time to hear your stories and hear your thoughts on what people need right now.

Foreclosure Town Hall
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
St. Johns Community Center
8427 N. Central

State Budget Update

Many of you have contacted me with your concerns about the budget. Thank you for writing or calling. You have expressed the hope that any budget cuts that have to be taken are mindful of the future and protect vulnerable people as much as possible. I completely agree and will do my best to honor those wishes. We have some tough months ahead, and your feedback will be important.

I sit on the Emergency Board, a group of 10 House members and 10 Senate members who handle budget issues when we are not in session. The Emergency Board (or E-Board, as it's commonly called) convened on July 22nd to address some of the most urgent and serious cuts in the Department of Human Services (DHS). We were able to restore $17 million in reductions to programs that help seniors and people with disabilities and individuals facing mental health crises. This was about 10% of the overall cut that DHS needs to take under the Governor's across-the-board cut to balance the budget. To read more about what we did, please see this memo from the Legislative Fiscal Office.

It is very likely the E-Board will meet again in September, especially in light of possible new federal dollars coming to the state for K-12 education and health care services. We must be careful in how we prioritize these emergency funds because we still face major challenges next year when we write the 2011-13 budget. I am also urging state agencies to think differently about how they do their work. How can we do our job more efficiently so we can continue to serve people in these tough economic times? If dollars are limited, how does our business model need to change to keep up with the need? For me, these are the most important questions to ask ourselves right now.


Office Hours at New Columbia

My legislative assistant, Alex Berke, will be holding office hours at New Columbia on Monday, August 16th and Monday, August 30th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days.

She will be available in the Housing Authority of Portland office at New Columbia (4605 N. Trenton) during those times. Our office often helps constituents with a variety of issues related to state agencies. We can help you navigate the system or help track down answers to your questions.

So, please drop by and say hello to Alex. We are here to serve you.

It's an honor to serve you in the Legislature. Please contact my legislative assistant Alex Berke at our district office, by phone, 503-286-0558, or email, if we can be of any assistance to you.

Best wishes,

Rep. Tina Kotek | 900 Court St. NE H-281 | Salem | OR | 97301

Meet the new Police Chief

North Portland
PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION COMMITTEE (PSAC)


Presents:
Portland Police Bureau Chief Mike Reese
Followed by our normal Agenda-

Please come and welcome our new Chief of Police, Mike Reese, and participate in an open discussion about public safety and policing in North Portland Neighborhoods.

For more information please contact:
Mark Wells, Crime Prevention Coordinator
Mark.wells@portlandoregon.gov
503-823-4098

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Herbicide application

Dave sent this to the neighborhood association

Pen 2 will be posting signs at the moorage ramps on August 16th to notify the neighborhood that an herbicide application will take place on the levee August 18th and not to re-entry the treated area for 72 hours. The contractor is schedule to start his application at 5:00 am and should be done early morning if the wind does not pick up. If it does and the contractor has to stop spraying he will return the following morning to complete the application. If you or anyone has any questions please let me know, thanks for your assistance.

I then asked Dave about keeping our "levee hunting cats" in because of the 72 hour no re-entry and here is his reply:

According to the Department of Agriculture and the Garlon 3A label; there is no re-entry restriction time for domestic and grazing animals except for lactating dairy animals. DOA and I recommend you try to keep your pets from re-entering the treated site until the herbicide has dried, only to prevent transfer onto their fur and carrying off site to sensitive plants. Based on the time of the application (5-8am) and the forecasted temperature the herbicide will be dry in 4 hours from time of application.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Friday, August 13, 2010

BUYER BEWARE: DOOR-TO-DOOR MAGAZINE SALES

Attorney General John Kroger warns Oregonians to be on the lookout for unscrupulous door-to-door magazine peddlers.

Door-to-door magazine companies are a perennial source of frustration for Oregon consumers, generating more than 150 complaints in the past year alone. Employees of travelling sales crews - mostly young adults - sell magazines and other products door-to-door using a variety of misleading sales pitches in order to obtain orders.

Most recently the Oregon Department of Justice has seen influx of complaints about Atlantic Circulation, Inc., a magazine distribution company. The sales crews employed by Atlantic Circulation have allegedly tried to boost sales by suggesting the magazine subscriptions will benefit a charity. In fact, many consumers who purchased subscriptions from the company never received their orders and there was no charitable donation.

Travelling sales crews don't just raise consumer protection concerns, the crewmembers themselves are sometimes victims of scam and physical abuse. While these smooth-talking hucksters may pepper you with stories about raising funds for college, athletics, troops abroad, church or a local charity, many are employed by for-profit operations that take advantage of vulnerable youth and homeless teens.

