Because Portland Fire & Rescue’s crew arrived within four minutes of the call, the house was saved. There’s an important lesson here‚

Firefighters used power saws to slice open garage doors, to gain access to the fire raging inside.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Dressing up in firefighting outfits, called “turnouts”, on a 90-degree day, makes for a warm afternoon.

But, the heat of the day doesn’t slow crews from Portland Fire & Rescue from preventing a home in outer SE Portland’s Centennial Neighborhood, on the 14300 block of SE Woodward Street, from burning down on July 5.

By the time we arrive on scene, the fire is out, although smoke and steam is still pouring out of the attached garage.

Looking at his MVT (mobile data terminal), Portland Fire & Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Mark Schmidt confirms crews arrived within four minutes of getting the call. “It came in at 1424 [2:24 p.m.], and the truck arrived on scene at 1428.”

We ask why the city’s Deputy Fire Chief is in command; usually a district Battalion Chief directs the crews.

“I was coming out to meet to the Gresham Chief,” Schmidt says. “I was only blocks away, and came over.”

Asked to comment about the fire, Schmidt tells us, “This is a house fire. Most of the loss is in the garage. Also, there’s quite a bit of smoke damage inside the house.”

Although it’s hot work, crews use heat-sensing cameras to check for any hot spots left in the garage.

Schmidt notes that a training crew from Station 2 was called in to do the overhaul [checking for hot spots and removing burned material]. “On a hot day like this, it helps to have extra crew on scene‚ they spell off each other. It’s hot work, especially wearing these turnouts.”

As some of the firefighters paused to guzzle a bottle of water, no one complains. “We’re happy to serve,” one said, sweat pouring off his brow. “We saved a house today.”

The homeowner, Paula Farris, praised the bureau’s response. “We have a wonderful fire department. They arrived quickly and saved the house. Everyone was OK.”

A Portland Fire & Rescue training crew joins regular firefighters, spelling them off on this hot, July afternoon.

Lighter’s flick ignites blaze
Portland Fire & Rescue’s Lt. Doug Jones later tells us that fire investigators reported: “An 18 year old male was working in the garage working on motorcycle or vehicle. There was an open container of flammable liquid. He lit a [cigarette] lighter, or was using the flame from a lighter, and that accidentally ignited the vapors. He received minor injuries to his leg, but was treated on-scene.”

Jones adds, “We’re glad no one was seriously injured. But people have to use common sense with fire and open flame, when working with flammable fluids.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

How does retired Parkrose School District superintendent view his tenure? Does he plan to kick back in an easy chair? Read his reflections on his time managing the district‚ and his new adventure‚ right here‚

Now that he’s retired, Parkrose School District’s former superintendent, Michael Taylor, says he’s pleased to have helped increase the quality of education that Parkrose students have received‚ but gives teachers and staff members the credit.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On June 30, the hard-charging superintendent of the Parkrose School District walked out of his office on NE Prescott St. for the last time‚ and into retirement.

We’ve brought you the story about how the district’s board conducted a community-wide research program, from which they developed a concise plan for the future of education in Parkrose. Then, the school board conducted an extensive search for a new superintendent. And, we introduced you to the candidates, and the board’s selection of Dr. Karen Fisher Gray to fill Taylor’s post.

Taylor’s good ‘grades’
Just before he left Parkrose Schools, we asked Taylor to share some of his thoughts about his tenure at Parkrose‚ and plans for his future.

“I feel really good about my time here in Parkrose,” Taylor began. “The transition process has spoken to that. The board’s research says there is a core level of satisfaction about what we‚ our schools, teachers and staff‚ are doing. It shows they appreciate our desire to maintain quality education. That says something good.

“We’ve worked to make this happen. I feel good both about my tenure here, and the transition process.”

While Taylor credit’s the districts achievements to the diligent efforts of its teachers and staff, he does admit he’s pleased to have had a hand in improving public education in Parkrose.

Best part: seeing more students succeed
We asked Taylor what the best part of his time in Parkrose Schools.

“Sometimes in education, you don’t get to see the results of the things you have done. But the way things were in this district, you got to see the results.

“Other people in other districts work as hard I do, and know as much about schools and I do, but not everybody gets the opportunity to help close such a [educational success] gap. It is easier to close the first part of the gap‚ moving from 50% of your kids making it — to 70% — than moving from a 70% success rate to a to 100% rate.

“When I came here, my predecessor told me, ‘All the basics are here, Mike. The core is solid. It just needs to be organized and brushed up a little bit.’

“It was true. Our core staff was good and only got better. Our community supports our educational efforts. The core structure was here; it just needed to get aligned.”

Alignment, Taylor told us, is “about getting people into the right places to do what they need to do. More importantly, successful alignment means moving non-important stuff out of the way so our educators can be successful. To a great extent, we accomplished this.”

Not the best of times: contract negotiations
Asked if there was anything he truly disliked about the job, Taylor thought for a moment before answering.

“If I never negotiate another contract with the union, it will be fine with me. The further the relationship between the school management and the teacher gets, the less the issues are about your schools and your kids.

