Clackson Newsletter
January 2010
January Unit Meetings
Program Planning
Hopefully your holiday season was bright and you are ready to tackle the tasks of planning program for both the local and the national League. * At units we will discuss dropping, retaining or updating our local positions and entertain suggestions for new studies. Think about issues that are important to you and consider the following: if this is an issue that can be discussed/solved at the local level (the county or municipal governments); if it has appeal for a large number of people; if it will lead to a solid position upon which to take action, and if our League has the manpower to complete a successful study. Currently we have only one local study underway so fresh ideas are very welcome!
Don’t have a burning issue? It is still important to attend your unit and hear about the many study items that have been proposed on the national level. A partial list includes:
- From the LWV of Palo Alto, CA.: a two-year study on the role of the federal government in public education
- From LWV Columbia/Boone County, Missouri: to study the establishment of a cabinet level Department of Peace.
- From the LWV of Kansas to study the level of civic education in our country.
- From the LWV Minneapolis about immigrants.
- From the LWV Boulder County, Co suggesting campaign financing- specifically the Fair Elections Now Acts.
Bring this Clackson with the grids on pages 6 and 7 to your unit; presenters will have copies of local and national positions. A summary of LWVUS positions is available online at www.lwv.org and a summary of LWVCC positions at www.lwvclackamas.org –click on Issues and then click on Positions. If you cannot get to a unit meeting but have ideas to share, call or email Nancy Dougherty at 503-622-4789 or nndougherty@earthlink.net.
*Unfortunately the future of the LWV of the Columbia River Region is uncertain; this League will not be looking for program suggestions.
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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lyn Gordon, Executive Committee
Thank you Santa! LWVCC benefited from the work of some wonderful elves in 2009. Our amazing grapefruit sales committee provided more then we could have hoped for. Led by chair, Sonja Kollias the committee of Barbara Browning, Liz Leahy, Bill Walter, Belinda Wilson, and Keith Zilk sold 218 boxes of grapefruit, a record! Bill Walter and Keith Zilk sold 79 boxes between them. Our profit will be $1100-1200.
More elves were at work making the Winter Holiday Brunch a wonderful success. First and foremost our flexible attendees who said yes to our date change. The silent auction, organized by Sarah and Frank Chaplen, was a great success raising over $400. A special thank you to those who donated items (Colleen Bennett, Pat Casey-Hallgren, Heather Drake, Nancy Dougherty, Mary Neely, Lynn Thies, and Anne Younger). Thank you also goes to Sherry and Matt Finnigan and Cheryl Borden who collected and organized all the raffle items. Between the silent auction, raffle, tea sales, and extra money on the cost of the brunch LWVCC cleared $919. It was a very good year.
With 2009 behind us it is time to turn our attention to 2010 beginning with Program Planning. Program is the League’s reason for being, the basis for both advocacy and education efforts. Program consists of those governmental issues chosen for concerted study and action. League is a grassroots organization with a number of different levels. At January units we will be looking at program at the local, regional, and national levels. What issue(s) do you want to have considered for a new study, an update, or action priority? Join with fellow League members and share your ideas.
Don’t forget the Special Election on January 26th. In this election there are two state ballot measures. Measures 66 and 67 are referenda passed by the 2009 Legislature amending corporate and individual tax rates. The measures are on the ballot as a result of citizen petitions. The last day to register is January 5 and ballots will be mailed to voters January 8-10. LWVOR supports a yes vote on both measures based on its position statement, Fiscal Policy – Tax System first adopted in 1965-66 and last updated in 1999.
February 14, 2010 is the 90th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters and LWVCC is planning a celebration, a social event commemorating the League’s 90 years of advocacy and education. Put a “Save the Date” for February 14 on your calendar and look for a formal invitation later in January.
Here’s to 2010 and all the possibilities this year may bring.
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Save the Date League of Women Voters 90th Birthday Celebration February 14, 2:00 – 4:00 pm |
LWVOR: LEADING THE LEAGUE
Interested in:
- Promoting better citizen involvement?
- Enhancing Oregon's democracy?
- Improving state laws and policies?
- Protecting Oregonians' rights?
- Informing more Oregonians about state issues that affect them?
- Making the League of Women Voters more effective?
- Meeting and working with state policy makers?
- Learning how the LWV gets its job done?
If you, or another League member you know, would like to do LWV work at the state level, please consider a one or two-year position on the board of the League of Women Voters of Oregon, starting in June 2010. Specifically we need women and men to help as Assistant Treasurer, Voter Service Co-Chair, Technology Chair, Public Relations Chair, Development Co-Chair, and Action Team members. It is a great opportunity to make democracy work better in Oregon and make the League work better at all levels. Please tell your local president (or a member of the Nominating Committee) that you would like to consider being on the state board. Thank you!
LWVOR Nominating Committee: Margaret Noel, Chair, mrgtnoel@comcast.net; Pamela Ashland, misschattr@verizon.net; Judith Benjamin, jeg@mind.net; Diana Bodtker, egonb@teleport.com; Janet Calvert, jankcalvert@comcast.net; Carol Ventgen, cventgen@cclsd.org; Al Wilson, al@alandsara.com
JANUARY LUNCH AND LEARN
Heather Drake
At this year’s first Lunch & Learn we will hear about a topic relevant to everyone in the coming year: the 2010 Census. Pamela Whelden and Shirley Sweetland of the US Census Bureau Partnership Program will join us to talk about the nuts and bolts of this massive undertaking: How is the census conducted? Who does the work? How long does it take? How do we know that it’s accurate? Why does it matter?
