Clackson Newsletter
February 2010
February Unit Meetings
Local Libraries
How has the adoption of the Clackamas County Library District affected your local library? Attend February unit meetings to find out. Because we have invited out-side speakers, we have again combined units.
The Lake Oswego meeting will combine the Tuesday a.m., Wednesday p.m., and Thursday a.m. units. It will be held at Karen Sherman's home at 16836 Cherry Crest Drive, on Thursday, February 18th at 9:15 a.m. Bill Baars, Lake Oswego Library Director, will share with us the happenings at the library and what changes have come about with the new Clackamas County library district.
The Friday a.m. Willamette View Unit and the Wednesday a.m. Causey Avenue Unit will meet at the Willamette View, Plaza Building, Mt. Jefferson Room, 12795 S.E. River Road, Milwaukie, at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19th. The speaker will be Joanne Rood, the manager of Clackamas County Libraries.
The Mountain Unit will meet on Saturday, February 20th at the WyEast Book Shoppe at 10:00 a.m., 67195 E. Hwy. 26 in the Rendezvous Center. The speakers, Beth Garth Director of the Sandy Library and Signe Merz , director of the Welches branch, will speak about the consolidation of the two libraries.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: CELEBRATE LONGEVITY
Lorie James: Executive Committee Member
We look forward to celebrating with all of you the 90th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters. We will gather at the Heritage House in Lake Oswego for refreshments on Sunday, February 14th, with members, corporate affiliates and local officials invited. We hope that you will all bring your favorite story about your League experience to share with us either in person or in a written form to be added to our scrapbooks.
We will be honoring our four 50 year members Virginia Campbell, Peggy Oliver, Nancy Pratt, and Nancy Tassock. It should not surprise any of us that they all were local League presidents here, with Nancy serving in Massachusetts. We will also honor our members who are within the 9-year window of achieving the privilege of no longer needing to pay national dues. You will note that many of them also served as our president and also on the state board. These nine are Beryl Dahl and Ardis Stevenson (1961), June Routson (1962), Joan Batten and Mary Neely (1963), Lenora Young (1964), Norma Jean Germond (1967), Sherry Finnigan (1968) and Marjorie Briggs (1969). Thank you for all your service.
Looking ahead to the next 10 years and honoring our grassroots foundation, you can all expect to be tapped for suggestions and work on local issues. From our mature viewpoint, what local concerns do we have that could benefit from our time tested methods of study? We want to continue our tradition of being a meaningful participant in our local communities.
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FEBRUARY LUNCH & LEARN: CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Heather Drake
On January 21, the US Supreme Court handed down a landmark campaign finance decision in Citizens Untied v. Federal Election Commission. A 5-4 majority declared that campaign contribution limits on corporations were unconstitutional limits on free speech. In future federal elections, corporations will be able to spend freely to influence voters.
LWVUS President Mary Wilson called the decision a "tragic mistake." She continued, "The court has unleashed into our elections tremendous sums of money from for-profit corporations that cannot possibly be matched in quantity by contributions from ordinary citizens. The only possible outcome of this is that big money and special interests will have an even tighter grip on our democracy."
At the February Lunch & Learn meeting, Janice Thompson, Executive Director of Common Cause Oregon, will join us to discuss Citizens United. In her talk, she will review the details of the case, explain the decision, and help us understand the new campaign finance landscape. She will also tell us about one reform proposal, the Fair Elections Now Act that would create a possible public funding mechanism for federal candidates.
Date: Friday, February 26
Time: 11:45 am
Location: Szechuan Kitchen, 15450 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego
Cost: $12 for a family style lunch. Pay at the door. (Cash or check please.) Cancellations will be billed. Reservations deadline: 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24. Contact Heather Drake at 503-245-1239 or htdrake@comcast.net.
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CLACKAMAS COMMISSIONERS’ CORNER
Pam Ashland
There has been less activity at the work sessions in January. Check out the website for additional details.
There is an update on 9-1-1 funding.
There is a request to form a Hamlet of Molalla Prairie, separate from the Molalla CPO.
There will be a study of the possibility of an affordable housing project sited at the Fuller Road Station for MAX. It would be done in cooperation with Tri-Met and using federal monies.
Commissioners discussed the formation of an Urban and Rural Strategic Investment Zones. They would be in partnership with cities in the county.
They discussed the increase in transient rental fees at the Clackamas County Parks (from $10 to $15.)
Work continues on the Tree Task Force. New policies will be instituted in the county as with regard to tree cutting.
ACTION CONTINUES
Joan Batten, Action Chair
On January 21 we testified at the Metro hearing in Wilsonville on the Stafford area that is being proposed as Urban Reserves for future development.
