Hoodland Community Planning Organization
By Pat Erdenberger, For The Mountain Times
Most of you know that the mission of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring county information to our Hoodland community members and provide a loud voice back to the County. We also provide speaking opportunities of interest to the community. In the past year, we have also provided a foundational organization for local GMRS radio users to learn about radios, to practice using them, and to develop the skills necessary to support one another in an emergency.
The recent Hoodland CPO community meeting was held on September 17, 2026, at the Mount Hood Oregon Resort. We met in a larger room to accommodate the many interested community members who have responded with great interest. 39 Community and Board Members of the Hoodland CPO were joined by County Commissioner Diana Helm, Project Manager Mike Ward, and Mike Bezner, Assistant Director for the Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development office. As always, we thank the Mt Hood Oregon Resort for providing space for our meetings.
We appreciate the County’s presentation which includes a long scroll drawing affixed to the wall depicting the 60% design plan for the Welches Road to Birdie Lane walk/bike path we have all so eagerly awaited. Many questions were asked and answered, many suggestions and requests were noted for the Transportation Department. We all left with a feeling of understanding and being heard by the County. We look forward to bringing these representatives back in March of 2027. The plan is to complete the path by the Summer of 2029.
On October 15th 7:00 p.m. at the Mt Hood Oregon Resort, both Undersheriff Brad O’Neill and the recently appointed Sheriff James Rhodes have accepted our invitation to speak and answer questions before the November election. Public safety is constantly discussed by our local residents, however, the local reticence to call for assistance or report a crime breaks communication with the Sheriff’s office. Generally, in the HCPO area, there is no expectation that a call would produce any resolution to the speeding on Salmon River, Lolo Pass, Welches, Arrah Wanna, and Barlow Roads. Massive rock hauling trucks, run-of-the-mill speeders, and certain locally known constant attention seeking speeders make our roads very dangerous to others. I’d like to know how the candidates see the Sheriff’s office helping with that issue and others.
To wrap up this year’s meetings in November, we look forward to hearing from Kim Wheeler, Executive Director of Ant Farm Youth Services. Kim has a lot to share about the many programs that Ant Farm operates beyond the wildfire mitigation work we all know so well in the Mt Hood Corridor.
The CPO has plenty of room for volunteers to design flyers, work on land use applications, and assist the HECN radio program. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, please contact us at Hoodlandcpo@gmail.com