The multiple failures of our governments’ social engineering experiment at New Columbia were exposed at a hastily called public meeting by mayor Adams on June 24, 2010. About 250 citizens, politicos, bureaucrats and police officers gathered to speak to each other about the recent shootings, one fatal, in New Columbia which is located in but not an integrated part of North Portland’s Portsmouth neighborhood.

New Columbia was sold as a government housing project that by design would fully incorporate into the geographical and political landscape of the Portsmouth neighborhood and North Portland. This has never happened. Considerable testimony gave the lie to this marketing fantasy.

Many New Columbia residents mentioned their community. However, that community had nothing to do with Portsmouth nor North Portland. There was no connection whatsoever. Neither Portsmouth nor North Portland were even mentioned until I spoke late in the conversation. In fact, it became evident that there are two communities within New Columbia, home owners and renters, each with their own organization.

Home owners were the only group to set up a neighborhood watch. They spoke of their unhappiness with the public safety situation and how they, except for the economic recession, would have sold their houses and moved. Renters complained that whenever they tried to organize a community meeting no one came.

There was no visible presence of any board member from the Portsmouth neighborhood association. Despite the fact that New Columbia is in their districts and that the Housing Authority of Portland is a creature of the state, legislators ostensibly representing North Portland, Tina Kotek and Chip Shields, both supporting the discredited and abhorrent public policy of UNLIMITED neighborhood (Portsmouth) concentration of Public Housing, were no shows. However, Richard Ellmyer was there because the North Portland Business Association alerted him. No one from the mayor’s office, nor ONI, nor PNA, nor HAP informed me of this meeting despite my very well known connection and commitment to this issue. There was no sign of the press. Perhaps they weren’t invited either.

Rep. Tina Kotek is hosting an event with Business Oregon, PCC's Small Business Development Center and the Portland Development Commission (PDC) for business owners to learn about loans, grants and resources available to help Oregon businesses grow.

The event will be held on Friday, April 23rd from 7:30-9:00am at the Kenton Firehouse (2209 N. Schofield Ave). Coffee and pastries will be provided.

O Freedom!

We the puppies of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Declaration of Indiepuppies. In other words, we want an off-leash area in Columbia Park!

The plan seeks to address how to restore endangered species...not just hold the line or lessen the negative impacts, but actually increase the rapidly declining populations of the most acutely affected species: Salmon and Steelhead in our section of the river. The decline is mainly through loss of habitat, so restoration will have to be through recovery of habitat. It has been estimated by scientists that Salmon need shallow rest & feeding areas near the riverbank about every quarter mile. The plan has been compromised to offer less than that, but it is a step in the right direction since currently the North Reach offers close to no riverbank habitat.

The plan also addresses upland connectivity because we are now seeing alarmingly sharp declines in mammals, once common birds, reptiles & amphibians as well as plants native to our community.

Hey, let’s get our bikes, we can go over to the Sandy River. There is a lifeguard there today and it's supposed to be a hot one. We can even take the MAX back with our bikes!” 

REGISTRATION BEGINS IN MARCH

CAMP BIKE FUN at North Portland Bike Works  is running a bicycle/ adventure/ community building summer program summer of 2010 for 10-15 year olds.

Students will learn individual and group bicycle riding skills, and take fun and adventurous field trips every day to different places. Some trips may include biking, hiking, walking, swimming, going to museums, playgrounds, festivals, gardening, gleening fruit, visiting other organizations, making zines, art projects, and lots more.

Cost is $190 per week, and includes bikes and helmets.  Scholarships are available.

Registration starts in March. Contact the North Portland Bike Works for more information:

503-287-1098. www.northportlandbikeworks.org.

We will offer programs in 4 sessions:

Session 1: June 21^st- July 2^nd (2 weeks)

Session 2: July 5^th to July 16^th (2 weeks)

Session 3: July 19^th to August 6^th (3 weeks)

Session 4: August 9^th to August 27^th (3 weeks)

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Pantry is hosting a

FREE TAX PREPARATION and E FILING Day!

7704 N. Hereford Avenue, Portland Or 97203.

One Day Only

Testimony Before Portland City Council 1/13/10

My name is Richard Ellmyer. I am a candidate for the North Portland House seat in the Democratic primary next May. On December 19 I asked each of you to answer the following questions so that I may discuss this issue with voters in North Portland over the coming months:

1. Why wasn't the Washington Monroe High School property offered to the Portland Hope Meadows Corporation?

2. Why weren't advisory committees, similar to those involved in the Buckman neighborhood, created in the Portsmouth neighborhood to discuss and recommend potential future uses for the John Ball School site despite requests from the Portsmouth Neighborhood Association and the ad hoc 195 member Portsmouth Residents Action Committee and the North Portland Business Association to establish such advisory committees?

3. Why were the citizen requests of the Buckman neighborhood acceded to by the Portland city council and those citizen requests of the Portsmouth/North Portland neighborhood summarily dismissed when the issue of the use of surplus PPS property was exactly the same?

What do you think of when you think of ports and riverfront industry?  Maybe ships and smokestacks? Cranes and trains? Grease and grime? What about turtle and bird habitat? Wetlands and water conservation? Hybrids and solar panels?  You might be surprised to hear how Portland’s waterfront businesses are environmental leaders in their industries, shrinking their environmental footprint while connecting Portland people and products with the rest of the world.

Hi Portland City Council:

Below is the very important revealing history of the disposition of the Washington Monroe High School. It raises three VERY important and as yet unanswered questions:

1. Why wasn't the Washington Monroe High School property offered to the Portland Hope Meadows Corporation?

2. Why weren't advisory committees, similar to those involved in the Buckman neighborhood, created in the Portsmouth neighborhood to discuss and recommend potential future uses for the John Ball School site despite requests from the Portsmouth Neighborhood Association and the ad hoc 195 member Portsmouth Residents Action Committee and the North Portland Business Association to establish such advisory committees?

3. Why were the citizen requests of the Buckman neighborhood acceded to by the Portland city council and those citizen requests of the Portsmouth/North Portland neighborhood summarily dismissed when the issue of the use of surplus PPS property was exactly the same?

I ask each of you to provide me with answers so that I may discuss this issue with voters in North Portland over the coming months.

Local North Portland artist Chris Herrman is an aspiring 3D artist. He uses 3D digital programs to create worlds of mystery and to also share the stories of the Orbs and their many adventures. A 15 year resident of this great state, he is excited to share his art with the public for the very first time. Please visit Atomic Pizza Wednesday December 9th from 6-8pm to meet the artist.

"FQA," the “Fifth Quadrant Atelier” concept, is a proposal for a digital artists' professional development center in North Portland. In its initial phase, FQA would offer its membership access to commercial and Open Source technology for illustration, animation, photography, and web development. It would also serve as an artist's living room, enabling artists to critique, support, and collaborate on personal projects, portfolios, and pro-bono design work.