Bridge Construction up until New Year's 2010

http://www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/TransportationProjects/cornelius-schefflin-rd.cfm?page=Map

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/124725368476130.xml&coll=6

I think there's plenty of options to 'go around' Cornelius-Schefflin Road...the same way we had to withstand the SusBauer closure for so long and those of us that drive up through 19th/20th to head to 26. Now 10th Ave is Cornelius are going to see plenty of attention, woohoo! It needs it. 10th between Adair/Baseline is gross!

Rail Corridor to Forest Grove on the BackBurner

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/124725367976130.xml&coll=6
Hillsboro Argus article - Kidd upset with Forest Grove rail ranking

The article goes into Mayor Kidd's (Forest Grove) frustration on the ranking of the Forest Grove corridor - on level with a rail to Troutdale. Metro is favoring a corridor between to 2 shopping centers of Washington Square and Clackamas Town Center. The presumption is that building rail in a high density area makes it easier for Federal backing.

Cornelius and Forest Grove can't compete on that basis. Kidd's quick to mention that the Blue Line extension to Forest Grove would be the cheapest of all the corridors to create as the space where the tracks would be are already public (owned by the State of Oregon).

I agree with Mayor Kidd on all counts. However, my thought is Forest Grove is seen as a 'squeaky wheel' is the eyes of the State and Metro. Let's wait and see what happens to traffic once the WalMart is completed and other business attract visitors to the Cornelius's 'bottleneck'. I see a possible worst case scenario: there will be increased automobile traffic...#57 bus route delays...and Emergency Vehicle among other safety concerns...for instance Speeding down country roads with Bicyclists around. 2 lanes westbound and 2 lanes eastbound can only push so many vehicles through. Anyhow...I hope it doesnt come to this before the State thinks its a good idea to invest in its future, and not leave it to the cities burden alone.

More News about Cornelius - Not good though

http://www.kptv.com/video/20014140/index.html?treets=ptl1&tid=26510978624813&tml=ptl1_9am&tmi=ptl1_9am_1_11000107102009&ts=H

Another home burglary within a mile or each other, presumably done at daylight again. Thieves broke in through a screen window opening left open in the back of the house for fresh air. $2,000 worth of jewlery, cash, and credit cards were stolen among other things.

This pair of sour news comes at a time just before Cornelius hosts its own 'National Night Out Against Crime' to take place Tuesday, August 4 at Harleman Park.

http://www.ci.cornelius.or.us/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC={E7EE025B-0D0B-42F5-A031-40FE82BB2449}&DE={61D148DA-B4C1-4450-97F3-837B19D811E2}

News about Vandalism

http://www.kptv.com/video/20002622/index.html?treets=ptl1&tid=26510978624813&tml=ptl1_9am&tmi=ptl1_9am_1_11000107092009&ts=H

I came across this video today about a family's home that was Vandalized. Paintballs on the gentleman's car. Graffiti "X2" markings on the property. They'd actually broken in...stole an X-box, and disturbed all sorts of things included opening the fridge and breaking open the guy's eggs. This all occured during broad daylight. I can't believe it. These gangs are getting out of control. These young guys need better things to do!

My neighborhood too has been affected by Vandalism and Graffiti...mailboxes, fences, the side of mail boxes, and houses even. Nothing is off-limits for these guys. Are they marking their territory, or just showing off amongst friends and are proud of their work? Who knows?

Fires Started!

Me and the fam went out for a little walk to check out the 'Practice Burn' exercise for the Cornelius Fire Department. This was 1 of the 3 buildings scheduled for demolition from a previous Blog posting.

Cornelius Parks, my perspective

Tomorrow, Monday - The Parks Advisory Board will discuss their Parks Master Plan.
I wanted to do my own little homework and drove around visiting Cornelius's current park offering.

Listed here: http://www.ci.cornelius.or.us/index.asp?Type=GALLERY&SEC={EA25527E-3494-4017-A0E9-76A7ADFBDCDC}

10 so-called "Park"s and 2 Open Space Parcels of land. The 2 open space I did not visit, and I couldn't locate "Free Orchards Park - 1493 S Fawn Street".

Here's my ranking: [Best to Worst]
1. Tarrybrooke - Good use of the Basketball Court, nice open space, what a park should be.
2. Harleman - Nice Large space around the School Area, perfect for Concerts/Entertaining Events...I'll certainly check out again
3. Alpine - Cute, Small, Park Space -> City focused on developing further - GOOD
4. Dogwood - Good mix of activity -> City focused on developing further - GOOD
5. Water - Nice little space and gathering area [Awful view of a Cell Tower and Huge Cement structure]
6. Aboretum - How is this a park? I don't get it.
7. City Hall - Green Rectangular Space of Lawn = Park?
8. Ryland - Super Steep location, easy to miss, Very outdated equipment.
9. Steamboat - Long forgotten it seems to me. A lot of overgrowth, and littered. What a shame.
10. Free Orchards??? Where is it?

Other comments: I think the true parks Cornelius has and maintains are the Top 5 above...the rest are I.M.O. either 1) not really "parks" or 2) starved of attention. The City should get the word out, ask for volunteer support, ask for resources. We're in Oregon, people! We're crazy about preserving green spaces, even more so if they're in our own backyard.

I think Cornelius really needs to focus on maintaining and bringing their current "parks" up to speed BEFORE they go thinking BIG about future developments. Everyone likes NEW stuff. I'd survey the residents surrounding the parks in place, and ask them their satisfaction level, and go from there.

Please fill out this 6 question survey for Cornelius

http://www.corneliussurvey.com/

There you'll find a quick set of questions that will assist in the planning of the City of Cornelius's PARKS MASTER PLAN. It is scheduled for final review and adoption October 2009. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Improvements could range from favoring hiking/running trails to sporting facilities/swingsets...

1 comment box allows "real" input...the rest is either multiple choice/scale based/the like.

Have a part in the future of Cornelius!