East PDX News

2008 Portland Rose Festival kicks off with Parkrose Princess selection

Even though only one Rose Festival event takes place in outer East Portland, all of our high schools participate in the Rose Court. Meet the lovely young lady who will represent Parkrose in this year’s citywide celebration.

After being evaluated and scored, all four Parkrose High School 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess Candidates – Toyin Oyemaja, Vy Nguyen, Vivian Ngo, and Holly Ho – await the announcement.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Parkrose High School Theatre filled on Friday afternoon, March 7, with students, staff, and family members as outer East Portland’s first 2008 Portland Rose Festival event got underway: the selection of the Parkrose High Princess.

From the podium, Parkrose High School Principal Roy Reynolds announces, “Please welcome your School’s 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess Candidates.”

The curtains sweep back and reveal Toyin Oyemaja, Vy Nguyen, Vivian Ngo, and Holly Ho standing on the stage. The enthusiastic cheering is deafening.

Parkrose High’s 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Margaret Drew, greets the assembly, looks at the official tally card, and announces the name of the young lady who will take her crown.

Parkrose Princess Drew returns
Reynolds asks the throng to welcome Parkrose High’s 2007 Portland Rose Festival Princess, Margaret Drew, to the stage.

“I’m so excited,” Drew says. “In just a few minutes will be announcing your Portland Rose Festival Princess. Thank you so much for all of your support. It has been an amazing experience for me. I’m so happy that you’re taking part in the festival and showing your pride in Parkrose, because we have a lot of good things here.”

Beaming her trademark smile, Drew takes the envelope Reynolds presents to her, opens it, glances at it, and proclaims, “And now, without further ado I’d like to announce your 2008 Rose Festival Princess … is Vy Nguyen.”

Vy Nguyen reacts to hearing her name read – meaning she’ll represent Parkrose High School as their 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princess.

Margaret Drew prepares to crown Vy Nguyen.

The Princess speaks
The gathered assembly stands and cheers. After being crowned, she strolls toward the podium.

“Thank you very much,” says Princess Vy. “I thank the girls in the court. I think any one of us would have made an outstanding representative for Parkrose.” She went on to thank staffmembers, family and friends who helped along the way.

Wearing her crown and robe, Princess Vy Nguyen walks to the podium to make her acceptance speech.

Princess Vy pauses for a moment with the school’s principal, Roy Reynolds.

After hundreds of photos are snapped, Princess Vy talks with us, and says, “I’m overwhelmed; I’m not sure what I am feeling, other than I’m phenomenally happy about this.”

Asked to what she looks forward as this year’s Parkrose Princess, Nguyen confides, “I’m looking forward to going to see a lot of places around Portland to which I’ve never been, and meeting new people. I’m sure that becoming the representative for Parkrose High School for the 2008 Portland Rose Festival will have a very positive impact on my life.”

Principal Reynolds comments, “These are all great ladies. I think any one of the ladies would have been a great princess for Parkrose. In fact, all of our princesses, for the last 21 years, made excellent queens, too – but so far, that hasn’t been the case. Perhaps this is our year!”

Here she is – outer East Portland’s first 2008 Portland Rose Festival princess to be crowned, Princess Vy Nguyen!

The school and organization thanks Terry Franceschi, Theater Operations Manager, and members of the stagecraft class, for a lovely, fitting setting and professional lighting.

Also, thanks go to members of the Parkrose Bronco Boosters Club and sponsors Menlo Park Flowers and Mr. Formal for the floral arrangements and the men’s formal wear.

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City leaders start budget poll process in far-East Portland

You can’t get much farther east than Alder Elementary School! See what happened, and what neighbors thought about the process, right here …

Portland Mayor Tom Potter welcomes outer East Portland citizens to the first of several Budget Forums held across the city.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
City of Portland officials said they were kicking off their “City Budget Community Forum” process in outer East Portland. The location they selected for the event — Alder Elementary School, at 17200 SE Alder Street – is about 500 yards west of the Gresham border.

Before the meeting started, participants were invited to peruse a “Community Resource Fair”. Here, Richard Bixby, director of the East Portland Neighborhood Office, helps neighbors locate their neighborhood.