“To a degree, the interests that were present [in negotiations with unions] got further away from the good of the teachers and the students. We had a couple of hard rounds of negotiations, influenced heavily by outside interests. This stresses the relationships among management, the teachers, and the district.

“Yet‚ and David, this is important — the individual teachers, staff members and organization‚ I have the greatest respect for them.”

Dealing with budget woes
“Another difficult task was creating a budget with the lack of funding we had before the Multnomah County I-Tax,” Taylor continued.

“After 10 years of reductions, having to make yet another round of cuts the year before the I-Tax‚ that was extremely difficult for me. We were down to the point losing services to the point to where the NEXT cut would become toxic to the kids we were trying to serve. It just felt like any more cuts would harm our students.”

Taylor says he’ll stay involved in East County education‚ he plans to help set up a construction trade Skills Center in outer East Portland.

No easy chair for Taylor
Although he did admit to taking fly-fishing lessons this spring, Taylor’s retirement won’t consist of hours spent terrorizing trout. Nor will be be putting his slippers on and lounging in his easy chair at home.

“I’m going to stay involved with education,” Taylor said about his next adventure.

“There is a four-district ‘Skills Center’ that’s being developed; created in association with the Oregon Building Congress.

“The Skills Center has a charter [school] application in to the State of Oregon; it will be sponsored by four school districts in East County. When it is approved, a charter school in construction, architecture and engineering will be available to high school juniors and seniors.”

Skills Center partners with existing high schools
Taylor continued, “I’ve pursued this notion several times before, and never was able to make it happen. I firmly believe that the Center for Advanced Learning in Gresham is a good model for this program.”

Instead of building “mega-high schools” that try to be “all things to all students”, Taylor continued, the concept of operating educational clusters, centers or satellites of specialty makes better sense.

The educational model of the future, he added, is to have a core public high schools, and satellite learning centers.

“If we create a massive number of small schools, we lose public education. We lose the integration of cultures and interests.

Combines specialty training and school spirit
High school juniors and seniors will take general education courses when they attend their “home” high school every other day. “On their days at the Skills Center, students will get [educational] content in math, English or communication, calculations and maybe some of their science — in conjunction with skill sets in construction and engineering.”

Taylor told us that the “comprehensive” high school provides the setting for socialization. “The social culture of high schools is important. A sport, proms, arts, elections and even ‘donkey basketball’ are important parts of growing up.

“At the same time, when it comes to the individual learning interests, schools have to better accommodate the individual student’s needs. We can’t build academies to accommodate all interests in all schools.”

The Skills Center is being developed with partners in the construction trades: carpenters, electricians, HVAC and sheet metal. These trades all currently have their training centers in outer East Portland. The Skills Center, Taylor said, will be located at NE 158th Ave. and Sandy Blvd.

“You’ll be hearing more about it in September,” Taylor promised.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

While many Argay neighbors agree their neighborhood could use another park, read why security, access, and activity locations raised some eyebrows at a recent meeting‚

Representatives from Portland Parks & Recreation‚ Doug Brenner, East Portland Services Manager, and Riley Whitcomb, Program Manager‚ show an aerial photo illustration of the farmland scheduled to become a park.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While most people in the outer Northeast Portland neighborhood of Argay think of the “Beech Property” plot as farmland, it will eventually become a city park, according to representatives of Portland Parks & Recreation.

On June 11, Doug Brenner, East Portland Services Manager, and Riley Whitcomb, Program Manager from Portland Parks & Recreation, held a public meeting at Shaver Elementary School to tell neighbors why the city revoked a farmer’s lease‚ even though there isn’t currently funding to develop that land into a park.

“At present,” Doug Brenner told a group of 40 neighbors, “there is no funding for park development, but a variety of strategies can be considered once the Master Plan is complete.”

The 15.7 acre Beech Property, leased out as farmland up till a few weeks ago, is actually an undeveloped park located next to Shaver Elementary School, we learned from Brenner. “Portland Parks and Recreation purchased the parcels in 1984 and 1999 as part of a long-range vision to provide a large community park to serve this part of east Portland.”

Brenner said a Master Plan for the new park will be developed in 2008, “through a collaborative, community process.  It will result in a park design that responds to the area’s recreation needs, and reflects the community’s priorities.”

Ending urban farming
Neighbors quizzed the PP&R pair about halting the farming activities for which the land has always been used. Whitcomb acknowledged it as “a difficult situation, when we must end a [farming] lease. But, stopping the farming is the responsible thing to do, for environmental reasons. We don’t want to put [the farmer] out of business.”

Whitcomb said one of the parcels was foreclosed and given to the City of Portland by Multnomah County. “If we don’t develop it as a park, we’ll have to give it back to the county. They will put housing there. If you don’t want a city park on the NE parcel, we’ll have to sell it. It will probably be sold to a developer. It is zoned R3, low-density multi-family. The point is, we want to see a park there. It is a matter of partnering with you to make it happen. We want to make it as good as possible.”

Brenner said PP&R would become responsible for planting “tall grass” and keeping it mowed to knee height. He also said the rainwater runoff on the land would become a responsibility of the city.

