Curbside garbage prowler spotted, NE 164th & NE Holiday
Is your trash can a treasure chest for identity thieves?
X marks the spot!
Well, in this case, the 'X' is more like a lid with a handle on the top. For identity thieves who are looking for buried treasure, your garbage bin can be a jackpot of personal information. As the old saying goes, ’One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’
Have you seen this guy?
About 5:30am July 7, 2010 a "scruffy looking" 25-35 year old male on a bicycle w/toddler trailer was observed sifting through several curbside trash bins in the area of 164th Ave & NE Holiday St. After being spotted he got back on his bike and casually rode away with his booty. But, not before this picture was taken with a cell phone.
What was he looking for?
Pop cans? Food? Personal information (maybe credit card receipts, bank statements)? Who knows.
Whatever it was, he decided to look elsewhere after he was seen doing some early morning 'dumpster diving' through other folks trash.
Try this: Guess your child's height and weight. Write it down
Then measure him or her and see how close you come
How'd you do?
No one wants to imagine going through the nightmare of having their child go missing. The very thought strikes fear in every parent.
Fortunately you can prepare for the unthinkable by ordering a free Child ID kits from the Oregon State Police.
Since June 4, 2010 close to 3,000 "Complete Identification and DNA Kits" (which are free and are available in English and Spanish) have been sent to people in Oregon as well as nationally (and Canada too!).
The kits help families record important information like dental information, physical information and a photograph. In addition, they provide the necessary tools for taking a DNA cheek swab sample and fingerprints.
Interested?
Child Complete Identification and DNA Kits are available to order by calling 1-800-282-7155, or by email at childidkits@state.or.us. The kits are free of charge!
Burnside construction, Rockwood (Click to enlarge)
Rockwood in Motion: 188th MAX Station work begins
Expect congestion and delays along Burnside until next Spring
When: Now thru March 2011 Where: E Burnside (Between 185th - SE Stark)
Gresham, OR Get Map!
Westbound
Beginning Monday, June 21, work on the Rockwood/E 188th MAX Station improvements will begin to impact westbound traffic on E Burnside Street between SE 185th Avenue and SE Stark Street. Traffic will be reduced to one through lane in this area until the new station opens in early 2011.
Eastbound
Eastbound Burnside Street will be limited to one through lane in the same area until the new light rail platforms open in March 2011. Temporary MAX station platform construction will begin JUne 21st for riders at the Rockwood station while work proceeds on the new platforms for the rebuilt station.
MAX Remains on Schedule
The MAX will continue to operate on schedule with no service interruptions anticipated. Several changes to pedestrian crossings are in effect during construction. Please observe all detours and other signs and signals near the site for safety. This includes not crossing Burnside Street where crosswalks have been closed or entering the posted construction area.
City of Gresham News,
Community Activities,
Workshops & More
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.
Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan Click to enlarge
Public forums, citizen input and design changes complete
City Council approves Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan
The Gresham City Council approved and adopted the Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan at the June 1, 2010 City Council meeting.
About Nelson
The Nelson Property is a 2.0-acre parcel located adjacent to and south of the City-owned Nadaka Nature Park, fronting NE Glisan Street at NE 176th. Click here for a vicinity map of the area.
The second Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan Community Forum was held March 31st. At this forum the Preferred Design Alternative was presented which took into account comments from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Subcommittee, Urban Forestry Subcommittee, January 20 Community Forum, Metro Parks & Greenspaces, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City staff.
The Master Plan includes approximately 1/3 of the property to be community gardens and orchard. There will also be picnic tables, a nature-based play area, and public restrooms. A walking loop will connect the Nelson Neighborhood Park with Nadaka Nature Park. (It will be necessary for citizens to obtain addtitional grant monies to develop the Nelson property.)The Nelson Property Summary Report and Community Forum Summary Reports are available on the City's website here.
Background
In 2009 the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2 arce site for use as a neighborhood park. The Trust For Public Lands negotiated the purchase.
Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan Click to enlarge
Public forums, citizen input and design changes complete
City Council set to adopt Nelson Neighborhood Park Master Plan
When: Tuesday Jun 1, 2010 6PM Where: Gresham City Hall
Council Chamber
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham, OR Get Map!
Council to consider plan
The Gresham City Council will consider for adoption the Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan at the June 1st, 6PM meeting in the City Council Chamber. There will be a public comment period at the start of the meeting. Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting and show their support for this project.
