President’s message
Perfect weather and the beautiful setting of Wilshire Park once again made for a fun and relaxing Beaumont-Wilshire National Night Out (NNO) Picnic back on August 1. Neighbors supplied an impressive variety of dishes to augment the hamburgers, hot dogs, and cake supplied by your neighborhood association. The picnic provided a great opportunity to meet with new and old friends and to welcome a few new arrivals to the neighborhood. Great musical entertainment was provided by the band Broke ‘N Hip, and children were amused by the games, adults primarily by the raffle. I’d like to extend many thanks to the local businesses and organizations that contributed to making this NNO picnic one of the best ever. Businesses donating food, refreshments, and raffle prizes included Alameda Brew Pub, the Arrangement, Beanstalk, Beaumont Florist, Beaumont Hardware, Beaumont Market, Children’s Place Bookstore, Fire on the Mountain, Fire & Stone, Green Dog Pet Supply, Kennedy School Pub, Pinball Outreach Project, Pips, Thrive, and Yo Choice. Special thanks go out to Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship church for supplying the tables and chairs and Boy Scout Troop 107 for schlepping them to and from the park. If you have the chance, please do let these local Samaritans know how much we appreciate their support in bringing the neighborhood together in celebration.
Please also note in this issue’s “BWNA Calendar of Events” that the next BWNA General Meeting takes place on Monday, October 9. Our last General Meeting in June resulted in the approval of updated bylaws and passage of a motion by the Board to send a letter to key Oregon legislators expressing concern about House Bill 2007. Board members were alarmed that the bill as written would have actually encouraged home demolitions in neighborhoods like Beaumont-Wilshire while not effectively incentivizing construction of affordable housing. Gratifyingly, the legislature adjourned without HB 2007 moving out of committee, then managed to pass an alternate bill incorporating significant constructive provisions from HB 2007 that substantively encourage affordable housing without diluting historic review or exacerbating demolitions. Thanks to the many neighbors who attended the June meeting, providing valued input on HB 2007 and other agenda issues. Your active participation bolsters BWNA and strengthens our neighborhood.