Don't be fooled. There are legitimate organizations that conduct fundraising or sell products door-to-door. Nevertheless, Oregonians should proceed with caution when contemplating transactions at the door.
Here are some things you can do to avoid being bamboozled:
  • If you're not expecting someone, don't answer the door.
  • If you answer the door, don't open it wide and NEVER invite them in.
  • Don't feel pressured to buy on the spot; before you buy anything, check whether the business is registered to solicit door-to-door with the city you live in.
  • Ask for materials in writing before purchasing the product.
  • If you feel threatened, call the police.
  • If you gave a check and want to cancel your order, cancel the check first, then call to cancel the subscription.
  • If you gave a credit card number and are concerned it will now be misused, call your credit card company and cancel the card. You may also need to monitor the charges that appear on your account for a while.
Oregon has a "cooling off rule" allowing consumers three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made at your home. Under the Cooling-Off Rule, the salesperson must:
  • Tell you about your cancellation rights at the time of sale.
  • Give you two copies of a cancellation form (one to keep and one to send).
  • Give you a copy of your contract or receipt.
Anyone who believes they have been approached by a scammer should call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or go to the Department's Web site: www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov. Attorney General John Kroger recently unveiled a new feature on called Be InfORmed, which allows consumers to look up complaints about businesses on-line: www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov/beinformed.


Saturday, August 07, 2010

Third Annual Block Party

PARTY BEGINS AT 3:00 UNTIL 8:30
10746 NE 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

This years line up will be:
Legitamate Beef: beginning at 3:00pm
No Bridges: beginning at 4:00pm
Ian Masur with My voice Music, non-profit supporting Music For Children @ MyVoiceMusic.org: beginning at 5:00pm
Rappers known as Thuggage: beginning at 5:45pm
Psuedoboss: beginning at 7:00pm

We are very excited about this line-up. Country Rock, Jazzy-Pop, Acoustic Indie to Hard Rock!!

What do you bring?
Pot-luck and your own beverages
Folding chairs and blankets

What do we provide?
BBQ's for your meat
Ice for your beverages
And AMAZING Music!

Parking as close as you can get to our address

Special Thanks to :
Portland Parks and Recreations
Roth Estates
Bridgeton Community

Looking forward to seeing you,

Your Host,
Mark Putnam

Sunday, August 01, 2010

"THE" Bridge

If you live in the area, you got the notice of this meeting in the mail but here it is again - just in case

From the CRC

- Public invited to provide input Aug. 5 on set of draft recommendations for Columbia

River Crossing project

- Metro finds CRC toll bridge with light rail would have negligible impact on growth

- Join us at a fair or festival this summer

Public invited to provide input Aug. 5 on set of draft recommendations for Columbia River Crossing project

The Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council encourages testimony Thursday, Aug. 5, at a public meeting on draft recommendations related to several project elements, including the Hayden Island interchange and I-5 bridge.

Residents, businesses and interested community members are invited to attend the meeting to learn about the draft recommendations and provide input directly to PSC co-chair Steve Horenstein. The recommendations are the result of assignments from the PSC to the Integrated Project Sponsors Council Staff (IPS) group to collaboratively address several questions. Meeting topics include project performance measures, techniques to manage traffic after construction, transportation and land-use modeling, the number of I-5 bridge lanes, and the latest design concept for the Hayden Island interchange.

Earlier Hayden Island interchange concepts were presented to island residents and stakeholders at two public meetings in June. The concepts have continued to evolve as a result of stakeholder input and the latest concept (“Concept D”) will be discussed Aug. 5. This week Hayden Island stakeholders and staff from the City of Portland and Metro reached consensus on this newest concept.

After a brief presentation, attendees can share their opinions about the draft recommendations. Comments can be given verbally, in writing or online.

The meeting is scheduled for:

Thursday, August 5, 2010 | 5 – 8 p.m.

(Presentation at 6 p.m.; public testimony to follow)

Jantzen Beach SuperCenter, Community Room (Across from the food court)

1405 Jantzen Beach Center , Portland , OR

More information is available online. The public also can submit comments and questions specifically to the PSC through an online comment form.

The meeting site is accessible to persons with disabilities. Accommodations for people with disabilities or people needing language interpretation can be arranged with advance notice by calling the Columbia River Crossing project at 866-396-2726. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact CRC through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 7-1-1.

Metro finds CRC toll bridge with light rail would have negligible impact on growth

The Metro regional government released the findings of its forecast of the population and employment growth that would result from building the Columbia River Crossing project. The forecast was completed as part of the collaborative process to resolve outstanding issues that began in April 2010.

