Guest post by Montavilla Neighborhood Association Chair Brian Wong.

Montavilla Neighborhood Association (MNA) rang in Chinese New Year (it was on Valentine’s Day this year) by moving to a new location. With that move came a change in meeting structure. All this is to make the meetings more engaging, relevant and neighborhood specific. Our move took us to 232 SE 80th Avenue, Montavilla United Methodist Church.

Our new meeting time and format:

• 2nd Monday of every month, 6:30 p.m., Montavilla Board Meeting. Discuss logistics, related concerns.

• 2nd Monday of every month, 7:30 p.m., Montavilla General Meeting. Discussion and informative sessions on what is going on in your neighborhood. Have a concern, bring it here!!

• 4th Monday of every month, 7:00 p.m., Montavilla Committee Meetings. Our new addition and experiment!! Land Use, Outreach, Parks, Public Safety, Sustainability, and other possible future committees will meet this night to address issues requiring long-term solutions and to plan neighborhood events.

Montavilla NA Web Site

Check out our new website, still in development. Go to www.montavillapdx.com. Again, this site is still under development. We will be looking for feedback February 22nd, 7 p.m., 232 SE 80th Avenue at our Outreach Committee. Questions? Contact Brian, wong.brian57@yahoo.com or Marisa, meswenson@gmail.com.

Traffic Flow Patterns Around Bridger Elementary Cause Concern

It recently came to the MNA's attention that there is concern regarding traffic flow patterns surrounding Bridger Elementary School. This issue is fraught with complexity. Montavilla Neighborhood Association responded by drafting a letter asking that partners in Transportation, Portland Public Schools, and surrounding neighbors come together to discuss possible solutions. Bridger is a valued community asset and MNA looks forward to working with neighbors and school administration.
 

Residential Traffic Calming Presentation

By sheer coincidence, Greg Raisman, Portland Department of Transportation, is scheduled to present Residential Traffic Calming at our next General Meeting, 7:30 p.m., March 8th, 232 SE 80th Avenue. This presentation is about what changes can be made to make residential streets safer, slow cars down, and encourage walking. Hopefully, this creates the foundation to help our neighbors near Bridger Elementary School and Montavilla in general.

Montavilla Community Center Budget Cuts?

Jennelle Andrews, Coordinator of Montavilla Community Center, SE Glisan and 82nd Avenue, will talk about future budget cuts at the next General Meeting, March 8th, 7:30 p.m., 232 SE 80th Avenue. The implication is that the community center will be closed all weekend, every weekend. No services will be available after 5 p.m. on any day. This makes the community center completely inaccessible to most of Montavilla. She will discuss options neighbors have to help maintain current levels of services at our community center.
 

Join MNA's Neighborhood Parks Committee. No Dancing Required!

The Montavilla Neighborhood Parks Committee was surprised to learn that the association liability insurance does not insure dancing.

"Have they actually seen you dance, Roger?" was the first question committee members asked of the Montavilla Parks Chair, Roger Warren. "Well, I'm pretty sure the shades were closed on that one night in November... hmmm, you don't suppose..." Montavilla neighborhood members who, in spite of it all, still want to join our Parks Committee and help plan neighborhood park events can either attend our meeting at 7 p.m., 4th Monday, Montavilla United Methodist Church, 232 SE 80th. Contact Roger Warren 503-254-2100 (Just let the phone ring... he's probably dancing.)
 

MNA Treasurer Needed

The position of Treasurer is open. This position has it all. Serves the community, flexible hours, great benefits (in the form of our unending gratitude), and utilizes skills you already have. Written a check before? Paid some bills? Live in the neighborhood? Welcome aboard!! Contact Brian, wong.brian57@yahoo.com, 971-221-4718.
 

Main Street Program Grant

Montavilla Neighborhood Association and Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) are forming a steering committee to apply for a revitalization grant through the Main Street program. What is Main Street? To quote directly from the last METBA e-newsletter:

The Main Street® approach is a community-driven plan to revitalize older, traditional business districts. Main Street® programs advocate a return to traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community. More information is available at the PDC website.

Drop a line to our Land Use Committee Chair, lewscholl@msn.com. We hope you can join us!
 

Graffiti Clean Up April 3

April 3rd will be our next graffiti clean up. We will need help that day painting and cleaning graffiti sites. Get to know your neighbors, claim your neighborhood, and have a good time doing it. Contact Fritz, fritz.hirsch@gmail.com.
 

Financial Accountability Committee

In order to better organize records, Montavilla Neighborhood Association discussed forming a Financial Accountability Committee. This committee would be charged with reviewing past bank statements and check registers; ultimately making information presentable in a matter that could be posted and easily understood. Ever double checked a receipt? Sorted and matched a pile of dark blue and navy blue socks? Then your neighborhood is calling!! We need your help!! Contact Brian Wong, wong.brian57@yahoo.com, 971-221-4718 now!