What you'll find here is

• Books from the publisher
• Local politics: Forest Grove, Oregon
• Notes and photos from travels
• Some Zen-ish items

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Books available from the publisher:

• Mary Vowell Adams: Reluctant Pioneer by Beatrice L. Bliss
• Not On A Silver Platter by Beatrice L. Bliss White
• Canoeing in the Rain by Ann Chandonnet
• Tracks in Oregon by Robert A. Davies
• Guy Carr: A Memoir (the life of a pioneering auto retailer in Washington County)
• Managing Strategically, 101 Creative Tips by Jerry Tobin




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Forest Grove City Council Issues:

Here you can find out about some issues, past and present, that have confronted the Forest Grove City Council.

• This was actually my 1996 campaign position paper and is somewhat outdated, but still a fair statement of general issues. I was elected to the Forest Grove City Council in 1996, and reelected in 2000.
• For reference purposes I've included a couple of maps that used to be on the GroveNet website, a Zoning Map and a Comprehensive Plan map. These are both in Adobe Acrobat format and somewhat out of date, but until the city is able to do this, I hope it may be of use!
• Some more specific issues with which the Council has had to grapple over the last few years.
  • Forest Grove Town Center Economic Improvement District formation, including a map of the proposed district. Feb/Mar 2001
  • Metro Title 3 Compliance Memo and information (including illustration of 1996 inundation). Information for 4/10/00 Council Work Session.
  • Transportation System Plan (first hearing 11/8/99, adopted with minor amendments on 11/22/99)
  • A major rewrite of the city's development code is underway, but is too massive to try to include here!
  • A summary of some other issues.
  • The Residential Standards Ordinance as adopted by City Council.
  • Adapting our codes to new hillside developments requires some adjustments to density standards.
  • See also reference in "current issues."
  • Dealing with our deteriorating infrastructure.
  • The Transportation Planning
  Rule revisited
  • Go directly to the text of the Oregon State Transportation Planning Rule
  • Forest Grove's Tree Protection Ordinance adopted by Council in May, 1998.
  • See also the debate on the Tree Protection Ordinance from Council minutes.
• You may also see my resume (if you must, also not up to date I'm afraid).




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Travel notes and photos:

• A Virtual Tour of France (1999)! With many photos: Paris, Mont St. Michelle, Pontorson, Vers and the Pont du Gard, Chamonix, and much more.
• And from Wales, the coastal town of Aberystwyth (in 2000) and the Mt. Snowden area (from 1976).
• And from Scotland, the "Outer Hebrides" or Western Isles, also from 1976.




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And finally some Zen-ish items:

• Mountains and Rivers Sesshin, Point Reyes.
• Some views of Eiheiji temple in Japan.

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Please note that none of the views or opinions cited on these pages are necessarily those of anyone but myself, etc. etc., and there is no warranty expressed or implied by any of it, your mileage may vary, and enjoy your stay! Copies of ordinances, statutes, etc. are for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal documents.

This is always a work in progress. Helpful hints, suggestions, condescending remarks, corrections, and kudos can all be directed to mbliss at agora.rdrop.com. Thanks for stopping!

Last update 8/5/06