The May 2012 Mid-county Memo is posted online. A recap of its contents:

Last month, the top three mayoral candidates debated at David Douglas High School’s Howard Horner Performing Arts Center; the new Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative areas are approved; Parkrose School District averts a teacher’s strike; David Douglas special education teacher Annie Harrell is named Outstanding Teacher of the Year; Lee Perlman interviews City Commissioner Amanda Fritz and opponent, state Rep. Mary Nolan; the Planning and Sustainability Commission endorsed the Outer Powell Conceptual Design Plan; since 2006, east Portland neighborhood associations have been operating illegally; the Portland Housing Bureau is changing tax abatement area boundaries in east Portland … again; and, longtime Gateway hairstylist June Bauer’s obituary.

Are east Portland neighborhood associations all illegal? Technically yes, says East Portland Neighborhood Office Executive Director Richard Bixby, but it is not their fault. It is his.
A handful of the City’s 95 recognized neighborhood associations are 501(c)3 non-profit corporations, able to offer tax deductions for donations. Most of the rest fall into a different non-profit status.

Because they handle relatively small amounts of money, they do not have to make yearly reports to the IRS — or did not until the year 2006, when the law was changed.

СВЕТИ ГЕОРГИThe Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative wrapped up its three organizational meetings last month with creation of a seven-person steering committee for the next step: a formal commitment to the Portland Development Commission and city, then formation of an “urban renewal light” district bringing physical, permanent improvements along Sandy Boulevard, from Northeast 99th to 120th avenues.

Colleen Gifford, from left, David Ableidinger and Luke Shepard at a Parkrose Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative organizational meeting held last month. Gifford, hired by the Parkrose Business Association through a grant from the City to recruit steering committee members for the Parkrose NPI, one of six areas in Portland designated by the City and Portland Development Commission.

The Parkrose Neighborhood Association holds their general meeting tonight, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The east Portland neighborhood association meets at Faithful Savior Ministries, 11100 N.E. Skidmore St.

For an agenda, or more information contact PNA Chair Mary Walker, 503-252-2146 or e-mail her at parkrosephoenix@gmail.com.

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.

The Parkrose Neighborhood Association holds its general membership meeting tonight,  from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Faithful Savior Ministries in at 11100 N.E. Skidmore St in east Portland.

For tonight’s agenda, contact PNA chair Mary Walker at 503-252-2146 or send her an e-mail at: abfportlandor@aol.com