The Boones Ferry Messenger Monthly newsletter of the City of Wilsonville March 2015 New ‘Heart of the City’ Community Resource Center Mayor’s Message Opens Featuring Food Bank, Counseling and More ‘State of the City’ Shows a Vibrant Community ecently, I had the privilege of delivering the R“2015 State of the City Address” during a February City Council meeting. As is traditional for this kind of event, the presenta- tion focused on Wilsonville’s re- cent accomplishments and future challenges. However, rather than recite just a litany of ‘gee-whiz’ facts and figures, I wanted to use this op- portunity to address larger issues WILSONVILLE SPOKESMAN: JOSH KULLA that the community is facing. As one who moved to Community leaders gather on Jan. 29 while City Councilor Scott Starr (left) and Rep. John Davis hold the ribbon as Lead Wilsonville in 1986, I have seen the evolution of the Pastor Mike Tatlock (holding scissors) celebrate the opening of Grace Chapel’s new ‘Heart of the City’ community resource city, a continuum of changes over a span of time. center. The newly-remodeled building on Boberg Road is the new home for Wilsonville Community Sharing, Young Life and My desire is that we help create what might be Heart of the City Counseling. To learn more about the social service center see article on pg. 4. termed a “complete community” — one that offers a range of residential living options, a variety of jobs for Program with the Help of Volunteers Delivers Meals and those with different skills and abilities, an assortment of shopping opportunities, an array of ways to get Community Connections for Homebound Seniors around, and overall the opportunity for widespread uring the “March for Meals” national campaign personal contact as much as five times a week to some and varied social connections. Dmonth, the City’s Community Center Nutrition of our most vulnerable community members— both Our community benefits when we accommodate Program seeks to raise public awareness of the meal and the a range of housing option, as desired by residents at the meal program in general and in particu- contact improve different times of their lives: as singles, couples, fami- lies and retirees. At each stage of life, our individual lar the Home Delivered Meals service. Over their lives.” capabilities and needs as humans change. A socially the past year, the City has prepared nearly At the Commu- cohesive community has places for people to live, 12,345 meals at the Community Center, in- nity Center, the City meet and interact at all of these stages. cluding serving 7,942 meals at the center and serves lunch at noon In a similar fashion, our community benefits when delivering 4,403 meals to local homebound on Mondays, Tues- we plan to accommodate needed space for jobs, for seniors and individuals with disabilities. days, Wednesdays places to conduct business, and for housing choices In addition to bringing nutritious meals to and Fridays for a for living at all stages. In past years Wilsonville had those in the community who have difficulty suggested donation more jobs than residents; without sufficient housing with mobility, the deliveries also serve as a of $3.50 for those 60 prices tended to be higher and workers generally had quick safety check for those who are home- and over or $4.25 no choice but to commute. Over the past few years bound. for those under 60; we have seen development of a broader range of local The Home Delivered Meals service relies however, a recipient housing options, which provides greater opportunity for people to live near their work. on volunteers like Wilsonville resident Mar- may pay whatever Some may recall the days not too long ago when we sha Herron, who recently began distribut- he or she can afford. had no choice but to leave town for many essential ing meals three times a month. When asked The Home De- items — even, say, a pair of socks. Now with a variety ‘What do you get out of it?’ Herron explains, City volunteer Marsha Herron (right) deliver- livered Meal pro- of retailers here, we can purchase in town nearly ing a sack lunch and soup to Joyce Hensley. “I like to stay busy and this is a good oppor- gram runs Monday anything we may need in our daily lives. We can even tunity for me to get out in the community. I also re- through Friday and the meals are free; however, dona- choose to get around without driving. As people have ceive a lot of gratitude from the people whom I deliver tions in support of the program are accepted. become more aware of the value of healthy habits meals to and that is very rewarding.” To qualify, a person must be 60 or older and be and exercise, we see more residents seeking to use Recipients of the meals are homebound seniors or homebound by reason of injury, illness, an incapaci- non-automobile “active transportation” methods to disabled persons who are injured, ill, disabled or are tating disability, or be otherwise