Despite the Argay Neighborhood Association’s efforts, the city will go ahead and approve the partition of property across the street from Argay Park, Bureau of Development Services associate planner Sean Williams said  in a phone interview today. Williams, who is writing the official decision due out next week, indicated the city will approve the proposal, the first step before property owner Lynnia Woods could offer them for sale.

The property across the street from Argay Park will be divided for three single-family homes.

Not one of the more than fifty people attending the special meeting of the Argay Neighborhood Association on March 5 was in favor of the partition plat for three home sites on land across the street from Argay Park on Northeast 141st Avenue between Failing Street and Beech Ct.

Valerie Curry leads fight against Argay infill.

The special meeting was called to meet the March 12 deadline to respond in writing to Bureau of Development Services.

A few days after the meeting, run by former ANA chair Valerie Curry, the board met and voted to hire ($500) land use attorney and Argay resident Roger Dierking to write a letter to BDS opposing the proposed development on behalf of the association.

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.

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.

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.