For this issue, we talked to Karla Lenox, newly re-elected BWNA treasurer. Karla is the financial reporting supervisor for Metro and has been a certified public accountant (CPA) for “a long time.” Karla is a native Oregonian who grew up in the mid-Willamette Valley and attended Oregon State University. Karla loves to downhill ski, hike, camp, walk, read, and travel. (Editor’s note: She also takes weekly strolls along the Skidmore St. side of the park, litter bag in hand, picking up debris left behind by thoughtless visitors as she makes her way home.)
How long have you lived in the neighborhood, and what’s your favorite part of living in the neighborhood?
I’ve lived here since 2008. I love the proximity to my job (in the Lloyd District), to Wilshire Park, and the nice neighbors. I appreciate the walkability to Fremont and Alberta businesses/dining, as well as just walking the neighborhood for exercise.
What’s your favorite neighborhood store or restaurant and why?
I, like many others, value Beaumont Hardware for the fact that I can buy one or two screws or fasteners if that’s all I need. I can also take my disassembled “whatever” in there, and they are more than happy to help me figure out what I need to fix it. It’s just such a wonderful resource for people like me who need a little more help than others to be “handy” around the house. There are too many good restaurants on Fremont to pick a favorite, although I admit I miss Red Fig. It was the first place I ate when I was shopping for houses and a reason I felt I had targeted a great neighborhood.
What are you excited about as far as participating on the Board? What are the issues you’re looking to help address as a member?
When I moved here, I went to a few of the meetings just to see how the association worked, and a former board member kind of prodded me to think about joining the Board. So when the treasurer position came open, I figured I had no good excuse not to lend my skills in this way. I’m an accountant, and I live down the block and around the corner from the church where the meetings are held! Kind of a good fit! My job as treasurer is to bill and collect advertising fees for the bimonthly newsletter, pay our bills, do the banking, and provide accurate monthly financial information to the rest of the Board. I work with the rest of the Board on other activities as well, and one of my favorites is our annual National Night Out Picnic. It’s just great to see people come together to share food and an evening in our lovely local park. Makes the neighborhood feel like a neighborhood.
Thank you so much for your service, Karla!