How exciting it is to have the opportunity to work to form a Hamlet of Molalla Prairie! Our community is really lucky to have such a supportive County. Innovation is necessary to move us forward and the CPO has run out of functional steam.
I hope rural residents are starting to get the picture that so far all power and support – and the benefits of OUR TAXES – have flowed only one way – to the cities. I for one am tired of seeing ill run, wasteful places like the City of Molalla lord it over the rural areas and taking our taxes for grants that are often wasted via poor management.
It’s time for a new vision – Hamlets are jurisdictions, not governments, so they simply allow non-incorporated areas the ability to have a “seat at the table”. How could we resist that – the chance to participate more fully in making policy and finding solutions to problems we face in the rural areas?
Unlike the hidebound, restrictive, weak, and biased CPO, the truly grassroots, non- partisan structure of a Hamlet would allow any rural resident or group of residents to come in to any meeting, raise an issue, and vote ON THE SPOT AS MEMBERS (the CPO has a restrictive requirement that a person has to attend a meeting once before they are empowered to have a vote, making it hard for many busy people to participate).
Also, unlike the CPO, which is fond of making “board” decisions without consulting the entire membership, a Hamlet board would be expected to largely follow whatever the citizens vote for on issues – the citizens vote FIRST, and the board vote in most cases should reflect what the CITIZENS WANT.
A Hamlet may not impose taxes or change laws, but with a small but useful budget, and the ability to apply for grants (thus getting the chance to use rural tax dollars for rural projects) the scope of possible activities for a Hamlet will far exceed the tiny land use issues a CPO can fuss with.
Let’s celebrate the potential of all our opinions and all our visions – we need a rural organization that welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and expands the influence of our voices.
See you on October 14 at 7pm at the Molalla library – it is time to learn what more about what a Hamlet can do for YOU and what you can do for your community.
Quite an amusing letter hit the Pioneer today as someone expressed fears about the Hamlet along side comments about the “good old days” when rural people connected at the local school to address problems and celebrate events.
Perhaps the writer of the letter missed the point of a Hamlet – that it exactly the idea of the “good old days” when rural people had the means to connect.
The writer worries about government “layers”, yet fails to recognize that without the collective voice that a Hamlet could provide he is simply one person fighting all that “government”. Rather than a new layer of government to be feared, a Hamlet simply gives residents a chance to get to the ears of policy makers.
The writer expresses anger about government red tape – perhaps he has also missed that point that a Hamlet could possibly help local people untangle the red tape? Many rural residents are struggling to establish rights under Measure 49 – a Hamlet could carry those “red tape” problems to policy makers far more quickly than an individual could.
The writer talks of community gatherings! The Hamlets of Mulino and Beavercreek just held a wonderful joint picnic for Hamlet residents to play and meet one another. That, to me, sounds exactly like what the writer is missing about the “good old days”.
Why fear a jurisdiction that allows people a vote on the spot at any meeting they attend? Why fear a Hamlet that would allow far more positive activities than just fighting land use issues – the only thing a CPO is designed for. Why fear an organization that can allow more of the rural population to have a collective voice and that can foster a better, more positive sense of community?
Why not come to a meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at the Library at 7 pm, meet your neighbors, and help define what a Hamlet could do for you?
Good letter in the Pioneer this week addressing the fear that is apparently generated in Molalla “government” by the formation of a Hamlet re: Uniformed Molalla Cop attends CPO meeting.
What a paranoid City! What a place filled with “leaders” who hate debate, who fear change, who seek to control the message, who loathe FREE SPEECH AND OPINIONS! The City of Molalla continues to amaze us all with its profound ability to act out of step with the “real world” of the 21st century! Take a look at Clackamas County government – where transparency, responsibility, and citizen involvement are hallmarks to be proud of.
The real world of GOOD 21st century government is about open debate, honesty, and transparency – then there is Molalla. Maybe “Molalla Paranoia” is catching – collaboration should never mean selling out! Maybe we need a vaccine for “Molalla Paranoia” before it spreads further?
Sooner or later the truth always hits the fan. In these tiny bergs secrets are hard to keep. How absurd it is for anyone to pretend that a Molalla Policewoman would spend a “break” fondling CPO sign in sheets and standing behind a glass door for over a 1/2 an hour. Does the City think the CPO members just fell off a turnip truck – that ANYONE would believe a “break” story? How could the Cop say that “break” story with a straight face?
It all boils down to a question of a blatant attempt at harassment and intimidation: who sent the COP to the CPO meeting? What were the intentions? Who doesn’t understand that acts like that end up making matters far worse? Why cause more problems than those we already have between the rural residents and the City of Molalla? Who was trying to throw their pathetic “official” weight around? Was it a sick power trip? And why didn’t the acting CPO leader get up and ASK why the the uniformed officer was there?
One wonders what forces are driving this paranoia? Fear of a Hamlet? Fear of open debate? Fear of losing control? Fear of ideas? Fear of change? FEAR OF WHAT?
Clackamas County, the agency which sponsors CPOs and Hamlets, is apparently as shocked as the CPO members are about this pathetic attempt to intimate or to harass rural citizens at a peaceful meeting. It is just the CPO after all – a high school like “club’ that is so ingrown it couldn’t possibly pose a threat to anything!
What on earth was the City of Molalla thinking – what kind of Police state are they running? Weren’t there traffic tickets to write or kids skateboarding somewhere they shouldn’t or the upper Molalla River to protect?
Get a grip, City of Molalla – the CPO is the least of your worries – you’d better send the police out writing the tickets to keep the City coffers full. You can’t earn a buck spying on the CPO or the Hamlet meetings. Or was there some kind of hidden agenda we have yet to uncover?
And whatever person sent the Cop to the CPO meeting should realize that such an action just makes CPO/Hamlet members dig their heels in -further – we’ll be THE MOST DEVOTED, LOYAL CPO/HAMLET MEMBERS THAT EVER WALKED THE FACE OF THE EARTH. Maybe next time the Cop can sign the CPO sheet – we love guests – maybe she can give a speech about public safety while she explains what she was doing at the Sept meeting!
