Buckman Community Association

BCA Minutes: 10-2-03

Buckman C. A. Minutes; Oct. 2, 2003

In Attendance were: Ann Bowling, Lily Witham, Dolores Dee, Susan Lindsay,
Anne Hughes, Steve Stevens, Jarkko Cain, Don MacGillvray and Lee Pearlman.

St. Francis Ad Hoc Committee Report- Steve Stevens, a parishioner from St.
Francis who also is a member of the Ad Hoc Committee gave a report on the
meeting held on Oct. 1, 2003. Mr. Stevens reported that because of the
recent police sweep around the Pierre Bakery Building, the homeless are
very upset. He stated that they feel “betrayed and backstabbed by the SE
Precinct police, City Attorney”, etc. He reports on an “atmosphere of
distrust among the campers”. There followed an intense discussion between
several board members and Mr. Stevens.

Anne Hughes reiterated the situation from the standpoint of a nearby
resident, homeowner and business owner. She reminded Mr. Stevens that the
Buckman Community is not “anti-homeless”, but “anti-drug and violence”. Lily Witham spoke and said that as her art studio is at the corner of 11th & Pine, she has occasion daily to watch drug deals and other suspicious
behaviour on the part of some of the campers. She stated that she felt
that the Police had been more than tolerant towards the campers, but the
situation had reached crisis proportions this summer, with as many as 50 people camped around the Pierre’s Bakery Bldg, which is on one small block. One of the campers had his things stored out in the street on SE Pine, just below SE 11th for approximately one month. Lily also reminded Mr. Stevens that as he does not live in Buckman (he lives on Mt. Tabor) he has little to no idea how this overload of homeless people is impacting the Buckman neighbourhood. Unfortunately, Mr. Stevens very obdurantly refused to listen to what the board members had to say about this problem. At the same time (confusingly) Mr. Stevens stated several times that “St. Francis HAS accepted the negative impact of their program on our
neighbourhood”. Board chair Susan Lindsay also spoke to Mr. Stevens and
reminded him that the campers are well aware of the fact that they are
technically breaking the law when they camp on the streets, and likened
the situation to someone who has been speeding on 405 for ten years, then
gets a speeding ticket and complains that “they have gotten away with it
all these years and it’s unfair to get a ticket”. She also stated that never has she ever heard anyone from St. Francis state that they are aware of the problems the program has wrought upon our community. Susan said that “like it or not, gentrification is beginning to happen to Buckman and eventually when there is more mid-level income housing, that the presence of the drug dealers, etc around the St. Francis campus will not be tolerated”.

Crime Prevention Specialists-Lily Witham gave an update about the situation with the Crime Prevention Specialists, and there was a discussion of the lack of power in our neighbourhoods and the lack of public process from the City. The group was also informed that Daivd Lane
(head of ONI) has resigned and a new head has been tentatively appointed. The new head will be Jimmy Brown, who is along-time personal friend of Commissioner Leonard.

Treasurer Ann Bowling gave out the year-end and quarterly reports.

Newsletter- Discussion on the newsletter, which hasn’t happened since
April. The Board agreed that we need to have an issue out by mid-November
so that it can be enclosed in the holiday issue of the SE Examiner. Susan
Lindsay offered to write a chairs column. Lily Witham stated that she
would like to see news about the neighbourhood, brief coverage of recent
events, and notification of upcoming free/cheap events in the
neighbourhood. Anne Hughes offered to pay for printing and distribution
for the next issue. Discussion of getting issue delivered to apartment
buildings as they do no receive a copy of the SE Examiner. Group agreed to
discuss this in depth at the General Meeting this Thursday.

WAMO-Susan has called for an informal meeting of the old citizen’s
advisory committee. There will a more detailed report given on Thursday at
the General Meeting.

Agenda for General Meeting Thursday Oct. 9th, 2003-

1. Hear a report regarding the nursing home )Marqui) proposed building in
the block bounded by Taylor, Salmon, 28th & 29th (this is actually in
Sunnyside, but at the edge of Buckman).

2. Have a limited update on St. Francis. Anne Hughes and Lily Witham have
both asked to speak on this matter.

3. Newsletter- reorganize and figure out the ways and means of producing
our next newsletter. This discussion/action will require commitment for specific tasks and a detailed schedule of times and deadline dates for completion.

4. Have a brief update on Washington High School/Community Center Master
Plan process.

5. Update on the fire station (to become a restaurant) on the eastside
esplanade and bring new ideas to increase access to river and keep the
freeway where it is.

6. Approve previous minutes.

7. Discuss BCA fundraiser planned for this winter. We would like to
outreach to the Hispanic members of our community as well as a variety of
diverse folks.

8. Report on the Liquor committee which meets at Holocene.

This concludes the minutes for Oct. 2nd, 2003. Submitted by Lily Witham,
Secretary.