[From the May 2010 Newsletter]

What a year in Laurelhurst it’s been! A street renaming, a strip club, a lan- guishing lake, and a high school system overhaul. It seems that as soon as one thing gets checked off the list, another thing gets put on the list. It’s been in- teresting at times and it’s been stressful at times, but it’s never been boring.

Laurelhurst Neighborhood Asso- ciation has been blessed by an energetic and enthusiastic board. Aside from attending the regular membership and board meetings, LNA board members have submitted letters to policy makers and had their letters to the editor publish. LNA has been represented at meetings with city commissioners, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the Portland Public Schools board, and Providence Portland Medical Center. Woody Allen once said, “Eighty percent of success is just showing up.” By showing up and speaking up, Laurelhurst has found a voice that politicians and policy makers are beginning to hear. While LNA may not get everything it wants, I have seen subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which LNA’s concerns are being heard.

Board elections will be held at the regular member- ship meeting on May 26. Some current board members are seeking re-election and some are retiring. As of this newsletter printing, no one is running for Secretary or for Southeast Uplift (SEUL) representative. Even if some- one is running for re-election, that does not mean the position is filled. If you are eager to fill a board position, I encourage you to put your name on the ballot.

Also at the meeting, we will discuss the Portland Public Schools high school system redesign that is being considered by the school board. The superintendent has recommended that Laurelhurst School remain in the Grant High School cluster. Grant will also pick up Sun- nyside Environmental School as a feeder, but lose Boise- Eliot School as a feeder. LNA residents whose children go to Glencoe Elementary School will continue to feed
into Franklin High School.

I have extended an invitation to Commissioner Amanda Fritz to present at the May meeting. At this
time, I have not received a confirma- tion one way or the other. I will post information to the LNA website as soon as I receive a response from the commissioner.

In the meantime, please keep the following dates in mind.

• Laurelhurst Spring Clean-up is May 22, 2010.
• LNA regular membership meeting and board election is May 26, 2010.
• Laurelhurst Garage Sale is June 19, 2010.
• Southeast Sunday Parkways is August 15, 2010.

See you at the meeting!