Friday, January 29, 2010

BNA Minutes Meeting of 10 Jan 2010

Leslie opened the meeting at 7:00 PM at the school.

First introduced was our own local Neighborhood Response Officer Jack Gillentine who introduced Steven Dangler of Multnomah County Sheriff’s patrol. Steve gave us an update on “Larry” who formerly resided in a small boat anchored at the east end of the channel. Larry is now living on a 36’ Chris Craft at Harbor 1. He’s safe, is receiving food stamps, but has refused housing on land. Let’s hope he stays safely docked at McCuddy’s.

On the subject of speeding boats and wakes in the channel, Deputy Steve reminded us that transgressors are often our neighbors. That is folks who, when asked if speeding boats at their end of the channel are a problem reply “oh, yes” but when asked if speeding boats are a problem at the opposite end of the marina reply “no, not really.” Photos of speeders with ORS numbers and faces are greatly appreciated and will result in a knock on the transgressors door or a letter. Sheriff Patrol craft are working 7-5 during the year except summer when 7 AM to midnight are the hours. Of course, the area patrolled is Milwaukie to The Dalles .

Recently, a new sailboat owner took his boat upriver before sticking it on a sandbar at Reed Island . Writing “he hit some bad weather“ is an understatement. His Tuesday call to 911 garnered no response until Wednesday. Finally, Deputy Steve, acting as rescue swimmer, swam 600 yds and hiked 600 yards to retrieve the stranded boater who was cold but OK.

The new Commander of the Sheriff’s Patrol is Larry Smith. He replaced Mike who became Capt. at Inverness Jail.

Next up were folk from Portland Bureau of Development Services speaking about plans for the West end of Hayden Island : Rachel Hay at 503-823-9715 and Phillip Nameny at 503-823-7709. An intergovernmental agreement gives Portland a role in development. Look for a published report in May 2010. They will be at our March meeting to go over some of the possible uses.

CNAC reported that noise impacts from the airport are under review. The Port has online flight tracking and willingly takes reports from citizens on unusual traffic. According to Maryhelen Kinkade, noise and air monitoring take place constantly. Changes have resulted from noise monitoring. For instance, 747’s no longer use PDX due to FAA noise parameters. The FAA has noise and route powers. The Port is engaged to reduce noise at the airport. The former policy may have been lip service but the current policy is real, even palpable. When talking to Port officials, words to use include “mitigation” and “enhancement.”

Matt and Walter reminded us that CRC continues to move forward. Walter works with local agencies including PIR, PDX, BNA, MCDD#2, and Metro. Imagine Safeway gone, a Wal-Mart at Hayden Meadows, and a convoluted route for access to I-5. Does BNA have a cohesive strategy? Will the slough bridge stay in the plan? Be aware! Be educated! Be ready to act and vote!

Next month we’ll discuss the Spring clean-up dates. Money for dumpsters from Metro is being limited and much more controlled. See you at the BNA February meeting.


Rich Brown

Sunday, January 24, 2010

From Tina Kotek - our State Representative


Representative Tina Kotek
D-North/NE Portland
District 44

Phone: 503-986-1444 900 Court St. NE, H-281, Salem Oregon 97301
Email: rep.tinakotek@state.or.us Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/kotek
E-Newsletter

Dear Friends:

I hope your new year is off to a good start. My staff and I are busily preparing for the upcoming Special Session next month. Please read below to find out what I’ll be working on in February.

I am still accepting resumes for unpaid internship positions in my Salem office during the February session. If you know anyone who may be interested, please forward this email to them and have them contact my office ASAP. There is a brief job description at the end of the newsletter. Thanks!

Don’t Forget to Vote – Election Day is Tuesday!

The deadline to vote in the special election on Measures 66 and 67 is this coming Tuesday, January 26th. All ballots must be returned to the Multnomah County Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

At this point, dropping off your ballot is the best way to make sure your vote is counted. In addition to drop sites at all Multnomah County libraries, there is very convenient 24-hour drop box at the Goodwill Store at 3134 North Lombard. To find your closest ballot drop site, click here.