Free speech forever – civil liberties forever – READ THE BILL OF RIGHTS, MOLALLA! And start using your public safety staff wisely!
Oct 14 marked the 4th Hamlet formation meeting at 7pm at the Molalla Library. As the plans for a Hamlet are firmed up, it is exciting to participate in free flowing discussions with other rural citizens who are interested in exploring a wide variety of projects.
At the meeting, attendees voted for a future board of 6, with 2 alternates. The Hamlet board, once elected, would vote to choose officers internally, from the board members. This allows the board to choose officers based on which board members have the most time, talent, and energy to put into the Hamlet. It was also decided that the board would serve for two years, with the initial terms staggered so 3 board members serve for 2 years and 3 expire after a year. That way, every year 3 board seats would come up for election.
With the “dry” procedures settled, the Hamlet attendees had a lively session listing potential Hamlet projects, including natural resource studies of the rural areas around the city limits, history projects, creating and maintaining a Hamlet website for a community billboard, and starting a safety outreach committee to interface with the Sheriff’s dept and to plan for disasters. The Hamlet could have a seat on a newly formed regional transportation committee that brings together Hamlets, Villages and ODOT to plan for rural traffic projects. There was strong interest in promoting “buy local” and agricultural tourism for the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie. A Hamlet can host election forums, host informational speakers, and can work with County staff on any concerns that local citizens wish to have addressed, since Hamlets have a direct path to County staff and County Commissioners. The Hamlet could be invaluable in helping citizens carve through the red tape that is often daunting when individuals come up against County and State rules.
Signature gathering on petitions has progressed very well – anyone interested in the Hamlet can call 503-810-1954 or email “hamlet@molalla.net” to ask for petitions, to sign a petition or to have questions answered.
The next Hamlet formation meeting is Wednesday Nov 11 at 7pm at the Molalla library. We look forward to finishing up the bylaws. We believe it is very important to work on policies to make the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie user friendly and fair to all local rural citizens. All ideas are encouraged! As a grass roots, non-partisan jurisdiction, a Hamlet respects diverse opinions!
With Clackamas County’s interest in the economic potential of our farm and forest lands, it is an exciting time to work together for a Hamlet – a jurisdiction that allows much greater opportunities than a CPO to promote our rural community and explore diverse projects. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is automatically a member with the ability to vote at all meetings. Come and help plan the best vision for rural Molalla.
Thanks to all the local citizens who have signed the Hamlet signature petitions.
The Hamlet committee is happy that we now have collected well over the 100 signatures necessary to submit the bylaws to the Commission for approval. We are enjoying the process and look forward to contacting people via email about coming meetings. Signature gathering continues until mid December when the Hamlet expects to submit bylaws and petitions to the Clackamas County Commissioners.
Due to Veteran’s Day the next Hamlet formation meeting will be on Nov 18 at 7 at the Molalla library.
Hamlet Formation Meeting Notice: Wednesday 12-09-09
7PM Molalla Library
Everyone is invited to the Rural Community Meeting for the Proposed Hamlet of Molalla Prairie. Celebrate our progress with refreshments. Tell us your ideas for future speakers. Meet Amy Koski, the new Economic Development Coordinator for TEAM and share your vision for a better downtown Molalla.
6TH RURAL COMMUNITY MEETING: 12-09-09
PROPOSED FORMATION OF HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE
AGENDA
OPENING REMARKS
* Guest Speakers from TEAM: Amy Koski, Economic Development Coordinator, and Mitch Magenheimer, Board Member for Team for Economic Action in Molalla will provide an update on the new Molalla Main Street Program
* Minutes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
* Discussion: Bylaws/policy
*
* Report on webpage/logo
*
* Status report on petitions – Signature gathering/ time frame for submission to County
NEW BUSINESS:
* Discussion: Suggestions for future speakers
*
* Holiday refreshments provided. Please join us. Everyone is welcome!
Next meeting January 13, 2010 at the Molalla Library at 7pm
Information: hamlet@molalla.net or 503-810-1954, Carine Goldin, Chief Petitioner
Whether you are an urban backyard bird watcher or a rural property owner you will enjoy this informative presentation:
HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE
FORMATION MEETING
JANUARY 13, 7PM MOLALLA LIBRARY
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND CLACKAMAS COUNTY SOIL AND WATER
The Hamlet of Molalla Prairie formation committee invites everyone to a special presentation by Clair Klock of Clackamas County Soil and Water and Susan Barnes of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on January 13, 7pm in the meeting room at the Molalla Library.
Clair and Susan will talk about how a property owner can increase wildlife diversity and protect natural resources by participating in tax incentive programs. Emphasis will be on increasing wildlife diversity and how to deal with wildlife problems. Property owners will learn practical low cost methods to help support wildlife diversity on their property using programs that are designed to assist wildlife conservation. They will describe how the Oregon Wildlife Habitat Program and the Riparian Tax Incentives program can help property owners implement wildlife diversity.
Anyone interested in tax incentive programs, wildlife, and natural resources is invited to attend this program. Whether you are an urban backyard bird watcher or a rural property owner you will enjoy this informative presentation! Learn conservation methods for soil, wildlife, and water resources and meet these local specialists who are ready to help you with your projects.
Handouts and refreshments will be available.
The Hamlet formation committee will also discuss the timeframe for the upcoming election for Hamlet bylaws and a Hamlet board.
Need more information?
Email: hamlet@molalla.net ∙ Website: HamletofMolallaPrairie.org ∙ Ph: 503-810-1954
Here is a great article about the proposed Hamlet of Molalla Prairie by Dana Tims that appeared in the Clackamas County Weekly section of the Oregonian 1-7-10:
The Hamlet of Molalla Prairie formation process passed another milestone today when, after a work session, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners gave the go ahead for a community vote in March.
