Category Archives: Local Issues

Environmental Issues

The Big Stink & Air Pollution In General

In case you haven’t heard about it (or smelled it…), we’d like to let you know that our neighbors on Hayden Island are going gangbusters to deal with an environmental issue they most unfortunately have to deal with far too often… The Big Stink!

Here’s a link to the website they put together that pretty well tells the story…

Portland North Harbor Neighbors – pdxnhn.org

Given the shifting winds around here, it’s not uncommon for some of that foul stench to blow our way. So, whether you’re motivated by civic involvement or olifactory self-interest, we encourage you to take a moment to check out their site and get involved.

More resources on The Big Stink – and air pollution issues in this area in general…

The Portland Tribune ran an article on March 7, 2017: The Big Stink on Hayden Island

Neighbors for Clean Air 

Volkswagen Settlement Fuels A Fight To Phase Out Dirty Old Diesel Engines

The Diesel You Breathe

Cleaner Air Oregon

Standard
Local Issues

ECNA Land Use & Housing Vitality Forum

ECNA LAND USE & HOUSING VITALITY FORUM

Thursday, April 06, 2017
7:00 – 8:30 PM
Columbia Community Bible Church
420 NE Marine Dr.
Portland, OR.

Agenda:
1. Why did BES (BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) purchase 5-6 (approximate) larger parcel properties and what is the current proposal to purchase the western 17 acres of the Brandwein (between ne South Shore R. and NE Meadow Dr. west of NE 13th Ave) property?
2.  Which program did the city tap to pay over a million dollars for these property purchases ?  Did city PDX City Council approve these purchases?  What mission plan is in place?
3. With city ownership, does this property contribute to our tax base?
4. Penn2 (Peninsula Drainage District #2) drainage assessment; will the city pick up their portion of the fees or will the private property owners pick up the tab?
5. The ECNA NRMP (Natural Resources Management Plan) has been guiding development since 1990.  What input from our ECNA plan and formal communications will BES have with the neighbors about future land divisions and use of these properties including the upland portions?
6. Will dividing off the wetlands terminate the aggregate concepts formula for maintaining future housing?

Open Discussion.

Martha Johnston (503-720-5035)
Land Use Committee Chair

ps – Martha relayed this to me on 3/29. Apologies for the delay in posting. – LL

Standard
Local Issues

April Tools Day
 
APRIL TOOLS DAY

Join us on Saturday, April 1, from 2pm-3pm to celebrate the grand opening of the North Portland Tool Library Annex!  The building is complete and we’re excited to open it up to you on “April Tools’ Day” in the backyard of the Historic Kenton Firehouse, located at 2209 N. Schofield St.  

 
Help us design the interior of the Annex.  And enter the FREE RAFFLE for prizes – tools; NPTL swag; and the grand prize, a DeWalt cordless combination power tool kit that includes a drill/driver, circular saw, flashlight, reciprocating saw, 2 battery packs, charger and attractive carrying case ($220.00 value!!).  We’ll provide afternoon snacks and “Tool-Aid.” Kids are welcome. 
 
We hope to see you there!

Continue reading →
Standard
Block party

Slough 101: Free Workshop

Free, Hands-On Workshop to Explore Our Columbia Slough Watershed

Saturday March 18, 2017    9:00am – 12:45pm

Ever wonder about that slow-moving channel of water running through Gresham, Fairview, and NE & N Portland?  This free hands-on workshop will explore the unique character, challenges and opportunities of the Columbia Slough and its Watershed.  You’ll learn about soil & sediment in relation to water quality, how the Slough has changed over time, and what that means for fish, wildlife, people and businesses.  Open to everyone interested in learning more about the Columbia Slough Watershed.

Workshop presenters include representatives from:

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council
The City of Portland, Bureau of Environmental Services
The City of Portland, Portland Water Bureau
Friends of Smith and Bybee Lakes
Levee Ready Columbia
Multnomah County Drainage Districts
Portland State University

With hands-on activities to let you:

  • Study macroinvertebrates (water bugs) that live in the Slough and learn about water quality.
  • Simulate and predict aquifer conditions with an interactive groundwater model.
  • Discover a beautiful hidden part of this unique waterway through a short tour

Pre-registration is required for this free workshop.
Light refreshments will be provided. Suitable for adults and teens 14 & up.

Register for this event

Location:

McKinstry Co
16790 NE Mason St
Portland, OR 97230

Contact:  Karen Carrillo, karen.carrillo@columbiaslough.org  503-281-1132

Standard
Block party

Neighborhood Business Snapshot: JLE Truckwash

JLE Enterprises, Inc.
Jhonny Interian Montalvo, Manager – Detail & Sandblasting Division
jletruckwash.com
9615 NE Vancouver Way
jinterian@jletruckwash.com
503-260-6592

Our neighborhood is an unusual mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. At a recent meeting, the ECNA Board agreed that we’d like to feature some of our local neighborhood businesses in our neighborhood newsletter and on the website. This month Board Chair Gary Kunz would like to introduce you to one that he has personally used.

JLE TruckWash, Inc. is an Oregon based company serving the trucking industry since 1981. They specialize in on-site truck washing for truck load and grocery distribution centers. Currently, there are locations in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. One of our longtime neighbors, Jhonny Interian Montalvo, manages the JLE Sandblasting and Detail shops on NE Vancouver Way. An East Columbia resident for fourteen years, Jhonny has managed the JLE facilities for ten.

When I needed my boat trailer cleaned, and later the 900 pound cast iron boat keel, I took them to JLE. Their facilities are sized to handle commercial trucks, so my little trailer and keel were no challenge for them. Both times the metal was superbly cleaned and ready for paint. Though their primary focus is commercial trucks, Jhonny says the Detail Shop can also handle personal vans or autos. I highly recommend this company. If you need detailing, steam cleaning, or sand blasting look them up and give Jhonny a call.

Standard