At the Argay Neighborhood Association meeting last month, planning consultant John Gessner presented a plan on behalf of an Argay property owner to divide the undeveloped property between Beech and Failing Streets, on Northeast 141st Avenue across form Argay Park. “It’s important to be a good neighbor; that’s why we’re here,” Gessner said.

This 25,000 square foot piece of property across the street from Argay Park on Northeast 141st Avenue is being platted for two, possibly three new homes. Tim Curran/Mid-county Memo

Neighbors at the meeting expressed concerns the houses will be rentals, and because of smaller lot sizes, house designs would have to be two-story, narrow houses without garages.

Graffiti vandals struck Argay Park overnight making it the third tagging this month. This tag from last night has also been seen  in the Wilkes East neighborhood.

Argay Park, Northeast 141st Avenue at Failing Street, had an eruption of graffiti recently.

The City of Portland Graffiti Abatement Program is  run through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement. When you report graffiti, get the defaced property’s address, enabling graffiti abatement officers to contact the property owner to offer assistance.

This fence was tagged last night. This vandal is prolific. He is tags the Wilkes and Wilkes East neighborhoods also.

Portland Police Chief Michael Reese released a statement about his evaluation of two high profile east Portland incidents.

The first—still waiting Reese’s final decision on discipline—was Officer Ronald Frashour’s shooting of Aaron Campbell, who was unarmed and appeared to be cooperating when killed at the Sandy Terrace apartments, 12800 N.E. Sandy Blvd., in January.

The second, an exoneration of Officer Chris Humphreys’ use of a beanbag shotgun against a 12-year old girl on an east Portland Max light rail platform in November. Humphreys was involved in the 2006 arrest of James Chasse Jr., a schizophrenic man who died in custody after allegedly urinating in public.

What can an Oregon State Representative do for you? Find out tomorrow at Oregon State Rep. Michael Dembrow’s (D-District 45) Constituent Coffee meeting. His missive follows.

“Dear Friends and Neighbors,

“I hope this e-mail finds you well and enjoying the summer sunshine. Tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 7th, we will be having our monthly constituent coffee in NE Portland at the Manhattan Café, located at 2735 NE Broadway.

“We’ll be meeting from 9:30 to 11 a.m.  It’s a great opportunity for me to hear about the issues that are important to you and stay connected to the district.

Argay Neighborhood Association General Meeting is Tuesday, March 16, at Portland Fire & Rescue Station No. 2, 4800 N.E. 122nd Ave., begins at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Valerie Curry at: argayinfo@yahoo.com

AGENDA
• Open House/Open Forum to learn what Argay residents want their Argay Neighborhood Association Board to focus on.
• North Precinct’s Officer Eric Zajac reports on recent incidents in Argay.
• Refreshments will be served.

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.

www.epno.org/argay