Bridgeton Neighborhood NEWS
Tree removal begins Monday along Bridgeton
Where: Columbia School, 716 NE Marine Drive
When: PRESS CONFERENCE 10 a.m., Monday, August 25, 2008
Who: Representatives of the Peninsula Drainage District No. 2 Board, Bridgeton
Neighborhood Association, Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, landscape architect Bo
Nevue and area residents
At 10 a.m. on Monday, August 25, crews will begin the removal of 68 trees along
the Bridgeton levee in northeast Portland. The first trees to be removed will
be those located at Columbia School along Marine Drive.
Representatives from the neighborhood and the public agencies involved in the
project will be on hand to answer questions.
Removal of certain trees and root systems encroaching the levee core is required
by U.S. Army Corps of Engineer levee guidelines, which affect with FEMA’s flood plain mapping and certifications used for property insurance purposes.
Bridgeton neighborhood successful stopped the initial plan to cut 131 tress
along Bridgeton Road last year through legal action. This forced the other government agencies to deal with this issue to assure
fairness and mitigation to Bridgeton.
Portland Parks & Recreation City Nature helped facilitate an agreement between the Peninsula
Drainage District No. 2, Army Corp of Engineers and the Bridgeton Neighborhood
Association to study the specific requirements for individual trees and to
remove the required trees, but which also guarantees a mitigation plan which
will replant more trees while still ensuring the integrity of the levee.
Through very hard work over many months a settlement was reached that
significantly reduce the number of trees to be removed and designed mitigation
to try to make up for the loss of the trees. Thanks to Tom Kelly, Alise Goforth and Walter Valenta for their efforts in the
settlement.
Additionally, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden with Mary Gautreaux, U.S. Representative
Earl Blumenauer with Hillary Barbour, and Portland City Commissioner Dan
Saltzman with Dave McAllister and Rob Crouch from Forestry, and Tina Kotek,
Bridgeton’s State Representative, all played invaluable roles in making the process
successful.
The mitigation plan, designed by landscape architect Bo Nevue, involves planting
as many as 304 trees over the next three years as a replacement for the 68
trees being removed.
The Process will take several weeks to complete. There will be street closures as the trees and roots are removed. Thank you for your understanding on this.
Questions call: Walter Valenta 503-880-0181
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Hit and Run on Bridgeton - help requested.
Saturday, November 17th, between 8:50am and 9:10am, someone crashed into Pamela
Ake aunt’s car (a green Honda), did quite a bit of damage to the car and left the
accident without leaving their contact information. Her car was parked in front of Ann Neuenschwander’s home, right across the street from Columbia Way West moorage. Reviewing the
damage on the car, it looks like it was hit by a vehicle that was taller than
most cars, maybe a truck or van. Also, there is some white paint transferred to
her green car. The first parking spot next to the ramp of Columbia Way West moorage was open
and that parking spot is probably where the person was backing out from. The damage is straight into the driver‚s door.
Pamela Ake is asking for help from neighbors to find who did this damage. It happened between 8:50am and 9:10am (yes, a twenty minute window). Were you out walking your dog? Did you see anything? Did you have a worker come to your home on Saturday morning? Did you see any delivery vehicles?
Pamela has talked to some other neighbors and found out there was another hit
and run accident three weeks ago. That car was parked in the exact same parking spot.
Bridgeton fighting to save dike trees and shrubs
The drainage district has finally sent us a formal notification that all of the
marked trees in the Bridgeton neighborhood will be cut down starting September
4th! A letter from Bob Eaton explaining this act will be sent to neighborhood
residents.
Drainage District proposes to pay for tree removal with a tax on local
residents. Bridgeton Neighborhood Association is mounting a major effort to fight both the cutting and the tax measure.
The Bridgeton Neighborhood Association's Board of Directors at a emergency Board
meeting on July 26, 2007 voted unanimously to strongly oppose the tree cutting. We believe that this action is unjustified, (see letter to District) damaging to the neighborhood and the riverside environment, and will weaken the
levee. Download Flyer on issue. See more tree photos and info on meeting for fighting Tax for tree cutting. .
To support our opposition effort we need contributions immediately! Contributions should be sent to Bridgeton Neighborhood Association 417 N. Bridgeton Road 97217 Attn: Stan Hart Treasurer (503-283-3472).