If you have not received your ballot or have any questions about voting, call the Multnomah County Board of Elections at 503-988-3720.

Measures 66 and 67

I have spent a lot of time in the past week focused on the Department of Human Services budget, working to compile a heartbreaking list of potential budget cuts in the event that Measures 66 and 67 do not pass next Tuesday. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some information with you about these measures.

Last year, the global economic crisis hampered Oregon’s ability to fund schools, health care and public safety due to a $4 billion budget hole – nearly 25 percent of the total budget. During the 2009 Session, the Legislature took the following actions to fill the gap: we cut the state’s general fund budget by about $2 billion, we tapped into federal stimulus revenues and state reserves for help, and we passed two targeted tax increases to make up the remaining 20 percent of the budget hole.

Those two tax increases were referred to voters as Measures 66 and 67. The measures, if passed, will continue to provide about $730 million to fund education, health care and public safety for the current two-year budget. Nearly 93% of Oregon’s General Fund is dedicated to these three critical areas of services and programs.

Measure 66 raises state income taxes only on household incomes above $250,000. If your joint household income is less than $250,000 a year, your tax rate will not change. The tax rate increases 1.8 percentage points on amounts of taxable income between $250,000 and $500,000 for households, and 2 percentage points on amounts above $500,000 for households. For individual filers, the thresholds are $125,000 and $250,000. In addition, Measure 66 eliminates income taxes on the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits received in 2009, which will give tax relief to over 270,000 Oregonians.

Measure 67 updates the $10 corporate minimum, unchanged since 1931, with a sliding rate equal to about one-tenth of one percent of Oregon revenue. The measure sets the minimum at $150 for corporations with revenue below $500,000, and caps it for corporations with revenue above $100 million. The new tiered corporate minimum applies only to C corporations. Other types of businesses, like S-corps, partnerships and LLCs will pay only the $150 minimum. Sole proprietorships will pay no new taxes under Measure 67, and about 85% of other business will pay just $150.

Measure 67 also increases the tax rate on corporate profits above $250,000 by 1.3% until 2011. In 2013, the rate returns to the current 6.6% on all profits below $10 million; profits above $10 million will continue to be taxed at 7.6%. Starting in 2013, collections resulting from corporate rates above 6.6% will be dedicated exclusively to the Oregon Rainy Day Fund.

My Priorities in February

We all know times are tough for a lot of folks, so my number one priority during the special session is to focus on the economy and assistance for Oregonians in need. I believe it’s our job to make the economic landscape easier for people as the state recovers from the recession.

That’s why I’m co-sponsoring the Job Applicant Fairness Act (Senate Bill 1045) with Senator Diane Rosenbaum. This bill will restrict the use of pre-employment credit checks by employers. Employment experts report that 60 percent of companies now check a job applicant’s credit history before making a hiring decision. Under current Oregon law, it is legal to base hiring decisions on this information. Credit history is not a valid predictor for job performance or honesty, and we want to remove all potential barriers to employment for Oregonians. The Willamette Week named this a "Smart Bill" for the session. Please contact my office if you've had any experience with being turned down for a job based on your credit history. We will be moving quickly to pass this bill in February and we can use your help!

To continue my work on connecting health and learning, I’m using my one personal bill this session to create a pilot program to promote comprehensive vision screenings in Oregon’s schools (House Bill 3626). Although Oregon public schools are required by administrative rule to provide vision screenings to their students, many students are not receiving regular screenings. Approximately 80 percent of a child's learning is done visually. Studies indicate that 60 percent of children with learning difficulties have vision problems that often go unidentified. The lack of comprehensive vision screenings for students in Oregon leaves many children with undiagnosed vision problems that prevent them from learning, and in many cases can lead to behavior problems. My bill establishes a pilot program for implementing comprehensive vision screenings in schools. If passed, the legislation would go into effect immediately, culminating in a report to the Legislature by March 2011. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a better approach to vision screening around the state, enabling more students to reach their full potential.

