Category Archives: Community Involvement

The 2009 Graffiti Summit

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The 2009 Graffiti Summit
Keeping Our City Streets and Neighborhoods Friendly
Thursday, May 14, 2009
9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97211

The Portland metropolitan area has quietly earned its international reputation for sustainable livability. The deepening economic recession challenges the entire spectrum of funding for essential public services and difficult decisions are being made about priorities and funding levels. There are some essential services and programs which, due to their tiny budgets and efficient operation, can be undervalued and all too easily discarded with disastrous unintended consequences. Graffiti Abatement is one such program.

The 2009 Graffiti Summit is an opportunity to quickly scan the breadth and efficacy of regional graffiti abatement efforts and explore how those efforts can be sustained in these difficult times.

The City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement and the Portland-based non-profit Friendly Streets are co-sponsoring the 2009 Graffiti Summit on May 14, from 9:30 to 1:00 (lunch provided) at the McMenamins Kennedy School. Registration is free, but seating is limited to 110 persons. Neighborhood, business and community leaders from throughout the greater Portland metro area are invited to participate with the Graffiti Abatement Task Force in assessing and planning region-wide efforts to sustain a successful program of graffiti suppression. Attendance is free.

Come help us address these vital and urgent questions:
*What funding and staffing levels will be sustained in local government graffiti abatement budgets? (The City of Portland is making a 50% cut in its Graffiti Abatement program…effectively eliminating free cleanup for private property, i.e. small businesses, owner-occupied residential homes and non-profit agencies.)
*What improvements can be made in partnerships with local business, neighborhood and volunteer organizations?
*How will law enforcement and prosecution efforts be sustained?
*What are the opportunities for attracting stable new funds to employ more people in graffiti abatement?
*How can we systemically strengthen the roles of building owners and property managers in fighting graffiti?
*Are there ways, even with declining resources, that we can improve communications, documentation and coordination of abatement efforts?

Maintaining a beautiful and vibrant urban environment requires focused commitment and much hard work. Success is built on systemic programs that realistically manage the daily details of taking care of business. The 2009 Graffiti Summit offers an opportunity to make certain that Portland’s famed livability does not suffer the destructive influence of vandals. You are invited to attend; your participation can make a difference.

Marcia L. Dennis
Graffiti Abatement Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 110
Portland, OR 97204
Ph: 503-823-5860
Fax: 503-823-3050
www.portlandonline.com/oni

Polarized or Powerful!

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Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods will host the 3rd gathering in our series:

Polarized or Powerful: Now We’re Talking

April 30, 2009

At St Andrew’s Community Center
806 NE Alberta and 8th
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Join us to discuss: What are the factors we need to understand when we are talking about growth, change and development? How can we make good decisions in a climate of uncertainty? How can the community come together to support each other? How can we know that what we think is our best interest is good for our neighbors? Can we influence any of this? Please join us for this series of five community dialogues on the last Thursday each month through June.

To reserve childcare or to RSVP, 503 823-4112 judith.mowry@ci.portland.or.us.
For more information please contact

Sylvia Evans
Cross Cultural Neighborhood Organizer
Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods
4815 NE 7th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97217

503-823-4113 Office

Sylvia@necoalition.org

www.necoalition.org

Sponsored by Office of Neighborhood Involvement, SE Uplift, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, Central Northeast Neighbors, URGE, Center for Intercultural Organizing, and Oregon Action.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Gateway and Heritage Marker Project Advisory Committee

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Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Gateway and Heritage Marker Project Advisory Committee
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
5:30 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.

The committee will review and comment on revised schematic designs for the project.
Contact: Irene Bowers, Project Manager, 503 823-2419

http://www.pdc.us/pdf/ura/convention_center/mlk/2008/MLKConceptMasterPlanSummary.pdf

Location: Irvington Village, 420 NE Mason and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Transit Stop: Stop 5935 northbound and stop 5934 southbound

Funds for the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods in Jeopardy!

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City Funds dedicated to support the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods and its support for 12 inner N/NE neighborhoods are in jeopardy!

Let’s demonstrate how we work together and show strong support for the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods and the 12 neighborhoods we work with: Alameda, Boise, Concordia, Eliot, Grant Park, Humboldt, Irvington, King, Sabin, Sullivan’s Gulch, Vernon and Woodlawn!

You can help by emailing letters of support of the “Right Budget for ONI (Office of Neighborhood Involvement)” to the Mayor and Commissioners this week (and no later than March 30, 2009).

Email, phone calls or letters indicating support for “The Right Budget” for ONI will be of tremendous help. We have provided you a draft letter to get you started.

Please send your email in this week if at all possible, by Friday, March 20, 2009 and no later than the end of March!

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