We are lucky to live in a County that highly values citizen participation. It was exciting to learn that Harvard voted to include the Clackamas County Hamlet program as one of American government’s 50 best innovations.
Since hamlets may only serve as a voice for rural citizens – no tax authority and no law making authority – the hamlets can draw on the best that citizen involvement has to offer. It is impressive to see talents bloom and ideas flow that can help the greater Molalla community. Empowering diverse citizens is what Clackamas County values. The hamlet program is a fantastic method for helping everyone understand that their opinions and needs are important.
The transparent public process road to formation of the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie has been a long and complex journey. I hope the rural residents around Molalla who will soon receive notice in the mail about the Hamlet will take a minute to understand the process and to appreciate the hard work of the community members who have volunteered hundreds of hours of personal time on the formation process.
Last June, a casual inquiry at a CPO meeting resulted in the formation of a committee of diverse residents to explore hamlets.
Immediately, it became clear that our community could benefit from a grassroots, non- partisan hamlet jurisdiction to allow us a better voice to policy makers. The committee also quickly understood the benefits that could come from having the ability, as a non-profit, to raise funds and apply for grants that could enhance our rural quality of life. A myriad of projects for the benefit of our rural community could be executed under the Hamlet umbrella.
The hamlet formation process was off to a running start!
Many well-noticed committee meetings were held over the ensuing months. The hamlet formation committee eagerly included all comers. With the great help of devoted County staff, bylaws were drafted and redrafted, letters and op-eds were submitted to the Pioneer, information was provided for an Oregonian article, and rural community meetings were planned.
Hundreds of Hamlet outreach flyers with contact numbers, meeting dates, information about hamlets and the formation process, and, eventually, a website address, have been distributed all over Molalla for the past 8 months, including in the post office, the feed stores, the library, and the video store, as well as person to person.
On the second Wednesday of every month, starting last July, the formation committee hosted monthly public rural community meetings. At all meetings and on every flyer, residents of rural areas were encouraged to participate in this exciting project. Diverse viewpoints were encouraged throughout the process.
Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of everyone interested in the Hamlet were collected at meetings. A large email notification list was created. Everyone on that email list has been furnished with a detailed agenda a week in advance of every monthly rural community meeting. The monthly meetings were also noticed in every Pioneer, both in print and on the web edition. Printed bylaws and minutes of every previous meeting have been available at every monthly meeting.
Meeting attendees learned that anyone 18 or older who lived (owned or rented) or owned a business in a final Hamlet border would be a voting member on the spot – NO pre-attendance voting or membership rules are allowed in Hamlets. If you live in a Hamlet you are automatically a voting member!
We learned up front that Hamlets CAN’T IMPOSE TAXES AND CAN’T IMPOSE OR CHANGE LAWS.
At monthly rural meetings attendees discussed community values and visions, chose the final name “Hamlet of Molalla Prairie (to honor the pre-settlement history here when Native Americans burned to promote prairies for ease for hunting and gathering), explored the scope of potential hamlet projects (a vast array of exciting possibilities have been listed), and worked to promote community outreach. A website was created to inform our community – all information about meetings and bylaws is available by googling “hamletofmolallaprairie” to reach the website.
Tasks at rural meetings were carefully rotated so any willing community member could learn how to take minutes, how to run a meeting, and how to lead discussions at public meetings. A wonderful spirit of inclusion has prevailed throughout the process. Everyone enjoyed the lively, friendly debates as hamlet formation business was discussed and voted upon. “Top down” direction was carefully avoided and democratic process prevailed at each step.
At every rural Hamlet meeting, at all CPO meetings, and person to person, citizens were encouraged to become petitioners. Everyone in rural Molalla had the opportunity to sign petitions and to ask their friends and neighbors to sign petitions to indicate interest in a Hamlet.
BRAV0!!! to all the dedicated citizens who went door to door, who called their friends and neighbors to express their support for a hamlet – your work defined the Hamlet boundaries and ensured that the Hamlet process could continue. The final proposed Hamlet boundaries were presented, discussed and approved by consensus at the January 13 rural community meeting.
Plans for hamlet outreach letters and/or visits to other jurisdictions (City of Molalla, CPOs, Fire District, School District, etc.) were also finalized in January. Hamlet and County representatives met with Molalla City Manager Atkins in January, presented the final boundary map, and got his enthusiastic endorsement. A Hamlet outreach to the Molalla City Council occurred at the Jan. 13 City Council Meeting; the boundary map and hamlet projects were outlined.
The monthly rural community meetings also had the pleasure of hearing speakers on a myriad of subjects, including leaders from the Hamlets of Mulino and Beavercreek who outlined the steps to their formation and the projects they have undertaken as Hamlets, County Commissioner Ann Lininger speaking about economic and social issues in Clackamas County, TEAM Molalla outlining the Main Street program, and an exceptional 2 hour program about Oregon Conservation Strategy and Landowner Conservation Incentives by Susan Barnes of ODFW and Clair Klock of Clackamas County Soil and water.
At every rural community meeting from July 2009 thorough January 2010 and at every Molalla CPO meeting from July through November the formation committee outlined the legal steps in the hamlet process and the progress to date on those legal steps: it was clear that significant mandated County deadlines that had to be met in a timely way for the process to continue.
Those County mandated legal steps included: a formal petition to the County signed by a Chief petitioner (and in the case for Molalla 2 co-petitioners) executed in June; a date certain to submit at least 100 valid signatures to indicate local interest (executed on time by the December deadline with over 170 signatures); a date certain to propose a final boundary, and an official Clackamas County work session with all the Clackamas County Commissioners to approve boundaries and projects, held Jan 19, 2010.
At the January 19th Clackamas County Commissioners’ work session (noticed to the public on the weekly County agenda for the week of Jan 18 as a 10am, Jan 19 Commissioners/Hamlet of Molalla Prairie work session at County offices), the hamlet committee presented the Commissioners with a full report on all the activities of the formation committee.
