Outer East Portland’s own Jeff Merkley says he was surprised his party came into power last fall. Hear how the Oregon House has changed under Democratic Party rule‚ in his words‚

Oregon’s top Democrat in the House, Jeff Merkley, tells people at a joint meeting of Powellhurst-Gilbert and Centennial neighborhoods why the legislature is no longer “business as usual”.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Oregon State legislator Jeff Merkley hails from outer East Portland; he is a David Douglas High School graduate, and has served the people of his outer East Portland district since 1999 in Oregon’s House of Representatives.

After a brief introduction by Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association’s returning chair, Glenn Taylor, Merkley stepped up to speak to attendees of this meeting, held jointly with the Centennial Community Association on March 13.

Other than light editing for brevity and clarity, we present Speaker Merkley’s own words‚

Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association President introduces Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley.

Good evening, Mr. Speaker …
“My role [as Oregon House Speaker] was a big surprise,” Merkley began. “If we go back to the election in November, 2006, very rarely does an incumbent lose a seat; Republicans had more seats in the House than Democrats. But, the electorate was in the mood to change things. As a party, we developed a campaign ‘road map’ of issues we wanted to tackle.

“By the time election night was over, Democrats had 31 seats. The role of House Speaker goes to the party with the most seats. Thus, I am Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.

“I wanted to change things since I first ran in 1999. At the time, we had term limits‚ and I was happy to serve my term and move on. But, term limits were overturned, and here I am in my ninth year.

“There is an advantage in being in being in the legislature since 1999. That advantage is the perspective of time. Although I grew up here in the community, after college I worked in Washington DC at the Pentagon and the US Congress on strategic issues during the ‘cold war’.

“The [political] pendulum has swung far toward partisanship. That idea of working for Congress in a ‘non-partisan policy mode’ was appealing to me; but this notion has been diminishing over the last 20 years.

“Since becoming House Speaker, I have received the support of leadership on both sides to change this, empowered the minority, and I work in a non-partisan way.”

Merkley details changes
At the meeting Merkley covered many of the changes made since January quite rapidly, including:

• Introducing a Means Committee Reprehensive into the process.
• Restoring independence of the House Parliamentarian.
• Changing the conduct of legislators; treating all with respect: “When citizens take their time to testify, although committee members may disagree 100% with them‚ they deserve respect for coming to share ideas.”
• Changing how committee meetings are conducted: “Now, chairs and vice chairs [from the two parties] sit next to one another.”
• Create incentives for members from all parties to work together. “Oregon citizens need a team working for them. This creates more communication across the body.”

No more “gimmes”
It was very important, Merkley said, that they change the “gifting” structure at the state legislature level.

“For special interest groups to take legislators to Maui for a ‘meeting’ ‚Äì there’s something wrong there. You can’t give gifts to judges. You can’t give gifts to candidates. I’ve pushed for the structure of giving ‘minimal gifts’ to legislators.

“Some said they thought this change would ‘disturb the culture’ too much. But, a system being able to give unlimited gifts isn’t right. We are there working for citizens, not special interests who can wine and dine legislators.”

Under the current standard, Merkley explained, items like T-shirts and coffee mugs are OK ‚Äì the standard is that the item must be worth less than $10‚ including meals, and gifts of entertainment. Still allowed are “receptions”, as long as all legislators are invited to attend.

“We want to convert these standards, these rules, into a law; but that takes bicameral [both Oregon House and Senate] approval to do,” explained Merkley.

Speaker Merkley tells why there is a “different feeling” in the halls of the Oregon House of Representatives these days.

A different feeling in Salem
“In the House, there is now a completely different feeling in the building.

“On our opening day, I asked former Senator Hatfield to swear me in. Hatfield, a Republican, took some tough and principled stands. In Washington DC, I worked with Hatfield. I saw how he treated people coming in to see him with respect. No, Hatfield didn’t turn me into being a Republican; but I didn’t change him either.

“In short, we’re trying to create a problem-solving atmosphere in Salem.”

Covers four major issues
Top topics Merkley shared with the group were fiscal responsibility, education, health care, and payday loans.