isolated. In addition, commute to work or shop, to access services, and to otherwise isolated. disabled persons under 60 also qualify under certain enjoy recreation and social activities. One such beneficiary of the program, Joyce Hensley, circumstances. With a wide assortment of educational and recre- ation programs offered by the Library and Parks & is recovering from medical issues The program accepts donations in the form of a Recreation Dept., wonderful pre-K through grade This is a real and explains, “This is a real blessing check payable to: City of Wilsonville noting “Home 12 school activities and a host of engaged nonprofits blessing for me for me at this time, but soon I hope Delivered Meals” or “Nutrition Program” in the memo providing activities with a “small-town” feel, Wilson- at this time. to be healthy enough to have meals line. For information about the program or other re- ville has great opportunities for neighbors to meet, at the community center.” ferral services, contact Sadie Wallenberg, Information interact and enjoy their community. Evie Proctor, the City’s Nutrition Coordinator, & Referral Specialist, at 503-570-1526, wallenberg@ Wilsonville is becoming the kind of community explains, “This program delivers a healthy meal and ci.wilsonville.or.us. where one can grow up, get a good job, raise a family, and retire, all centered in a thoughtful, intercon- nected, desirable small city: A complete community “Green Power Challenge” Continues for all phases of life. City Council Seeks Supports Sustainable, Renewable Energy Sources Tim Knapp, Mayor he Wilsonville community-wide “Green Power sources: 14 percent of all residential customers and a TChallenge” continues in March with Portland dozen businesses have opted to choose a renewable- In This Issue... General Electric (PGE) staff and consultants energy option. The Green Power Challenge Library News . 2 going door-to-door and attending events to seeks to increase those counts by an addi- promote the use of “green power” produced tional 200 residential and business custom- SMART News . 3 by renewable energy sources. ers. Parks and Recreation News . 4 In January, Mayor Tim Knapp and the While requiring a slight premium in cost, City Council elected to have Wilsonville choosing sustainably produced energy on Volunteer Spotlight: Caroline Berry . 5 participate in the U.S. Environmental Protec- the regional level helps to build the new Boards and Commissions Reports . 6 tion Agency’s “Green Power Communities” infrastructure for renewable-energy produc- What is the City doing about traffic? . 7 nationwide program. The EPA seeks to pro- tion, as well as to create local jobs, improve mote increased use of electricity generated from non- domestic-energy security and reduce fossil-fuel carbon City Calendar of Events . 8 fossil fuel, renewable sources such as wind, solar and emissions. Regionwide, over 110,000 PGE customers ...and more! geothermal power. As part of Wilsonville’s participation are electing to use renewable-energy. Of the 53 Green City of Wilsonville PRSRT STD as a Green Power Community, the City is using PGE’s Power Communities in the country, 11 are located in 29799 SW Town Center Loop East U.S. Postage Paid “Clean Wind”SM program at the Gold level, or just under Oregon. Wilsonville, OR 97070 Wilsonville, OR seven percent of electricity used by City facilities. For more information or to enroll in a Green Power Permit No. 104 Already, PGE customers in Wilsonville have demon- program, visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/Wilsonville Postal Customer strated a keen interest in supporting renewable energy or call PGE at 503-228-6322. 2 – The Boones Ferry Messenger March 2015 City of Wilsonville Librarian Recognized for Teaching Early Learning Skills to Children Foundation Attracts Support for n January, Terri Wortman, a librarian at the Wilson- tor Patrick Duke explains, “When children are read to, Library Programs and Services Iville Public Library, was awarded the 2014 Volunteer an entire world opens up to them and they begin to see he Wilsonville Public Library Foundation, a non- of the Year Award from the Coffee Creek Correctional new possibilities.” Tprofit organization that fund-raises for the local Facility in Wilsonville. Some interesting facts and tips the Library shares library, announced that the organization received a Wortman received the award for years of partner- about early childhood education and literacy include: total of five new donations of a $1,000 or more in 2014 ing with the state prison’s Head Start program, where • Sharing books with children is the single most impor- from first-time donors. These substantial donations she and Youth Services Librarian Steven Englefried tant thing you can do to help them get ready to read qualify the contributors to have their names added to lead a monthly story time session for young children and learn.