President’s Message
Okay, reaching back to the WW II Uncle Sam call-to-action poster might seem a little overly dramatic (although Al Ellis seems quite comfortable with the look for his Editor’s Notes column), please read on, in spite of my emotional ploy. I got caught up in the election fever.
We still have an opening on the BWNA Board. Another pair of hands is always welcome, not to mention fresh and differing views on the issues at hand—perhaps the “hottest” of which for many Beaumont-Wilshire residents continues to be the ongoing “epidemic” of demolition/development construction within our popular neighborhood.
The upcoming Residential Infill Project proposal being presented to City Council in early November has the potential for far-reaching impacts on development throughout Portland, and a recent request for conditional use on short-term rentals has prompted our Board to continue dialogue with the city regarding the spirit of existing guidelines on residential areas. Mixed-use zoning provisions within the comprehensive plan will lay the groundwork for Fremont Street development, and the release of hazardous materials caused by demolitions (see article, page 1), continues to be a concern warranting more accountability on many fronts. Underlying these concerns is the ever-present balancing act between the preservation of existing resources and the demand for new development to help meet anticipated density needs.
Becoming a member of a neighborhood association board allows your voice and views to be magnified and your influence extended.
Perhaps you have a desire to expand neighborhood beautification projects. From street painting to landscaping public areas to park improvements, the neighborhood association is the best forum to get things rolling. Public safety, crime prevention, and transportation are areas that are always bubbling as well, rife with specific issues that can effectively release and channel passion for improvements and change through neighborhood association involvement.
Do you have a business background and would like to get involved with the Beaumont Business Association (i.e., local businesses on Fremont) or Our 42nd Avenue (i.e., local businesses on 42nd)? BWNA is always looking for a stronger alliance with and liaison to neighborhood businesses because they are essential to maintaining our neighborhood’s highly-desired walkability.
If being a member of the Board is too far a reach for your situation at present, there’s always a need for newsletter volunteers—especially route distributors, either “regular” or “on-call” (i.e., substituting for the regulars). Interested? Just look to the right of this column for newsletter distribution contact information.
During this season of Thanksgiving, include in your thoughts those who perform small, simple acts of kindness and service that keep Beaumont-Wilshire such a pleasant area to reside. And think seriously about how you might contribute more to that effort.