About Nelson
The Nelson Property is a 2.0-acre parcel located adjacent to the City-owned Nadaka Nature Park, fronting NE Glisan Street at NE 176th. Click here for a vicinity map of the area.
The second Nelson Property Neighborhood Park Master Plan Community Forum was held March 31st. At this forum the Preferred Design Alternative was presented which took into account comments from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Subcommittee, Urban Forestry Subcommittee, January 20 Community Forum, Metro Parks & Greenspaces, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City staff.
The Master Plan includes approximately 1/3 of the property to be community gardens and orchard. There will also be picnic tables, a nature-based play area, and public restrooms. A walking loop will connect the Nelson Neighborhood Park with Nadaka Nature Park. (It will be necessary for citizens to obtain addtitional grant monies to develop the Nelson property.)The Nelson Property Summary Report and Community Forum Summary Reports are available on the City's website here.
Background
In 2009 the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association and Friends of Nadaka successfully obtained a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grant, a grant from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and a donation from the Nelson Family Trust to purchase the 2 arce site for use as a neighborhood park. The Trust For Public Lands negotiated the purchase.
New MAX Station, 188th & Burnside Click to enlarge
Defining Rockwood's Town Center
Change is on the horizon!
Let the projects begin!
Look for big changes starting this summer, as the Gresham Redevelopment Commission begins transforming the face of Central Rockwood with a distinctive urban design.
"Rockwood in Motion" projects will benefit residents and businesses alike by providing a fresh new look for the area, improving safety and access to MAX, and jump-starting investment in the Rockwood Triangle. All while reinforcing the message that Rockwood is a special part of Gresham.
Expect Traffic Delays
Infrastructure improvement projects have already started in some Central Rockwood areas with all projects expected to be underway by June 1.
Don't let these pushy salespeople take "Advanage" of you
Aggressive and rude!
Several Capri Terrace residents in West Gresham's Wilkes East Neighborhood have reported being confronted by "pretty darn aggressive" and somewhat rude salespeople going door-to-door selling ADVANAGE cleaning sprays for Georgia based T&B Sales. This company has a sketchy reputation and many complaints for its over-the-top high-pressure sales tactics - dating back to their beginning in 2000.
One neighbor said "I had to be aggressive right back in order to shoo him away, I thought his tactics were a bit peculiar. His foot-in-the door antics was a bit unnerving to me".
Reports of T&B Sales representatives going doot-to-door selling Advanage cleaner without a permit or license have appeared recently in local newspapers from Portland to Longview and on several television stations warning area residents -- including this May 21st story on KGW TV's website.
"Don't even engage them in conversation," said one local sheriff's community policing office. "Just explain to them that you're not interested and close the door."
T&B sales has a troubled history in Oregon. In 2008, the attorney general's office issued a consumer alert after sales reps were charged with fraud, theft and illegal drug activity.
If a T&B Sales representative comes to your door you should contact your local police non-emergency telephone number. In Gresham the non-emergency number is 503-823-3333.
Board appoints interim leader for one year beginning July 1
The Reynolds School Board voted unanimously Thursday, May 13, to appoint Joyce Henstrand – currently the interim superintendent – the district’s permanent superintendent until June 30, 2011.
The board has been searching for a permanent superintendent for the past five months, and Henstrand had not applied for the position. However, Theresa Delaney Davis, the board chairwoman, said the board did not believe any of the candidates it had interviewed “was a perfect match,” and added the board was impressed with Henstrand’s work as interim superintendent.
“Since January 2010, we’ve seen remarkable progress toward our goals,” Davis said. “The district is operating within an improved organizational structure, there was increased transparency in the budget process, staff morale is improving and additional resources and supports for the students are being actively sought.
“We are pleased that Dr. Henstrand will continue the exceptional job she has been doing,” Davis said, noting, for example, that the district expects “significant” improved state test results this year.
Earth Day wasn't until April 22nd, but SOLV volunteers got an early start Saturday April 19th by cleaning up 200 sites throughout Oregon -- including Nadaka Nature Park in West Gresham. Check-out this video.
Thank You!
Wilkes East Neighborhood would like express our gratitude to the following for their generous contributions & continued support:
• Jazzy Bagels, Main St & Powell
• Parkrose Hardware, 106th & Sandy
• Growers Outlet, 162nd & Glisan
• SOLV, Bringing Oregon together
• Albertsons, 181st & Glisan
• And, all the many volunteers!
