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The Mid-county Memo is your newspaper. We want to hear from you. Discuss an important issue or address a concern you want to call to the community’s attention. We prefer e-mailed letters to the editor sent to Darlene Vinson, at editor@midcountymemo.com. Please put ‘letter to the editor’ in the subject line. You may also mail your letter to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave., Portland, OR 97230 or fax it to 503-249-7672. Our deadline for the July issue is Wednesday, June 15.
Award winner sends thanks
Dear Editor:
On behalf of all of the ASPIRE Advisors at Parkrose High School, I wish to thank you for the recognition you gave us at the 2005 Mid-county Memo Community Awards program on May 10. This is a good program, vitally needed, to help high school students gain critical knowledge about careers and education after high school, especially college.
We have so many good students at Parkrose, and they really need our support. I hope this recognition for the program results in a major increase in the number of volunteers at the school. Believe me, we volunteers get as much from the students as they do from us.
Three points impressed me very significantly at the evening’s activities:
1. The number of people doing ‘little things’ that make such a big difference in the quality of our community.
2. The importance of the Memo that acts as a very positive force towards both informing the community of items of positive interest, and also as a cheerleader to help keep us focused on improving where we live and work.
3. The important differences in objectives between a real community newspapers, like the Memo and others. I knew I liked the Memo, I just did not know why.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you once again. It was a fine evening.
Sincerely,
Jim Lipscomb
East Portland resident and ASPIRE volunteer
Editor’s note: Following are some of the salient points of Publisher Tim Curran’s speech from the 2005 Mid-county Memo Community Awards referencing point number three in Jim Lipscomb’s letter.
“What is a true community or neighborhood newspaper? Neighborhood newspapers are a vital cultural resource. A neighborhood newspaper like the Memo is a key instrument enabling the creation and dissemination of local stories, news and perspectives of a diverse neighborhood, strengthening the community's cultural vitality. A neighborhood newspaper focuses on positive forces and people in the communities they serve. Neighborhood newspapers represent and reflect the community, having an affirmative effect.
"What isn't a neighborhood newspaper? A neighborhood newspaper does not sensationalize, fantasize or focus on prurient and negative aspects of the community it serves for shock value or in an attempt to boost readership. A neighborhood newspaper doesn't editorialize, endorse candidates, tell you how or what to think. Not our role. These missions are better left to dailies, downtown weeklies and Enquirer wannabes.
"Finally, a neighborhood newspaper enables community members to communicate with themselves and others, strengthening cultural participation and engagement. By being rooted within the community, a neighborhood newspaper serves as a means to strengthen connections and deepen understanding across our diverse community. Neighborhood newspapers report on, and encourage participation in civic affairs, thereby serving as a means to promote active citizenship and civic participation.”
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All-Night Party chair acknowledges community support
Dear Editor:
Thank you so much for your support of our efforts to raise money for the David Douglas All-Night Drug- and Alcohol-Free Graduation Party. We appreciate the space we have received in the Mid-County Memo to announce all the fundraisers we have had going all year.
We have asked for and received the support of our community, and we just want them to know how much we appreciate it. Many who read the Memo and live in the David Douglas School District have students at David Douglas High School. They either own businesses or employ David Douglas parents and/or students, and have a vested interest in keeping the David Douglas students safe. Many read about our fundraisers at area restaurants and helped us by eating out. Thank you for your continued support.
The staff at David Douglas High School has been behind the All-Night Party from the start. Teachers, office personnel, custodians, and administration have chipped in to support our efforts. It is so nice to work with such a great group of people. They continue to make me proud that my children attended school in the David Douglas School District.
We know the temptation to go out and celebrate on Graduation night, and our efforts this year have all gone toward throwing them a party to surpass anything that could tempt them to make poor choices. To this end, the All-Night Party Committee has devoted many, many hours to fund raise and plan a very special party for our seniors. I would like to personally thank all the Committee members. You guys really went above and beyond for your student! We have met our objectives by raising the money we needed with fund raisers like the Poinsettia sale, Rummage sale, Mother’s Day Hanging Basket Sale, DD socks, BBQ raffle, basket raffles, Bingo, Butter Braids, and Christmas Tree Recycling. Whew! That was a lot of work! We spent hours asking for and receiving donations of money, goods and services. We even supported the fundraisers ourselves!
Even though this letter is being written before the party is even held, I know the party we planned is going to be a success! Pat yourselves on the back if I forget to — you deserve it!
Jody Lewis, Chair
David Douglas High School Class of 2005 All-Night Party
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