Click here to check out all of the bills being introduced in February.

Internship Opportunity in the Capitol

The February Special Session will be particularly fast-paced. This is a great opportunity to see policymaking and politics up close and personal. I’m looking for individuals willing to commit to 10 to 20 hours a week in the Salem office during February. These are unpaid internship positions. My office can help coordinate carpooling to Salem. Intern duties will include providing general office support, responding to constituent emails, attending committee hearings, doing research, and generally helping us pass good bills. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a resume and cover letter to my Legislative Aide, Alex Berke, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26th. You can reach Alex at rep.tinakotek@state.or.us.

Thank you for reading. Please don't hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns.

Best,



GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of Oregon State Legislature · State Capitol · Salem OR 97301 · 503-986-1000

Friday, January 22, 2010

New Citizen Online Reporting System

NEWS RELEASE


Police Bureau Introduces New Citizen Online Reporting System


The Portland Police Bureau has launched a new Citizen Online Reporting System. This internet-based system, gives citizens the ability to report property crimes within Portland that have no suspect information, saving them time and money and freeing up valuable police resources for response to more critical incidents.

Once submitted, Portland police officers will review and approve every report. Reports that require additional response or are otherwise inappropriate will be modified and responded to as needed. The reporting citizen will then receive a PDF copy of the approved and case numbered report via email within 72 hours. This online service is without any cost to the citizen and avoids the current minimum $10 expense and delay in receiving copies of reports not submitted online.

Citizens can report the following types of incidents:

Theft from vehicle

Vandalism to vehicle

Theft (excluding firearms and prescription medications)

Vandalism (excluding graffiti)

Lost property (excluding firearms and prescription medications)

Additional property information (property information from a previously filed report)

The Online Reporting System can be accessed at www.portlandpolice.com

Commander James C. Ferraris

Portland Police Bureau-North Precinct

449 NE Emerson Street

Portland, Oregon 97204

Office: 503-823-5757-Cell: 503-793-8575

Fax: 503-823-5828

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

January 27th: Important Meeting for ALL N. PDX

North Portland

Public Safety Action Committee

PSAC

Public Safety and Community Policing in the new North Precinct

January 27th, 2010

Life Fellowship Church

3935 N. Lombard St.

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Please come and take part in a community forum to hear and learn about our public safety agencies and programs in North Portland, the status of the newly configured North Police Precinct, budget challenges, and volunteer opportunities for residents to ensure the continued safety and livability of North Portland.

Opening:

Mark Wells City of Portland Crime Prevention 5 mins

Christine Duffy Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Chair 10 mins


Guest Speaker Presentations:


Portland Police Bureau- 20 mins

Chief Rosie Sizer

North Precinct Commander Jim Ferraris

City of Portland- 10 mins

Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman

Multnomah County

District Attorney Michael Schrunk 10 mins


Community Questions for Speakers: 50 mins

Moderated by Christine Duffy


Final Q&A 5 mins


Closing:

Mark Wells

Next Meeting:

February 24th, 2010

7-9pm

Kenton Historic Firehouse

2209 N. Schofield

Please note there is not food available at this meeting - only water.

- Thank you for your supporting Community Policing in North Portland -

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Neighborhood Meeting

January Meeting

Monday, January 11, 2010

7 PM @ Columbia Pioneer School

716 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR



AGENDA:

Officer Gillentine, our NRT officer, will bring an officer from the county river patrol to answer questions.

Continuation – What is planned for Marine Drive?

CRC will bring in information concerning some proposals for downsizing.

Port of Portland Noise information

Kelly Sweeney from SNAC will have graphic overlays of flights over our area.


Issues:

Review the Fall Clean Up and make recommendations

Plan for nominations of individuals for the Bridgeton Neighborhood board in May

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

Leslie Sawyer, 503-314-2137

Chair, Bridgeton Neighborhood Association

parafriend@gmail.com