More questions and answers
Asked why the city is going through a Master Plan process, Riley Whitcomb replied, “Without going through the planning process, we don’t know what people want. We want to learn the issues and desires of neighbors, so we can address them.”

Issues that surfaced immediately included:

• Mice and rats living in the tall grass;
• Potential access points into the park;
• Parking problems affecting adjoining streets; and
• Safety concerns.

“We’re park planners — I can’t specifically speak about roads and mice,” said Whitcomb. “But we don’t just rubber-stamp our approval on park plans. We’re here to talk about concerns you may have.”

As this PP&R photo illustration shows, the Beech Property consists of two oddly-shaped parcels‚ they adjoin each another at only one small point.

Two odd parcels
Asked how a park can be made from two oddly-shaped parcels that meet only at one small point, Brenner replied, “Our two pieces of property do touch at one point. We’ll have to talk with the [Parkrose] school district [which owns the other property] at some point.”

Addressing access, traffic and parking, Brenner said one potential location for a parking lot is at NE 131st Place. “And, there are many walk-in access points.”

Issues of uses and security raised
“What kind park will this be? What kind of activities will it be designed for?” asked neighbors.

“We’re designing this as a more active kind of park,” replied Whitcomb. “It could be designed to accommodate soccer and softball fields. There is room for picnicking and activities for kids. We try to zone activities to fit the situation. We don’t want the soccer field next to someone’s house.”

When a neighbor raised concerns that park traffic may lower neighborhood safety, Whitcomb replied, “One key to providing a safe park is to have good visibility by neighbors, and to make sure the police can see into the park. Lighting is important; but sometimes lighting also brings in undesirables at night.”

At the meeting, PF&R’s Riley Whitcomb says good park design can reduce drug activity and crime.

Valerie Curry, Argay Neighborhood chair, noted that nearby Argay Park has turned into a place for increased drug activity, and asked what could be done to keep this from happening in the proposed park.

Whitcomb responded, “The way we organize the space is important. Where you have a dark corner area, like in Argay Park, those areas are problematic. We may need to think about how we address that. Maybe we need a street that comes though the park so everything is in full view. Lighting and location of activities are at issue. And, when neighbors ‘take ownership’ of their park, we see fewer problems.”

Bathrooms and trees
The group learned that the proposed park would feature a permanent bathroom.

A neighbor living south‚ thus above‚ the property, asked about trees. “Will I lose my view? I can see the Columbia River from my home.”

Brenner replied, “Portland parks are about trees. We will be bringing trees into the park.”

Timetable revealed
Exactly how the park will be designed, and the features it will include, is all part of the Master Plan, Brenner repeated.

Although asked in several different ways during the meeting, the most frequently asked question regarding the final Master Plan was, “Do we, the neighbors, get to vote on it?”

Whitcomb stated, “It is discussion. Typically, we bring three or four alternatives.”

“The plan is developed as collaborative decisions made between the community and PP&R,” clarified Brenner.

The Master Plan will be developed in 2008, stated Brenner. “It can take from three to nine months. We don’t yet have funding to develop the park. We look at a variety of strategies to develop a park. It could be a citywide parks levy. Maybe by then the city will be in good financial shape; funding could come from grants.”

Riley Whitcomb says of the Beech Property, “the reality is, the use of this land is changing. For many years, it was farmed. Now, there will be other kinds of activities.”

Summing up, Whitcomb added, “Some people will be happy with what we come up with, others will be upset. If this is the case, then I’ve done my job. We listen to your concerns. The reality is, the use of this land is changing. For many years, it was farmed. Now, there will be other kinds of activities.”

Stay in touch
“We want you to be included in the process,” Brenner concluded. “Please e-mail or telephone me with your contact information. We never sell or lend our lists to anyone for any reason, other than contacting you about this project.”

Resources:
For information, contact Doug Brenner, East Portland Services Manager, at 6437 SE Division Street, Portland, OR  97206; telephone (503) 823-5255, or E-mail pkdoug@ci.portland.or.us.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how Portland transportation officials say they plan to make East Portland more “bike friendly”‚ and what this means for car drivers,

David Prause‚ he says he’s a daily commuter from Sellwood to NW Portland ‚Äì talks with Linda Ginenthal, Transportation Options, City of Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) is preparing a comprehensive city-wide transportation plan.

Earlier in June, the Transportation Options section of PDOT rolled out its finding regarding bicycle riding at the East Portland Community Center.

Everything we know about bicycling in Portland is illustrated on charts here,” explained PDOT’s Roger Geller. “The next phase is how we can take Portland to the next level: How we can create world-class cycling conditions in Portland.”

Geller said this is important because, “citywide, 5.4% of people use bicycles as their primary method of commuting.”

Roger Geller, PDOT, consults with full-time bikers.

“Cities around the world have recognized that bicycles, for many short trips, are an ideal vehicle,” Geller went on. “Bicycles don’t pollute, they’re inexpensive, and riding promotes health and reduces greenhouse gases.”