(Bridgeton N.A. has tax exempt 501(3)c status through the North Portland Community Works
organization.)
If you would like to volunteer to save Bridgeton's trees please contact us via email at Bridgeton.neighborhood@Comcast.net <mailto:Bridgeton.neighborhood@Comcast.net> or one of the Bridgeton Board members above.
2007-08 board and officers elected
Bridgeton Neighborhood Association elections were held at the June 2007 meeting
and the the following individuals will be serving theis comming fiscal year:
Matt Whitney, Board Chair; Cherry Ann Kolbenschlag, Vice Chair; Stan Hart,
Treasurer; Samantha McGarrity, Secretary; and Jon Peterson, Kim Swenson, Leslie
Sawyer, Chuck Wilson, and Walter Valenta as members of the board.
See photos of Members.072007
Long planned pedestrian gate has been completed at the West end of the North Harbour Development. Previously a temporary gate had been
installed by the Neighborhood Association but it was closed shortly after
opening due to code issues. The new path is concrete and has a curb cut to make wheel chair access easy. The
route connects with the existing foot and bike path that goes to Hayden Island,
Vancouver and Delta Park. 010607
Fairfield Inn by Marriott is progressing at a rapid pace. The new hotel will join two others at the site,the Courtyard
and the Residence Inn. The new hotel will cater to families while the other two
ar targeted to the business traveler.No news yet on an opening date.010607
Columbia Slough Regatta is planned for Sunday, July 29, 2007. The event will commence at the Multnomah County Drainage
District office at 9:00 AM and run through 1:00 PM. the office is located West
of NE 33rd at 1880 NE Elrod Drive. Small non-powered water craft launching
facilities are available.
Join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for the 13th annual Columbia Slough
Small Craft Regatta, the largest one-day paddling event in Oregon. The Slough’s flat water is perfect for novice and experienced boaters alike.
May 23, 2007 - The following individuals were nominated for Board and Officer positions at the March 21, 2007 BNA general meeting and the May 16, 2007 BNA Board
meeting. You may cast your vote for 9 of the 10 persons nominated.
Printed ballots will be available the week of June 1st at the usual distribution sites or via email or by request to Bridgeton.neighborhood@comcast.net or 503-285-3296.
Please VOTE by the June 20, 2007 Bridgeton Neighborhood Association meeting. Ballots may be emailed to
Bridgeton.neighborhood@comcast.net, mailed to Bridgeton N.A. 417 N. Bridgeton
Road, Portland 97217 or dropped off at the Channels Edge coffee shop, a current
Bridgeton officer or at the June 20th meeting.
Your nomonies are:
Matt Whitney, Chair
Cherry Ann Kolbenschlag, Vice Chair
Stan Hart, Treasurer
Sam McGarrity, Secretary
Jon Peterson
Kim Swenson
Leslie Sawyer
Byron Johnson
Chuck Wilson
Walter Valenta
You will VOTE for just 9 of the 10 nominies.
Bridgeton bylaws allow a maximum of 9 Board members. We have a total of 10 Bridgeton residents willing to serve on the Board or as an
officer. All officers must be Board members.
Bridgeton Trail web page up. 11/16/06
Patty Freeman of the parks department wanted all Bridgeton Residents to know that the city
has created a web page for getting the latest information on the Bridgeton
Trail project and that the page is up and running! We have developed a summary of the trail design options and loaded the explanatory images. Here is a link:
Port announces Cell Phone Waiting area 11/16/06
the new Cell Phone Waiting Area is intended to ease traffic congestion on airport terminal roadways during the busy travel
season, Portland International Airport (PDX) provides a cell phone waiting
area. The waiting area ˆ with capacity for up to 30 vehicles ˆ provides a place where motorists can park for free for a maximum of 30 minutes,
wait for a cell phone call from family or friends announcing their arrival, and
then drive up to the airport terminal‚s curbside passenger pick-up area. Motorists must stay with their vehicles at
all times. Signs on Northeast Airport Way and Northeast 82nd Avenue approaching
the airport will guide motorists to the cell phone waiting area which is
conveniently located off of Northeast 82nd Avenue, on Northeast Air Cargo Road,
near the airport‚s cargo facilities, a short 3 minute drive from the terminal. For your
convenience, a link to a map highlighting the cell phone waiting area is
provided below:Map to Cell Phone Waiting Area <
http://www.portofportland.com/pdfpop/PDX_CellPhoneArea.pdf>
Blackberry removal to begin on dike
Matt Whitney says he received notification from Dave Hendricks of the Multnomah County Drainage
District that he will have crews out removing blackberries form the waterward
side of the Bridgeton levee starting Monday August 14th. This project may take
a few weeks. If you have questions please call Dave or Bruce McClelland at the MCDD office
503-281-5675 or email dhendricks@mcdd.org or bmcclleland@mcdd.org.
