Mid-county Memo Blog

Links and a recap of feature articles from the online editon of the November 2009  Mid-county Memo follow:

Latest photos and full story about the transformation of the former Children’s Receiving Center into the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services in east Portland.

Latest photos and full story about how former elementary schools within Parkrose School District — Thompson School and Knott Elementary — are being used these days.

A story about developers, for all intents and purposes, killing a proposed amendment to control the way garages are built on smaller parcels

Received an e-mail from Argay neighborhood activist Sharon Mershon (profiled in November 2003 f or volunteer work Mershon and husband Clare did—and still do—in the Argay neighborhood) asking us to sign the recall Mayor Sam Adams petition. Told her we had previously  signed, then asked if the campaign to recall Adams was collecting signatures at the Parkrose Post Office, when the deadline was and how close she thought they were to achieving the goal; her answers follow.

“Yes, we have seen people collecting signatures at the (Parkrose) Post Office.

The bicyclist killed this morning on Northeast 122nd Avenue at Fremont Street has been identified.  Willamette Week obtained the man’s identity.

Read their updated story here: http://tinyurl.com/my2tab.

Our condolences to his family.

An e-mail from the Portland Police Bureau about a bicyclist’s death on Northeast 122nd Avenue this morning follows. When it happens close to home, literally, it reminds me of how fishing line thin the line between life and death, happiness and sadness, tragedy and peace is. I will post the victim’s name when released.

“BICYCLIST KILLED BY HIT AND RUN DRIVER
Posted: August 27th, 2009 4:03 AM

“Tonight at approximately 2:15 a.m., Portland Police Officers responded to the area of Northeast 122nd and Fremont Street on a report of a hit and run incident involving a car and a bicyclist. When officers arrived, they found a 52-year-old deceased male bicyclist and determined the vehicle involved had left the scene.

The Argay Neighborhood Association throws a heck of a National Night Out party. This year’s party, Tuesday, August 4, the Kooltones are going to rock the house, or park — Argay — at Northeast 141st Avenue and Beech St. The ANA is looking for volunteers.
volunteers who sign up by June 30 receive a free meal and soft drinks while working their shift.  Short shifts allow time to enjoy the event. They’re looking for face painters, help with set-up, food service, photo-takers  and clean-up.

Call ANA Chair Valerie Curry at 503-256-5579 or e-mail her at argayinfo@yahoo.com to get details and register.

New personnel arrives with the realigning of Portland’s police precincts from five to three. Recently, we received an e-mail letter of introduction from Mary Tompkins, the new crime prevention coordinator for the Parkrose and Argay Neighborhood Associations of east Portland, it follows.

“Hello: Argay, Beaumont-Wilshire, Hollywood, Parkrose, Rose City Park, and Roseway neighborhood association representatives.

“I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to all of you, as your new Crime Prevention Coordinator. Due to the recent Police Bureau precinct restructuring, I have been given this wonderful opportunity to work with all of you.

At its annual clean held  Saturday, east Portland’s Argay Neighborhood Association chair Valerie Curry said more than 120 vehicles deposited over 18 tons of household discards, yard debris, scrap metal and tires for disposal or recycling.

ANA chair  Curry said the volunteer help they received from members of the Parkrose High School soccer team,  led by PHS junior varsity soccer coach Arlo DeLeon,  was invaluable.

Also on site helping were members of the  Portland Police Bureau Cadets.

The ANA partnered with Metro and Portland’s Bureau of Planning & Sustainability to produce the annual event.

We received an e-mail from Oregon State Representative Jefferson Smith’s office. Rep. Smith is throwing a party Monday, May 25 at Argay Park,  in outer east Portland — and you’re invited. Free food, music and fun. Smith represents House District 47, a district mostly south of I-84, it does have a portion north of the freeway that encompasses Argay Park.
It follows:

“Representative Smith and his staff are putting on a basketball tournament and barbecue to celebrate Memorial day, and we would love your help to get the word out.
It will be located at Argay Park near the basketball court, Northeast 141st Ave. & Failing St., from 1 to 3 p.m. this Monday.

Argay Neighborhood Association chair Valerie Curry intends to resign.  Curry, who has served on the ANA board for six years and as chair for two — and has done yeoman’s work — told the Memo if a current Argay board member, or someone doesn’t get on the board, get up to speed and take over, November 2009 will be her last meeting as chair.

“We need a president and secretary, there’s no vp (vice-president), I go to too many meetings the city wants me to go to, I have to take meeting minutes, I have to do articles for that EPNO (East Portland Neighborhood Office) paper, answer phone calls; my interest is in crime and livability, that’s where my real interest lies,” Curry said.

A summary of feature stories from the May 2009 edition of the Mid-county Memo:

The Gateway Green Project gets going with a grant for planning and an anonymous donation.

To meet Mayor Sam Adams’ first round of budget cuts, Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer  cuts the number of police precincts from five to three.  The Northeast Precinct will now stretch from Linnton to Gresham.

Western States Chiropractic College, the 105-year-old institution in Mid-county seeks to become a university.

Up next, Perlman’s Potpourri: news items from across the Gateway and Parkrose neighborhoods of mid-Multnomah County from veteran Beat Reporter Lee Perlman.