We were able to use our 1993 position that is in agreement with the positions of the three surrounding cities of Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Tualatin. We believe the area should be designated Rural Reserves and remain outside the Urban Growth Boundary.
None of the surrounding cities is willing to provide the expensive infrastructure and services to the area. Any annexation to Lake Oswego and West Linn would also require voter approval.
The hearing at Wilsonville's new city hall was packed. Lorie and I arrived a few minutes after the opening time and we were 42nd of 72 signed up to testify. With few exceptions, testimony we heard was in agreement with our position. A decision by Metro is scheduled for February 4th.
FIRST CALL TO COUNCIL 2010
Theme: “90 Years of Making a Difference”
Council is the biennial state meeting of the League of Voters, held on alternate years to the state Convention. First call is issued so local Leagues can begin to plan and discuss matters that should be presented at Council.
The 2010 Council will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, 2010, at the Riverhouse Hotel and Convention Center in Bend. The League of Women Voters of Deschutes County is the host League. Council will elect a Second Vice President and Treasurer for two-year terms and three elected Directors for two-year terms. The Council will give guidance to the LWVOR Board on program and will adopt a budget for the ensuing year.
LWVCC will send two delegates to Council 2010. Any LWVCC member may attend council as an observer. Observers many not vote, but may (upon recognition from the Chair) have the privilege of the floor. LWVCC members are encouraged to exercise this privilege. If you are interested in attending Council 2010 as an observer, please contact any executive committee member to let your interest be known.
ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
New Local Members |
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| Claire Evans | Jean Scott |
Rejoining Members |
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| Gail Holmes | Chris Roth and Kate Roth |
| Julia Monteith | Madeline Olson |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!
Happy 90th Birthday to all of us in the League of Women Voters. 1920 – the year that women received the vote nationally, Carrie Chapman Catt founded the national League of Women Voters and the Oregon League was established. In honor of these great events, the Clackamas League is celebrating with a birthday party on The Day – February 14, 2010. You all should have received an invitation in the mail, but here are the particulars:
- At: Heritage House in Lake Oswego 398 10th Street
- Date: February 14 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Honored guests will include League Fifty Year Members and representatives from Clackamas County and the cities in the county. We will observe the occasion with champagne, sparking cider, appetizers and, of course, birthday cake.
This is a celebration of women’s right to vote and why we all find it significant and exciting to be a part of the League. Come and join your friends as we honor a wonderful organization.
RSVP: Sherry Finnigan (503-636-5468) or email at m_s_finnigan@msn.com
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February 2010 Calendar
Sunday, February 14 -- League of Women Voters 90th Birthday Celebration – 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Lake Oswego Heritage House, 398 Tenth Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034. RSVP: Sherry Finnigan 503-636-5468 or m_s_finnigan@msn.com.
February Unit Meetings: Local Libraries Note: Units have been combined for the convenience of the speakers.
Thursday, February 18 – 9:15 am, Karen Sherman's home. Speaker: Bill Baars, Lake Oswego Library Director.
Friday, February 19 -- 9:30 am Willamette View, Plaza Building, Mt. Jefferson Room, 12795 S.E. River Road, Milwaukie. Speaker: Joanne Rood, the manager of Clackamas County Libraries.
Saturday, February 20 – 10:00 am, WyEast Book Shoppe, 67195 E. Hwy. 26. Speakers: Beth Garth Director of the Sandy Library and Signe Merz , director of the Welches branch
Tuesday, February 23 – Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting) Board Room, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
Friday, February 26-– Lunch and Learn -- 11:45 am, Szechuan Kitchen, 15450 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego. Reservations deadline: 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24. Contact Heather Drake at 503-245-1239 or htdrake@comcast.net.
March 2010 Calendar
March Unit Meetings: Unit Choice
Tuesday, March 16 – Saturday, March 20. Look for more details in the March Clackson.
Tuesday, March 23 – Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting) Board Room, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
Friday, March 26-– Lunch and Lear
Thank You Corporate Affiliates!
Lake Oswego
Accessories from the heart | 1171 McVey Ave.
Backyard Bird Shop, Inc. | 16949 S.W. 65th Ave. &
8960 SE Sunnyside Road, Clackamas
Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce | 242 B Ave
Lake Oswego Review/West Linn Tidings | 400 Second Street
Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst | 17400 Holy Names Dr.
Otak, Inc. | 17355 SW Boones Ferry Rd.
Sandy
Sandy Funeral Home | 39551 Pleasant St.
Strand Tea Company | PO Box 580
Synergy Consulting Inc. | 729 NE Oregon St., Suite 125, Portland
Welches
Wy’east Book Shoppe and Art Gallery | 67195 E US Highway 26
West Linn
Words Count – Editing & Writing | 2555 Dillow Drive
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