America has a relatively low level of cycling activities compared to the rest of the world, Geller added. “The main reason many people don’t use bicycles more here, is they’re concerned about being near motor vehicles. To that extent, safety is a huge concern.”

The next step
“We identified our target market,” reported Geller. “The majority of Portland’s population isn’t using bikes for transportation. We’re trying to figure out how to adopt good designs, and where to focus to increase biking.”

Bicycle enthusiasts look over the city’s bikeway plan, laid out for them on panels that line the room at the East Portland Community Center.

Impact on motorized vehicles
When the city’s Commissioner overseeing PDOT‚ Sam Adams‚ arrived, we asked him how making Portland more “bicycle friendly” would impact the 94% of citizens who travel by motorized vehicle.

“We are seriously looking at how these plans will impact motor vehicle traffic,” Adams told us. “The old idea to route bikeways was to stripe a bike lane down a busy street and call it good. But that doesn’t make the bike riders feel safe. A high percentage of people won’t use it.”

Their new plans call for bikeways to be routed on quieter, adjacent streets. With some “modest” improvements, these roads become “bike boulevards”.

“This strategy is actually cheaper for the city‚ and has less impact on cars; we’re taking bicycles off the main, heavily-used streets.”

Calls East Portland bikeways inadequate
Adams said he was attending the open house because the bikeway system in East Portland is inadequate.

“It is inferior compared to the rest of the city. With transportation costs for each household going through the roof, I want to offer people an alternative mode for transportation that is safe, and will get them to and from where they want to go.”

For more information, see www.pdxtrans.org; and, search for Platinum Bicycle Master Plan.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Read about this Boy Scout’s project‚ it helps him earn Eagle rank, and honors his grandfather, at the same time‚

Hauling laurel tree branches and weeds are (top left) Matt Faunt, (bottom left) Jonah Mahoney, (bottom right) Kevin Sharp, (top right) Collin Faunt and (top center) Jessica Faunt.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For many in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, the recently-completed Hazeltine Park is a proud symbol of cooperation between neighbors and the City.

On this Saturday, a few weeks ago, the park is abuzz with another cooperative activity‚ a large-scale spruce-up effort‚ led by a 16-year-old young man, Matt Faunt.

Dick Hazeltine, the park’s namesake, with chainsaw in hand.

Faunt is an Eagle Scout candidate, previously Senior Patrol Leader for Boy Scout Troop 64. “I was born and raised in Westmoreland, but this park has special meaning to me. It’s named after my grandfather, Dick Hazeltine. Not only am I earning a rank for which I’ve worked; I’m doing it in a way that honors my grandfather.”

One of the requirements of becoming an Eagle Scout, Faunt tells us, is creating and successfully executing a Leadership Service Project.

Brentwood Darlington Neighborhood Association’s Gail Kiely hauls a big load.

“My main role is organizing the project and delegating tasks to other people,” states Faunt, shovel in hand. “I can help on the project when I’m needed. But my main tasks are creating the project, calling people to get them involved, and making and handing out flyers that ask neighbors to volunteer to help.”

Faunt’s recruitment campaign is successful: under a sky threatening rain, 36 volunteers show up from the neighborhood, along with members of Boy Scout Troop #64, leaders of the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association, and workers from Portland Parks and Recreation. Faunt’s troops are diligently weeding flowerbeds and spreading mulch throughout the park.

Jalal Haddad volunteers at the Hazeltine Park clean up.

“And, we’re cutting down the laurel trees in the back of the park. This will really improve the view,” supervisor Faunt explains. “We’ll be transplanting the shrub roses and planting as well.”

In the front west corner of the park, other volunteers are digging post holes, preparing to install a kiosk that will display park and neighborhood information.

Up on the truck, Jill Craig, a volunteering neighbor, helps load a PP&R truck with branches.

When you drive past the 5300 block of SE Flavel Drive, you’ll see the results the hard work of this new Eagle Scout’s volunteers‚ an improved city park in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Does anyone care if we have a county fair? See why the increased gate count at the 101st Multnomah County Fair indicates there will be a 102nd edition‚

Totally concentrating on his first pony ride is Christian Cop.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Since the Multnomah County Commissioners withdrew their support for the county fair years ago, the event had dwindled to the point of near-extinction.

Unlikely locations, such as the Portland Meadows race track, and a minuscule promotion and operating budget, have nearly shuttered the century-old traditional family event.

SE Portland back-yard gardener Larry Smith showing his award-winning, and very, very big trombone squash.

Jeanette Benson and Katie Olson, judging flowers and arrangements at the Multnomah County Fair.

But, 25,000 folks passing through the Oaks Park gate during the Memorial Day weekend gave credence to their 2007 slogan, “We’re Still Kickin’ – Get your kicks at the 101st Multnomah County Fair”.

“Thanks to good weather, and the support of the community, this was a very successful event,” reported Steve Higgs, one of the fair’s coordinators.

The three-day event included entertainment, talent contests, pirate shows, a chicken barbecuing contest‚ and the wacky Weiner Dog races.

Kristin Madden and Capt’n Mad Tim provide pirate fun, as they promote “Scream at the Beach”. “Come see our October show,” Mad Tim urges.