At the formal January 19 work session, the Commissioners were happy to approve the legal process to date, including the proposed name, the hamlet boundary, and the final stages of formation. The boundary map was displayed and discussed in detail at the work session. The County will proceed to post formal notices in the newspaper.
On Jan 19, the Commissioners gave the green light for the County staff to research the names and addresses of all residents/landowners/business owners in the final designated hamlet boundary. With that list complete, everyone in the approved boundary will be informed, via mailed notices, of the final two formation meetings, scheduled for Feb 10 and March 10, 7pm, at the Molalla Public Library.
The Feb 10 meeting (7 pm, Molalla Library) is designed to answer questions about the Hamlet and for citizens to submit, no later than the close of that meeting, applications to serve on the Hamlet board. Copies of the draft bylaws have been available throughout the process and will be printed and available at the Feb. meeting. Leaders from Mulino and Beavercreek Hamlets will be on hand to help answer questions. Refreshments will be provided.
Come on Feb 10 and meet your neighbors! Come and consider serving on the Hamlet board or on a committee. Come and see what a Hamlet could do for you. What ideas do you have for future speakers?
The mailed notice will also announce the final formation rural meeting, slated for March 10, 7pm at the Molalla Library. Attendees will vote to approve bylaws and for a Hamlet board. The bylaws call for 5-8 board members – the more the better for the success of the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie!
If you aren’t interested in serving on the board, please consider submitting ideas for projects or your concerns about needs of our rural community to the Hamlet – it is designed to serve everyone in its borders.
Need more info? Send an email to hamlet@molalla.net, call Clackamas County Hamlet liaison Chris Roth @ 503-742-5920 or google “hamletofmolallapraire” to visit the new website and view the boundary map.
Today on April 1 the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie became official when the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners approved it at a hearing in Oregon City.
Thanks to all the local rural citizens who voted and worked so hard since last June to make the Hamlet a success!
The next rural community Hamlet meeting will be April 21 at 7pm at the Molalla Library. (Note regular meeting change to the 3rd Wed. of the month).
HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE RURAL COMMUNITY MEETING April 21, 7PM, Molalla Public Library
Wild & Scenic Molalla River Corridor
BLM Recreational Plans
Do you swim, bike, hike, camp, ride horses, fish, boat or enjoy other outdoor activities in the upper Molalla River Corridor?
Join us on April 21 for a question and answer session with Adam Milnor, Outdoor Recreation Planner from the Bureau of Land Management, about proposed plans for the Molalla River Corridor. BLM is preparing options and this is your chance to tell BLM what you envision for the Molalla River Corridor. The final plan will outline a comprehensive strategy for recreation management including potential site development, river access, wilderness access, visitor services and trail use.
This meeting will ensure that your comments are heard before the planning period ends!
HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE
RURAL COMMUNITY MEETING
5-18-2010
7PM Molalla Library
What would you think about an opportunity to provide fresh and healthful produce for your family, purchased from a local farmer?
This concept called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a growing trend in the US. Here in the Molalla area, we have four CSA farmer/providers growing crops and looking for customers, also called subscribers.
Would you like to know more about how CSA’s work? How the local farmers in our area run their CSA’s? Would you like more information about possibly starting a CSA to sell the ‘fruits’ (and vegetables!) of your labor?
Did you know that CSA’s can provide more than just produce? They can include meats, honey, flowers, eggs, and more.
Come to the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie May rural community meeting and meet four great area farmers, learn about CSA’s. If you’d like, you can sign up to be a member of a CSA for the 2010 growing season.
This presentation will be a panel discussion with the CSA farmers and a moderator. There will be plenty of time to answer any and all of your questions. Bring your family and friends and come for an interesting and informative presentation.
For additional information go to: http://www.hamletofmolallaprairie.org or call 503-829-6818
Wednesday, May 19, 7pm
Molalla Public Library Meeting Room
201 5th St, Molalla
As I prepare to head out to a rural Molalla county party today I just realized I have something to thank Molalla City government for:
If the City of Molalla hadn’t been so horrible – pipeline siting and the hideous way it has treated rural residents during the “CRAZY” planning debacle – I would never have met the huge bunch of fantastic, progressive rural dwellers (and even a great city resident or two!).
Many of us would never have formed deep connections to political causes.
Many of us would never have learned the laws and rules that govern land use.
Many of us would never have learned to express ourselves in public on important issues.
Many of us would have just drifted along, enjoying our quality of life in the hills and dales – it took Molalla’s greedy SPRAWL THREATS to wake us up to connect us to protect what we love.
So thanks Molalla – keep up your backward ways so great people who know what GOAL ONE and citizen involvement really stand for can continue to join together to protect our rural lands and lifestyles. Molalla’s horrible, corrupt, and unethical “work” has connected strangers and made them lifelong friends and activists!
It only took a catalyst like Molalla’s insanity and the disrespect Molalla showed to rural residents for us all to come out from behind our fields, woods, and locked gates to work together to protect the great quality of life we enjoy as UNINCORPORATED CLACKAMAS COUNTY RESIDENTS.
You made the Hamlet possible, Molalla City government – you drove us all together! You made the grassroots Hamlet movement possible. Thanks so much for that great gift! I only wish you could run the city well enough to get diverse and engaged city citizens to work for a common good inside the city limits, instead of seeing them only in terms of dollars and cents. How sad.
So I am off to join my new found allies with picnic basket in hand to celebrate our collective success in defining that RURAL is a place and a state of mind worth protecting. Quality over quantity is our motto every day – and these hills and dales are the best quality the greater Molalla area has to offer – both in human and natural resource capital.
Eat your heart out Molalla city government – you blew it big time! Your actions drew the line in the sand – and we defined the boundary. You are correct – we ARE OUTSIDERS (per Atkins) – and boy oh boy do we treasure being OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.
Thanks again for helping us form the OUTSIDERS CLUB – I’ll match that human capital against Molalla any day!
How exciting it is to have the opportunity to work to form a Hamlet of Molalla Prairie! Our community is really lucky to have such a supportive County. Innovation is necessary to move us forward and the CPO has run out of functional steam.