“This is the city’s first community budget meeting,” said Mayor Tom Potter as he greeted us. “We’re talking about the 2008/2009 budget. What we do, before we get too far down the road developing a budget, is to hold some community meetings to find out their concerns, issues, and desires about how we spend our money.”

In the school’s gymnasium, each of the City’s bureaus set up a table. “People can go to each table and discuss issues about that bureau,” Potter explained. “We also have tables set up by the City Commissioners’ offices, because they, and myself, also have special funds requests. For example I’m requesting funds for a Office of Human Relations. So I’ll have a table here, and I’ll be glad to have people talk to me about issues of human rights here in Portland, Oregon.”

These meetings are important, Potter said, “Because, actually, it’s the citizens who pay for this. I think the residents of Portland who pay their taxes should have a say in how things are done. We’re listening to the folks who finance our city, and we’re asking, ‘Here’s what we’re looking at what you think’?”

Participants sat at tables hosted by City bureau personnel. At regular intervals, participants were asked to change tables.

Forum features round-robin format
Although it was made clear to the participants that no formal testimony would be taken, and that Council will not be making any budget decisions at the forums, their comments were recorded at each of the tables.

Participants in the community budget forums expressed their opinions in a round-robin format, where Commissioners listened. At these tables, community members learned what is being proposed in various areas of the budget, were invited to give their comments, expressed their concerns, and asked questions.

Neighbors speak …

Donna-Lynn Kublick, Chair of the Glenfair Neighborhood Association listens to a city official speak.

Following the meeting, Donna-Lynn Kublick of the Glenfair neighborhood commented that it “was a good experience.”

The best thing for her about the meeting was “Having the choice of sitting at different tables with experts in the fields I wanted to know more about, and being able to give opinions on things that need to change. But, I felt we should have been at the tables at least 5 or 10 minutes longer that we were, and instead of going to only three tables [during the evening] we should have been able to go to a fourth.”

Kublick said she appreciated that a “scribe” wrote the comments voiced on the easel boards. “I felt they really were listening, even to our negative comments – including mine, of how they have treated East County. And, they heard several other negative comments about how outer East Portland has been neglected.”

Jon Turino participates in the forum

Outer East Portland businessman Jon Turino’s take on the Portland Community Budget Forum was that it was well planned and executed. “It provided a good mechanism for Portland residents and business owners both to learn the details of the proposed budget items and to provide their feedback to those requesting the budgeted amounts.”

Turino said he liked the idea of people rotating among tables staffed by bureau executives. “It allowed me to visit those groups of most interest to me, without having to hear about extraneous material that was not of interest to me and/or my constituency. But, it would have been good to have all of the elected officials present to show their direct interest in the inputs from the East Portland community.”

While he saw that his thoughts, issues, and ideas were heard and recorded by the staffers, Turino told us, “I am concerned about how those inputs will be valued and applied as the City’s budgeting process goes forward, and I hope that there will be some feedback regarding the impact of my input.”

What Turino took away from the forum was that the City of Portland budgeting process is a complicated, with a lot of competing priorities. “Some of the City issues are also impacted by County and Metro plans, making it difficult to nail down some specifics.”

Coming from Pleasant Valley, the southernmost neighborhood in outer East Portland, Linda Bauer said she enjoyed the process.

Speaking for herself, Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association’s Chair, Linda Bauer, said she appreciated the Budget Forum, because, “Lots of Bureau people were there. But it is disappointing to see that not many citizens participated.”

Bauer said she did believe the bureau representatives did hear and record her comments. Most interesting, she added, was that each Portland City Commissioner had picked a special project to champion.

Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer listens to the public safety concerns of Centennial neighbor Ron Clemenson. “Overall, it was a good event,” commented Clemenson.

After the release of the Mayor’s Proposed Budget, the City Council will return to the community for more input. A community hearing will be held on May 8 at the King School to take testimony. Additional testimony opportunities are available at the regular Council meetings before that body approves and adopts the new budget.

Want to chime in? Go online and let ’em know Downtown in City Hall what you think by CLICKING HERE.