Karly Morris tap-dances her way to a trophy at the Kid’s Stage. She’s a Junior Blazer Dancer.

The event, held at Sellwood’s Oaks Amusement Park, included traditional county fair events such as officially sanctioned rabbit and cavy judging, pony rides, and a petting zoo. And, the amusement park polished up and operated all of their rides, providing thrills for family members of all ages.

By going back to the traditional values of county fairs ‚Äì community, friends, and simple entertainment‚ this event provided great memories for the many hundreds of families who visited. And, the $8,000 raised by the fair’s foundation silent auction will help its dedicated volunteers mount the 102nd edition in 2008.

Leather worker Low Gray Wolf shows his craft.

Jason Whitehurst, Cavy Judge, traveled from Salem. This particular show is by Rose City Rabbit and Cavy Fanciers.

Tabatha Ruiz, Jadon, and Jon solve the puzzle, in Humphrey’s Farmyard Frolics.

Pat Chappell and Brandon Richardson were winners in the “Big Cluck Cook-off” at the county fair. “Garlic, seasoned salt, and pepper makes it work for us,” said Pat.

Shelden Richards, with Hayden Pinney‚ who is holding his winning racing Weiner Dog. Pinney says, “She’s the fastest wiener dog here; she’s primed, she’s ready, she’ll take on any hot-dog here!”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Even worse than the damage already done to 40+ vehicles is the concern that the hooligans are still on the loose‚ and might be returning. See exclusive photos‚

The owner of this car‚ one of many damaged in the early-morning smashing spree‚ taped up the baseball-sized hole to keep rain from damaging the interior of her car.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It’s clear: windows of about 40 vehicles were bashed in, or smashed out, during the early morning vandalism spree on June 28.

What isn’t clear is why the perpetrators of this senseless destruction chose this activity ‚Äì or who the thugs may be.

The area of outer East Portland affected by the crime lies between SE Stark Street, north to NE Halsey Street, and from 77th Avenue to as far east as 122nd Avenue.

Teens chased by neighbors
Police officers are called into the neighborhood about 3:30 a.m., answering a car prowl report, officials say. A neighbor who says he just chased a teenager out of the area flags down officers, as they roll into the area. A witness reports seeing a silver car, driven by a teenager, flee the neighborhood.

A K-9 team patrol car rushes to the area, but no suspects are tracked down.

Rear windows targeted
As owners inspect their newly-damaged cars, they notice nothing has been stolen from them. Instead of finding items removed, many of them find their vehicles now have something extra: Baseball to softball size rocks in the back seats of cars.

As the sun rises and residents in the affected area awaken, officers find a rapidly-increasing number of cars with the back windows broken out.

Afraid of a return visit
With so many cars damaged in the area of NE 77th Avenue, north of NE Glisan Street, residents with whom we spoke say they are afraid to be identified. We assure them we won’t report even their block address.

“We don’t know who they are; the police haven’t caught them‚ they’re still out there. We’re worried they’ll come back tonight,” says one nervous resident as he works in his yard.

The neighbor of the owner of this car says the entire rear window was smashed out “for no apparent reason. They didn’t steal anything.”

Further east from the other incidents, near SE 109th Avenue and SE Stark Street another car is damaged.

Marilyn Blufton tapes plastic across the gaping hole in the rear window of her black Toyota. “This car isn’t anything special; but it is my transportation. It’s how I get to work. I don’t understand what the thrill is to smash up someone’s car.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Apparently, this home-invading thief picked the wrong target‚ and was shot in the head. Learn what the neighbors have to say, and see exclusive photos, right here‚

NE Glisan St. was shut down all morning while police investigated the shooting of a man accused of breaking into this Hazelwood home.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“About 5 a.m. this morning, the sound of lots of sirens and police cars woke us up,” says Sunny Frankel. She lives in Hazelwood, just across NE Glisan Street where police have strung yellow crime-scene tape around a home in the 10700 block.

“You could hear lots of commotion,” Frankel adds. “An ambulance came and went. I hear there was a shooting.”

Burglary in progress
Police log the early morning disturbance on June 29 as “Incident # 311: burglary in progress” at 4:50 am.

As Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers roll to the scene, the call is updated; they learn someone had been shot. Officers arrive and locate an individual who, officials say, has suffered a possibly life-threatening gunshot wound.

Officers get 71-year-old Leroy Hudson and another resident out of the house and then, go in to investigate.

Police aren’t saying much about the case‚ other than they’re investigating. Here, you can see the CSI heading into the home.

“They found one person down, in an enclosed porch area,” says police spokesman, Sgt. Brian Schmautz.

Homeowner cooperates
We’re told that Hudson heard someone breaking into his house, armed himself, and confronted the invading burglar.

The police say this man, Brent Sweet, was shot after he broke into Hudson’s home.

“The 26-year-old burglary suspect suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. He is in critical condition at Emanuel Hospital,” is the official word from the police.

Typically, this neighborhood is pretty quiet, neighbors say, and add they hope this shooting with discourage other criminals from trying to break into their home at night.

