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And Jones thinks that by contracting out with the sheriff’s office for 14 New City-dedicated officers, with the fire district and with the county for road maintenance, the area can maintain its independent water and sewer districts and run functions such as planning on a minimal budget. Jones has gone so far as to say it can be done without raising taxes.
“That money is being raised today in theory to take care of Oak Grove — the only difference is we’re going to take care of Oak Grove,” he said. “Planning, code enforcement, roads, police are going to be done by people in your neighborhood.”
A rough budget draft without a tax increase would total about $4 million per year, allowing New City to hire a city manager, an administrative coordinator, a recorder, a planner and two support staff, plus a city attorney on an hourly basis.
Jones said the idea was to have a very conservative, limited government on par with Gladstone’s.
There was a fair amount of skepticism of the ability to incorporate without raising taxes, and half a dozen similar efforts have failed in the last 20 years. But most of the 30 or so non-conveners at the meeting to discuss the proposal were optimistic and in favor of it.
“When I first heard about this I thought, oh no, they’re not going to do this to us,” resident Irene Tegeler said. “When I came to the first meeting and TriMet was there and I heard what they were going to do, I said, ‘we’ve got to (incorporate).’”
Thelma Haggenmiller, another resident, said this attempt could succeed where others have failed because of the way it’s being done.
“It’s always been voted down by us because it’s come from up here,” she said, motioning over her head. “This time is different because it’s coming from these folks … this community is working from the bottom up.”
Aside from convincing neighbors of the economics of the plan, one of the biggest challenges may be in defining and selling what makes Oak Grove a cohesive and unique place.
The conveners’ next goals are to get answers to questions raised at last week’s meeting and simply to spread the word and get people involved.
“What I’m trying to do is cultivate the next layer of people that can be our team,” Jones said.
There will be another meeting to discuss the proposal at 7 p.m. on June 1 at Rose Villa.
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Some form of light rail or trolley coming down McLoughlin is exactly what we need in our Oak Grove / Jennings Lodge area. But for opponents and supporters alike, we shouldn't be naive about the degree to which incorporation will provide additional say in those decisions--remember ODOT controls McLoughlin. Unless the incorporated city is willing to pay to take it over, we'll still be another stakeholder, one among many. What scares me about this proposal is that the motivation appears to be so much about preventing redevelopment in the interest of protecting a status quo that keeps the area looking like the armpit of Clackamas County (by that, I mean McLoughlin Blvd)
(email verified)
Wed, May 27, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Maybe they can equal the WES success
WES-- Monthly Deficit
Feb-----($336,246)
March---($373,195)
April---($456,413)
Washington County pays $203,040 and Clackamas County pays $25,000 in "assistance" each month
Tri Met makes up shortfall FEB-----$108,206
March---$145,155
April---$228,373
(email verified)
Wed, May 27, 2009 at 08:23 AM
The same people who support this have hidden the flaws at Oak Lodge Sanitary on behalf of their allies. Unfortunate.
(email verified)
Thu, May 28, 2009 at 09:46 AM
A more detailed review of these matters, along with links to the proposals the convenors provided, and links to some previous attempts to justify incorporation, may be found at http://clackablog.blogspot.com/2009/05/newcity-and-their-first-public-meeting.html
(email verified)
Thu, May 28, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Show me one functional city in Oregon that does not have a tax base. The concept of a city of oak lodge has been studies numerous times during the past three decades. It never pencils out even with a tax base. Incorporation as a protectionist measure is incorporation for all the wrong reasons. Incorporation should be a tool to deliver enhanced services wanted and needed by a community, and which the citizens are willing to pay for. This effort sounds too much like those that prefer to be unincumbered by progress. Could it really be about being a few big fish in a small pond, at the expense of the community?
(email verified)
Thu, May 28, 2009 at 10:31 PM
The same people who want to create a city are the same small group that were against the Clearwater Regional Sewer Solution. They felt that losing local control and spending 30 million was unreasonable and demanded the community vote on it. This same group has now approved a 50 million dollar bond issue without a vote of the community. Can you imagine what it might be like if this small vocal few mess up a wonderful unicorporated community?
(email verified)
Fri, May 29, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Mr. Jones is mistaken if he thinks there are eight Sheriff's deputies patrolling Oak Grove. More like 2 on duty at any given time.
(email verified)
Sun, May 31, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Beware - Please tell me more about the "wonderful unicorporated community"....
I live on a street with 5 properties that have clear code violations, one of which ought to be condemned! I want my neighbors held accountable for the neglect of their property. When I call the county about these properties all they can do is encourage me to call the owner - like I'm responsible for code enforcement!
And this doesn't count all the seedy motels on McLoughlin - with all the crime they foster!. I'm definitely keeping my eye on this conversation.
(email verified)
Sun, May 31, 2009 at 03:03 PM
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Re: Taming the final 'urban frontier'
It's about time.
Good luck. I hope it works out this time around.
"Joseph"
(email verified)
Tue, May 26, 2009 at 03:43 PM