President’s Message
April’s Taste of Beaumont came off as a success thanks to the dedicated efforts of BWNA Board members and terrific participation by many neighborhood establishments (as detailed in Al Ellis’ article on the event). Thanks particularly to BWNA Vice President Kathy Campbell and Past President John Sandie. While everyone seemed to have a great time, unfortunately our elections resulted in no volunteers to fill open positions on the BWNA Board of Directors. With Roger Price electing not to serve another 2-year term, we now have five open positions. This was Roger’s second stint on the board, and I extend many thanks for his service and sound counsel during our meetings, as well as his dedicated work on our neighborhood events.
This shortfall of board members makes it more challenging to organize and work within the neighborhood to improve our community. Knowing that life is ever busier, especially for those that are working and with school-age children, I think it would be useful to detail exactly what being an “at-large” board member entails, because the fact is, it’s not burdensome and is rewarding in many ways. A board member is expected to regularly attend monthly 90-minute meetings (generally held on the second Monday evening of the month) as well as support and help implement our neighborhood events (two of which—Taste of Beaumont and National Night Out Picnic—take the place of general meetings in April and August, respectively). We also ask that board members provide input to and, if so desired, take the lead on crafting BWNA policies and organizing activities beneficial to the neighborhood. And through affiliation with the BWNA board, members often engage further in issues and policy discussions in the city that have an impact on our neighborhood. Some of the issues that BWNA engages in include land-use issues (i.e., zoning along NE Fremont, the Residential Infill Project), transportation issues (i.e., advocacy for improved TriMet Line 24/Fremont service), parks and nature spaces (i.e., BWNA committee Friends of Wilshire Park), and community building (i.e., Taste of Beaumont, Movies in the Park, National Night Out). We also collaborate with the Beaumont Business Association (BBA) in activities that enrich neighborhood livability and promote the business community. One such project on the horizon is a welcome package distributed to newly moved-in neighbors that would include a “Welcome Neighbor Discount Pass” for use when patronizing BBA-member businesses. We have a great group of board members and I hope you consider joining us. Please reach out to me or any board member if you are interested in serving on the board.
Lastly, if you have any interesting history or insights related to Beaumont-Wilshire, I invite you to submit a paragraph or two about the topic(s) to Newsletter Editor Al Ellis so the information can be shared for the enlightenment of us all about this interesting place we call home. Our neighborhood has a lot of history and unique features, and if there is a fact, story, or tidbit that you find interesting and think others would find so as well, please submit under the heading of “Beaumont Behind the Scenes,” as John Sandie has done for this issue (see page 11). I look forward to seeing your submissions this spring and summer. Enjoy the longer days and warmer weather!