1. Fiscal Responsibility
“As a state we need to level out revenue flow. This means we don’t spend as much when times are good, so we don’t have to cut programs when there is a downturn. It was a huge challenge to get the ‘Rainy Day Fund’ passed in the House. It shouldn’t have been that hard to create a savings account.”

Merkley explained that this fund would be built up by the State retaining the “Corporate Kicker”‚ the overpayment of company taxes to the State. The fund would also dedicate 1% of General Fund; and any unused funds from the state budget would go into the fund.

2. Education
“We are trying to strengthen Oregon’s educational system‚ from ‘Head Start’ through the university level. We need each student to get a full school year, and experience smaller class sizes.

“Long ago, communications were costly and difficult. Now, with electronic communication, and the advent of deep draft shipping, we need to‚ and can‚ compete in the world market. But, we need good education for our citizens to thrive in the global economy.

“The legislature is looking for efficiencies within the system,” Merkley stated. “One of those efficiencies could be a statewide pooling of health care insurance. Those who sell insurance say pooling policies will cost a lot of money; others say it this concept will save money.”

Merkley was asked why, when Parkrose and David Douglas school systems object to pooling their health care insurance plans, he sounded like he was in favor of the plan.

Merkley responded, “By consolidating the plans, you greatly cut the overhead. With competition, you improve that part of the market. The Oregon School Board Association attests that it will save money. Many people who are vested in the current system think it should stay the way it is. The logic is in the administration you will have savings. Essentially, pooling insurance programs eliminates the middleman. But, many of those who sell insurance argue otherwise.”

Taking on the issue of healthcare, Merkley says this issue is the #1 topic of concern he hears from citizens.

3. Healthcare
“We are the only industrialized country that doesn’t have a stable health care system. Health care is currently built around an individual having long-term employment. Times are changing. When I’ve gone door-to-door talking with people, concerns about healthcare ranks above those about our schools.”

Merkley called the situation an “insurance death spiral”. Today, fewer people have healthcare insurance; thus more uninsured are getting routine healthcare in hospital Emergency Rooms‚ where they can’t be turned away. This drain on the system, in turn, drives up the cost of insurance‚ and then even fewer people can afford coverage.

“People tell me they’re concerned that healthcare insurance plans are less generous with benefits. And, they’re concerned about the continual increase in the cost of pharmaceuticals.

“We’re working on this issue in two stages; one is regarding long term healthcare, and the other is healthcare for children.

“When I started in the legislature, talk about healthcare was an idealist conversation. Now it is an active conversation. Employers are worried about being able to provide healthcare for their employees.”

“Specifically,” the Speaker said, “Oregon firms must compete against overseas competitors whose employee healthcare costs are much lower.”

Turning to health care for children, Merkley said, “As adults, we need to provide accessible healthcare to every child in the state. It isn’t a cheap or easy thing to do.

“The way we’re approaching this is [raising funding] through an increased tobacco tax ‚Äì about $0.84 per pack. The ‘public cost’ of smoking, with long-term health problems, is about $11 per pack. This fee is a reasonable way for smokers to contribute.

“We need to strengthen more than insurance. We need a statewide nursing ‘help line’. In rural areas, we should also strengthen front-line [healthcare] clinics. It wasn’t approved by the ‘other’ side of the aisle; I don’t know if we’ll reach an agreement.”

4. Payday Loans
“One of the things hurting people in Oregon is short-term loans that carry triple-digit interest rates. Families end up in bankruptcy and divorce. When people go bankruptcy, the State usually ends up ‘picking up the pieces’.

“Our current Governor says that in the past, the State of Oregon eliminated usury laws. Legislators thought the market would never allow the rates to increase over ten per cent. We’re proposing a 36% cap on consumer lending — pawns, payday, or layaways.

“The lending companies,” Merkley added, “are strongly objecting to this legislation, saying capping interest rates will drive them out of business, thus limiting the number of places where someone with poor credit could get a loan.”

Questions mental healthcare
Ron Clemenson, vice chair of Centennial, voiced his concern about mental healthcare issues. “We’ve lost our mental health clinics and hospitals. And, when the State got rid of Dammisch Hospital, it didn’t replace it with anything.”

Merkley responded that the State has provided mental healthcare funds to counties.