I hope rural residents are starting to get the picture that so far all power and support – and the benefits of OUR TAXES – have flowed only one way – to the cities. I for one am tired of seeing ill run, wasteful places like the City of Molalla lord it over the rural areas and taking our taxes for grants that are often wasted via poor management.
It’s time for a new vision – Hamlets are jurisdictions, not governments, so they simply allow non-incorporated areas the ability to have a “seat at the table”. How could we resist that – the chance to participate more fully in making policy and finding solutions to problems we face in the rural areas?
Unlike the hidebound, restrictive, weak, and biased CPO, the truly grassroots, non- partisan structure of a Hamlet would allow any rural resident or group of residents to come in to any meeting, raise an issue, and vote ON THE SPOT AS MEMBERS (the CPO has a restrictive requirement that a person has to attend a meeting once before they are empowered to have a vote, making it hard for many busy people to participate).
Also, unlike the CPO, which is fond of making “board” decisions without consulting the entire membership, a Hamlet board would be expected to largely follow whatever the citizens vote for on issues – the citizens vote FIRST, and the board vote in most cases should reflect what the CITIZENS WANT.
A Hamlet may not impose taxes or change laws, but with a small but useful budget, and the ability to apply for grants (thus getting the chance to use rural tax dollars for rural projects) the scope of possible activities for a Hamlet will far exceed the tiny land use issues a CPO can fuss with.
Let’s celebrate the potential of all our opinions and all our visions – we need a rural organization that welcomes everyone, listens to everyone, and expands the influence of our voices.
See you on October 14 at 7pm at the Molalla library – it is time to learn what more about what a Hamlet can do for YOU and what you can do for your community.
Quite an amusing letter hit the Pioneer today as someone expressed fears about the Hamlet along side comments about the “good old days” when rural people connected at the local school to address problems and celebrate events.
Perhaps the writer of the letter missed the point of a Hamlet – that it exactly the idea of the “good old days” when rural people had the means to connect.
The writer worries about government “layers”, yet fails to recognize that without the collective voice that a Hamlet could provide he is simply one person fighting all that “government”. Rather than a new layer of government to be feared, a Hamlet simply gives residents a chance to get to the ears of policy makers.
The writer expresses anger about government red tape – perhaps he has also missed that point that a Hamlet could possibly help local people untangle the red tape? Many rural residents are struggling to establish rights under Measure 49 – a Hamlet could carry those “red tape” problems to policy makers far more quickly than an individual could.
The writer talks of community gatherings! The Hamlets of Mulino and Beavercreek just held a wonderful joint picnic for Hamlet residents to play and meet one another. That, to me, sounds exactly like what the writer is missing about the “good old days”.
Why fear a jurisdiction that allows people a vote on the spot at any meeting they attend? Why fear a Hamlet that would allow far more positive activities than just fighting land use issues – the only thing a CPO is designed for. Why fear an organization that can allow more of the rural population to have a collective voice and that can foster a better, more positive sense of community?
Why not come to a meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at the Library at 7 pm, meet your neighbors, and help define what a Hamlet could do for you?
Good letter in the Pioneer this week addressing the fear that is apparently generated in Molalla “government” by the formation of a Hamlet re: Uniformed Molalla Cop attends CPO meeting.
What a paranoid City! What a place filled with “leaders” who hate debate, who fear change, who seek to control the message, who loathe FREE SPEECH AND OPINIONS! The City of Molalla continues to amaze us all with its profound ability to act out of step with the “real world” of the 21st century! Take a look at Clackamas County government – where transparency, responsibility, and citizen involvement are hallmarks to be proud of.
The real world of GOOD 21st century government is about open debate, honesty, and transparency – then there is Molalla. Maybe “Molalla Paranoia” is catching – collaboration should never mean selling out! Maybe we need a vaccine for “Molalla Paranoia” before it spreads further?
Sooner or later the truth always hits the fan. In these tiny bergs secrets are hard to keep. How absurd it is for anyone to pretend that a Molalla Policewoman would spend a “break” fondling CPO sign in sheets and standing behind a glass door for over a 1/2 an hour. Does the City think the CPO members just fell off a turnip truck – that ANYONE would believe a “break” story? How could the Cop say that “break” story with a straight face?
It all boils down to a question of a blatant attempt at harassment and intimidation: who sent the COP to the CPO meeting? What were the intentions? Who doesn’t understand that acts like that end up making matters far worse? Why cause more problems than those we already have between the rural residents and the City of Molalla? Who was trying to throw their pathetic “official” weight around? Was it a sick power trip? And why didn’t the acting CPO leader get up and ASK why the the uniformed officer was there?
One wonders what forces are driving this paranoia? Fear of a Hamlet? Fear of open debate? Fear of losing control? Fear of ideas? Fear of change? FEAR OF WHAT?
Clackamas County, the agency which sponsors CPOs and Hamlets, is apparently as shocked as the CPO members are about this pathetic attempt to intimate or to harass rural citizens at a peaceful meeting. It is just the CPO after all – a high school like “club’ that is so ingrown it couldn’t possibly pose a threat to anything!
What on earth was the City of Molalla thinking – what kind of Police state are they running? Weren’t there traffic tickets to write or kids skateboarding somewhere they shouldn’t or the upper Molalla River to protect?
Get a grip, City of Molalla – the CPO is the least of your worries – you’d better send the police out writing the tickets to keep the City coffers full. You can’t earn a buck spying on the CPO or the Hamlet meetings. Or was there some kind of hidden agenda we have yet to uncover?
And whatever person sent the Cop to the CPO meeting should realize that such an action just makes CPO/Hamlet members dig their heels in -further – we’ll be THE MOST DEVOTED, LOYAL CPO/HAMLET MEMBERS THAT EVER WALKED THE FACE OF THE EARTH. Maybe next time the Cop can sign the CPO sheet – we love guests – maybe she can give a speech about public safety while she explains what she was doing at the Sept meeting!