Officials say Hudson is cooperating with the investigation. Hours later, Schmautz publicly states, “We have no intention to bring charges against Mr. Hudson. And, it’s my understanding that the District Attorney declined to send an investigator to the scene.”

More as this story develops.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

He’ll never get his beloved Chevy El Camino back, but see how the East Portland CRU helped him recover his engine and parts, in these exclusive photos‚

While Caleb Wood still isn’t going to be driving his El Camino back to Idaho, at least he can take his customized engine and accessories home.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
34-year-old Caleb Wood says he’s sad, and a little angry, that he won’t be driving his classic, 1972 Chevrolet El Camino back home to Idaho.

Wood says he learned today that cut-up car parts resembling those of his El Camino were loaded on a scrap truck and hauled away a couple of days ago. But, at least, he’ll go home with his engine.

Wood had to partially disassemble the engine to be able to remove it from the garage from which it was being sold.

Stolen off the street
“I came to Portland a few weeks ago to go to car shows, and do a cruise-in or two with my buddy,” Wood recounts. “I was heading home the morning of June 4, but we woke up to find my car was gone. It was stolen off the street.”

Wood says friends encouraged him to peruse Craig’s List and E-Bay looking for parts from his missing car. “Everyone told me, because the car was a classic car, they’d part it out. I started checking.”

Finds June 28 ‘Craig’s List’ ad
Weeks of checking the web-based sales sites turned up nothing‚ until Wood came across this June 28 listing. Wood confirmed the Craig’s List ad that follows is the one that caught his attention:

———–

Reply to: sale-361914213@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-06-27, 8:29PM PDT
chevy motor 350+ – $800
polished edelbrock intake holly 650 carb polished hooker headers and turbo 400 tranny all one package $800 obo call laura or jason at 503-760-[withheld].

Location: se portand

it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 361914213

————-

“My car has a Chevy 350 engine; nothing special, they made thousands of them. It’s all the stuff I added to it makes it special, like the custom intake and headers. I knew this had to be my engine they were selling.”

Doing some detective work, Wood calls the number listed in the ad, and agrees to meet a man who calls himself Jason Rickerd, at the house at 2115 Southeast 112th Ave.; just north of Division St.

“We took a look at the motor. Even though they’d painted part of it, it had all of my custom parts on it. It was mine. I just kept cool; we didn’t confront them. I told Rickerd it would probably fit in a car I had, and I’d be back.”

East Precinct CRU Sgt. John Scruggs shows us some of the guns they found in the home where Wood’s engine was offered for sale.

Brings out cops, not cash
Instead of heading to the bank to get some cash, Wood makes a bee-line for Portland Police Bureau East Precinct about 1:00 p.m.

“When Sgt. Anderson called to tell me that Wood positively identified his engine,” Lt. Chris Uehara, acting Commander of East Precinct tells us, “I had Sgt. John Scruggs and his Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) come to the house and recover this engine.”

Says this is community policing at its best
“Fantastic,” Uehara says as a smile broadens across his face. When not acting commander, he’s the lieutenant in charge of CRU.

“This is exactly what we want: citizens calling in and reporting crime,” says Uehara. “Citizens are our eyes and ears in the community. They did it right. They didn’t act as vigilantes; they didn’t take matters into their own hands‚ they did it the right way and called us in.”

Wood comments, “You know, I am from Idaho; we tend to take care of things ourselves. I thought about taking [my engine] back, but saw a lot of other parts at the house and decided to call the police.”

While they’re disappointed they didn’t find Wood’s car intact, CRU team leader, and acting precinct commander, Lt. Chris Uehara says he’s happy these suspected criminals are off the street.

Finds drugs and guns
Uehara reports CRU officers found small, user-amounts of narcotics. “We found some meth paraphernalia in the house. Methamphetamine, auto theft, and burglaries, these activities all go hand-in-hand.”

After searching the house, CRU Sergeant John Scruggs shows us weapons they say came from inside the house where the stolen engine was offered for sale. “I believe there are more guns in the house; we’re still looking.”

Scruggs says they ran the plates on the cars and motorcycles located on the property. “It doesn’t look like they’re stolen. We’ll continue to investigate what’s in the house; we suspect there is more stolen property there; but we have no other complainants.”

Felons arrested
Just after 5:00 p.m., officers arrest 29-year-old Jason Rickerd on one count of “Theft By Receiving in the First Degree” for allegedly (and unknowingly) trying to sell Wood’s engine back to him. He also is charged with one count of “Felon in Possession of a Firearm”.

50-year-old Clifford Rickerd, Jason’s father, was also arrested for Probation Violation. Ironically, Clifford Rickerd is on probation for “Theft By Receiving in the First Degree” in connection with another stolen vehicle.

Welcome to the worldwide ‘fencing operation’
We ask Scruggs if he and the CRU unit are finding more stolen goods showing up on Internet sites like Craig’s List and E-Bay.

“We haven’t detected a marked increase of stolen goods showing up on websites,” reports Scruggs. “We do see these sites used as a medium for selling stolen goods.”

