Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association

February 2001 Newsletter

Jan 17, 2001

Dear Neighbors,

Our last meeting was held on January 2. We had a surprisingly large turnout for a date so close to the holidays. Thank you everyone who came! We had a representative come from Southeast Uplift to talk about Lents Urban Renewal insofar as it affects Foster-Powell. I would love to see a member of the Foster-Powell neighborhood who lives in the urban renewal zone apply as Foster-Powell?’s delegate to Lents Urban Renewal. The zone is from 80th to 82nd, between Powell and Foster. If you live within this zone and would like to serve, or simply want to know how urban renewal affects you, please give me a call. Within this zone there are home improvement loans available for low income households, among other things.

The representative who was expected to come and talk to us from ?“Acorn?” did not come. I am not sure of the reason, but I know people were anticipating meeting with them. I understand that there has been some talk about the possibility of closing Marysville School, but I am not sure (since they didn?’t come) what other issues they wanted to talk about.

Our February meeting falls on February 6. We will talk about that possible closure at that time. One of our members has made some phone calls and found that there is indeed the possibility that the school may be closed. The city is looking to close some schools, and Marysville is indeed on the list ?– although not very close to the top. I expect that after discussion, we will be sending a letter in support of keeping the school open to the appropriate agency.

In upcoming months, we will need to once again revise our bylaws to even better reflect the requirements of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement. They are close, but need just a bit more tweaking. An example of a needed change is that the bylaws must specifically state that the meetings are held in accordance with Oregon?’s public meeting laws. In upcoming months, proposed amendments will be made, and we can vote on them ?– but only if the required quorum of 15 voting members is present. I am expecting to have a draft available with these ?“housekeeping?” changes by the March meeting.

We will also be having elections in May. Please think now about your willingness to serve as an officer. The positions available are, as always, President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Delegate to Southeast Uplift, and Land Use Chair. I would love to see a more pro-active board, with semi-monthly land use meetings to take care of issues that come up mid-month. There is too much going on to meet only once a month on land issues. Is there anyone out there who is interested? If so, please come to the meetings and get to know the Foster-Powell issues.

Meetings are always on the FIRST Tuesday of each month (except as noted above) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the St. Anthony Parish Hall, 3618 SE 79th (green and white building at south end of the complex-please use the south door). Call Cindy Peek at 775-3006 for more information, or e-mail me at clpeek@aol.com; more information is available at www.neighborhoodlink.com/portland/foster.