Community

Metro's proposed Clackamas to Columbia River connector will impact school zones and pedestrian traffic on Northeast 181st Avenue

By Mike Elston, President
North Gresham Neighborhood Association

As President of the North Gresham Neighborhood Association, I'm informed about development plans that impact our neighborhood. Recently I became aware of a Metro proposal that'll increase traffic from Clackamas to the Columbia River ("C2C"), largely by routing it down Northeast 181st /182nd. Although the scheme has apparently been in development for years, Metro and the city of Gresham are only now involving North Gresham citizens — at a point where it's nearly a done-deal.

We have a number of concerns about C2C we feel aren't being heard by Metro. We strongly believe this will have the effect of transforming 181st /182nd into another 82nd Avenue. It will certainly increase traffic, which is already a nightmare during rush hour. That, in turn, will negatively impact the three schools along its proposed route as well as pedestrian access to the MAX and to our area's one grocery store.

We're at a loss to understand how this benefits North Gresham (and maybe that's why we weren't informed about the plan until it was too late to have much impact). Metro claims it'll provide jobs, but they're temporary employment during construction and not permanent.

In our view, this only benefits the higher-income residents of Happy Valley at the expense of Gresham's north-end, lower-income neighborhoods.

Funding for the C2C would be provided by the passage of Metro bond measure M 26-218 in November, and our only chance to delay C2C and permit more time for citizen feedback is for the measure to fail.

We therefore, ask for your help. Join us in voting NO on Measure 26-218, November 3, 2020.

Get Involved, Make a Difference!
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The League of Women Voters of Portland and MetroEast Community Media produced candidate interview videos for a 2020 Video Voters' Guide. You can find the videos for the Gresham candidates who participated below.

(Due to scheduling and prior commitments not all candidates were able to participate. Candidates are listed alphabetical. Candidates that appear below do not constitute an endorsement by the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association or its members.)

City of Gresham, Mayor

• • Sean Bishop
  • Eddy Morales
  • Travis Stovall

Gresham City Council, Position 1

• • Dina DiNucci
  • Jerry Hinton

Gresham City Council, Position 3

• • Brianna Harris
  • Vince Jones-Dixon
  • Raymond Love

Gresham City Council, Position 5

• • Dave Dyk
  • Sue Piazza

More Info
For information on other voter issues visit League of Women Voters of Portland at https://lwvpdx.org/

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, Oct 03, 2020 8:30AM-2PM Where: Arts Plaza NE 3rd Street and NE Hood Avenue Get Map!

Oregon's Stay Home, Save Lives order allows farmers markets to operate. The Gresham Farmers' Market will open for the season with a limited number of vendors and strict COVID-19 physical distancing and safety measures in place.

At the market safety measures

• Do not visit the market if you you are feeling unwell.
• Only one person per household should visit the market.
• Wear a mask.
• Bring a shopping list.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your household.
• No socializing in the market for now.
• Do not touch items before buying.
• Shop quickly.
• No dogs; service animals only.

Visit the Gresham Farmers' Market website for more information.

Public Invited

When: Mon, Oct 05, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM
Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The Coalition is hosting forums for the Gresham Mayor & City Council candidates on Monday, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, via Zoom. The Oct. 5 forum will be for Mayoral and Council Position 1 candidates, and the Oct. 6 forum will be for Council Position 3 and Council Position 5 candidates.

A survey for the community to suggest candidate questions for the forum and more information on the forums is on the Coalition page.

Gresham Coalition of Neighborhood's Candidate Forum #1
Oct. 5, 2020 at 6:30 pm

• Mayoral Candidates: Sean Bishop, Joe Demers, Eddy Morales, Travis Stovall
• Council Position 1 Candidates: Dina DiNucci, Jerry Hinton

How to participate

• Join the Oct. 5 forum online.
  • Passcode: iU4gh8
• Or iPhone one-tap: US: +12532158782,,98441536884#,,,,,,0#,,365951# or +13462487799,,98441536884#,,,,,,0#,,365951#
• Or Telephone (to listen only): +1 253 215 8782
  • Webinar ID: 984 4153 6884
  • Passcode: 365951

For more information about the Coalition or the forums, please contact Coalition President Carol Rulla at GreshamNeighborhoodCoalition@gmail.com.

Public Invited

When: Tue, Oct 06, 2020 6:30PM-8:30PM
Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The Coalition is hosting forums for the Gresham City Council candidates on Monday, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, via Zoom. The Oct. 5 forum will be for Mayoral and Council Position 1 candidates, and the Oct. 6 forum will be for Council Position 3 and Council Position 5 candidates.