The websites have cut into profits for “fences”, or middlemen, who buy and sell stolen property, the sergeant tells us. “Instead of having a fence give the criminal a dime on a dollar’s worth of property, the criminals now can ‘cut out the middleman’ and get the full fifty cents on the dollar.”

As evening falls, one of those accused stands in the rain, waiting to go to jail.

Not driving back to Idaho
While we talk with officers, Wood and his friend struggle with a rickety homemade engine hoist and carefully lift his engine into the back of his friend’s truck.

Wood’s friend picks up chromed exhaust pipes from the El Camino, and show us how they bottoms were caved in and scraped. “They had to fly the car to do this. It had fly up in the air, and hit so hard that it bottomed out and scraped the pipes,” Wood says.

Wood and officers talk to neighbors along SE 112th Avenue, trying to get additional information. One person says he saw the cut-up pieces of a vehicle, matching Wood’s Chevy, being taken away in a scrap metal truck.

“I guess that means I’m not taking my car back home,” Wood says. “But at least, I got my engine‚ and some of the people involved with this crime.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

You might not notice the colorful addition to the Parkrose High School Community Library, so we thought we’d point out this visual legacy left behind by graduating students‚

Graduated seniors Brad Tinsley and Tamiqua Martin designed and created the stained glass panels the now decorate the Parkrose High School Library’s smallest windows.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Parkrose Highs School Class of ’07 graduates, Brad Tinsley and Tamiqua Martin, have left a physical mark on their school. It isn’t a scar‚ but instead, a beauty treatment for the small square windows on the south wall of the Community Library.

The two students created panels made of stained glass; one for each of the windows.

“It took us eight weeks to do the project, from design through installation,” Tinsley told us. “We started it because our teacher said the librarian wanted something that had a flowing design for those windows.”

The stained glass panels decorate each of the small windows on the south wall of the library, when taken together, form a wave pattern. The top left image starts the sequence on the east end of the library; the bottom right photo concludes the pattern on the western end of the room.

Martin explained the process: “We drew a design. We switched it up a little and came up with these panels. It was hard work; foiling took the most time.

After graduation, Tinsley said he signed up with the US Army, enlisting as a military police officer. Martin plans higher education at Mount Hood Community College‚ or may decide to enlist in the US Navy.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

When these two outer East Portland neighborhoods set out to rid their areas of trash, they gather dumpsters full of refuse. See why these volunteers work so hard to clean things up‚

Argay Neighbor Jim Edmonds, one of the nearly 100 neighbors dropping off trash, being checked in by volunteer Bonny Scott at the Argay Clean-up day.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“We’ve already had 70 cars so far; it looks like we’ll probably serve 100 neighbors this year,” says Argay Neighborhood volunteer Bonny Scott, as she checks in cars at the early June neighborhood clean-up. “This is the most we’ve had in three years.”

At Shaver Elementary School, Scott is checking in Argay neighbor Jim Edmonds. He says, “This is great! It gives us the chance to clean up the yard and get rid of things.”

Argay Neighborhood Association volunteers Dana McCray and Jane Roffey-Berry don’t mind getting dirty while they help clean up their part of Portland.

Large turnout
Perhaps more important than the good weather, Argay Neighborhood’s chair, Valerie Curry, tells us, is that “we really promoted our clean-up day.”

It wouldn’t be such a successful effort, Curry says, if not for the efforts of the eleven volunteers from the Soccer Club at Parkrose High School. “These young dynamos have been unloading, tossing, pitching, slinging, arranging, and cramming trash and yard debris‚ making the best use of our dumpster space‚ for over four hours. And, they did it with good humor!”

The help of these Parkrose High volunteers was especially helpful, Curry explains, saying, “The leadership of our association presently consists of a small group of “older” neighborhood volunteers, at the moment all females who work hard for their community and who organize periodic special services for the neighborhood, such as a Neighborhood Clean-up Day.”

David Toscano and Connor Leines, two of the eleven Parkrose High School student volunteers help load out up trash in Argay.

Curry says she wants to thank the helpers by name: Matt, Josh, Connor, David, John, Jacob, Nathan, Josh (No. 2), Nick, Jose, and Christian.

“And, we also thank our steadfast neighborhood volunteers Clare & Sharon Mershon, Dana McCray, Alice Ford, Tina Scarborough, Jane Roffey-Berry, Gary Scott, and coordinator Bonnie Scott.

ROSE helps Lents neighbors
‘take out the trash’

Due to the sprawling size of the Lents Neighborhood, clean-up organizers located their dumpsters throughout their area.

“It really helps when people can take their debris and trash just down the street, instead of having to haul it to a central location,” said organizer Judy Welch.

Neighbor Nicole Yates unloads her truck, getting rid of a big old load from our back yard as clean-up coordinator Judy Welch sweeps up at one of the 13 locations.

“We’ve filled two dumpsters here; one with yard debris and one with solid waste,” says Welch.

Overall, this Lents Clean-up filled 13 dumpsters throughout Lents.

