Buckman Community Association

BUCKMAN POOL WALK-THROUGH UPDATE

06/27/06

PPS sponsored a community walk-through at Buckman Pool Friday evening, June 24th. Present were David Shaff from Comm. Leonard's office, Matt Grumm from Comm. Saltzman's office, Justin Devers of PPS, Richard Bosch, staff architect with Parks & Recreation and Lydia Kowalski, Operations Services Manager with Parks. Also present were a good representation from the community and the Buckman Pool Heroes. We were fortunate to have our independent pool consultant, Don Jones, there as well.

Friday's meeting was a bit discouraging with all the political posturing, and the city's inability to understand our frustration with the pool situation. However, two messages seemed to be clear: 1) City Council wants to help this community and 2) City Council needs a clear and overwhelming message from the community that we want our pool back. The subtext here is that the city would rather not have to deal with Buckman Pool, but they realize not doing so will be political suicide. We need to make their path clear by not accepting anything less than a full repair and operation of the pool until the new Inner East Side Community Center is open.

It is time for us to deluge City Hall with calls, letters and e-mails. Please go to www.buckmanu.org/savethepool for contact information and an easy web e-mail form. Tell all your friends and acquaintances. Please visit the link to our pool blog and participate!

We are also accepting donations to our Save the Pool Fund. We have used funds thus far to hire our own pool consultant and will need them in the future for outreach, publicity and more consultant fees. All donations are tax-deductible. Please make out a check to Buckman PTA and send to Deb Vranizan, 4801 NE 38th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211. Please make a note in the memo line that it is for the Buckman Pool Fund.