A survey for the community to suggest candidate questions for the forum and more information on the forums is on the Coalition page.

Gresham Coalition of Neighborhoods Candidate Forum #2
Oct. 6, 2020 at 6:30 pm

• Council Position 3 Candidates: Matt Burnett, Brianna Harris, Vince Jones-Dixon, Raymond Love
• Council Position 5 Candidates: Dave Dyk, Sue Piazza

How to participate

• Join the Oct. 6 forum online.
  • Passcode: s8sXz6
• Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16699006833,,99201883073#,,,,,,0#,,055424# or +12532158782,,99201883073#,,,,,,0#,,055424#
• Or Telephone (to listen only): +1 253 215 8782
  • Webinar ID: 992 0188 3073
  • Passcode: 055424

For more information about the Coalition or the forums, please contact Coalition President Carol Rulla at GreshamNeighborhoodCoalition@gmail.com.

Get Involved, Make a Difference! When: Wed, Oct 07, 2020 4:30PM-5:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom

The Gresham Youth Advisory Council will be hosting a Gresham Mayoral forum. This event will be youth led and youth organized. We welcome our Gresham youth to participate and take part in this forum. The Youth Advisory Council has invited all mayoral candidates to participate in this event. This event is open to everyone who would like to attend.

Join Zoom meeting

For more information, contact Ricki Ruiz at 503-618-2213 or Ricardo.Ruiz@GreshamOregon.gov

About the Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

The mission of YAC is to educate and serve the Gresham community through meaningful activities, educating our peers, appreciating diversity, and developing supportive partnerships between our schools and community.

Learn more about the Youth Advisory Council.

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, Oct 10, 2020 8:30AM-2PM Where: Arts Plaza NE 3rd Street and NE Hood Avenue Get Map!

Oregon's Stay Home, Save Lives order allows farmers markets to operate. The Gresham Farmers' Market will open for the season with a limited number of vendors and strict COVID-19 physical distancing and safety measures in place.

At the market safety measures

• Do not visit the market if you you are feeling unwell.
• Only one person per household should visit the market.
• Wear a mask.
• Bring a shopping list.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your household.
• No socializing in the market for now.
• Do not touch items before buying.
• Shop quickly.
• No dogs; service animals only.

Visit the Gresham Farmers' Market website for more information.

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, Oct 17, 2020 8:30AM-2PM Where: Arts Plaza NE 3rd Street and NE Hood Avenue Get Map!

Oregon's Stay Home, Save Lives order allows farmers markets to operate. The Gresham Farmers' Market will open for the season with a limited number of vendors and strict COVID-19 physical distancing and safety measures in place.

At the market safety measures

• Do not visit the market if you you are feeling unwell.
• Only one person per household should visit the market.
• Wear a mask.
• Bring a shopping list.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your household.
• No socializing in the market for now.
• Do not touch items before buying.
• Shop quickly.
• No dogs; service animals only.

Visit the Gresham Farmers' Market website for more information.

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, Sep 05, 2020 8:30AM-2PM Where: Arts Plaza NE 3rd Street and NE Hood Avenue Get Map!

Oregon's Stay Home, Save Lives order allows farmers markets to operate. The Gresham Farmers' Market will open for the season with a limited number of vendors and strict COVID-19 physical distancing and safety measures in place.

At the market safety measures

• Do not visit the market if you you are feeling unwell.
• Only one person per household should visit the market.
• Wear a mask.
• Bring a shopping list.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your household.
• No socializing in the market for now.
• Do not touch items before buying.
• Shop quickly.
• No dogs; service animals only.

Visit the Gresham Farmers' Market website for more information.

Saturday's thru October When: Sat, Sep 12, 2020 8:30AM-2PM Where: Arts Plaza NE 3rd Street and NE Hood Avenue Get Map!

Oregon's Stay Home, Save Lives order allows farmers markets to operate. The Gresham Farmers' Market will open for the season with a limited number of vendors and strict COVID-19 physical distancing and safety measures in place.

At the market safety measures

• Do not visit the market if you you are feeling unwell.
• Only one person per household should visit the market.
• Wear a mask.
• Bring a shopping list.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone not in your household.
• No socializing in the market for now.
• Do not touch items before buying.
• Shop quickly.
• No dogs; service animals only.

Visit the Gresham Farmers' Market website for more information.