News

Jordan Beehler, Eagle Scout Click to enlarge

What began as a bird house project quickly turned into a passion Making A Difference Wilkes East resident Jordan Beehler is a young man with a warm smile who's interested in making the world around him a better place -- not only for himself, but for others in his community too. Jordan, an Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 606 is a senior at Central Catholic High School in Portland and plans to attend Oregon State University this fall.

In August 2010 Jordan began work on his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. This project is the opportunity for an Eagle Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of the community. This is the culmination of the Eagle Scout candidate's leadership training and requires significant effort on their part.

For his project Jordan choose to improve Nadaka Nature Park

The City of Gresham is a community partner with a new state-wide program, Clean Energy Works Oregon. Clean Energy Works Oregon, (CEWO), is a non-profit program created to assist homeowners with transforming their homes to be more comfortable and energy efficient.

Energy efficiency improvements in reach.  This All-in-One solution provides:

• No-money-down, easy financing
• One-to-one assistance
• Simple qualifications
• Repayment of loan through the utility bill
• Protects homeowners from rising energy rates

Expert guidance from start to finish
Qualified homeowners receive an extensive energy audit by a trained building expert, retrofit work conducted by a certified contractor and access to low interest rate financing.

Up to $3700 in Instant Rebates*
*Instant Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to change without prior notice, are non-transferable and will only be available for qualified program borrowers for a limited time. Instant Rebates include federal, state and local resources and standard Energy Trust cash incentives. Instant Rebates end May 15th!

TO APPLY visit Clean Energy Works Oregon, http://www.cewo.org

Clean Energy Works Oregon is public-private alliance with Energy Trust of Oregon, utilities, financial institutions, local communities and contractors.

Gang graffiti at Nadaka Nature Park 175th & NE Pacific, Gresham OR

Quick Resources Gang Hotlines Graffiti Resources Graffiti Removal Report Graffiti Online

Neighbors express frustration with the escalating situation.

With the arrival of spring comes a surge in graffiti vandalisim as area street gangs mark their turf.

When you mention the topic of gangs in Portland, most people think of Bloods and Crips, the overwhelmingly black gangs that arrived here in the late '80s. But that's all changed.

The Rise of Mexican Gangs

As the African-American gang problem has slowly been brought under control, its Hispanic counterpart has quietly grown. In the early '90s, African-American gang members outnumbered Hispanic gangsters in Oregon by a ratio of 9 to 1. Two decade later that ratio has reversed.

RBC: Launching the next phase Dinucci resigns, Stegmann appointed as acting chair

Candidates Wanted

After several months of discussion the Rockwood Business Coalition has decided to reorganize.

The RBC is seeking board member candidates for chair, a vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and two members at large. Local business leaders interested in any of these position should contact the RBC to have their name placed on the ballot. Elections will be held at the April meeting. See contact info below.

Launching The Next Phase

On Feb 8th, Dina DiNucci resigned as Chair after four years saying it is necessary step to launch the next phase of the RBC. DiNucci has agreed to stay on to build membership and manage the activities of the RBC at least thru June 2011. Vice Chair, Lori Stegmann has assumed the role of Acting Chair. Stegmann, owner of Stegmann Insurance Agency is also a member of the Gresham City Council.

About the RBC

The RBC was formed in 2007 and has served as a unified voice for West Gresham's Rockwood area businesses on political, economic, and social issues. Membership is not limited to a specific area. The group welcomes any business interest who holds a stake in the Rockwood community. This area covers the Columbia River (north) to SE Division (south), 162nd Ave (west) to 202nd Ave (east). The Coalition meets on the first Wednesday of each month at a hosting business or organization. Meeting times are from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Click to download

Winter 2011 Newsletter is here. Download your copy today. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Eight Services Under One Roof Commissioner McKeel to Speak Reynolds 2011-12 Budget Survey Managing Stormwater Naturally Redeemable Returns Get Easier RSD Seeks Board Candidates Earth Day 2011 Events and more...

Download the full-color edition here!

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

Looking for a past issue? Check out the newsletter archive.

Got a story to share?

Wilkes East residents are encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter. Articles should be limited to 300 words and may be subject to editing. Send articles by email to: info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: PO Box 536 • Fairview, OR 97024.

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.