Free speech forever – civil liberties forever – READ THE BILL OF RIGHTS, MOLALLA! And start using your public safety staff wisely!
Oct 14 marked the 4th Hamlet formation meeting at 7pm at the Molalla Library. As the plans for a Hamlet are firmed up, it is exciting to participate in free flowing discussions with other rural citizens who are interested in exploring a wide variety of projects.
At the meeting, attendees voted for a future board of 6, with 2 alternates. The Hamlet board, once elected, would vote to choose officers internally, from the board members. This allows the board to choose officers based on which board members have the most time, talent, and energy to put into the Hamlet. It was also decided that the board would serve for two years, with the initial terms staggered so 3 board members serve for 2 years and 3 expire after a year. That way, every year 3 board seats would come up for election.
With the “dry” procedures settled, the Hamlet attendees had a lively session listing potential Hamlet projects, including natural resource studies of the rural areas around the city limits, history projects, creating and maintaining a Hamlet website for a community billboard, and starting a safety outreach committee to interface with the Sheriff’s dept and to plan for disasters. The Hamlet could have a seat on a newly formed regional transportation committee that brings together Hamlets, Villages and ODOT to plan for rural traffic projects. There was strong interest in promoting “buy local” and agricultural tourism for the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie. A Hamlet can host election forums, host informational speakers, and can work with County staff on any concerns that local citizens wish to have addressed, since Hamlets have a direct path to County staff and County Commissioners. The Hamlet could be invaluable in helping citizens carve through the red tape that is often daunting when individuals come up against County and State rules.
Signature gathering on petitions has progressed very well – anyone interested in the Hamlet can call 503-810-1954 or email “hamlet@molalla.net” to ask for petitions, to sign a petition or to have questions answered.
The next Hamlet formation meeting is Wednesday Nov 11 at 7pm at the Molalla library. We look forward to finishing up the bylaws. We believe it is very important to work on policies to make the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie user friendly and fair to all local rural citizens. All ideas are encouraged! As a grass roots, non-partisan jurisdiction, a Hamlet respects diverse opinions!
With Clackamas County’s interest in the economic potential of our farm and forest lands, it is an exciting time to work together for a Hamlet – a jurisdiction that allows much greater opportunities than a CPO to promote our rural community and explore diverse projects. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is automatically a member with the ability to vote at all meetings. Come and help plan the best vision for rural Molalla.
Thanks to all the local citizens who have signed the Hamlet signature petitions.
The Hamlet committee is happy that we now have collected well over the 100 signatures necessary to submit the bylaws to the Commission for approval. We are enjoying the process and look forward to contacting people via email about coming meetings. Signature gathering continues until mid December when the Hamlet expects to submit bylaws and petitions to the Clackamas County Commissioners.
Due to Veteran’s Day the next Hamlet formation meeting will be on Nov 18 at 7 at the Molalla library.
Hamlet Formation Meeting Notice: Wednesday 12-09-09
7PM Molalla Library
Everyone is invited to the Rural Community Meeting for the Proposed Hamlet of Molalla Prairie. Celebrate our progress with refreshments. Tell us your ideas for future speakers. Meet Amy Koski, the new Economic Development Coordinator for TEAM and share your vision for a better downtown Molalla.
6TH RURAL COMMUNITY MEETING: 12-09-09
PROPOSED FORMATION OF HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE
AGENDA
OPENING REMARKS
* Guest Speakers from TEAM: Amy Koski, Economic Development Coordinator, and Mitch Magenheimer, Board Member for Team for Economic Action in Molalla will provide an update on the new Molalla Main Street Program
* Minutes
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
* Discussion: Bylaws/policy
*
* Report on webpage/logo
*
* Status report on petitions – Signature gathering/ time frame for submission to County
NEW BUSINESS:
* Discussion: Suggestions for future speakers
*
* Holiday refreshments provided. Please join us. Everyone is welcome!
Next meeting January 13, 2010 at the Molalla Library at 7pm
Information: hamlet@molalla.net or 503-810-1954, Carine Goldin, Chief Petitioner
Whether you are an urban backyard bird watcher or a rural property owner you will enjoy this informative presentation:
HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE
FORMATION MEETING
JANUARY 13, 7PM MOLALLA LIBRARY
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND CLACKAMAS COUNTY SOIL AND WATER
The Hamlet of Molalla Prairie formation committee invites everyone to a special presentation by Clair Klock of Clackamas County Soil and Water and Susan Barnes of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on January 13, 7pm in the meeting room at the Molalla Library.
Clair and Susan will talk about how a property owner can increase wildlife diversity and protect natural resources by participating in tax incentive programs. Emphasis will be on increasing wildlife diversity and how to deal with wildlife problems. Property owners will learn practical low cost methods to help support wildlife diversity on their property using programs that are designed to assist wildlife conservation. They will describe how the Oregon Wildlife Habitat Program and the Riparian Tax Incentives program can help property owners implement wildlife diversity.
Anyone interested in tax incentive programs, wildlife, and natural resources is invited to attend this program. Whether you are an urban backyard bird watcher or a rural property owner you will enjoy this informative presentation! Learn conservation methods for soil, wildlife, and water resources and meet these local specialists who are ready to help you with your projects.
Handouts and refreshments will be available.
The Hamlet formation committee will also discuss the timeframe for the upcoming election for Hamlet bylaws and a Hamlet board.
Need more information?
Email: hamlet@molalla.net ∙ Website: HamletofMolallaPrairie.org ∙ Ph: 503-810-1954
Here is a great article about the proposed Hamlet of Molalla Prairie by Dana Tims that appeared in the Clackamas County Weekly section of the Oregonian 1-7-10:
http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2010/01/molalla_prairie_people_tap_int.html
The Hamlet of Molalla Prairie formation process passed another milestone today when, after a work session, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners gave the go ahead for a community vote in March.
We are lucky to live in a County that highly values citizen participation. It was exciting to learn that Harvard voted to include the Clackamas County Hamlet program as one of American government’s 50 best innovations.
