“Too few are doing too much, too often, for too many.”

With those words Rhododendron CPO President Steve Graeper appeared to
sound the death knell of the Mountain organization.

But before the May 15 meeting was gaveled to a close the CPO still had a
heartbeat, although the diagnosis suggested it was on life support.

The six beleaguered officers and board members stepped down – mostly out
of frustration with the lack of community support – but Secretary-Treasurer
Sharon Lamoreaux stepped up to take an officer’s position and keep the heart
of the organization ticking.

Graeper had sent out notices to Rhody citizens that their attendance was
required at the meeting. Besides the board, three people attended the
meeting.

“I see by the attendance a lot of people are concerned,” Graeper said, tongue
in cheek. “I sent out personal e-mails. No one showed up.”

In 2004, the CPO had become relatively inactive before officer Nancy
Dougherty spearheaded an effort to re-establish the organization.

“We wanted to have a say in what goes on in Rhododendron,” Dougherty said.
“We re-wrote the by-laws and it seemed to thrive again. Now, we have to get
them (Rhody citizens) to come out of the woodwork. I just don’t know how.”
Graeper spelled out what would be lost if the CPO folds.

“We would lose a community presence for Rhody with the county
commissioners,” he said. “If we disband we would have no say in land-use
issues. These issues could go to the Mt. Hood Corridor CPO, but there would
be no connection to Rhody. Perhaps that threat may be what is necessary.”

Graeper also lamented the loss of the Main Street Program which serves to
improve traffic safety with road signage, plus planting efforts and painting of
some businesses, plus access to such groups as Bureau of Land Management
and the U.S. Forest Service.

“We are witnessing the dying of a community,” he said.

But with the move to save the CPO by Lamoreaux a vote was taken.

“The consensus is the CPO won’t disband,” Graeper said. “We need new
leadership. Nominations for five positions (reduced from the previous seven
slots) will be held at the next meeting.”

That meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., July 17, at the Zigzag Inn.