By Susan Lindsay
April 10 Public Forum on Proposed New Portland Water District: 7 pm Multnomah County Bldg.
The future management of two most basic public services, water and sewer, is about to be in your hands, and if you find yourself unsure and a bit confused over the initiative proposal (creating a new Portland Water/Sewer District and Board), you aren’t alone. If the measure, on the May ballot passes, the Mayor and City Council would lose direct management over water and sewer bureaus, rates, expenditures. A new board of water/sewer directors, independent of the Council would be elected by zones. How did this proposal come to pass? If passed what would this mean for water and sewer rates, services and projects? Who is behind the measure and why? Who opposes it and why? How might its passage impact the environment, our rivers and home service?
In recognition of the critical importance of these essential utilities, and with the desire to help our neighbors participate actively in issues, BCA hosts a Water Measure Forum,Thursday, April 10, 7 pm at Multnomah County Board Room, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. The authors of the initiative Floy Jones (Friends of Reservoirs) and Kent Craford (Large Water Users Rep) will present what led them to gathering over 50,000 signatures for this initiative, and to tell us why we should vote yes. In opposition to the measure, Mayor Charlie Hales, and other opponents will explain why the City Council should maintain control over the water and sewer bureaus and management over how rates collected are spent. This should be interesting, so please plan to attend. Time will be allocated specifically for audience questions. Forum questions can also be emailed prior to the event to buckmanboard@googlegroups.com or posted on our Facebook page. We’re inviting neighbors from adjacent inner eastside neighborhoods and providing delicious complimentary refreshments. As with all BCA pre-election forums, BCA neither endorses nor supports specific positions or candidates, and serves to facilitate the experience fairly and openly for all our community members.
Buckman Cleanup up this month! It’s time to gather up that load of old rotting wood and discards! Saturday April 19 9 am-noon, BCA and KERNS Neighborhood Associations host our annual cleanup for a second year at the Hinson Baptist Church lot on 20th and SE Salmon. For a small donation, unload a car’s worth of trash/recycling/yard debris, and even old furniture. Sorry no toxic waste or batteries. Volunteers are needed and welcome to this fun event. Contact the BCA Board buckmanboard@googlegroups.com. Elderly and disabled Buckman residents are invited to call 503.482.8252 to arrange assistance at your home with your items.
We are happy to announce that Michael O’Connor, Buckman resident and artist, has volunteered to be Picnic Coordinator for the 5th Annual Buckman Picnic in the Park Sunday, August 10, 4-8 pm at Colonel Summers Park. Michael needs help from volunteers to produce the picnic, and we need donations of cash and in-kind items (all tax-deductible) to ensure we can continue our tradition of serving free and delicious and bar-b-que meals. Michael’s email is colab42@gmail.com .