Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood Association (SHNA)

September Newsletter

Sep 05, 2002

Next General Membership Meeting
September 10, 2002, 7:00 p.m.
First Church of Nazarene, Room 308, Raab Road

Tibetan Peace Center
Washington County conditionally approved the proposed Tibetan Peace Center (TPC) on August 13. The Washington County approval conditioned traffic use that was over twice the amount requested in the application, based on the square footage of the structure. The SN group and other local neighbors remain highly concerned about the detrimental impact of increased traffic upon neighborhood safety and livability. The hearing officer also determined that access issues were the sole responsibility of Multnomah county (the rule requiring 300 feet from a collector street).
The notice and two pages of maps are available for inspection or duplication at the NW-NW office, 1819 NW Everett, Room 205. Hours are generally 8:30 am to 5 pm, but please call ahead.
The Sylvan Neighbors (SN) group continues to negotiate a good neighbor agreement with the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association (NWTCA). Contact Jeff Brown for more information regarding SN at 503-292-2014.

Multnomah County will hold a public hearing on the TPC application at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 at 501 SE Hawthorne in the commissioners' board room. There will be a SHNA membership meeting two days earlier, September 10th. The Tibetan Peace Center is an agenda item.

Little Barnes Speed Bump Project Update
Your neighbors are soliciting contributions for the Little Barnes Speed Bump Project. If the money can be raised, the City will install and maintain six speed bumps on Barnes between Skyline and the county line. All funds ($12,000) must be raised by September 30 to ensure the speed bump project is put on the City?’s construction schedule for completion this year. The project has received $4,500 so far. If you believe this project will be beneficial to the neighborhood, please provide your support.

All contributions are tax-deductible since they go to a non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization.

Donations should be made payable to Little Barnes Speed Bump Project and can be sent to the following address:
c/o Neighbors West - NorthWest 1819 NW Everett, Suite 205 Portland, OR 97209

For additional information, please contact Steve and Jenny Thome at 503-203-6708 or Will Stevens with the Portland DOT at 503-823-2267.

Crime Report
While overall crime rates are up about 3%, there has been no escalation
in crime within SHNA boundaries. Mail theft and car prowls remain our
most prevalent concerns. Our crime prevention expert, Preston Wong,
suggests these tactics to protect your property: lock your car; park in
well-traveled areas; use your garage; leave your car interior "showroom
clean" - no toys, coins, phones, clothing, laptops, etc.
Our strongest defense is a good offense.

Do you know your neighbors?
Take the time to introduce yourself to folks living nearby. Consider
exchanging phone numbers with the families living closest to you. Look
out for one another. Going out of town for a few days? Those newspapers
lying in your driveway are a sure giveaway that no one is home. Arrange
to have a neighbor pick up your papers and mail.

It's back to school time soon! Speeding through neighborhood streets isn't just a problem; it's illegal. Remember, starting 9/4/02, our precious children will be heading back to school, and that means a lot of kids will be out early to catch the school bus. Please exercise care!

Bylaws Committee
Proposed bylaws and restated articles of incorporation will be agenda items at the September 3 board meeting and September 10 membership meeting. The proposed bylaws articles revisions were developed to clarify organizational rules, enhance organizational efficiency, reflect the way SHNA actually conducts business, and remedy existing shortcomings and/or conflicts within the documents.

Metro Maps
Metro compiled wildlife habitat and riparian area maps to base potential property regulations on. Some maps will be available at the meeting or you can go to www.metro.dst.or.us/parks/openspaces.com for viewing (high-speed access is highly recommended).

Board Members Needed
Vacant director positions exist for 58th street (including 60th, Clay and Mill) and Fairhaven. If you know of someone who you think would be interested, please contact the individual and President Sally Kneuven at 503-226-4850. SHNA would very much like to fill the vacant director positions.

Remember:
To vote at SHNA meetings, you must be a registered member of the neighborhood association. For information about how to become a member, please contact Dave Malcolm, (503) 221-7903, or djmalcolm@worldnet.att.net.

Please send newsletter suggestions, additions, and corrections to Judy Filsinger at Filsinm@attbi.com.