Please remember that it is very important that the drainage district be able to inspect, and if
necessary repair, the levee throughout Bridgeton. Invasive plants like blackberries and english ivy must be removed form both
sides of the levee. Last year, a number of Bridgeton residents were members of a committee that
helped the drainage district develop landscaping standards that would apply to
the federal levees maintained by the four drainage districts. A copy of the "Columbia River Levee Landscape Standards" may be obtained from
the MCDD office. The Bridgeton Neighborhood Association will also invite Dave and Bruce to
discuss the landscape standards at a neighborhood meeting later this year. 8/15/06
BNA Board elected -Elections were held at the April 19th 2006 meeting. The following persons have been elected for the 2006-2007 year. Matt Whitney,
Chairman;Mike Gibson, Vice Chair; Lynn Dorman, Secretary; Stan Hart, Treasurer;
board members: Mary Hart, Cherry Ann Kolbenschlag, Jon Peterson, Kim Swenson,
Walter Valenta, Chuck Wilson. See Contact Us page for photos. 04/19/06
Plaid Pantry opens Marine Drive store.
The Plaid Pantry store on N. Marine Drive and N Vancouver Way opened for business two days early
March 15th. Store staff commented that they had not intended to open until the
weekend but so many people kept driving in wanting gas and food items that they
went ahead and opened early. The new store features the typical last minute
needs and treats you would expect plus an ATM, check cashing services and gas
and diesel fuel. 3/21/06
BNA Board nominations and election announced
The BNA Board of Directors announced elections to be held at the April 2006 meeting. All board positions are up for election. The following persons have
been nominated for the 2006-2007 year. Matt Whitney, Chairman;Mike Gibson, Vice
Chair; Lynn Dorman, Secretary; Stan Hart, Treasurer; board members: Mary Hart,
Cherry Ann Kolbenschlag, Jon Peterson, Kim Swenson, Walter Valenta, Chuck
Wilson. BNA members may also write in candidates for board positions and
officers. See Contact Us page for photos. 2/17/06
New neighborhood watch formed in Bridgeton
Tom Peavey, NE Portland Crime Prevention Program Coordinator reported that one
of the blocks in Bridgeton had formed a Neighborhood Watch. He suggested that
he would like to see at least 7 or eight more groups formed in our
neighborhood. East Columbia Neighborhood, just to our south is in the process
of adding their ninth group. Tom reported that these groups are best formed
around a small area such as a block, moorage or complex of condos. Tom has an
email tree that keeps his group leaders informed of any new developments that
might effect their neighborhood. For more info on forming your own neighborhood
watch contact Tom at:
tpeavey@ci.portland.or.us . 2/17/06
New neighborhood police officers
Officer Robert Foesch, who has been so diligently attended our meetings and
reporting crime issues to us has been activated with his National Guard unit
and will be gone for a year or so. Our new officer on the night shift,
replacing Foesch is Michael Leonard. Leonard introduced himself at the February
BNA Meeting along with Lt. Harry J. Jackson(days) and Lt. Steve Smith(nights).
Jackson offered to field any concerns via email or phone. Officer Leonard will
have a new email address that will be posted on this
web site as soon as it is received. 2/17/06
Plaid Pantry changes store opening date.
The opening of the Plaid Pantry store on N. Marine Drive and N Vancouver Way has
been projected to be mid March of this year according to management sources.
Previous projections had anticipated first a November 2005 opening and then a
mid January 2006 opening. Judging from the progress being made the March date
looks likely baring other delays. 1/17/06
Bridgeton Residents adopt a family at Christmas
Bridgeton residents residents opened their wallets and their hearts by adopting
a needy family this year. Kim and friends delivered two carloads of presents,
including two bikes, warm coats, toys and other presents including gift
certificates for groceries and other items. This was a great outpouring of
generosity from so many of our neighbors.
