News

2011-12 Budget Survey Now Closed District Expects to Face Budget Cuts of $6 to $8.2 Million

Survey Participation

In an effort to increase public input into its proposed 2011-12 budget, the Reynolds School district held an online survey of district residents over the past few weeks.

The survey, which closed March 9, 2011, is part of a program called “Reynolds Tomorrow: Tough Choices – Smart Decisions”, information about which can be found on the ReynoldsTomorrow.com website. Individual responses are confidential. Survey results will be combined and shared with each participant and other members of the community.

Sources say about 400 residents participated in the online survey, and that the district was pleased with the overall response.

Tough Choices Ahead

“Oregon’s financial woes mean the Reynolds School district will be faced with tough, challenging and uncomfortable decisions early next year as it decides the 2011-12 budget,” says Theresa Delaney-Davis, chairwoman of the district’s board.

Based on the latest estimates the Reynolds School district expects to face budget cuts of $6 to $8.2 million for the next school year.

Ms. Delaney-Davis will speak at the Wilkes East Neighborhood meeting on March 28th at 7PM, St Aidan's Episcopal Church (174th & NE Glisan), to discuss the district's budget situation and answer residents’ questions.

Already signed-up? Not yet invited? Sign-up again Next year's budget cuts estimated at $6 to $8.2 million

District wants your online survey feedback for proposed 2011-12 budget

The Reynolds Tomorrow survey is now open for a limited time.
Don't miss this opportunity to let the school district know your opinion on these important budget issues.

Come On People, Do Your Part. So far only a couple hundred of you have signed up. To those who have - thank you for participating. To those who haven't - what are you waiting for? We can and must do better than this people. The school board is asking for our help. Take the survey today. Help your school board make the best budget decisions possible. Tell the board what's important to you. If you don't take the survey, don't complain when you disagree with the tough choices that will be made. ED

Haven't received your invitation yet?
If you signed-up to participate and have not yet received an email inviting you to take the survey you can click here to signed up again. It appears there may have been a problem with some registrations. ED

The survey is part of a program called “Reynolds Tomorrow: Tough Choices – Smart Decisions,” information about which can be found on the ReynoldsTomorrow.com website. Individual responses are confidential. Survey results will be combined and shared with you and other members of our community.

Based on the latest estimates the Reynolds School District expects to face budget cuts of $6 to $8.2 million for the next school year.

Rockwood Building, NE 181st & Couch

The Rockwood Building Will Bring Eight Social Services Under One Roof

Making Rockwood a better place

For years the grassy vacant lot on NE 181st Ave near Burnside served only an occasional traveling carnival or Christmas tree vendor.

Now, that lot is being transformed into a Multi-Service Center to serve area
families in need.

The new three-story $17 million Rockwood Building will host eight social service providers plus a community room on the first floor, and 47 apartments on the two floors above. Fifteen of those apartments will be reserved for homeless families.

Rockwood Building construction, 02/2011

Ground floor agencies will provide day care, employment assistance and Head Start classes, among other services. The new building is expected to be a hub for residents in and around Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood.

Human Solutions, a social service agency with offices in Portland and east Multnomah County, is coordinating the project.

Employees counting redeemable's Wood Village BottleDrop Center

Returning Oregon redeemable's just got a lot easier. Fill the bag. Drop it off. Collect your refund.

If you haven't tried the new Wood Village BottleDrop Redemption Center - what are you waiting?

Getting started

Simply stop by the Wood Village BottleDrop Center at 233rd & NE Halsey to sign-up (it only takes a minute). You'll get a nifty hard plastic ID card and 2 convenient ID key fobs, 2 BottleDrop bar coded bag tags and 2 EZ Drop bags (made from 100% recycled materials) to get you started.

Third pre-dawn sighting in the past week

For the third time in the past week a lone coyote has been spotted around 5:30AM roaming the Capri Terrace and Clairmont areas in the Wilkes East neighborhood on NE Oregon & 166th, and NE Multnomah between 165th & 162nd. Residents should be careful to keep small pets and animals indoors at night and keep a watchful eye on them when they're outside.

UPDATED Feb 24, 2011: A pair of coyotes was seen again roaming NE Multnomah St between 165th &162nd a couple of hours before dawn Thursday morning. Residents in the area are advised to leave the coyotes alone as they typically do not present risks to humans unless cornered or threatened.

Urban coyotes sightings are not unusual in the Portland area, especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when they are most active. Just last fall there were several reported sightings in the Alameda neighborhood of Northeast Portland

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

• Neighborhood Safety Forum – February 16
• Crime Reports
• Raptor Identification Workshop February 1
• Show the Love Contest
• Community Forum – February 15
• YWCA Fundraising Event
• Drawing Out Conflict – Workshop to Explore Conflict Resolution
• Gresham-Barlow School Board Hosting Community Forum
• Try Local First Key Tag Program
• YWCA Thrift Store Gives Back to Those in Need
• Basic Mediation Training: Apply by February 28
• Water Crews Flushing Pipes
• NE Hood Avenue Project Open House February 15
• Free Rain Garden Workshop March 5
• New Pilot Program - Water Audit and Home Energy Review
• New Year, New Trail to Explore
• SmartTrips is Coming to Gresham Regional Center Neighborhood
• Gresham Woods, Ambleside, Need Volunteers at Event

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 Board Meeting Tuesday Feb 8, 2011 7:00PM

When: Tuesday Feb 8, 2011 7:00PM
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

Reynolds Tomorrow Tough Choices: Smart Decisions

District wants your online survey feedback for proposed 2011-12 budget. Results to be posted in February

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Jan 11, 2011
By Rob Cullivan

In an effort to increase public input into its proposed 2011-12 budget, the Reynolds School District plans to gather opinions through an online survey.

The survey is part of a program called “Reynolds Tomorrow: Tough Choices – Smart Decisions,” information about which can be found at ReynoldsTomorrow.com.

Sign-up here to participate in the survey!

“At this date, the district cannot predict how much state aid will be available for the 2011-12 budget year,” the site states, adding Oregon “is facing a $3.5 billion revenue shortfall, based on the latest quarterly economic forecast in November 2010.

“The picture for the next fiscal year (2011-2012) has not come into full focus,” the site reports. “If our state allocation next year holds constant, the district may have to eliminate at least $4 million from the current operating budget.”

Jim Clark / Gresham Outlook Disc golfer Jerry Miller, right, helped spearhead a drive to raise funds for Park Place Coffee when owner Dina DiNucci, left, was ready to close up shop.

Unexpected help keeps cafe owner from closing her heart and doors Park Place Coffee will continue serving the community

Source: The Gresham Outlook, Jan 7, 2011, Updated Jan 11, 2011
By Mara Stine

Dina DiNucci opened her coffee and crepe shop Park Place Coffee in Rockwood four years ago, not only to operate a small business, but to give the community a gathering place.

But as the economy tanked it became harder and harder for DiNucci to stay afloat. She squeaked by every month. Yet as 2011 neared, she wondered if it made sense to invest another $1,000 in her annual business licenses, permit and other yearly expenses

GRDC Advisory Committee agenda: Election of Officers, Rockwood Code Compliance Staff Report, 2011 Revenue Projections, Rockwood in Motion Update, Annual Report to GRDC, Plaza del Sol Programming Work Group Update

When: Wednesday Jan 12, 2011 7PM-9PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Oregon Trail Conference Center
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham OR
Get Map!

On the agenda

Click here for Wednesday night's Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) Advisory Committee meeting agenda. This link takes you to the City of Gresham webpage that has the attachments and further meeting information.