Did you get the notice about the workshop for disaster planning? Did you hear about the changes the City of Silverton is making in its zoning codes? Did you hear about the planned development right next to you? If your answer is no, then read on.
While Silverton is a small town, it is still easy to miss important issues that arise. The solution? How about a neighborhood association? On Sept. 9 the City of Silverton adopted a neighborhood association policy. In 2010, there were several studies conducted about the idea of creating neighborhood associations. This issue was revised by a small group of citizens and proposed to the city this summer. The city is willing to have a link on its website to these associations so that they can easily be informed of issues that arise that might concern them. The associations in turn would inform their members.
These would be voluntary associations and not governed by the City of Silverton. They would be established by a group of neighbors who desire to come together to discuss issues affecting their neighborhood, serve as a forum for common interests, or even to simply be a way for neighbors to meet and get to know each other. Several of these voluntary associations already exist in neighborhoods such as Mill Town and Silver Cliff Mobile Home Park. It is estimated that around 100-150 households would be an appropriate size for a neighborhood association.
The city is also willing to consider appointing a Neighborhood Association Ombudsperson to assist in forming neighborhood associations and serve as a liaison to the city. This would be a volunteer position. The City council will likely solicit candidates for this position at a later date and appoint the most appropriate person to work directly with the associations and the city.
We would like you to be part of this citizen involvement effort by getting together with your neighbors to form an association. You can contact us and one of us will come to your first meeting to assist you. We have established an email address – [email protected].
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Jim Squires at 503-400-8977 or [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
James Squires
Charles Baldwin
Karen Garst
