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L OST N EIGHBORHOODS FROM THE ARCHIVES v Black History Neighbors Challenge Proposed Rowhouse Boise group wants the Housing Our Families development stopped By Tonya Y. Parker Of The Skanner News Article originally published 01-27-1999 A group of Boise neighborhood resi- dents and business owners wants to block construction of low-income rowhouses by a community development corporation because they say it can’t man- age what it already has. Plus, they think the area is too crammed with subsidized housing and is bearing more than its share for the city. They also accuse Housing Our Families of being deceptive for originally telling them the units would rent at market rate. The community development corporation plans to build 10 units on North Fargo Street and Kerby Avenue for families earn- ing 60 percent of median income, or what’s affordable to a single-parent bank teller or teacher’s assistant, for instance. According to Chris Brown, Boise Neighborhood Asso- ciation cochair, at least four different organizations are managing or building low-income housing projects in the area. “If these are so great, why don’t we share the wealth?” he said. “That’s the ugly secret people don’t want to talk about.” To speak out against the project, the group of about 20, which includes neighborhood association and Mississippi Avenue Target Area steering committee members, has launched a petition drive and letter-writing campaign. They say because Housing Our Families can’t seem to keep a lid on prob- lems such as drug dealing around its Betty Campbell apartment building on North Mis- sissippi Avenue and Shaver Street, it doesn’t need another to manage. They list what they considered misman- agement, including failing to screen potential tenants properly, lack of security around the building and unresponsiveness to neighbors’ complaints. Their efforts have proved successful. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent Steve Rudman, the city’s HUD director, a letter Jan. 19 stating his bureau must respond in writing to neigh- bors’ complaints within 15 workdays if the Fargo Street project plans to use federal money. The city also has put its funding for the project on hold temporarily, said Robin Boyce, Housing Development Financing section manager for the Portland Develop- ment Commission. She said the agency is offering Housing Our Families a low-interest loan and deferred-interest-payment loan of $361,000 from federal funds. PDC also wants to help the organization assess its operations and practices, she said. “We continue to have money set aside for that project,” Boyce said. But “we will not proceed towards a legally binding agree- ment until we’re comfortable the issues Week on the Web The housing was built despite protests that there was too much affordable housing. have been resolved.” The two sides possibly could come together soon to talk and hammer out a good neighbor agreement, said Terrell Gar- rett, Mississippi Avenue Target Area steering committee cochair and a property owner across the street from the building. “We want to discuss some issues and have no basic, preconceived notions.” Barbara Willer, Housing Our Families interim executive director, said she is not against brokering a good neighbor agree- ment and welcomes the chance to talk. “I’m a believer that when people have good com- munication and then they have to come to each other with something, things don’t fall apart.” Although Willer doesn’t deny a longtime tenant recently was evicted from the build- ing because of drug-related problems, she said the organization isn’t turning a deaf ear. See FAMILIES on page 7 RR Donnelley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Values Diversity in our Workplace ELECTRICIAN/ELECTRONIC TECH 2 Whitney Houston's Voice Still Soars … in Entertainment For The Skanner News on your smart phone go to www. theskannermobile.com or scan this QR code with your app. Is Portland's Bi- Weekly Garbage Pickup a Future Health Hazard? … in NW News Susan J. Douglas: Celebrity Journal- ism Diminishes Women's Role in News …in NW News City Hall Hosts Art That Show- cases Portland's Black History Through Buildings …in NW News Over 200 Care- givers and Recipients Rally in Seattle to Solve U.S. Care Crisis …in NW News Books: 'To the Mountaintop - My Journey Through the Civil Rights Movement' …in Entertainment Counterfeit Drugs Becoming Big Business Worldwide …in US News For Houston Mourners, a Dearth of Places to Grieve …in Entertainment Responsibilities • Respond to equipment breakdowns and make the quickest possible repairs • Use electrical schematics for troubleshooting • Install, relocate and repair electrical/electronic wiring, controls and equipment • Provide input on preventive/predictive maintenance programs on specified pieces of equipment • Ensure all repairs are in accordance with NEC and Oregon State electrical code • Assist in the training of inexperienced personnel • Make recommendations for revisions on electrical/electronic equipment to increase operating efficiency • Assist mechanical/machinist technicians and building equipment operators on routine tasks as required by the situation • Other duties as assigned Qualifications • Possess a current Oregon State Plant Journeyman Electrical License • HVAC experience a plus • Experience working on print industry machinery and equipment preferred • Read, write and understand English for effective communication • Ability to operate or use programmable logic controllers, calculator, electronic testing equipment including a probe, chart recorder, oscilloscope, meager, amp probe, voltage meter, digital meter, micrometer, drills and other basic hand tools • Ability to operate or use machine shop equipment, i.e. lathe, mill, surface grinder, drill press, welder, hydraulic equipment, rigging equipment, belt tension gauge, micrometer, depth gauge, caliper and other basic power tools a plus • Ability to work rotating shifts, overtime, and weekends required • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds required If interested and qualified for this position please apply online at www.rrdonnelley.com www. The Skanner.com has the latest news from Portland and beyond, on your mobile or your desktop, it’s your go-to place for the news you won’t see in mainstream publications. It’s your community. It’s The Skanner. RR Donnelley is one of the foremost printing and information management companies in the world. We are looking for both men and women who will provide the best quality product and service to our customers. In return RR Donnelley provides a workplace where there is opportunity to develop a career and offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package. For more information about the company visit our web site: www.rrdonnelley.com. Page 6 The Portland and Seattle Skanner v BLACK HISTORY EDITION v February 22, 2012
