City of Gresham

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham
Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Crime Reports
• Gresham Charter
• We’re Looking for Solar Gresham Volunteers
• Chilly Inside at Home? Get Tips With Our Video Series
• Expect Big Changes in 2012 for Main City Park
• Gresham Composts!
• Learn How to Identify Wintering Birds in your Yard
• Learn About Naturescaping and Native Plants – February 26
• Renewable Energy Project Seeks Input – March 8 at 6 p.m
• Spring Gardening Grants and Resources
• Weed Watcher Workshop March 13
• Fair Housing Training for Gresham Landlords
• Community Forum for Wireless Communication Facilities
• Class: Winter Birds in Your Yard
• Workshop: Brain Science and Conflict Resolution – March 7
• National Passport Day – March 10
• Water Flushing Around Town
• Upcoming Opportunities to Make your Voice Heard
• Gresham-Barlow Education Foundation’s 2012 Phone-A-Thon

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

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Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Richard Strathern Friday, January 20, 2012 By James Mayer, The Oregonian

Former Gresham Councilor Richard Strathern says he is likely to launch a petition drive to get his charter reform ideas before voters. The Charter Review Committee, which has been meeting since October, has not taken any formal votes — that’s scheduled for Feb. 2 (Info below) (UPDATED: Gresham council struggles with vacancy charter language. Feb 8, 2012) — but it seems clear the panel will recommend only minor tweaks to the charter, rejecting the kind of major changes advocated by Strathern.

The former councilor, who did not run for re-election in 2010 after serving one term, is seeking to increase the power of the mayor.

“I think we are all very aware of the financial position the city is in, and the country is in, and now may not be the time to rock the boat,” said Joan Armstrong, a retired accountant who serves as chairwoman of the committee. “I think most of the citizens are more concerned about matters much closer to home life and work life than about trying to remake the world.”

But Strathern says the current form of government, with a city council to set policy and a professional manager to run the day-to-day operations, tends to do the bidding of influential businesses and developers.

“It took me four years to figure out how powerless the council and mayor were,” he said. “I’d get all fired up about something, and then nothing would happen. We clearly don’t really have the authority.”

UPDATED: Visit Citizens-for-Voice-and-Accountability Facebook page.

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham
Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Crime Reports
• Neighborhood Safety Forum
• Community Forum for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF)
• Basic Mediation Training
• New Downtown Development Rules Proposed
• Charter Review Committee
• Gresham Composts – Businesses Recycling Food Scraps
• Workshop: Negotiation for Win-Win Solutions
• What’s Your Opinion of Code Violations in Your Neighborhood?
• Earth Day is April 21
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• Raptor ID Class
• Winter Birds in Your Yard
• Amphibian Surveys: Volunteers Needed
• February is Plant a Tree Month (Free Tree Giveaway)
• Texas Hold ‘Em Fundraiser
• Auditions for East County’s Got Talent
• Free Activities at the Library
• Volunteer Today at Girl Scouts

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Healthy Eating Active Living website

Public Welcome When:Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:30-9PM Where:Council Chambers Public Safety & Schools Building Gresham Civic Center 1333 Eastman Pky Gresham OR Get Map!

HEARINGS

• Type IV Hearing – City of Gresham CPA 11-245 - Stacy Humphrey
  Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
  Proposed amendments to the Gresham Community Development Plan Volumes 1 (Findings) and 2 (Policies) related to the Healthy Eating Active Living project. Materials for the work session are available on the Planning Commission page of the City’s website. Additional information also is available on the project page.

• Type IV Hearing – VAC 11-26000241 - Jim Wheeler
  Applicant: Yvonne Nelson
  Site Location: 430 NW Birdsdale Ave
  Application to Vacate the Spencer Partition Plat (PP 2008-85) located at 430 NW Birdsdale Avenue in Gresham

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations When: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Springwater Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Public welcome
The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations was formed to provide structure and support for the leadership of Gresham's neighborhood associations, enabling more effective cooperation among neighborhood associations in order to achieve desired outcomes. Goals of the Coalition include providing a public forum for the review and evaluation of issues and problems, providing education and information on specific areas such as land use, and providing a unified voice for the neighborhood associations.

The Coalition meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00PM

When: Wed Jan 11, 2012 7-9PM Where: Rockwood Community Office 18709 SE Stark Gresham, OR Get Map!

Public Welcome
The Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

The purpose of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission Advisory Committee (GRDCAC) is to advise the Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) on the implementation of urban renewal plans.

Public participation is welcome and encouraged.

Agenda

• Election of Officers
• Public Safety Facility Discussion
• Report to GRDCAC: 2011 GRDC Work Plan
• 2012 GRDC Work Plan
• Annual Report to GRDC
• Projects/Program Updates

Learn the Do's and Dont's of Holiday Recycling, Plus... Ways to Recycle Your Tree (Including curbside for free!)

With the holiday's upon us, here's a few tips for proper disposal of unwanted wrapping paper, wreaths and trees.

Holiday Recycling Questions

• Can glossy holiday gift bags go in the blue cart?
  Paper gift bags can be recycled. Tip: Usually if you can tear the paper fairly easily it will pulp up at the paper mill. Gift bags can be reused or donated to charity.
• Can cellophane or foil wrapping paper go in the blue cart?
  Non-paper wrapping material should not go in the blue roll carts. Most “foil-like” paper is metallic ink on paper and is accepted with recycling.
• Can present ribbons be recycled in the blue cart?
  Non-paper ribbons are not accepted (very few ribbons are paper-based).

  Plenty more tips below this break!

Neighborhood Connections is a publication from the City of Gresham
Communications & Community Outreach offering City of Gresham news, Public Safety information, Community Activities & Events, Training & Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

Inside this Issue

• Crime Reports
• What’s 60 Feet Tall and All Lit Up in Gresham?
• What will be Referred to Voters in the May Ballot?
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Workshops
• What Code Violations Most Concern You?
• East Metro Mediation’s Basic Mediation Training in April
• Help Volunteer to Survey Amphibians This Winter
• Prepare Your Water Pipes Before Freezing Temperatures Arrive
• Prepare Your Yard for Winter - Free Healthy Home and Garden Consultation
• O’ Silent Pipe
• Free Activities at the Library
• Volunteer Today at Girl Scouts
• Thinking Ahead: Create the Future You and Your Loved Ones Desire

Keep up with what’s Happening in your City!

Facebook - Read more
Twitter - Read more
Subscribe to City media releases - Read more

Gresham Neighborhoods listing

For more information, visit the Neighborhood Associations page at GreshamOregon.gov or contact Cathy Harrington at 503-618-2482, or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations When: Tuesday Dec 13, 2011 7-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Springwater Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Public welcome
The Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations was formed to provide structure and support for the leadership of Gresham's neighborhood associations, enabling more effective cooperation among neighborhood associations in order to achieve desired outcomes. Goals of the Coalition include providing a public forum for the review and evaluation of issues and problems, providing education and information on specific areas such as land use, and providing a unified voice for the neighborhood associations.

The Coalition meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00PM

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

A Victorian Holiday Evening When: Tue Dec 13, 2011 5PM-8PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

An Evening at the Zimmerman House
If you've enjoyed the Zimmerman House during the day, you should see her at night! The historic Zimmerman House was built in 1874 and was home to three generations of the Zimmerman Family. Their furnishings and personal articles remain in this two-story Victorian home. The first ever evening tour will be held on Tuesday, December 13th, from 5PM-8PM.

There will be carols played on the parlor piano, family recipes on exhibit and ginger snap cookies from the family recipe to take home. No reservations required. Suggested donation is $3 per person.