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Artist proof attitude is everything
Composting company trashes plans for Wilkes site
Festival, bazaar to feature food, fun
Gateway Bingo property to be developed
Correct groundbreaking photo captions presented
A look back at what was happening in February 1992
National Night Out is celebrated in Mid-County
Rossi Farms Barn Bash mystery guests identified

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To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events, celebrations of milestones in our readers’ lives, those seemingly small accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve, and everyday events that should be shared with friends and neighbors.

Memo Pad submissions for the October issue are due by Thursday, Sept. 15. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail editorial submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave, Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The fax number is 503-249-7672.

Native plantings provide opportunity for community involvement
This summer at Exit 10 on I-84, the 122nd Avenue Exit traffic circle, you will notice a collection native trees and shrubs tenaciously hanging on in a hostile environment of clay soil, rocks and hot sun.

In 1997 the city of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services planted trees and shrubs, as a demonstration project, with the intent of absorbing storm drain run-off from I-84. For some reason, the storm drain connection was never built. No provision was made for watering or caring for the trees and shrubs that had been planted. Most of them died.

Three or four years later, the Oregon Department of Transportation planted Oregon Grape as replacement for the dead plants. Again, there was no plan for watering or maintenance.

Clare Mershon, a neighborhood activist, has learned that neither BES, nor ODOT have plans to maintain this site beyond marking the plantings with bamboo stakes so they won’t be mowed when the ODOT maintenance crews mow the circle.

For two years, Clare and his wife Sharon have been watering the trees and shrubs during the hot, dry months. This is a large task for two individuals. While the site is owned by the state, our community can choose to take an active role in the survival of this native planting. Now is the time for a neighborhood group, a community service organization, church, or youth group to step forward.

If you are willing to commit to this project, please contact the Mershons at 503-252-7139. They will help you get started and share their knowledge and expertise.

Pets need foster parents
Multnomah County Animal Services is in need of foster parents for abandoned pets awaiting adoption. All you need is room in your home, time to spend with the pet and a big heart. By providing a second chance for one of the many available animals, you will be rewarded with the unconditional love that pets offer.

The shelter is also in need of volunteers at the Troutdale location. To learn more, call 503-988-7387 ext 25255 or visit the shelter at 1700 W. Columbia River Highway. The Web address is www.multcopets.org.

City seeks help regarding graffiti abatement
The City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement Graffiti Abatement Program works with two contractors to provide graffiti removal services to private property owners who need assistance. The program also encourages volunteers in the community to help address the increasing problem of graffiti in the public right-of-way - on newspaper boxes, dumpsters, wooden and metal utility poles, the backs of street signs, etc. Volunteers are asked to fill out a volunteer application and agreement form, either by going online to www.portlandonline.com/oni or by checking out a graffiti removal kit at Fire Station 41 in Mill Park, 1500 S.E. 122nd Ave.

Two areas of concern regarding volunteer graffiti removal activities continue to be those anonymous volunteers who attempt to remove graffiti from the front of street signs, and those volunteers who create more problems by inappropriately painting out graffiti on traffic control boxes.

The fronts of street signs are problematic because they are covered with a reflective coating. When an unauthorized person attempts to remove the graffiti or sticker, using the wrong solvent the reflective surface is damaged - often to such a degree that the sign is destroyed. In that case, the only option is to replace the sign, which places additional strain on the limited staffing and resources in the city maintenance department. When the sign surface is compromised, traffic and/or pedestrian safety may become a serious issue in the neighborhood.

The traffic control boxes, (those cabinets at intersections that are either bare aluminum or painted a cream-color) are cleaned and maintained by an outside vendor through a contract with the maintenance bureau. They are not to be painted or cleaned by anyone other than the contractor. If unpainted aluminum, they are not to be painted at all. The cabinets contain electrical equipment that is temperature-sensitive. Covering them with any other paint, especially a dark color can cause them to overheat and malfunction.

If you or anyone you know is engaged in the inappropriate graffiti removal activities described in the previous two paragraphs, the city requests that you cease this behavior immediately.

All persons who see graffiti in the form of markings or stickers on any city property are asked to report this information to the Graffiti Hotline, 503-823-4824 or by using the online reporting system at the Web site. If graffiti remains on the front of a street sign or traffic control box beyond a week, report it again.

New East Precinct commander introduced
The new East Precinct Commander Mike Crebs will be introduced to the public at the East Precinct Advisory Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Crebs, who assumed command on Aug. 25, is the fourth commander at East Precinct, Portland’s largest, in as many years.

A 13-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, Crebs was most recently commander of the Transit Police Division. Crebs also served as captain in the PPB’s School Police and Training Divisions.

Prior to joining the PPB, Crebs had 11 years of law enforcement experience.

PPB’s Traffic Division Commander Bill Sinnott will also be in attendance to discuss Mid-County traffic issues.

The advisory council meeting will be held in the East Precinct Community Room, 737 S.E. 106th Ave. at 6 p.m.



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