Christmas Lights at PIR - Dog Walk
Mark Monday 28 on your calendar for the annual Christmas lights walk at PIR. Its a benefit for Christie School ($5 donation) and dogs are welcome. Lots of fun with lots of people and their
dogs walking around the PIR track enjoying the holiday lights. 5pm to 10pm.
Tool Library celebrates first birthday
The North Portland Tool Library will celebrate it's 1st birthday this Saturday. While on the first day of being open last October, 25 people walked through the
door to register, now nearly 400 members have signed up with this community
resource.
Come celebrate the Tool Library on Oct. 29, with Tony's fresh brewed coffee,
snacks, new t-shirts (@$10) and free bumper stickers for the first 10 folks
through the door!
DO YOU HAVE A ROTOTILLER?
Yes! The Tool Library recently purchased two Mantis electric rototillers to add to
the inventory of nearly 400 tools. These machines came recommended from our friends at the Berkeley Tool Lending
Library and Temescal Tool Library (Oakland, CA). In addition, we recently added:
*Variable Speed Belt Sander
*Demolition Hammer; and
ON ORDER:
*3/8" right angle drill
*Floor Nailer
*Dremel kit
*3 1/4" planer
*another multi-ladder
We continue to chisel away at the wish list!
WORKSHOP
Basic Skills and Safety
November 6th 10am-1pm at the Kenton Firehouse.
Learn how to use power tools safely and skillfully. Taught by NPTL Boardmember and carpenter Laura Dalton.
Call/email to reserve your spot: 503-823-0209. nopotool_library@yahoo.com
IN THE NEWS
The North Portland Tool Library was mentioned in an article in This Old House
magazine, discussing community tool lending programs. Check it out:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/tools/article/0,16417,1108985,00.html
THANKS VOLUNTEERS
Thanks to those who have pitched in to make the Tool Library successful. Erik Haunold and Rachael Garlock took turns behind the counter recently. Mark Sharp and others have jumped into action during the morning rush. Sonny Kim has been helping Tony get the computer database up and running. And the computer tracking program is a creation of Arbor Lodge resident Chris
Glad. Chris has put in extra time to design this database to fit the needs of NPTL.
REJUVENATION
Rejuvenation, Portland's own manufacturer of period lighting fixuture, house
parts and salvage has agreed to donate 10% of the days sales on NOVEMBER 4th,
to the North Portland Tool Library. If you are updating your bungalow, saltbox, craftsman or other home, consider
visiting Rujevantion and helping out the Tool Library!
1100 S.E. Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. 503-238-1900. www.Rejuvenation.com <http://www.rejuvenation.com/>
YOUR HELP
NPTL has been fortunate to have the generosity of North Portland Neighborhood
Services for the use of the Kenton Firehouse and Metro's assistance for funding
the tool library for the second year. North Portland Trust Fund has awarded funds for insurance and Meyer Memorial
Trust has given generously for purchasing tools.
One of the challenges for this project is funding for general administrative
expenses and for our tool coordinator. In this light, we ask that you consider helping out NPTL for operational
expenses. A contribution of $20, $35, $50 or more would go a long towards maintaining the
tool library for the North Portland community. We would appreciate anything you could give.
Checks can be written to our fiscal sponsor:
Kenton Action Plan
memo line: NPTL
2209 N. Schofield
Portland, OR 97217
Thanks for your membership. See at the Library!
Plaid Pantry sets back opening of local store.
In a further update Jerry Terhes of Plaid Pantry Corp. has indicated the new
store at N. Marine Drive and N. Vancouver Way will not open in November as
previously reported. Instead the new projected opening date has been set back
to January 15, 2006. 10/12/05
Plaid Pantry starts construction of new area store
Construction Started the last week of August on a new convenience store on the
corner of North Vancouver Way and Marine Drive across from North Harbour.
According to Jerry Terhes, the new store will include gas pumps as well as the
more common quick shop merchandise offerings. Completion is scheduled around
Thanksgiving. Terhes also noted the store has space for a small retail business which may be available for lease. 9/5/05