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SE Portland firefighters climb stairs to raise cancer-fighting funds

Why would crew members from Portland Fire & Rescue volunteer don their full gear, and prepare to race to the top of a 69-story building that is NOT on fire? Take a look, and find out …

Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter Marc Ham takes his turn on the stepping exerciser, as firefighter Tim Spring “passes the boot”, asking shoppers for a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even though the firefighters of Portland Fire & Rescue stay in shape by working out and training – and responding to emergencies – several of them spent February 23 on a stair-stepping exercise machine at Costco’s Airport location.

When we arrived, we found a resident of the Sellwood neighborhood for fifteen years, firefighter Mark Ham, working up a sweat. In full gear – 70 pounds of it, including his breathing apparatus, he was vigorously working out. “I’m getting ready for the ‘Scott Firefighter Stairclimb for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’,” said the firefighter, who works at the bureau’s Training Academy on NE 122nd Avenue.

The stairclimb event, held on March 2 at Seattle’s Columbia Center, is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world, we learned. More than 1,300 firefighters from across the Pacific Northwest – including 25 Portland-area firefighters – will compete in this timed race to the top of the building.

Firefighter Tim Spring, a crew member of Station 25, on SE 52nd Avenue, said he was encouraging people to help “fill the boot” he carried with donations.

“The proceeds go to help find a cure for cancer,” Spring explained. “We’ve had several people in the department that have had cancer in the last five or six years. We’re trying to get out in the community and show our support for cancer research.”

Ham agreed, “We’re volunteering our time because cancer has affected quite a few of our firefighters; this fundraiser is close to our hearts.”

You can still help: Drop off cash or a check for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at any PF&R station.

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Urban farmer rides bike, not tractor

If you like locally-grown and newly-picked produce, you won’t find it fresher than what comes from this fellow’s organically-grown ‘mini-farms’, scattered throughout SE Portland …

Kollibri Sonnenblume, the bike farmer, is weeding a garlic patch in one of his 18 SE Portland vegetable garden plots.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Kollibri terre Sonnenblume is a proficient organic farmer. Throughout the growing season, dozens of families come to Sonnenblume every week, selecting newly-picked produce.

But, unlike traditional growers, Sonnenblume doesn’t own a tractor, nor does he raise his crops on the outskirts of town.

“I’m what you’d call an urban farmer,” said the soft-spoken Sonnenblume as he wiped soil from his hands after weeding a patch of winter crop. “And I like to get around by bicycle. I’m a bike-based urban farmer.”

He didn’t create the concept, Sonnenblume said. “Look at cities all over the world, and you’ll see the urban gardening is typical, rather than being the exception. And you’ll find they get around by bicycle. It may be odd here in the United States – but as oil prices keep going up, it seems very practical.”

Finds local ‘acreage’
Instead of farming acres of land out in the country, Sonnenblume’s “farm” is distributed throughout inner SE Portland. Homeowners allow him plant and care for a crop in a portion of their property in exchange for produce during the season.

“Right now I have 18 plots of different sizes going. The largest one is just under one third of an acre. The smallest one is, maybe, 5′ xk 10′. I tend my crops by going from plot to plot on my bicycle. I use a trailer attached to my bike to carry tools and supplies, and to carry harvested crops,” he said.

With the cost of fuel rising, Sonnenblume says bike-based farming makes more sense now than ever.

Community-Supported Agriculture proponent
He’s been a “bike farmer” in Portland since 2005; and this season is second year as a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) producer.

“CSA started in Japan in the 1980s,” comments Sonnenblume, “and moved to Europe and the United States in the 1990s. With CSA, people in the community give resources – usually money – to a farmer in the spring, when most of the expenses are incurred for seeds and equipment, in exchange for a share of crops that are produced throughout the season.”

Instead of driving to a farm, or farmer’s market, “people come to my house right here in inner SE Portland. For many folks who purchased winter crop CSA shares that live close by, I make deliveries by bike.”

Web developer to farmer
Sonnenblume told us he’s always enjoyed gardening. “Even when I was in an apartment, I had a small garden on my porch.”

In his 20s, Sonnenblume recalled, he owned 75 neckties and “worked in tall glass buildings in the Bay Area. I made more money in Internet web design than I ever thought possible. But after the big Internet bust, I started looking around. I thought to myself ‘agriculture is a growth industry’. It is recession proof.”