“We’ve now decided,” Merkley added, “that we need to replace the Salem Sate Hospital,and other facilities. A lot of patients get NO treatment, instead of better treatment. Two years we passed ‘Mental Health Parity’. We now know people aren’t possessed by spirits ‚Äì this is a disease process! Mental health problems should be treated and covered under health insurance programs.”

A fulltime Oregon Legislature?
Merkley concluded by saying “We’re flirting with the idea of breaking our one, long, every-other-year session into two shorter yearly sessions. We wouldn’t be lengthening the time we’re in session. This would allow for more flexibility to deal with changing situations.”

You can learn a lot by attending your neighborhood association’s meeting. Outer East Portland’s meetings are listed in our Community Calendar ‚Ķ

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why Portland journalist Rich Riegel was honored by this prestigious organization‚

The banquet room at the Gateway Elks Lodge was packed with members dining at a club banquet before Riegel’s award ceremony.

Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
On March 16, Rich Riegel was presented its first “Citizen of the Year Award” by Gateway Elks Lodge No. 2411.

We learned that the Citizen of the Year Award – given for the first time this year by the Gateway Elks Lodge – is a national program in which the lodge selects an individual, not necessarily an Elk, who has contributed to improving the community.

Meet Mid-county Memo’s editor
At the gala event, Linda Repp, the Lodge’s outgoing Exalted Ruler (and Elks State Officer of the Year ’05-’06), detailed Riegel’s background:

Riegel has been the editor for the monthly Mid-county Memo neighborhood newspaper for the past 17 years. This newspaper, published since 1985, serves residents and business people in northeast Portland’s Gateway and Parkrose districts.

Gateway Elks Lodge’s Exalted Ruler 2005‚ 2006, Linda Repp, confers the “Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award” upon Rich Riegel.

The Oregon native is a U.S. Air Force veteran. Riegel worked at jobs ranging from being an armed forces news service reporter to a base television station producer, director, and on-air newsman.

After graduating from the University of Oregon, Riegel worked for newspapers throughout the Portland and Vancouver area, as a reporter, editor, and photographer.

Riegel’s volunteer work includes tutoring elementary school children in the art of writing.

“I’m very pleased to be honored in this way,” Riegel told us, “In my opinion, the Elks can do no wrong.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Not only does he create the finest pies, cakes and pastries, read this story about a baker who teaches his craft to at-risk young people‚

“Jack the Baker” creates delicious delights in small quantities, using the highest quality ingredients.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Folks in southeast Portland don’t have to travel far to find a good — no, great — “made-from-scratch” bakery.

After enjoying his breads and pastries for years, we decided to meet the man “in the dough” who runs His Bakery on SE 72nd Ave., just south of Woodstock.

“The best part about being a baker,” says Richard “Jack” Robeson III with a open smile, “is being able to eat the leftovers. Actually, I take pleasure in making things people enjoy. I really like seeing the smile on their faces when they eat something that I’ve baked.”

The small storefront belies the modern preparation facility‚ and commercial oven‚ hidden away, deep in the store.

Jack and his family keep busy. We talk as he pulls out trays of his “Original Good & Ugly” cookie. It’s made of roasted seeds, flax, sunflower, pumpkin and sesame, with no refined sugar. Some varieties also have chocolate chips or cranberries and apricots baked in them.

Recipe for troubled youth
Jack, a father of three, says he’s been in business for 12 years. He learned the baking trade at Clark College, and worked at Elephant’s Delicatessen and Broadway Bakery.

“We started the business to provide products of value,” Jack tells us as he mixes a batch of dough.

“But more importantly,” he says sincerely, “during the summer, we bring in junior high school kids‚ some of whom who are having trouble in school or at home. They spend the summer with us, and I each them the trade.”

He pauses while he washes batter off his hands, then adds, “I’m a baker to earn my living, but helping young people is a mission. I get to share my love of baking.”

Pies of renown
Long-time customers might say Jack is most famous for his “home made” pies. “There aren’t a lot of bakeries in Portland that make a good, ‘home made’ pie like we do,” Jack beams. “Our cakes are becoming very popular, as are our cinnamon rolls, Marionberry muffins, and oat bran cookies.”