Since hamlets may only serve as a voice for rural citizens – no tax authority and no law making authority – the hamlets can draw on the best that citizen involvement has to offer. It is impressive to see talents bloom and ideas flow that can help the greater Molalla community. Empowering diverse citizens is what Clackamas County values. The hamlet program is a fantastic method for helping everyone understand that their opinions and needs are important.
The transparent public process road to formation of the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie has been a long and complex journey. I hope the rural residents around Molalla who will soon receive notice in the mail about the Hamlet will take a minute to understand the process and to appreciate the hard work of the community members who have volunteered hundreds of hours of personal time on the formation process.
Last June, a casual inquiry at a CPO meeting resulted in the formation of a committee of diverse residents to explore hamlets.
Immediately, it became clear that our community could benefit from a grassroots, non- partisan hamlet jurisdiction to allow us a better voice to policy makers. The committee also quickly understood the benefits that could come from having the ability, as a non-profit, to raise funds and apply for grants that could enhance our rural quality of life. A myriad of projects for the benefit of our rural community could be executed under the Hamlet umbrella.
The hamlet formation process was off to a running start!
Many well-noticed committee meetings were held over the ensuing months. The hamlet formation committee eagerly included all comers. With the great help of devoted County staff, bylaws were drafted and redrafted, letters and op-eds were submitted to the Pioneer, information was provided for an Oregonian article, and rural community meetings were planned.
Hundreds of Hamlet outreach flyers with contact numbers, meeting dates, information about hamlets and the formation process, and, eventually, a website address, have been distributed all over Molalla for the past 8 months, including in the post office, the feed stores, the library, and the video store, as well as person to person.
On the second Wednesday of every month, starting last July, the formation committee hosted monthly public rural community meetings. At all meetings and on every flyer, residents of rural areas were encouraged to participate in this exciting project. Diverse viewpoints were encouraged throughout the process.
Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of everyone interested in the Hamlet were collected at meetings. A large email notification list was created. Everyone on that email list has been furnished with a detailed agenda a week in advance of every monthly rural community meeting. The monthly meetings were also noticed in every Pioneer, both in print and on the web edition. Printed bylaws and minutes of every previous meeting have been available at every monthly meeting.
Meeting attendees learned that anyone 18 or older who lived (owned or rented) or owned a business in a final Hamlet border would be a voting member on the spot – NO pre-attendance voting or membership rules are allowed in Hamlets. If you live in a Hamlet you are automatically a voting member!
We learned up front that Hamlets CAN’T IMPOSE TAXES AND CAN’T IMPOSE OR CHANGE LAWS.
At monthly rural meetings attendees discussed community values and visions, chose the final name “Hamlet of Molalla Prairie (to honor the pre-settlement history here when Native Americans burned to promote prairies for ease for hunting and gathering), explored the scope of potential hamlet projects (a vast array of exciting possibilities have been listed), and worked to promote community outreach. A website was created to inform our community – all information about meetings and bylaws is available by googling “hamletofmolallaprairie” to reach the website.
Tasks at rural meetings were carefully rotated so any willing community member could learn how to take minutes, how to run a meeting, and how to lead discussions at public meetings. A wonderful spirit of inclusion has prevailed throughout the process. Everyone enjoyed the lively, friendly debates as hamlet formation business was discussed and voted upon. “Top down” direction was carefully avoided and democratic process prevailed at each step.
At every rural Hamlet meeting, at all CPO meetings, and person to person, citizens were encouraged to become petitioners. Everyone in rural Molalla had the opportunity to sign petitions and to ask their friends and neighbors to sign petitions to indicate interest in a Hamlet.
BRAV0!!! to all the dedicated citizens who went door to door, who called their friends and neighbors to express their support for a hamlet – your work defined the Hamlet boundaries and ensured that the Hamlet process could continue. The final proposed Hamlet boundaries were presented, discussed and approved by consensus at the January 13 rural community meeting.
Plans for hamlet outreach letters and/or visits to other jurisdictions (City of Molalla, CPOs, Fire District, School District, etc.) were also finalized in January. Hamlet and County representatives met with Molalla City Manager Atkins in January, presented the final boundary map, and got his enthusiastic endorsement. A Hamlet outreach to the Molalla City Council occurred at the Jan. 13 City Council Meeting; the boundary map and hamlet projects were outlined.
The monthly rural community meetings also had the pleasure of hearing speakers on a myriad of subjects, including leaders from the Hamlets of Mulino and Beavercreek who outlined the steps to their formation and the projects they have undertaken as Hamlets, County Commissioner Ann Lininger speaking about economic and social issues in Clackamas County, TEAM Molalla outlining the Main Street program, and an exceptional 2 hour program about Oregon Conservation Strategy and Landowner Conservation Incentives by Susan Barnes of ODFW and Clair Klock of Clackamas County Soil and water.
At every rural community meeting from July 2009 thorough January 2010 and at every Molalla CPO meeting from July through November the formation committee outlined the legal steps in the hamlet process and the progress to date on those legal steps: it was clear that significant mandated County deadlines that had to be met in a timely way for the process to continue.
Those County mandated legal steps included: a formal petition to the County signed by a Chief petitioner (and in the case for Molalla 2 co-petitioners) executed in June; a date certain to submit at least 100 valid signatures to indicate local interest (executed on time by the December deadline with over 170 signatures); a date certain to propose a final boundary, and an official Clackamas County work session with all the Clackamas County Commissioners to approve boundaries and projects, held Jan 19, 2010.
At the January 19th Clackamas County Commissioners’ work session (noticed to the public on the weekly County agenda for the week of Jan 18 as a 10am, Jan 19 Commissioners/Hamlet of Molalla Prairie work session at County offices), the hamlet committee presented the Commissioners with a full report on all the activities of the formation committee.
At the formal January 19 work session, the Commissioners were happy to approve the legal process to date, including the proposed name, the hamlet boundary, and the final stages of formation. The boundary map was displayed and discussed in detail at the work session. The County will proceed to post formal notices in the newspaper.
