HAP's CAC REVIEWed 9/9/02

Below *** is a letter from the publisher of the REVIEW newspaper, Gayla Whitman.

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From: TheReview@aol.com
Date: Mon Sep 9, 2002 10:39:18 AM US/Pacific
To: elainec@coganowens.com, stever@hapdx.org, ellmyer@macsolve.com
Subject: re. Sept 5 meeting

Ms. Cogan and Mr. Rudman,
I attended the meeting Sept. 5 at Columbia Villa to listen and understand
more about the Hope VI project for accurate coverage in my newspaper, The St.
Johns Review. The REVIEW is a 98-year old community newspaper that is
distributed throughout North Portland.

The meeting was interesting and I learned a great deal. As a former Chair
and board member for years of the Hayden Island Neighborhood Association and
a former member of the Port of Portland CAC for six years, I think I
understand the functions of CAC's and their importance to the project itself
and people who are being impacted by them.

I realize there are always people who disagree with such projects and may
perhaps be a thorn in your side, however, I believe it is important that all
citizens be heard.

I was dismayed at the response that Richard Ellmyer received when he got up
to speak at the meeting. Eyes rolled, a few CAC members got up and left,
others spoke out of turn, one lady was actually rude and defensive. I was
appalled that a group of professionals who are there to make incredible
changes to a large portion of North Portland forever, would be allowed to act
in this manner. I have never seen such a display.

When I sat on the Ports CAC I saw US Fish and Wildlife people, audubon
representatives, and other environmentalist attend many Port of Portland
meetings who spoke out of turn and were not always polite. However, those
running the meeting, and those around the table were always willing to listen
to them and treat them with respect. In the end, they were right and the
multi million dollar project was scrapped.

Your panel is there to represent a community and should with open arms give
any one with concerns, that is sure to impact their neighborhood, the chance
to speak and be treated with respect. I felt badly for Richard, who is well
known throughout the community as an activist with no other motive except to
make sure his neighborhood remains livable. Yes, he may be a little zealous,
but he still deserves to be treated with respect.

If I didn't learn anything else in my years on various CAC's, the one thing I
did learn is that you listen to the people that ARE NOT BEING PAID TO BE
THERE. They are giving up personal and/or work time to air their concerns.
Those of you that are being paid to be there, are there for that reason only.
It is your job. Your interest is your future employment, the legacy the
project will leave on your resume, and pay raises. You will leave the
position when the project is completed, and probably never return to the
area. Those verbal people you hate to see stand up at meetings, will either
watch their property values increase or decrease and will drive through the
neighborhood everyday — either way, they're there for the long haul.

I hope that in future meetings of this group the panels demeanor is more
professional and gives all concerned citizens the respect and time they
deserve, and the CAC displays the appropriate body language. Of course this
is only important if the CAC wants to be respected and considered a concerned
group of leaders, not just their next pay check.

Gayla Whitman
North Portland resident

PS: I am not a friend of Richard Ellmyers. We have met on a few occasions at
community meetings and were actually on opposite sides of at least one North
Portland issue. I am aware of his tenacity, concern and incredible knowledge
of North Portland and with neighborhood issues. Because of this, I am writing
a "community profile" article on him and attended the meeting to listen to
his concerns and presentation of them.