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) — 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.”

Work Through a Disagreement When: Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:30-8:30PM Where: Troutdale City Hall Conference Bldg 223 Buxton Av Troutdale, OR Get Map!

Win-Win Solutions
Learn and practice the skills of Interest-Based Negotiation to find win-win solutions when you find yourself stuck in a conflict. Participants will have fun practicing with a creative dilemma. The presenter, Anndy Wiselogle of East Metro Mediation, will be sharing proven techniques that mediators use.

No fee for local residents; pre-register by February 13 at 503-618-3247 or email Mediate@GreshamOregon.gov.

Coalition of Gresham Neighborhood Associations When: Tue Feb 14, 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

Improving citizen safety When: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:30PM-9PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham OR Get Map!

You're Invited
Sgt. Hernandez will give an update on the Special Enforcement Team’s (SET) activities. There will also be a special presentation from the East Metro Gang Enforcement Team (EMGET)

1874 Zimmerman House. Click to Enlarge

Bid Farewell to Winter When: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10AM-3PM Where: Zimmerman Park 17111 NE Sandy Blvd Gresham, OR Get Map!

A lasting vestige of East Multnomah County's agricultural roots

A delightful 1874 Victorian farmhouse
Take a step back into history at the Zimmerman House, a Victorian era farmhouse, built in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful farmhouse is a perfect reflection of typical Columbia River dairy farm life in the late 1800s. The Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a unique cultural education and recreational resource that is being created for the benefit of the public on a 5.98-acre historic site in Gresham, Oregon.

Share Your Opinion When: Wed Feb 22, 2012 6-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham OR Get Map!

You're Invited
A community forum to provide information and a facilitated discussion about the process for locating wireless communications on utility poles in the public right-of-way.

This project, which is on the Council Work Plan, involves revising the Community Development Code to eliminate the regulation of wireless communication facilities located in the public right-of-way and permit it as an outright allowed use subject to obtaining a permit to use the right-of-way.

Volunteers Opportunity When: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7PM-9PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Room 2A Gresham, OR Get Map!

Discover Our Feathered Residents
Some of our most familiar birds are the permanent residents that we see in our yards and neighborhoods throughout the year. They are joined by some “winter visitors” and are easily seen at bird feeders during the cold months. These birds are easy to learn because you have excellent chances of seeing them repeatedly. This class will cover some bird feeding basics and identification of the most common birds seen in our yards in winter.

Free. No registration required.