Metro has named Jeff Bissonnette to its North Portland Enhancement Committee. Bissonnette, who lives in the Cathedral Park neighborhood, has broad experience working with and for the community, including 12 years as a consumer advocate representing residential utility ratepayers and eight years as a social service advocate on anti-hunger, food and nutrition issues.
Bissonnette's activism extends beyond his professional life. He sits on the City of Portland's police oversight committee, the St. Johns Main Street Coalition's economic restructuring committee and the Friends of Baltimore Woods education and outreach committee. He also regularly attends the association meetings for both the St. Johns and Cathedral Park neighborhoods as well as a gathering of North Portland businesses and organizations.
"I have a long standing commitment to civic engagement," said Bissonnette. "I believe it's important for community members to take responsibility to be involved in community decision-making. "
Bissonnette will serve two years on the committee which is made up of seven citizens, each of whom live in and represent neighborhoods in North Portland. Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, who represents North and Northwest Portland, chairs the committee. "Jeff brings to Metro a highly-respected knowledge of his community, its needs and the public investments that will best serve it," said Burkholder.
In the 23 years of the enhancement program, Metro has invested more than $2.2 million to help fund 453 neighborhood improvement projects. Those projects include providing hands-on training to students preparing to enter the workforce, supporting free concerts in the parks, distributing household furnishings to low income families, establishing and maintaining a community garden in an economically challenged neighborhood, and much more.
This fall, Metro will be recruiting other community members to join the North Portland Enhancement Committee. They will fill the seats of four current members who are retiring from the committee: Chris Duffy, Arbor Lodge neighborhood; Mike Salvo, University Park neighborhood; Robin Plance, St. Johns neighborhood; and Doretta Schrock, Kenton neighborhood.
"It's been a privilege and pleasure working with these well-regarded community leaders," said Burkholder. "We are fortunate to have had their wisdom and vision guide Metro's investments in North Portland."