Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Q&A with Marshall Livingston

You may have seen him sweeping the sidewalk across from the library or helping to collect trash at the Belmont Street Fair. Marshall Livingston, a Sunnyside resident for the past four years, has a wild mane and a helpful, can-do attitude. A regular guest at the Sunnyside Shower Project, he also helped us raise money to fix the broken windows at the Sunnyside Methodist Church by donating half of the proceeds from his colorful tie-dyed T-shirts, which he hand dyes himself. We spoke to Marshall about Sunnyside, what can be done to improve the houselessness crisis, and his idea for a CSA/community garden. 

What do you like about Sunnyside? 

I got involved with Sunnyside because of Pat (Schwiebert). I had someone tell me about her weekly suppers [Schwiebert ran the Hard Times Supper at the Sunnyside United Methodist Church for over 35 years]. I went there and I liked it. It was a much better environment for my wife. Less chaotic; fewer crackheads floating around; less agitated. 

Continue reading our Q&A with Marshall Livingston

Evicted for a Substation

The following article was published in The Oregonian on December 2, 1977. The Howlands, who had lived in their house on Belmont and 32nd since 1960, were relocated by PGE in 1977. A previous article in the Oregonian said that PGE promised to finance their move if they were able to find a suitable house for an equivalent rent. 

Couple granted delay on moving deadline

Mr. and Mrs. John S. Howland, a sickly couple living in a home that is expected to be razed to make room for expansion of a Portland General Electric Co. substation, were not forced to move Thursday.

Deadline for moving from their rented residence at 3236 S.E. Belmont St. had been set for Dec. 1.

PGE, the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, and Mrs. Howland’s Attorney are all working to help the Howland’s find a low-cost house to rent. The couple has 12 children, one of them at home, a 14-year-old daughter, Lisa.

They have said they desire a three-bedroom home so their visiting children can have a place to stay.

Mrs. Howland is suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure and Howland has a heart problem and emphysema.

PGE purchased the Howlan’s rented house 18 months ago, along with several others in the block, to make space available for expansion of the substation next door to the Howlands.

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association has taken the case to City Hall because the association wants as many homes as possible left in the neighborhood.

A PGE spokesman said employees had volunteered to help move the Howlands as soon as another house can be found. The couple is paying $90 for rent and must find another low-cost house.

Mrs. Howland will be 61 Jan. 10. Howland will be 69 in February. The family exists on welfare and Social Security.

Emergency Board Meeting & SNACC Agenda, Nov. 17th, 2022

Nov. 17th SNACC meeting will be preceded by an emergency board meeting to vote on whether we want to apply for the SEUL Communications grant as well as the SEUL Community Small Grant again for 2023.

Meeting agenda. Times are approximate.

Meeting will be held in person at Matt Lembo’s house.  Please email Matt for address.  [email protected]

 

November 10, 2022 General Membership and Board Meetings

The SNA General Membership and Board Meetings will be held Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • SNA General Membership Meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • SNA Board Meeting from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Both meetings are open to the public. 

Meeting Agenda. Times are approximate. Agenda items are subject to change.

This meeting will be held in person at SE Uplift (3534 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214) and online.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85776168096?pwd=dTU3V0wycWZxTmhSVGNjNjJxdjNldz09

Meeting ID: 857 7616 8096

Passcode: 277584

 

News from the President

Hi neighbors! Just a short update from me on what we’re talking about at the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association.

We had our monthly board meeting on Thursday, October 13th. This time we were much more successful hosting a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting, so we will continue to offer both options for our general and board meetings, allowing for as many neighbors to participate as possible. Much of the focus for the board was on this little newsletter that we always love to see on our front doorsteps every month! We heard, in detail, from our newsletter team about their process and how they put it together every month, from article submissions to getting it into your hands. We are looking for ways to improve and streamline the process to ensure its continued success.

Additionally, we had a presentation from our Land Use & Transportation Committee chair, Jamie Smith, about efforts by neighbors at 45th and Madison surrounding the tent camp behind the commercial building at 4511 SE Hawthorne. This camp has existed throughout the past several years, but tensions have increased recently. You may have seen the news reports (www.kptv.com/2022/09/15/multiple-cars-hit-by-man-throwing-rocks-his-bike-se-portland) regarding a possible resident of this camp throwing rocks at cars. Jamie reported that the building is currently being vacated and that the development company, Killian-Pacific, will be fencing off the property to the edge of the sidewalk on Madison to deter future encampments until they proceed with a project on the site. The camp was slated to be swept by Friday, October 14th.

Finally, I wanted to pass along notices about some grant opportunities. First, SE Uplift has opened applications for two grant programs: Community Small Grants and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Communication Grants. Applications are due by midnight November 22nd. Full details are available at www.seuplift.org/grants. Second, if you own a small business that has had broken windows or doors, graffiti, or other damage, you can apply for up to $10,000 in assistance from the city’s Local Small Business Repair Grants program. Details and the application can be found at www.prosperportland.us/portfolio-items/local-small-business-repair-reopening-grant.

We will be returning on November 10th at 7 PM for our next general meeting. We are still working on the agenda, but of interest is a new plan from PBOT to expand the greenway network in Sunnyside with additional North/South streets and traffic calming measures. If you have other topics you would like to discuss at this or other meetings, please reach out to us at [email protected].