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Northeast Portland businessman and community activist Gary Marschke is looking for people who can help a former St. Johns resident. The email below and photos above were submitted to Marschke by someone who claims her life has been ruined by a meth-addicted family member. The names in the email below have been changed to protect the individuals involved. If you wish to help the woman in question, contact Gary Marschke gmarschke@comcast.net

EMAIL BELOW THE CUT

Northeast Portland businessman and community activist Gary Marschke is looking for people who can help a former St. Johns resident. The email below and photos above were submitted to Marschke by someone who claims her life has been ruined by a meth-addicted family member. The names in the email below have been changed to protect the individuals involved. If you wish to help the woman in question, contact Gary Marschke gmarschke@comcast.net

EMAIL BELOW THE CUT

I am writing this on behalf of my mother Kathy Templeman. My mom has never been one to ask for much, she is one of the most selfless woman I have ever known. She is more than my mom but my best friend. She has been through hell and I would not ask if I didn’t need your help.

The home in which I grew up with was located in St. Johns, on the North side of Portland. My mom and dad lived in the same home for over 35 years. Prior to my father passing, my brother- Albert took up residence with my parents. On 20 Jan 2008 my father passed away. We had no idea the loss of my father would not be the only devastation we would face. But as my mom and I planned my fathers funeral, we realized things were quickly spiralling out of control. The day of my fathers funeral my mom and I were forced to hired a body guard for protection. When my mom returned home after the funeral her home had been ransacked and destroyed. Albert and his [REDACTED] friends took anything and everything they could get there hands on. My mom and I went down to the Portland Police Station, which took a report, but told us unfortunately they could not force him to leave because he was a resident and she would have to get him to move. She told him to move that day, he refused to leave. Weeks/months passed and [there was] nothing we could say or do to get him to leave.

At the age of 42yrs old, Albert has completely destroyed his life and everyone in his path due to Meth. In July of last year, things were at [their] worst. My mom had called me on the fourth of July. I could tell that she was very upset. She whispered into the phone that she was scared. Albert had been forcing her on her knees and telling her to pray to him as if he were a priest. He put her in a corner putting her in “time out”, and was having her stay up night after night to “keep watch” from his enemies… I immediately hung up and had the police called. When they arrived they informed me they could not arrest Albert as he had not threatened her and had done no physical harm, but they advised me that it would be best for her personal safety to temporatily move her from her home, until we managed to get Albert to leave. 

I moved her out the following day. In September my mom was hospitalized, 2 days later she had open heart surgery. My mom has stayed with my family since. We have made many attempts, through family/friends, the police even through crime prevention teams, to get my brother and his unwanted guess to leave, with no success. As a result we were forced to go through the Court system and a long expensive drawn out eviction process to obtain a Forcible Entry Detainer (FED). On 10 February, the home was finally surrendered back in my moms possession.

Unfortunately the worst was yet to [come]. Her [Kathy Templeman's] house has been destroyed inside and out. The front door has been broken in, many windows have been busted out, walls removed, light fixtures/electrical outlets busted or missing, doors removed, holes & graffiti on every wall and ceiling, carpet has been burnt or removed and ALL of the appliances [and] furnace have been ruined or used for scrap metal. The house has been completely gutted to include the wiring he has pulled out of each room. As we have also received notices and fines from the city in the thousands, because they have tampered and removed meters/wiring for utilities. The only things that are left is a house full of garbage. When I spoke to the police just yesterday, they informed us once again the only action we can take is in a civil forum. We could sue them for the damages but it is not criminal. I was informed they couldn‘t even take a report on the damage. Again, that their hands were tied.

We both are completely overwhelmed. My mom retired from the Postal Service in October due to her health. Now that we both are retired, we do not have a network of people to ask for help. We both feel socially isolated. To add, our diminishing, or limited financial resources, it seems to make the situation very bleak. We had hoped Homeowners Insurance would have covered some of the damage, unfortunately it doesn’t look very promising. At this point our only goal would be to restore this home to a livable state. If anything to sell and recover what little she can.. Now that her only retirement investment she has lost

Yet I realize we are not the only family in crisis and many have needs that are of a higher priority. I am not asking for anyone to carry our burden nor do I expect a miracle of any sort. I am only hoping someone will be able to lead us in a direction for some assistance to recovery or lend a hand in any way if you could. Any advice/suggestions or plans would be greatly appreciated.'

Thank you for your time and assistance,

Tricia Templeman