On Jan 19, the Commissioners gave the green light for the County staff to research the names and addresses of all residents/landowners/business owners in the final designated hamlet boundary. With that list complete, everyone in the approved boundary will be informed, via mailed notices, of the final two formation meetings, scheduled for Feb 10 and March 10, 7pm, at the Molalla Public Library.
The Feb 10 meeting (7 pm, Molalla Library) is designed to answer questions about the Hamlet and for citizens to submit, no later than the close of that meeting, applications to serve on the Hamlet board. Copies of the draft bylaws have been available throughout the process and will be printed and available at the Feb. meeting. Leaders from Mulino and Beavercreek Hamlets will be on hand to help answer questions. Refreshments will be provided.
Come on Feb 10 and meet your neighbors! Come and consider serving on the Hamlet board or on a committee. Come and see what a Hamlet could do for you. What ideas do you have for future speakers?
The mailed notice will also announce the final formation rural meeting, slated for March 10, 7pm at the Molalla Library. Attendees will vote to approve bylaws and for a Hamlet board. The bylaws call for 5-8 board members – the more the better for the success of the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie!
If you aren’t interested in serving on the board, please consider submitting ideas for projects or your concerns about needs of our rural community to the Hamlet – it is designed to serve everyone in its borders.
Need more info? Send an email to hamlet@molalla.net, call Clackamas County Hamlet liaison Chris Roth @ 503-742-5920 or google “hamletofmolallapraire” to visit the new website and view the boundary map.
Today on April 1 the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie became official when the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners approved it at a hearing in Oregon City.
Thanks to all the local rural citizens who voted and worked so hard since last June to make the Hamlet a success!
The next rural community Hamlet meeting will be April 21 at 7pm at the Molalla Library. (Note regular meeting change to the 3rd Wed. of the month).
HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE RURAL COMMUNITY MEETING April 21, 7PM, Molalla Public Library
Wild & Scenic Molalla River Corridor
BLM Recreational Plans
Do you swim, bike, hike, camp, ride horses, fish, boat or enjoy other outdoor activities in the upper Molalla River Corridor?
Join us on April 21 for a question and answer session with Adam Milnor, Outdoor Recreation Planner from the Bureau of Land Management, about proposed plans for the Molalla River Corridor. BLM is preparing options and this is your chance to tell BLM what you envision for the Molalla River Corridor. The final plan will outline a comprehensive strategy for recreation management including potential site development, river access, wilderness access, visitor services and trail use.
This meeting will ensure that your comments are heard before the planning period ends!
Join us! Everyone is welcome.
For additional information go to: http://www.hamletofmolallaprairie.org or call 503-829-6818
HAMLET OF MOLALLA PRAIRIE
RURAL COMMUNITY MEETING
5-18-2010
7PM Molalla Library
What would you think about an opportunity to provide fresh and healthful produce for your family, purchased from a local farmer?
This concept called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a growing trend in the US. Here in the Molalla area, we have four CSA farmer/providers growing crops and looking for customers, also called subscribers.
Would you like to know more about how CSA’s work? How the local farmers in our area run their CSA’s? Would you like more information about possibly starting a CSA to sell the ‘fruits’ (and vegetables!) of your labor?
Did you know that CSA’s can provide more than just produce? They can include meats, honey, flowers, eggs, and more.
Come to the Hamlet of Molalla Prairie May rural community meeting and meet four great area farmers, learn about CSA’s. If you’d like, you can sign up to be a member of a CSA for the 2010 growing season.
This presentation will be a panel discussion with the CSA farmers and a moderator. There will be plenty of time to answer any and all of your questions. Bring your family and friends and come for an interesting and informative presentation.
For additional information go to: http://www.hamletofmolallaprairie.org or call 503-829-6818
Wednesday, May 19, 7pm
Molalla Public Library Meeting Room
201 5th St, Molalla
As I prepare to head out to a rural Molalla county party today I just realized I have something to thank Molalla City government for:
If the City of Molalla hadn’t been so horrible – pipeline siting and the hideous way it has treated rural residents during the “CRAZY” planning debacle – I would never have met the huge bunch of fantastic, progressive rural dwellers (and even a great city resident or two!).
Many of us would never have formed deep connections to political causes.
Many of us would never have learned the laws and rules that govern land use.
Many of us would never have learned to express ourselves in public on important issues.
Many of us would have just drifted along, enjoying our quality of life in the hills and dales – it took Molalla’s greedy SPRAWL THREATS to wake us up to connect us to protect what we love.
So thanks Molalla – keep up your backward ways so great people who know what GOAL ONE and citizen involvement really stand for can continue to join together to protect our rural lands and lifestyles. Molalla’s horrible, corrupt, and unethical “work” has connected strangers and made them lifelong friends and activists!
It only took a catalyst like Molalla’s insanity and the disrespect Molalla showed to rural residents for us all to come out from behind our fields, woods, and locked gates to work together to protect the great quality of life we enjoy as UNINCORPORATED CLACKAMAS COUNTY RESIDENTS.
You made the Hamlet possible, Molalla City government – you drove us all together! You made the grassroots Hamlet movement possible. Thanks so much for that great gift! I only wish you could run the city well enough to get diverse and engaged city citizens to work for a common good inside the city limits, instead of seeing them only in terms of dollars and cents. How sad.
So I am off to join my new found allies with picnic basket in hand to celebrate our collective success in defining that RURAL is a place and a state of mind worth protecting. Quality over quantity is our motto every day – and these hills and dales are the best quality the greater Molalla area has to offer – both in human and natural resource capital.
Eat your heart out Molalla city government – you blew it big time! Your actions drew the line in the sand – and we defined the boundary. You are correct – we ARE OUTSIDERS (per Atkins) – and boy oh boy do we treasure being OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.
Thanks again for helping us form the OUTSIDERS CLUB – I’ll match that human capital against Molalla any day!