After several delays, voters turned out to elect new leaders for this outer East Portland neighborhood association. See who’s been elected, and learn the date of their June meeting …
Here, in the Lents Masonic Lodge in Lents Town Center, on May 24, voters turned out to choose the new leaders of the Lents Neighborhood Association.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For decades, the Lents Neighborhood Association (LNA) – serving one of the first hamlets annexed into the City of Portland more than a century ago – was a vital organization.
The LNA held an annual “Lents Founders Day” which included a softball game that pitted neighbors versus city leaders – and a delightful parade around Lents Park.
In 2011, another annual Lents Founders Day Parade was traveling along SE 92nd Avenue, leading neighbors into Lents Park for a day of celebration. East Portland News archive image
A combination of circumstances have affected the associated negatively lately – including the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Portland stripping neighborhood associations of funding, rival factions among Lents neighbors with an interest in the LNA, and a presumed lack of interest in serving on its Board of Directors – and have left the organization adrift.
Two weeks ahead of closing their candidate slate before the annual May 24 Board election, no one had yet offered to run for the Chair or Secretary positions, two of the three required for an organization to function legally in Oregon. Fortunately, by the closing date, they had raised a full slate of candidates.
Proctoring the election are LNA Interim Secretary Thomas Newcomer, and Interim Treasurer Topher Walke.
But now, with duly elected officers, the LNA can rebuild and attract the interest of neighbors in dealing with critical problems that plague all outer East Portland neighborhoods, including crime and homelessness.
Here are the election results, with 31 voters casting a ballot:
Chair:
Jessica Ward – 25 votes
Robert Schultz – 6 votes
Vice-Chair:
Joanna Morrill – uncontested
Secretary:
Nancy Keating – uncontested
Treasurer:
Kenneth Luchini – uncontested
Public Safety:
Jasmine Anderson-Sprague – uncontested
Land-Use:
Mary Oxford – uncontested
Transportation:
Bradley Bondy – uncontested
LNA Meets in person
If you live in Lents, it’s time for you to see what you can do to lift up your neighborhood.
June 28 Public Meeting
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Woody Gutherie Place – 5800 SE 91st Avenue 97266
Typically, the LNA general membership meetings are every 4th Tuesday of the month. For more information, see their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2022 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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