Jack apologizes for not at that moment having his best-in-Portland, custard-filled chocolate-topped eclairs in stock. “I know they’re your favorite,” he says.

When you see this building‚ you’re at His Bakery!

His Bakery, 6011 SE 72nd Ave., is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays. They’re closed Sunday and Monday.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The city’s purse strings are being drawn tightly, choking funding for this outer East Portland horticultural treasure — Portland’s only botanical garden. Learn what advice volunteer supporters were given,

Portland Parks & Recreation planning supervisor David Yamashita led the panel discussion held, ostensibly, to help Leach Botanical Garden volunteers get ideas of how to operate the facility with lower city support.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The faces of Leach Botanical Gardens’ volunteers looked gloomy on the Saturday morning on which they were meeting, a few weeks ago.

Portland Parks & Recreation planning supervisor for the Gardens, David Yamashita, planted his message as tactfully as possible: “You will get no additional money from the City of Portland. You need to look at additional revenue sources.”

Yamashita suggested the group consider charging an entry fee, or finding a major benefactor.

“No, we don’t charge an entry fee,” protested Barbara Hamilton, a longtime volunteer. “Volunteers do a great deal of work to keep this garden running. This garden is needed here in outer SE Portland‚ especially now that the city is loading our neighborhoods with low-income housing.”

Yamashita responded that the “Friends Group” needs to start making plans. “You’ll be more effective at fundraising than we can be in the [PP&R] bureau.”

To help the Friends of Leach Botanical Gardens gather ideas about fund raising and management, Yamashita and his staff arranged for representatives for four other area gardens to be present to share their experience.

Read on and learn what the panel told Leach Garden volunteers …

Scott Vergara, Berry Botanic Garden, and Gloria Lee, Portland Classical Chinese Garden, tell about their respective horticultural operations.

The Berry Botanic Garden
The executive director of this garden, Scott Vergara, told how Berry Botanic Garden was originally a private estate, located in the Dunthorpe neighborhood between Lake Oswego and Lewis & Clark College.

“Our 30-year-old garden is virtually hidden,” Vergara began. “A ‘friends group’ has preserved its 6 acres.”

Berry faces unique restrictions, being located in a residential neighborhood. “We have no sign, extremely limited parking, and we are open by appointment only.”

The garden, Vergara said, arises from a small endowment; it gets no public resources. “Because of our seed bank, we have contracts with federal and state agencies. We collect seeds and monitor reproduction programs.”

Additionally, gate receipts, small gift shop sales, donations, grant writing, and hosting the occasional event rounds out their $500,000. “We have seven fulltime workers, but we need nine. We have 180 to 200 volunteers a year.”

Turning to structure, Vergara commented that while “bounder boards” [of directors] are necessary; “fundraising boards” are critical. “Operations boil down to two questions — those dealing with money and mission. How do you get your funding? What is your mission?”

As time goes on, he added, the mission must evolve to meet the current needs of the organization. “A clear mission helps direct the garden; too tightly defined a mission becomes too restrictive,” Vergara elucidated. “A mission must be relevant.”

With aging volunteers and board members, Vergara said one of their most critical questions is how to attract younger people to help in the garden.

Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Next to offer insight was Portland Classical Chinese Garden’s executive director, Gloria Lee.

“It’s about leadership to survival,” Lee began. “We are a totally self-sustaining entity. 80% of our visitors are from outside the city and state.”

Lee explained that their unrestricted income is from ticket sales. “But, it wasn’t enough. We hired a development director; now we’re blessed with two grants — one for horticulture, and another for ‘East-West outreach education’. For us, we are a living museum; not a botanical garden.”

The Chinese Garden’s board of directors, Lee said, will consider a new project only if its funding source is also presented. With membership growth stalled, they look to grants to increase their funding. “Our garden employs 22 full-time people,” commented Lee.

“The board members now drive the fund raising and membership activity,” Lee explained. “They hold phone-a-thons, and undertake other fund raising efforts.”

After meeting payroll, Lee told the group, their second largest budget item is advertising and promotion. “My fear is that if you become a destination, and charge for entry, you may have to budget a considerable amount for advertising. This year’s Chinese New Year Celebration advertising promotion cost $22,000.”