Inspired by Katrina
What inspired him to become a full-time urban farmer, he stated, was watching events unfold after Hurricane Katrina.

“It occurred to me that we all need to be taking care of each other. We can’t count on help coming from the outside. There are lots of needs: Housing, clothing, medicine, and food. I’m doing food.”

Speaking before a packed house at People’s Co-op, Sonnenblume shares his experiences with a very receptive audience.

Shares his ‘secrets’
When we first met him, Sonnenblume was giving an illustrated talk about his vocation at Peoples’ Co-op, north of the Brooklyn neighborhood, on January 30. The store’s meeting room was packed with 58 people who peppered him with detailed questions. He looked happy to answer them all.

“There aren’t any trade secrets,” Sonnenblume said about the meeting. “I enjoy sharing this experience I’m having with everyone.”

Asked why he thought so many people showed up on a windy and rainy night – mostly on bicycle – he counted off three reasons. “Portlanders support local and organic agriculture. Secondly, people learning about the CSA model think it’s cool to have a personal relationship with their farmer. The third aspect is that people in Portland are fairly well-read and well-informed, and want to see different ways that we can do things.”

Pollinating SE Portland
After getting to know this “bike farmer”, we noted that he is doing more than growing crops – he’s also spreading a sustainable idea.

“In fact,” he replied, “my first name, Kollibri, is ‘hummingbird’ in Norwegian. Like they pollinate flowers, I definitely feel that part of my work is being an example, inspiring others. There’s room for a lot of other people in town to do and I’m doing.”

Season shares available
If you want fresh organically-grown produce all summer, grown just down the block from you, now is the time to buy a share and participate. Learn more by visiting his web site at www.trashfactory.net/sunrootgardens, e-mail him at Kollibri@riseup.net, or call him at (503) 686-5557.

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Group builds on experience, planning 82nd Ave. of Roses Parade

Their first parade was a success. See what these volunteers are planning for the second one on April 19 – and how you can play an important role in this new, exciting outer East Portland event …

Looking at photos taken of last year’s successful parade, members of the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade committee are Ken Turner, Paul Ellison, Nancy Chapin, Kevin Williams, Richard Kiley, Judy Welch, Kathryn Notson, Johnni Jones and Arlene Kimura.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Last April, most of the spectators watching the first annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade simply enjoyed the event.

But one long-time resident along the parade route looked amazed and said what others thought: “I never thought I’d see the day. Things really are changing for the better along 82nd Avenue.”

Plans are underway for an even successful, colorful, exciting, stupendous, and colossal event this year, according to its organizer, and long-time East Portland booster, Ken Turner.

“We’re looking forward to a great event,” Turner predicted when we caught up with him at a meeting of the organizing volunteers. “It looks like we’ll have 40 entries, including floats, and walking entries from neighborhood and business associations, service organizations, car clubs, and farmers markets.”

Turner reminded us that the parade will be one of the first public appearances of the newly-selected 2008 Portland Rose Festival Court and the Royal Rosarians. “And there’s a good chance you’ll see some of Portland’s and Multnomah County’s leading politicians in the parade.”

This year, the parade is scheduled to feature the music and marching band antics of the “Get a Life Marching Band”.

The April 19 parade steps out onto SE 82nd Avenue of Roses from Eastport Plaza at 9:00 a.m. sharp. The parade will proceed north to the Montavilla East Tabor Business district.

Who will be this year’s Grand Marshal? Turner said they’d release that information in a couple of weeks.

Volunteers are needed

Many volunteers are needed the day of the parade.

“There isn’t heavy lifting involved,” said volunteer coordinator, Johnni Beth Jones. “And, the time commitment is small. We need adults willing to be ‘street closure guards’ the morning of the parade.”

Contact Jones at johnni.jones@gmail.com; she asks that you list “Parade Volunteer” in the subject of your e-mail so she’ll spot it right away.

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Argay Terrace business woman competes in ‘Mrs. Oregon International Pageant’

Discover what Kyle Ziegler hopes to share with the world if she wins this pageant and goes to represent Oregon in the International competition …

Lauren Bishop, of “Your Vocal Advantage” talks with Kyle L. Ziegler, CastleGate Realty, and “Mrs. Portland International 2008”, at the Parkrose Business Association meeting.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It seems like nearly all Parkrose area residents and business people who have been involved in their community know Kyle L. Ziegler because of her involvement in her community.