This project was partly funded by ROSE Community Development; they sponsored six of drop-box bins.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Businesspeople and neighbors work together, as they plan this community’s future. Now they have gotten a look at the findings of PSU grad student planners. Interested in what they said? Take a look: the complete report is right here‚

Brian Ableidinger introducing the Parkrose Vision Committee

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The people of Parkrose aren’t just wishing and hoping for a bright future, they’re actively planning for it.

Months ago, the City of Portland’s East Portland Planning Liaison, Barry Manning, suggested that Portland State University graduate urban planning students could help the area’s residents and business people develop a comprehensive plan.

After informal meetings and a group workshop called “Planning for Parkrose” on April 24, interested folks gathered at Parkrose High School’s Community room on June 6 student planners’ recommendations.

The text of the formal presentation is at the end of this article‚

Process helps set priorities
Brian Ableidinger, co-owner of Parkrose Hardware, welcomed the group that packed the meeting hall.

“As a business owner, getting input from the neighborhood association about what they want to see in their business district has been an eye-opener for me,” Ableidinger told us during a break in the program. “I learned, for example that most residents really want a Parkrose grocery store.”

When they first started the process, Ableidinger explained, he saw that the both the neighborhood and business associations had their own point of view. “The views are necessarily opposed to one another; they’re just not synchronized. I hope this Vision Committee can bring all of these points of view together to help us develop a plan for a good.”

Neighbor Arnie Osterhaus talks with one of the Portland State University grad student Brian, one of the group who prepared recommendations for the Parkrose Community.

Ableidinger agrees with the recommendation to expand the Parkrose Vision Committee. “I see the committee including other stakeholders in the neighborhood‚ such as the faith community‚ we want to address their needs.”

Having a united front is important to the process Ableidinger says, especially when it comes to Sandy Blvd. redevelopment. “If our businesses and neighbors show city government we are united‚ and have a professional developed plan‚ the leaders will be more amenable. We’ll have more power and influence.”

Retired Parkrose School Superintendent Mike Taylor and Bob Brown, Bob Brown Tires, discuss some of the options the student planners outlined.

Neighborhood leader approve
At the June meeting, Marcy Emerson-Peters, chair of Parkrose Neighborhood Association, told us, “This is a great idea. I’m impressed with the energy people are showing to get this going.”

Emerson-Peters said she thought it was important that businesses in downtown Parkrose are being encouraged to be involved with the plans for developing the city’s business district.

“From the standpoint of neighbors, business district improvements will make Parkrose a more appealing place to shop. It will increase the value of homes. The city will pay more attention to us. And, we’ll attract more investment. This is good for everyone.”

Parkrose people, from all walks of life, come to participate in planning the community’s future.

Parkrose Vision Committee Recommendation Presentation

Findings
1. What would bring you down to Sandy Blvd. more often?

• Grocery Store: 27% of total points
• Greater Dining Options: 13%
• Specific Specialty Stores: 12%
• Less Prostitution, Crime and Drugs: 9%
• Improve Neighborhood Appearance: 7%

2. What would you like other people to think of Sandy Blvd. ten years from now?

• Multi-Cultural Area: 17%
• Safe and Well-Maintained: 14%
• Family Friendly Area: 13%
• Prostitution Free Area: 10%
• Local Business Oriented: 8%

3. Name three things you think would make Parkrose better?

• Fewer Adult-Oriented Businesses: 20%
• Encourage Neighborhood Unity, Communication & Involvement: 14%
• Improve Neighborhood Appearance: 14%
• Decrease Prostitution, Crime, Drugs: 8%
• Prioritize Children: 6%

Goal
Creating a Downtown Parkrose area that would be a vital business district, provide a strong sense of community and thus, make it a “great place to be”.

Recommendations

• Expand Parkrose Vision Team
• Invite representatives from other community organizations
• Formalize monthly meeting schedule
• Undergo leadership/team building training

Improve Neighborhood Communication

• Maximize use of existing resources
• Employ a multi-media approach
• Develop Parkrose Neighborhood-specific newsletter

Market Parkrose Business District

• Promote Parkrose as a unified business district providing a range of goods and services
• Proactively establish district identity and culture
• Encourage neighborhood residents to shop locally

Enhance Appearance of Sandy Boulevard

• Improve storefronts and landscaping along Sandy Boulevard
• An aesthetic and well-maintained commercial district exudes success and attracts consumers

Expand Crime Prevention Programs

• Further develop current community policing efforts
• Increasing the sheer number of people on the street is the largest deterrent to crime

Support Sandy as a Neighborhood Center

• Work with ODOT to have Sandy recognized as a neighborhood center‚ not simply a transportation corridor
• A Special Transportation Area designation will help ODOT prioritize improvements

Host Neighborhood Event on Sandy

• Food festivals, street fairs, live music
• Incorporate existing events onto Sandy
• Prepare for and celebrate Parkrose’s 100th anniversary in 2011

Develop Community Design Standards

• Promote development appropriate for Sandy Boulevard
• Ensures consistency in future development and helps foster identity

Partner with Local Business Support Systems

• Take advantage of existing business assistance programs to encourage entrepreneurship
• Fill vacant and underutilized commercial properties

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service