Lee recommended hiring staff members with multiple talents. “The secret to success is to remember that it takes passion and stamina to keep going, year after year.”

Portland Japanese Garden’s Stephen Bloom, and the Jenkins Estate’s supervisor, Allen Wells, shared their expertise with Friends of Leach Gardens.

Portland Japanese Garden
Speaking for the Portland Japanese Garden was its executive director, Stephen Bloom.

Bloom left us, and the Leach volunteers, a bit hazy about the Japanese Garden’s financial relationship with the City of Portland.

“We have 12 acres leased from the city,” Bloom stated. “The original lease was for a dollar a year, but the rate has been adjusted. Work in partnership with the city. We don’t get cash from the city. Government funding is never guaranteed.”

A Leach volunteer interjected, “But the Leach family DONATED our land to the city. It isn’t leased, or an in-kind arrangement.”

Of the Japanese Garden’s $2.4 million budget, $1.2 million comes from gate ticket sales generated by a quarter-million visitors, continued Bloom. “We work in conjunction with the city, but don’t depend on the City of Portland for funding.”

This garden has 24 fulltime and 8 part-time employees.

Bloom said they operate under two boards of directors: a Society/Policy board and an Operations/Endowment board.

“Two years ago, we bumped admission from $6 to $8 per person. As a world-class attraction, the attendance has still increased, because we focus on quality. A quality garden drives people to your institution.”

Bloom’s advice: “Sooner, than later, make a strategic plan. You need a ‘road map’ to know where you’re going. Make it inclusive, so everybody buys in. Staff members change; board members change ‚Äì the plan must stay consistent.”

The Jenkins Estate
Finally, Allen Wells, the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District coordinator for the Jenkins Estate in Tualatin, spoke.

“Much of Washington County is made up of special service districts,” Wells began. “The district purchased the Jenkins Estate, a 68-acre parcel scheduled to become condos and offices. The district floated a bond and secured the estate.”

Jenkins has been “run on a shoestring”, Wells said. “We have substantial reliance on volunteers and an advisory committee.”

The district focused attention on restoring the buildings,” said Wells. “Each structure has a small garden. We spent the early years discovering what was planted in those gardens.”

Because the estate didn’t come with an endowment, Wells described their facility as a “wedding chapel” on the weekends, and during the week, a corporate retreat. “Our restoration and gardening had to almost be done on a ‘swing shift’, due to the rentals.”

Leach volunteers frustrated
After all the presentations, Ernie Francisco protested, “You are all west side intuitions. The city was started on the West side. There is business and industry there to support your work. We don’t have businesses here. We feel the city needs to look at institutions, like Leach Gardens, as resources that serve the city as a whole.”

Francisco continued, “The other thing is this: As a volunteer member here, education of individuals and classes has been the overriding emphasis of our work here. You have different purposes.”

Representatives of the other gardens talked about their educational efforts, and said they saw little difference in that portion of their missions.

Finally, longtime Leach Garden volunteer Barbara Hamilton piped up: “We volunteer about 13,000 hours a year. This labor must be worth a couple hundred thousand dollars.

“The City keeps promising things, like a furnace and a new roof on the Annex ‚Äì but it never comes. We’re still fighting to get another power pole, so we can get more electricity brought into the buildings, and generate income from winter rentals.”

The Chinese Garden’s Lee responded, “You must find one individual who will champion your cause. Portland has had millions of challenges. And, there are many champions.”

We couldn’t see who made the comment, but someone sitting close to the front of the room suggested, “There are many wealthy people in nearby neighborhoods like Eastmoreland — why don’t you get them involved?”

Realizing that Eastmoreland is more than 100 blocks distant from Leach Botanical Gardens, Leach volunteers just rolled their eyes and shook their heads.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

This is the first in a weekly series introducing you to outer East Portland business organizations. You’ll be amazed to see all the good these folks do for our community‚

Whether or not a new business belongs to the East Portland Chamber of Commerce, the group’s Ambassadors will provide a welcoming and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Here, the ribbon is being cut, marking the opening of Riverview Bank–a new chamber member in the Gateway area.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although it came into being only in 2003, the East Portland Chamber of Commerce (EPCC) has grown to a membership of 175. For many years, this organization was a committee of the Gresham Chamber of Commerce.

