February Meeting
Who Attended
Officers attending the meeting were Sharma Owens, Chair; Miriam Johnson, Secretary; Cathy Zach, Treasurer; and Board members Marilynn Long, Rick Toler, Ryan Leighty, Wayne Thornton, and Frank Chappell.
What took place
Opening the meeting was Sgt. Scott Kometz of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Raul Munoz, Jr., Marion County Code Enforcement officer was also present as well as two deputies and one ride-along. Sgt. Kometz reported that one new deputy soloed recently and two more recruits have been hired. In December there were 713 calls for service from the Four Corners area and 731 from the Hayesville/Jan Ree neighborhood. A box truck has been parking on Arrowood and is causing a hazard. The owner lives in a drug house in the neighborhood. The traffic flow can be monitored by camera. The Lancaster/Market St. protest occurred inside the City of Salem. It began as peaceful protest but later a different crowd appeared and caused issues. Interagency communication kept things in check. Kids on bikes without helmets are a concern. Deputies address the issue as needed. Sometimes there is a talk with the child and at other times the parents are contacted. On Meadowlawn and Cordon Rd. street racing has been observed. Call the MCSO non-emergency number 503-588-5037 to report street racing. Gas is being stolen from cars near Creative Credit. Thieves are drilling holes into gas tanks to syphon the fuel.
Frank Chappell is working on the ESSNA website with Chris Waley (sp. ?), the former administrator, to update the site. A transition needs to occur so that Frank is the “owner” of the ESSNA domain. The goal of the website is to provide information to our community and provide two-way communications with a link to minutes and meeting agendas. Frank will do some checking on different microphone possibilities for our meetings.
A group from the Hayesville/Jan Ree group joined us. At their meetings presenters address neighborhood issues, encourage communication, round-table discussions take place, and construction issues are discussed. Questions for Sgt. Kometz are forwarded to him before each meeting. The Siletz Tribe is building a casino on Portland Rd. and I-5. Hayesville/Jan Ree hosted members of the tribe who explained the plan. Included in the plan is an apartment building for employees and the addition of a Marriott Hotel on the property.
Updates
Marion County Fire Dept. will be asked to join our next meeting.
A private recovery facility is being built behind the tavern on Lancaster and close to the cinema complex. This wil be a locked facility helping those with mental health issues transition back into the community. The homeless have started congregating near there. Perhaps the car dealership close by will help deter the encroachment of campers. Pruning the bushes to deter hiding places would be helpful.
ESSNA has been chartered through Marion County since 1996. A Sec of State license renewal report has to be filed each year. It costs $50.00 to file by-laws. Liability can cost $1,000.00/yr.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor can help resolve neighbor disputes including parking issues.
Marion County is concerned about vehicles parked on grass because leaking liquids cause contamination of the soil.
Citizens can write citations though it is more effective when a deputy signs off on them.
Observing National Night Out is held on first Tuesday in August each year; neighbors are encouraged to hold an event with their neighbors.
There is a group of five men in the Hayesville Association that follow and photograph people around drug houses and note license plate numbers. With these encounters most of the visitors do not return.