Now that Ziegler has been named “Mrs. Portland International 2008”, and will compete for the “Mrs. Oregon International 2008” crown, she hopes to share her zeal for community volunteerism nationwide.

If she wins the state title on March 15 in Portland, she’ll go on to present her message at the July “Mrs. International Pageant” in Chicago, Illinois.

Actively involved in neighborhood improvement

“It started in 1987,” Ziegler says, “I got involved in my neighborhood association’s board because of a traffic issue. I’m still on board today – the Argay Terrace Neighborhood Association.”

In 1989, Ziegler became a Crime Prevention Coordinator for the City of Portland, helping residents set up a Neighborhood Watch programs. “Then, in 1991, I became the executive director of the Parkrose Business Association for four years, while I started my real estate business.”

While her real estate brokerage, CastleGate Realty, Inc., keeps her occupied during the day, Ziegler still finds time to be involved in projects that increase the safety and beauty of her neighborhood – and helping to build the Parkrose Business Association by being a board member and chair of the Programs committee.

While talking with us in her office at CastleGate Realty, Kyle Ziegler says hopes to spread her message of community participation nationwide if she is selected to go on to the national finals.

Mission: Stimulating volunteerism
“I’ve found that many people want to be of service to their community, but don’t know how to get involved,” states Ziegler. “People get so tied up in their own lives, but they don’t see that there are opportunities for participation out there. One person can’t change the world, but they can make their neighborhood a better place.”

If one projects a “bubbly enthusiasm” for a project, she goes on, people can be enticed entice to tackle one small part of a project. “Then, they feel good about themselves because they participated. That’s the basis of my success. I’m able to bring people around to do one task by sharing my enthusiasm with them.”

Ziegler readies her platform
Saying she’s been working on her platform for the upcoming pageant, Ziegler tries it out on us: “Going beyond grassroots participation by stimulating others to participate in local issues.”

If she wins the crown in at the upcoming pageant, “It will give me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned about helping to stimulate community participation in other parts of the country. It’s what I’ve done for 25 years.”

Oregon pageant held in NE Portland
According to the pageant’s state director, Lesley Nardini, “Kyle will represent our city and county at the 2008 Mrs. Oregon International Pageant. She’ll be competing for $5,000 in cash and prizes, and the opportunity to proceed to next level.”

The Mrs. International Pageant system, Nardini explains, recognizes women for their professional accomplishments, community service, and commitment to marriage and family. “Throughout her year, the new Mrs. Portland International will not only compete for the state crown, but she will also be available to make appearances, attend special presentations, and assist with civic events and non-profit projects.”

Come on East Portland! Let’s support Kyle Ziegler by cheering her on at the Mrs. Oregon International Pageant on Saturday, March 15, at the Sheraton-Airport Hotel. Tickets are $20 per person, and include a post-pageant reception. And, you can vote for her online before the competition. For more information CLICK HERE:

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Faith group takes on Harold Oliver Elementary’s Global Garden

These parishioners demonstrate their belief that, sometimes, helping their community means volunteering for hard work with a rake and shovel …

Pastor Vance Hays of Parklane Christian Reformed Church and Dave Koetje of Koetje Tree Service take a moment to rest from their work on the Harold Oliver Elementary School Global Garden.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
More and more, civic groups and businesses are “adopting” programs and outer East Portland schools. Churches are usually focused on loftier pursuits.

But members of Parklane Christian Reformed Church say they were looking for a tangible way to help the community – and they didn’t have to look far. They found their opportunity for service right next door to the church.

A couple of weeks ago, we caught up with volunteers from the church as they toiled in the soil at Harold Oliver Elementary School’s Global Garden.

Andrea Covey is sprucing up the heather patch.

“We decided to clean up and maintain the garden,” explained Parklane member – and owner of Koetje Tree Service – Dave Koetje.

“We decided to do this because – well, it needs it,” Koetje elaborated. “The opportunity is right here, next to our church. We decided to ‘adopt’ this garden so the school doesn’t have to worry about it.”

