Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood Association (SHNA)

August Newsletter

Aug 05, 2002

Hello Neighbors!

Things slow down in SHNA this time of year. The SHNA National Night Out originally scheduled for August 6th has been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers and general interest. Thank you, PK Wall, for taking the lead in organizing it, despite the result.

Tibetan Peace Center
The Sylvan Neighbors (SN) continue to meet to discuss the ongoing negotiations with the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association (NWTCA). Due to the delay in starting these, SN took an opposition position to the application in WA county at the county hearings. The hearings were extended to allow for legal arguments and are now closed. The official decision is pending.

In the meantime SN have been actively negotiating a Good Neighbor Agreement with the NWTCA in order to avoid further opposition. The points that have been easily agreed to relate to signage, parking and restrictions on expansion until the year 2020. The issues for which agreements have not yet been reached deal with intensity of use, types of use (such as renting the center out or creation of a day school), use of the word private at the entrance and means of enforcing the agreement. Currently the attorney for the NWTCA, Mr. John Junken of Bullivant Hauser et al. and attorney for SN, Mr. Andrew Stamp of Martin Bischoff et. al. are meeting to form language for the agreement. Sylvan Neighbors remain hopeful that a position can be reached to allow for reasonable limitations on the use of the center to preserve neighborhood character and street safety. The Multnomah County hearings are tentatively scheduled for September.

Little Barnes Speed Bump Project Update
The initiative to put speed bumps on Barnes between Skyline and Barnes/Burnside is underway! Of the $12,000 needed for the project, already over $2,000 has been raised. Supporters hope to complete fund raising by the end of August so that the bumps are installed during the fall.
This project is only possible with widespread financial support from the neighborhood. Tax deductible donations should be made payable to Little Barnes Speed Bump Project to the following address:
c/o Neighbors West - NorthWest
1819 NW Everett, Suite 205
Portland, OR 97209
For additional information, please contact Steve and Jenny Thome at 503-203-6708 or Will Stevens with the Portland DOT at 503-823-2267.

Crime Report
A recent article in the Oregonian noted that crime increased in our neighborhood (and about half the others in the city) during the past year. Car prowls and mail theft are our common problems for us. Simple precautions can minimize the likelihood of being a victim. Don?’t leave valuable items in sight inside your vehicle when you leave it. Lock it and remove the keys. Don?’t leave a signed credit card receipt or other personal information in your glove box. Use common sense. As for the mail, use a secure mailbox. Consider having the mail (and newspaper) stopped temporarily if leave for work or vacation. Have valuable or personal items (like checks or financial data) delivered to your work address or a post office box to ensure security. Mail your bills from a secure location like a USPS mailbox (not left beside the street at your personal mailbox). Think ahead and use common sense to avoid identity theft from your mail or vehicle. We can help each other by paying attention to our surroundings and what?’s going on besides talking with each other.

Bylaws Committee
The bylaws committee will submit a proposed bylaws revision and restated articles of incorporation to the Board and then the membership in the near term. Changes are necessary to correct structural flaws in our bylaws and articles (so we can legally do what and how we operate) and increase their functionality and user-friendliness. If you?’re interested, contact your local Director or Dave Malcolm, VP, at 503-221-7903.

Upcoming Meetings
September 10th, General Membership Meeting, 7:00 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, 6100 SW Raab Road, Room #308.

Remember:
To vote at SHNA meetings, you must be a registered member of the neighborhood association. For information about how to become a member, please contact Dave Malcolm, (503) 221-7903, or djmalcolm@worldnet.att.net.

Please send newsletter suggestions, additions, and corrections to Judy Filsinger at Filsinm@attbi.com.