his son Daniel McGinnis and daughter-in-law
Cheryl McGinnis, plant a tree in her honor
along the I-205 path.
(Photos: Friends of Trees)
Gail Achterman was honored over the weekend when friends, family, and colleagues planted more than a dozen oak trees in her memory along the I-205 path in SE Portland. Achterman passed away back in January after decades of public service as a lawyer and advocate for environmental preservation and sensible transportation policy. She was most recently Chair of the influential Oregon Transportation Commission.
The trees were planted in the grass along the I-205 path between SE Schiller and SE Pardee — in the district Achterman represented as OTC commissioner.
Local non-profit Friends of Trees organized the planting. Communications Director Teri Ruch says Achterman’s colleagues and family attended the event. Oregon State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer was there, as were Achterman’s husband Chuck McGinnis, her stepson Daniel McGinnis, and other members of the family.
A stand of oak trees along a non-motorized corridor is a fitting tribute to Achterman. She was a giant in Oregon’s proud legacy of environmental protection and sustainable transportation policy who stood strong amid shifting political winds and laid down the roots of many policies and projects we all enjoy today.
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Planting new life along a bikeway seems like such a touching way to memorialize someone who did so much for biking. Thanks for posting this.