The EPCC serves businesspeople from the Willamette River east to Gresham. It serves to enhance commerce throughout the area, rather than to compete with other business districts that fall within its borders.

East Portland Chamber of Commerce President Greg Zuffrea.

Why the chamber was formed
We asked current president, Greg Zuffrea, why this organization was established, when greater Portland already has a chamber of commerce.

“An important role of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce,” Zuffrea told us, “is to be a voice for business throughout our East Portland community. The downtown chamber focuses on downtown Portland issues. The Gresham Chamber focuses on outer East Multnomah County issues.”

Traditionally, Zuffrea said, Portland city government is most responsive to issues affecting downtown Portland. “While the core area of the city is important to our region, it is also imperative that the specific needs and concerns of East Portland be addressed by city government.”

The East Portland Chamber has succeeded in bringing Portland’s elected officials and other government leaders out to East Portland, added Zuffera. “We’ve helped to focus their attention on eastside issues, ranging from crime, to better streets and public services. Obviously, everyone — residents and business people — benefit from this increased attention.”

The annual EPCC Golf Tournament is always a big hit. Here, the Chamber’s membership chair, Richard Sorem, gets ready to make his swing.

Helping East Portland prosper
The East Portland Chamber is important to the community, because its programs and activities enable small businesses to grow and prosper.

Small businesses are the economic backbone of east Portland. We learned that 95% of the 13,920 businesses in east Portland are small businesses. About one-third of them average 15 employees each , and, fully two-thirds of our small businesses are micro-enterprises, each averaging two employees.

“The health of the small business is directly related to the economic health of the community, through jobs, taxes, and volunteer time from business owners and their employees,” commented the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Chair, Ken Turner. “That base of volunteers supplements and sustains the educational, social, cultural, religious, and recreational organizations and activities that sustain and enhance the quality of life in our community.”

The East Portland Chamber Cabaret and Minstrels groups put on fun shows to raise money for charitable causes.

Programs benefiting the community
The Chamber supports ongoing community charitable activities such as soliciting food donations from chamber members for Sno-CAP.

Additionally, a group of chamber members who call themselves the East Portland Minstrels provide entertainment to community organizations. They use their entertainment talents to raise money for charitable causes, such as the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp for Disabled Children and Adults.

The Chamber’s annual golf tournament provides a social setting in which local business people can mingle with political leaders and celebrities. The annual Chamber Golf Tournament for 2007 will be held at the Colwood Golf Course on June 15.

A goal of the chamber is to create a special event within the next year, to raise money for a local educational or charitable organization.

Featured businesses people
Classique Floors‚ Judith Huck, the owner of this well-respected outer East Portland business, has built her company by providing top quality counter and flooring solutions for decades. Anyone who has visited the beautiful new store at 14240 SE Stark has seen the wide variety of top-quality materials Classique Floors can supply.

Thus, Huck has created a firm that provides stable family-wage jobs for its employees. And, Huck and her staff give back to the community, helping with projects at Snow-CAP and Habitat for Humanity.

Chamber member Holly Moss kids around with Richard Kiely who donated this brand-new electric guitar to help raise funds for a community event.

Home Run Graphics‚ Richard Kiely provides quality lithography for businesses and other organizations all over the Portland area. But, beyond his business, Kiely is a tireless community volunteer, working with his neighborhood association, SE Works, and charitable organizations.

When he sees an un-met need in the community, Kiely steps up and leads the charge to fill that need. Right now, he’s sponsoring a “Hole-In-One Contest” at the Chamber’s June golfing tournament, at which a skillful (and lucky) duffer will drive home a brand new car from Gresham Ford–if they make the shot!

Come meet the Chamber
The East Portland Chamber of Commerce holds a free networking meeting it calls “Good Morning East Portland” every Wednesday morning from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.  Neighbors are always welcome to attend.

At least once a month, a City of Portland official comes from downtown to listen to outer East Portland concerns. Because the meetings are hosted by different members, the location changes from week to week. Where’s it this week? Check their web site: www.eastportlandchamber.com!

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service