Let your voice be heard on city priorities!

In addition to the police survey that was recently announced on this blog, there is another Citywide Budget Survey going on right now. Why is this important for King residents to participate in? So we have a voice in where- and how- our tax dollars are spent! Is there a pothole near your house that needs attention? How about that intersection at MLK and Failing- ever wished for a crosswalk? Wish there was a bench in Two Plum Park? Sick of seeing graffiti along Alberta? Every home should by now have received a hard copy of the Citywide Budget Survey in the mail. No need for a stamp to return it, just fill it out, fold it up and pop it back in the mail. Alternatively, go to www.portlandonline.com/omf/budgetsurvey and share your thoughts- it’ll only take a few minutes. Thank you!

NECN Opposes Rose Quarter’s Inclusion in ICURA

Reflecting the dissatisfaction many North and Northeast residents feel with the incomplete urban renewal that has resulted from the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area, the NECN Board of Directors has taken the position that the inclusion of the Rose Quarter district in the URA would siphon off remaining funds to projects that would have little benefit to N/NE residents.

“The NECN Board feels strongly that Rose Quarter projects, which are large and discontinuous with the North/Northeast community, will pull resources away from more community-based projects within the ICURA boundaries. For the first ten years of ICURA, the majority of the funding went to two large projects, the Interstate Light Rail project and the New Columbia project. Now that there is additional funding available, it should be spent on neighborhood level projects that benefit existing North and Northeast residents.”

Read the full letter here: NECN Position on ICURA-RoseQuarterJan 2011

Senators Wyden, Merkley to Hold Town Hall Meetings in Portland

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley will host town hall meetings on Friday, January 14 and Thursday, January 20th respectively.

Senator Wyden
Friday, January 14, 2011
5 p.m.
Portland Community College, Cascade Campus
Moriarty Arts & Humanities Auditorium
705 North Killingsworth Street (Albina & Killingsworth)
http://wyden.senate.gov/

Senator Merkley
Multnomah County Town Hall
Thursday, January 20, 2011
6:00 P.M.
James Madison High School Cafeteria
2735 Northeast 82nd Avenue
Bring your issues, questions, and suggestions.
www.merkley.senate.gov

Letter from Representative Frederick

From Lew Frederick:

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

First, I want to wish everyone a safe, happy, prosperous and productive New Year.Our community faces daunting challenges, but they are human-made challenges, and putting our heads together we can create human-made solutions. I am looking forward to a Legislative session with unique challenges and unique opportunities. I also look
forward to seeing friends and neighbors in Salem. Please stop by if you are in the Capitol.

Over 3,000 bills have already been filed for the upcoming session. For every one, I will seek answers to: How will this make life better, and for whom? Will it make life worse for anyone? If so, for whom, and in what way? The proverbial win/win is nice, but these fundamental questions have to be answered.
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Commissioner Loretta Smith to Take Oath January 7

From Multnomah County:

On Friday, January 7, 2011, Loretta Smith will take the Oath of Office for Multnomah County Commissioner, representing our district. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. in the Moriarty Arts & Humanities Auditorium on the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College.

Commissioner Smith, a resident of District 2 for over 20 years, looks forward to working for the citizens of the county. Her priorities are job creation, enhancing senior and youth services’ protection, and increasing federal resources for Multnomah County.

The Oath of Office will be administered by the Honorable Adrienne Nelson, of the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Also participating in the event will be Algie Gatewood, president of the Cascade campus of Portland Community College; Rev. Renee Ward, a community advocate; and Jeff Cogen, Chair of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.