This column features businesses or people in Eliot and just beyond our neighborhood’s borders to help our residents learn what exciting businesses and opportunities are located in and around our amazing neighborhood. This issue we focus on welcoming our new board members and what they will be able to contribute to the neighborhood and our board. Here is a little bit of interesting information about each of them.

Allan Rudwick

Allan Rudwick has lived in Eliot for 11 years and has previously been a board member holding the offices of Chair and also Newsletter Editor. Allan joined the board again because of a couple of key issues he hopes to make progress on: reducing diesel pollution and building on vacant land.

Allan loves how close Eliot is to all that makes our city great, specifically, Dishman Community Center, good bus lines to get everywhere you need to go and a few good parks. He likes how people use the sidewalks and that we really have a common space on our streets. It isn’t just into the car for every trip. He loves that we see as many bikes and people on foot as cars, even on our relatively busy streets. People outside their metal boxes are much more relatable and approachable as human beings.

He would also like to share that there are people with great visions of what our neighborhood will be like in the future. He hopes that some of these visions come to pass (like the Albina Vision) and some plans are canned, like the I-5 widening monstrosity. We need Eliot to be a place where people are most important, and those living here have priority over those driving through.

When not working on neighborhood issues Allan helps design computer chips for a start-up called Ampere Computing across the river.

Sherry Staggs

Sherry Staggs is a first-time board member and new to Eliot. Upon retiring and moving to Portland in March 2018, Sherry has discovered how friendly and walkable Eliot is.

She is enjoying the walkable distance to the grocery store and amenities with easy access to public transport and downtown Portland.

She loves spending time with friends she has made while here walking around different neighborhoods and the wonderful park trails in the Portland area. She is very grateful for the opportunity to live in Eliot.

Now, since being retired and having the time, she wanted to contribute to the neighborhood by working on the board and with the E-ACT committee in the on-going effort for cleaner air now and for future generations.

When not walking and working on neighborhood issues, Sherry likes curling up with a book. Since childhood ,she has been an avid reader and it is a big part of who she is.

Jennifer Wilcox

Jennifer Wilcox is a first-time board member and, though she doesn’t live in the neighborhood, she works with Cascadia Behavioral Center specifically the Garlington Health Center’s Wellness Program. She has worked at The Garlington Center since 2014 and worked with Cascadia previously from 2004- 2008. Jennifer is really excited to bring wellness activities to this neighborhood and to learn more about the needs and goals of the residents and how the Wellness Center can help support those goals. She looks forward to meeting more neighbors and hearing how we can work together.

Jennifer leads a walking group on Thursdays which starts at the Garlington Health Center. She is always impressed with the beauty of the Eliot neighborhood, the parks, people’s gardens, and houses. Also, everyone she meets when walking is so friendly.

In her spare time, Jennifer loves to knit. You can usually find her with a project in her hands.

Your Name Here

The Eliot Neighborhood Association is always looking for more board members, committee members, volunteers and event planners. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact one of the Co-Chairs Allan Rudwick or Jimmy Wilson.

We have a neighborhood livability team, a clean air team, newsletter team events like neighborhood clean-ups, and are always looking to add more events for the neighborhood to participate in.

Anyone who lives in or is employed by a company within the Eliot neighborhood boundaries is welcome to join us in making Eliot a wonderful place to live and work.

We want you to share your talents, new ideas and enthusiasm with us. Stop by a meeting on the third Monday of each month at 120 NE Knott St at St Philip the Deacon Church from 6:30-8:30 pm or contact Allan or Jimmy or any of the other board members. Hope to see you soon!

Allan Rudwick, Co-Chair
Jimmy Wilson, Co-Chair