This month we’re interviewing the two newest BWNA Board members who were elected at last April’s Taste of Beaumont meeting—Cliff Goldman and Carol Wire. Both bring impressive resumes.
Cliff is a speech pathologist and previously worked at the Portland Center for Hearing and Speech and Portland Public Schools. He’s a member of Jantzen Toastmasters and an activist with Health Care for All Oregon, a statewide organization working for single-payer, universal, publicly funded health care (i.e., Medicare for all).
Carol is the associate executive director at Dress for Success. Since moving to Oregon, Carol worked in human services as the Director of the Commissions on Children and Families in Multnomah and Washington counties and as Deputy Director on the state level. She and her husband John have three grown sons, Joseph (Connecticut), Ben (Portland), and Daniel (San Francisco), and three grandchildren. Before moving to Oregon, Carol worked in the Curator’s Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Next time you see Carol, ask her stories about Elvis, Ingrid Bergman, and Henry Kissinger!
How long have you lived in the neighborhood, and what’s your favorite part of living in the neighborhood?
Carol: I have lived in Beaumont-Wilshire for 21 years but in northeast Portland (gulp) for 41 years. My favorite part of the neighborhood is the character—charming houses, beautiful yards, families of all ages, and diversity. I love the fact that people are outside on the streets and sidewalks and that the neighborhood is active.
Cliff: My wife Nancy and I have lived in our home on N.E. Skidmore St. for 28 years. We love the quiet street and the large back yard that Nancy developed into a horticultural wonderland—a nationally-known garden. She hosts several garden tours a year. I help her out with gathering debris and laying out compost, but then it’s off to the golf course for me.
It’s really amazing that we can enjoy the quiet of the garden and yet be only a few blocks from N.E. 42nd Ave., which gives us easy access to downtown Portland. The Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood is a getaway without going anywhere.
What’s your favorite neighborhood store or restaurant, and why?
Carol: Hands down my favorite store is The Arrangement. What would I do for gifts without The Arrangement? Sue Matz has always had a fabulous taste, a wonderful array of products, and just what I need at the moment I need it.
Cliff: There’s so much to enjoy, and so close to us on Fremont St. Amalfi’s is really good Italian food at a reasonable cost. Grand Central is great for coffee and goodies. Papa Murphy Pizza always beckons. Beaumont Hardware is so convenient for garden debris bags (and other must-have items), especially when pressed into my gardening tasks. And Jacques, my Papillion agility dog, likes to accompany me into the Green Dog Pet Supply for attention and of course a treat.
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?
Carol: I am looking forward to lending my voice to the problems concerning changing the character of our neighborhood. I am very disturbed by the builders who knock down character homes that may need some care and put up monoliths that cost $1 million and detract from the neighborhood and its livability. I am also concerned about the city’s lack of concern for parking and the cars that 90 percent of us drive.
Cliff: When four homes were demolished on our street to be replaced by very large out-of-scale single dwelling houses, neighbors were understandably alarmed. BWNA, I learned, had been active in trying to save viable homes from demolition. I went to a general meeting and found out that United Neighborhoods for Reform and other preservationist organizations were communicating with the City Council regarding curtailment of unwarranted demolitions and limits on the size of replacement structures. On more than one occasion I testified to the City Council alongside other BWNA activists to say that development is good, new homes need to be built, but should be done in such a way that is not only good for the environment (i.e., in the way homes are dismantled during demolition) but also in terms of compatibility in character (i.e., size) with surrounding homes on the block. Sometime after that I was asked if I would consider being on the Board. It seemed to be a natural progression of involvement, so I said yes.
These new Board members are friendly, smart, and dedicated to keeping BW neighborhood a wonderful place in which to live. Thank you both for your service!