The agency finds that the project would have negligible impact on population and employment growth in Clark County , when comparing the projected growth that would occur with the project compared to no change to the existing bridge and highway. The project’s most significant land use effect would be to boost North Portland employment by about 1.5 percent. Findings were based on Metroscope, a nationally acclaimed growth modeling technology that projects population and employment changes in a seven-county area.

These findings confirm analysis completed by the CRC project in 2008 for the Draft EIS concerning the potential for the project to induce land use growth and travel demand. CRC found that the project would not cause significant land use changes in the region’s urban periphery (“sprawl”). CRC reviewed national case studies, reviewed land use policies in both Oregon and Washington , used travel demand models that had been reviewed and approved by a group of national experts, and relied on results from an earlier analysis using the Metroscope model to draw these conclusions. A summary of those results are presented in a 2009 memo.

Additional information on the most recent Metro findings can be found on their website.

Join us at a fair or festival this summer

CRC has had informational booths at various fairs and festivals throughout the summer. Staff is on hand to answer questions about the project and hand out informational materials. In the coming weeks, project staff will be attending the following events:

· Ho'ike & Hawaiian Festival – July 31, Vancouver , WA

· St. Johns Farmers Market – Aug. 21, Portland , OR

A complete listing of summer events where CRC will be present can be viewed in thecalendar on the project website.

Columbia River Crossing contact information

Email: feedback@columbiarivercrossing.org

Mail: 700 Washington St., Suite 300

Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone: 360-737-2726 or 503-256-2726

Fax: 360-737-0294

www.ColumbiaRiverCrossing.org

Monday, July 26, 2010

Special July Meeting


Special July General Meeting

Monday, July 26, 2010

7 PM @ Pier 99 Office

1401 N Pier 99 St., Portland, OR

AGENDA:


The Hayden Island Intersection Proposals for the Columbia River Crossing


Walter will bring large charts with the latest proposals for the changes to the plans for the CRC Hayden Island/Marine Drive interchanges. We need to voice our opinions!!!


Bridgeton Neighborhood Updates


Neighborhood Night out plans

Levee vegetation issues


If you have questions or comments, please send an e-mail to

Leslie Sawyer,

Co-Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

parafriend@comcast.net


Matt Whitney,

Co-Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Be Aware

Neighborhood Services says to keep an eye out for a woman in N. Portland who is a door-to-door scam artist.

She has been knocking on doors in the Kenton area asking for emergency $$ and uses different stories at different doors.

She says she is the daughter of your neighbor or is your neighbor from around the corner, etc.

Don't fall for her story if she comes to your door.

[It reminds me of the well dressed man downtown who was asking for cab fare to East County and got the $ from several people. It made the news after some had him more than once!]

If you want to see a photo of her, please email me and I'll send it.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Feeding the wildlife

I know we feed the ducks and most of what we feed them is bread and bread is not a good duck food; actually most white bread is not good people food either for the same reasons...



Read the following about feeding wildlife: http://duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html

Friday, July 02, 2010

Pen 2 Special Meeting re Bike/Ped Path

In its planning for the Bridgeton bike and pedestrian trail, the City has asked the Board to make some decisions and not wanting to put the project on hold for a later decision (the board is not scheduled to meet again until September), the board chose to meet next week.


BOARD OF SUPERVISOR’S MEETING

for

Peninsula Drainage District #2

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Noon - 1:00 p.m.

MCDD Office Conference Room

AGENDA

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None at this meeting

BUSINESS

A. DISCUSSION ON CITY OF PORTLAND PARKS/PDC BRIDGETON BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAIL

Staff report on remaining issues is oral; if needed, suggested motion language will be offered depending on discussion

ADJOURNMENT

Agenda note: board action items appear in red

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Have A Safe 4th of July

A message from the Portland Fire Department

*******************

Each year, people come together on the Fourth of July not only to celebrate America’s freedom, but also as a time for families and friends to share backyard barbeques, community parades, and for some, fireworks.

However, Oregon law bans possession, use, or sale of any fireworks that fly, explode, travel more than one foot into the air, or more than six feet on the ground. These fireworks are illegal.

Why are most fireworks illegal in Oregon? It’s not rocket science: Oregon law states that fireworks outside the above definition are dangerous and strictly limit the use of these to professional displays only.

Illegal fireworks cause:

  • Countless injuries including trauma and burns from unplanned explosions
  • Reoccurring trauma to many of our returning veterans suffering the effects of their service to our Country
  • Enormous property loss each year by causing fires to residences, landscape, and wildland
  • Emotional trauma and anxiety to many small children and animals, who are especially vulnerable
  • Environmental pollution, measureable in both air and noise

In Portland, our difficulty is that many of the fireworks that are illegal in Oregon are legal in Washington and readily available to anyone who can drive across the Columbia River. Given the physical, emotional, environmental, and economic costs, as our population becomes more aware about these real consequences, it will become increasingly clear that illegal fireworks in the hands of amateurs is no longer a 'patriotic' act.

