Neighborhood survey results will guide MTNA actions in 2005

By Diane Redd, MTNA president
Thanks to the many neighbors who completed the green survey distributed last spring. MTNA will publish the survey results on the website, and we have begun to use the information to inform our planning and activities for the coming year.

The top two ranked issues that you felt the neighborhood association should work on are preserving and maintaining existing reservoirs, and ensuring safety and security in Mt. Tabor Park. MTNA is very fortunate to work with two excellent citizen-based groups, Friends of the Reservoirs and Friends of Mt. Tabor Park. In the coming year, MTNA will continue to strengthen our partnerships with these groups. We will publicize their events in our print and electronic materials, maintain a liaison to these groups on the MTNA board, and assist them when they request help with their projects. We will also continue to strengthen our relationships with the Portland Park Bureau and the Water Bureau.

The third most important issue for us to address is reducing speeding on residential streets. John Turner, one of our board members, has received training in helping neighbors with traffic problems. He is now available to act as a consultant with neighbors who wish to solve a traffic problem in their area. John will also be writing a column on traffic for the newsletter and working with Southeast Uplift on its 2005 traffic improvement initiative.

The issue ranked fourth, reducing car prowls, is more difficult to address at the neighborhood level. MTNA will increase crime prevention education and work with the police to identify other means to reduce this problem.

Neighbors identified as their fifth most important issue the limitation of division of lots for development. MTNA is activating its land use committee and will work actively with Southeast Uplift, which also sees this problem as a priority.

We recognize that you might have an issue that you feel strongly about that is not currently being addressed by the MTNA board or one of its committees. If you want to work on it and find others who share your concern, MTNA will help you get started. We can provide you with resources that can help you implement a solution. Please call Diane at 503/257-9488 or email diane.redd@ mttaborpdx.org. It goes without saying that we invite you to join us at the monthly neighborhood association meetings. We meet at 7 p.m. (new time) at Bueermann Hall at the Western Seminary on the third Wednesday of each month, although there is no meeting in December.

Again, thanks to all who participated in the survey. The rate of return on the surveys was very high, proving that most of us care deeply about this wonderful neighborhood we call home.