Justin Koch, Nathan Koetje, Paul Covey, and Fred Lawer say thinning and moving a stand of bamboo is a big task, but they’re up to the challenge.

Plants from around the world
After being established several years ago, the school’s Global Garden, located between its primary and intermediate education buildings had fallen into disrepair.

“This garden is a great idea,” commented Vance Hays, Parklane’s pastor. “As you wander up and down here, you’ll see different plans from different parts of the world. It’s like a living plant encyclopedia. We wanted to make it attractive again.”

Hays credited Koetje with idea for the church to adopt the school’s garden. “During Christmas break, he and my son came over here and raked fallen leaves. We saw the garden needed more work, and decided to pitch in. We’ve decided, as a church, to actively help improve our neighborhood – and here we are.”

Dave Koch and Mike Vander Veen leveling out outdoor tables in the Harold Oliver Global Garden.

Long term commitment
We watched as associate pastor Mike Vander Veen and parishioner Dave Koch leveled tilting picnic tables by terracing the ground on which they sit.

“This is a continuing effort for us,” said Vander Veen as he paused from his labors. “We’re not going to just clean and run. Although the Global Garden has been adopted by the church, we do invite folks from our community join us in the work. You don’t have to be a member of the church to come help out.”

Keep an eye out; Vander Veen said he’ll let us know when they’ll be holding their next work party. Bring your gloves and pitch in!

If you live in outer East Portland, and want to help the school’s Global Garden thrive, watch for this group’s next work party date.

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‘Diary of Anne Frank’ gets intimate showing at David Douglas High School

See this moving story about families – hiding from the Nazis for two years, during World War II – up close in this special presentation in the DDHS Small Box Theater …

Sitting in the moonlight, Anne Frank (Marissa Hanson) and Peter Van Daan (Zeke Fetrow) ponder how life would be if they were “normal” teenagers, not living in hiding.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Audiences have come to associate the David Douglas High School Theater Department with great productions of larger-than-life musicals and broad comedies. But their winter show this year, “The Diary of Anne Frank”, is thought-provoking, presented in their intimate theater.

“This is the first major show we’ve done in our Small Box Theatre downstairs for ten years,” says director Judy LeCoq. “In this theater, the 74 audience members sit up-close to the actors. It’s almost like you’re right there, with the Frank family, as they hide from the Nazis in an attic during the Holocaust.”

For a few moments, the families hiding out in the attic from the Nazis are joyful when they learn of the successful Normandy invasion. Their joy is short-lived.

About the story
“The Diary of Anne Frank” is drawn from a thirteen-year-old girl’s diary she started writing in 1942. She, her family, and four other people went into hiding in sealed-off upper rooms of her father’s office building in Amsterdam. Her father’s trusted colleagues helped them remain hidden for two years and one month – until their betrayal.

“It’s about Anne’s desire to live, beyond her situation, as a normal teenager,” says LeCoq about the story. “Anne has been recognized as a tremendous writer. And, this newly-adapted version of an award-winning play reveals the stress of confinement, awkward teenage relationships, and the tension and fear of betrayal.”

Working on a scene from the play, Judy LeCoq directs the David Douglas High School thespians.

Members of Mark Taylor’s Theater Arts class built a realistic set that focuses attention on the 12 cast members. A student crew runs the lighting and sound system and provides stage management.

“It’s not intended for a very young audience because it’s dark material,” cautions LeCoq. “It’s appropriate for young people aged nine and above; the book is required reading for most middle-school students.”

Two weeks only
David Douglas High School Thespians production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” debuts on March 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Evening shows follow on March 7 and 8, and again on March 13, 14 and 15. On March 9, the offer a 2:30 p.m. matinee performance.

The DDHS Small Box Theater is located on the lower level of the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave., Portland, OR 97233. This theater is handicapped accessible.

Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults. For ticket information, call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270.

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Smile! You’re on red-light camera!

Some call them “City of Portland ATMs”, set up to withdraw $245 from your wallet. But see why officials say these automatic camera systems now being installed in outer East Portland might just save your life …

No, it won’t be technician Tony May looking at you through the center window in this box at SE Washington St. at 103rd Avenue on March 3 – it will be a high-resolution film camera, snapping photos of red light running scofflaws.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When it comes to mangled vehicles being towed away from an intersection, this outer East Portland crossroads in the Gateway area didn’t win top prize – it’s in third place.