As in past years, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) will conduct "Operation Lower the Boom" to address illegal fireworks. In addition to a public information campaign, we will work with Portland Police to confiscate illegal fireworks and fine offenders. I encourage you to report illegal firework activity through the City’s non-emergency number, 503.823.3333.

I support this time of celebration with our families and friends, and look forward to watching the professional displays in our region. These displays are well planned events conducted by professionals in low hazard areas. People wishing to avoid the noise of these explosions can hopefully plan ahead to protect themselves and their loved ones. However, people should be able to trust that their neighbors will obey the laws and not place them in jeopardy through this illegal activity. Also, for those intent on breaking the law, know that it is not safe to ‘go outside of the city’; in addition to the physical risks and emotional anxiety, fireworks represent an enormous fire hazard to parks, forests, and the wildlife living there.

I appreciate your support and hope you know that at PF&R, our goal is to make the 4th of July safe and enjoyable for all. Please help keep your neighborhood safe and pleasant by not bringing illegal fireworks to Oregon, and educating the Oregonians you know about the law (and the dangers) before they buy illegal fireworks. For more information and flyers about illegal fireworks, please visit our website at http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/fireworks.

Sincerely,

Erin Janssens

Fire Marshal

Portland Fire & Rescue

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Columbia River Crossing: Public Comment

CRC says they want to hear from us this coming Monday June 14th at an open house and public comment session.

Jantzen Beach Super Center Community room 5:30 to 8 PM
[across from the food court]

Have they ever really listened to anyone? They say the public can comment starting at 6:15 PM

Watch this before going and ask pertinent questions such as those raised in this video.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Board Meeting and CRC Proposals

From the BNA

The BNA board meeting will be on Monday the 24th at 7 at the Columbia School

The Board meeting venue has changed and become a general meeting for the entire neighborhood as we need to look at and express our opinions on the possible changes to the CRC proposals.

There are new exciting possibilities for the interchanges on Hayden Island and Marine Drive. Copies of some of the ideas are at Channel's Edge on the board.

Since all of our meetings are open and the CRC issues have an impact on everyone, I hope everyone will come to express their opinions.

Leslie Sawyer, Chair, BNA

Monday, May 17, 2010

Independent Review Panel for the I-5 Bridge

Got an opinion?

The Governors of Oregon and Washington have convened an Independent Review Panel(IRP) for the Columbia River Crossing Project.


The Governors have directed this work to ensure that key project study assumptions and methods are reasonable. The panel has been asked to:


  • Assess the implementation plan for the CRC project
  • Review the financial plan for the project
  • Review and evaluate post-construction performance measures

The panel will work independently of the project and the work efforts being conducted under the guidance of the CRC Project Sponsors Council. Panelists include national experts with experience in design, cost estimation, mitigation planning, and management of large urban transportation projects.


The IRP meetings will be open to the public.


The first meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 19, in Hall D of the Expo Center in north Portland.


The panel will host a public meeting to hear directly from members of the community starting at 7 p.m. on May 19 at the Expo Center.


On Thursday, May 20, the panel will meet 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Hilton.


Additional meetings are scheduled for:

  • June 1 and 2, 2010
  • June 17 and 18, 2010
  • July 7 and 8, 2010 (if needed)

More information on the IRP and each of the panelists is available on the panel’s website:http://crcreview.org


The panel’s final report will be provided to the Governors of Oregon and Washington this summer.


Friday, May 07, 2010

May Election Meeting this Monday the 10th

Monday, May 10, 2010

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR

AGENDA:

Summer issues at the Airport that will affect us

Bridgeton Neighborhood Updates

The latest plans for CRC

The Magnolia at the school and proposed levee changes

Neighborhood Night out plans

Form a committee to work on a neighborhood disaster response plan

Election of the Bridgeton Neighborhood Association Board

We have 14 candidates for 15 positions

Please vote for all Or each one separately

Richard Brown Elizabeth Sanders

Gregg Griffin Leslie Sawyer

Karen Jeffers Brian Stipak

Anne Neuenschwander Walter Valenta

Scott Niesen Matthew Whitney

Jon Peterson Chuck Wilson

Debbie Robertson □ Pat Bartch

If you know of anyone who would like to run for the board, please contact me by Friday, May 7th.

If you have questions or comments, please send an e-mail to

Leslie Sawyer,

Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

parafriend@comcast.net

Please put your name and address on the back of this announcement and return it at the May 10th meeting. If you can not return your ballet at the meeting, please take them to Channel’s Edge by Sunday, May 9th or get them to one of the board candidates.