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@CityofGresham
GRESHAM, OR. – Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis and members of City Council will pair with community volunteers to trim hedges and trees that are out of reach for a disabled homeowner as part of the City of Gresham’s new Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. Volunteers will also remove other vegetation and debris. The clean-up will take place on September 18, 9:30-11 a.m. in Gresham’s North Central Neighborhood.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors is the City of Gresham’s new, inventive way to help people with hardships and the elderly or infirmed who have a code enforcement issue on their property. The program will solve those issues with a team of community volunteers instead of immediately turning to enforcement. Volunteers will assist the City’s livability team with work party projects such as hauling junk and debris, mowing grass and trimming shrubs. The person in violation of the code must have a hardship such as a disability or illness.
“Government is often too quick to come sweeping in with the heavy hand of enforcement, instead of starting with the simple goal of gaining compliance,” said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. “This program gives us an outstanding new tool to come alongside our elderly and infirmed residents with helpful neighbors and volunteers to solve their code issues, instead of issuing violations and fines. And, we’ll tap into Gresham’s community spirit and promote community building.”
The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program is the latest innovation in the City’s recent realignment of code enforcement services into its Office of Neighborhoods and Community Enhancement. Livability staff and neighborhood association support staff now work hand-in-hand to support Gresham’s neighborhoods and maintain livability.
Larger code violations such as sidewalks and roof repairs are not eligible for this program.
Sign up to volunteer at www.GreshamOregon.gov/Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors or call 503-618-2869.
MEDIA NOTES:
- The clean-up will take place at 1340 NE 20th St., Gresham.
- Interview opportunities: Mayor Shane Bemis and Council President French will be available to speak with reporters.
- Please note, the disabled homeowner has requested privacy and will not be available for interviews.