The intersection of SE Washington St at 103rd Avenue racked up 35 traffic smash-ups in the past four years – every one of them caused by a driver running a red light.

However, this outer East Portland intersection does have the honor of being the first to receive a brand new red light camera system that automatically snaps photos of vehicles running a red signal.

“Portland uses red light cameras because they are an important tool for improving traffic safety,” says Sergeant Dan Costello of the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division. “Angle crashes are more than two times more likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities than rear-end crashes.”

Traffic specialists say that when red light violations occur, they most often result in an angle or turning collision. These broadside – or T-bone – collisions are especially dangerous, because the sides of vehicles offer the least protection to their occupants.

It takes a large crane to lift and position the pole that will hold the new Gateway red light camera.

Caught on film
On February 27, we watch as foreman Jeff Yost of Electrical Construction Company, and his apprentice Jason Rickford, hoist the new camera-bearing pole and secure it to the sidewalk in front of the Old Chicago restaurant.

Soon, Tony May, an installation specialist from Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS), the company contracted to install and operate Portland’s red light cameras, arrives to oversee the final installation of the box and hardware.

“This won’t be a video camera; we’ll be installing what we call a ‘wet film’ camera,” explains May. “A magazine holding enough high-resolution Fuji film to take at least 200 shots is attached to the camera. A technician comes and physically changes out the film magazines.”

How often the technician will have to change them depends on traffic, May adds. “Looking at the traffic right here, I think it’ll get quite a bit of business.”

The heavy steel box Jason Rickford and Tony May are mounting will contain a high-resolution film camera, and an industrial-strength photo flash that’s synchronized with the traffic control signal circuitry at the intersection.

A computerized, impartial witness
While Yost and Rickford wrestle the heavy camera pole – made from steel and aircraft-quality parts – into place, May points out parts of the system, including detection loops buried in the pavement, and photo flash units mounted on poles near the intersection.

We learn that the system activates based on the timing of the traffic light. When a vehicle runs a red light, the system takes two pictures.

Loops of wire, buried in these pavement cuts, determine a vehicle’s speed as it zips through a red light – and helps capture the moment on film.

The first photo snaps only if the traffic light is red and a vehicle crosses the detection loops located behind the wide, white “stop line”. Using a time-distance calculation, system’s computer determines when to take the second photo – one that shows the vehicle traveling through the middle of the intersection.

“The photo flash units [synchronized with the system] are powerful; they’ll light up the area at night,” May says. “And you’d be surprised at how clear the photos are. You can see drivers doing all kinds of things, like drinking a beer, while they are running the red light.”

Warnings issued through March 16
According to Cheryl E. Kuck at the Portland Office of Transportation, they’ll fire up the new camera on Monday, March 3. “During a test period that continues for two weeks, Portland Police will be checking the violation photos and mailing warning letters to vehicles and drivers that would have been issued a citation,” advises Kuck.

“Beginning Monday, March 17,” cautions Kuck, “motorists who run a red light at this intersection may receive a $245 fine. Each photograph is reviewed by a Police officer to ensure there is evidence of a violation before a citation is issued.”

Now that the construction crew is gone, you probably won’t notice the red light camera – unless you run the red light and see a brilliant flash as it takes your portrait.

Three more red light cameras to come
Outer East Portland’s #1 crash spot, SE Foster Road at 96th Avenue – with 53 red light crashes in four years – isn’t likely to see a red light camera soon; the project is “beginning the design phase”.

However, the second-place intersection at SE Stark Street at 102nd Avenue, with 44 red-light crashes logged – located just a block north of the first installation – will have the unblinking eye of the law snapping scofflaw’s photos in just two months.

Also in the neighborhood, at SE Stark Street at 99th Avenue, because of 19 red light crashes, another system will be installed before summer.

“No matter how pressed you are for time, please stop for a red light,” says Portland’s traffic Commissioner, Sam Adams. “Gambling on saving a minute or two by running a red light could kill or seriously injure you or someone else. Red light running has very serious consequences.”