Please also consider inviting a friend to join you. Lunch & Learn is a great introduction to the League and this timely topic will undoubtedly be very appealing to the other “civics geeks” in your life.
Date: Friday, January 29
Time: 11:45 am
Location: Szechuan Kitchen, l5450 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego
(l block south of the intersection of Kruse Way and Boones Ferry)
Cost: $l2.00 for a family style lunch. Pay at the door. Cancellations will be billed.
Reservations Deadline: 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 27. Contact Heather Drake at 503-245-1239 or htdrake@comcast.net.
Do you have a suggestion for a future Lunch & Learn speaker? If so, please contact me. I’d love to hear your ideas.
CLACKAMAS COMMISSIONERS’ CORNER
Pam Ashland
The Clackamas Commissioners attended a conference of the Associated Oregon Commissioners that was held in Portland. This is a time to connect with other commissioners and learn about what is happening in Oregon and the nation.
All the presentations are available on-line. Go to www.co.clackamas.or.us , then go to government, go to weekly schedule, then staff presentations, and there you will see both the written presentation and the pod of the oral presentation. You can listen to the work sessions while having your morning coffee or tea. I have highlighted the month’s events, but you can follow-up on your computer.
The Transportation Department presented their Semi-Annual Capital Project Report and the regional transportation plan. They also are working on groundwater protection.
Kate Brown (Secretary of State) briefed the Commissioners about the election system. Sherry Hall (Clackamas County Clerk) joined her. The three points that Kate stressed were: restore integrity to the initiative process, increase and improve civic engagement, and conduct performance audits. She also discussed the Complete Count Committee need for the County. Work is progress on this process. The League is supporting this project by asking the local leagues to participate by volunteering to help with their local committee.
The County received 3+ million dollars in federal funds for energy efficient programs. The County is reviewing how they will use federal funds in the following areas: transportation, social services, and law enforcement are some of the areas that are being discussed for these additional federal funds.
Water Environment Services is seeking to require new properties to annex to the nearest city for sewer services. They also formed the Wastewater Treatment Capacity Advisory Committee.
The Parks system is working on the coordination the Trolley Trail and the Light Rail in the Milwaukie area. They are also addressing the Clackamas River parks, there may be an increase in the park fee to help pay for the increased enforcement of conduct on the river.
Work continues on the Tree Task Force. New policies will be instituted in the county as with regard to tree cutting.
ACTION DOES NOT TAKE A HOLIDAY!
Joan Batten, Action Chair
Health Care Reform remains an issue with action now in the Senate. Letters were written to Senators Wyden and Merkley in response to a National Action Alert on the need to pass a public option as part of health care reform. The Executive Committee decided to testify to Metro on the proposal for the Stafford area to be put in the Urban Growth Boundary. The cities of Lake Oswego, West Linn and Tualatin have declared opposition to urbanization of the Stafford area. The League studied the area in 1993 and adopted a position supporting the Stafford area remaining outside the Urban Growth Boundary. The hearing will be in January.
NEW MEMBER PROFILE: CLAIRE EVANS
Sylvia Smith
Our newest member is Claire Evans. She is the daughter of Louise Fronville, a long-time member of our league who was president of LWV of Oswego/Lake Oswego from 1967 to 1969. Claire grew up in Lake Oswego, attending Palisades grade school and graduating from Lakeridge High. She went to Wellesley College in Massachusetts, graduating with a double major in Political Science and French.
Claire volunteered for Congressman Les AuCoin in Washington DC, and soon was hired by his office. She learned the ins and outs of working in Washington, including the politics and constant fund raising!
After working for four years in the House, Claire obtained her MBA.from Georgetown University. This led to a 16-year position at the Smithsonian. Claire worked with traveling exhibitions and enjoyed working with other museums around the country. Her job in the office of the Secretary was working on international museums projects.
Claire left the Smithsonian and worked for the president of the Getty Trust. She was based in Washington DC and traveled once a month to Los Angeles and the Getty Museum. She was asked to join a research group that directed cultural policy, and returned to Oregon when that was absorbed by a university.
Now Claire lives in Lake Oswego again, is married to Gene Evans, another Lakeridge grad, and works for a friend at a saddle shop - Gallops - in Tualatin. She designs advertising and enjoys her job. Please welcome Claire to our meetings.
MEMBER SANDY CARTER: Keeping Willamette Falls Locks Open
Sandy Carter is the past executive director and a current board member of the Willamette Falls Heritage Foundation. Sandy has been very involved with keeping the Willamette Falls Locks in operation.
When the locks were closed in January of 2008, supporters hoped that it would not become permanent. Now the Army Corps of Engineers budget has passed and the locks are under repair. Federal stimulus money was also provided to complete inspection and repairs. After repairs are completed next year, the Corps will determine a schedule of operation.
Sandy says "I'm so happy to be able to tell you that in early December the long and intensive hydraulic and steel structures safety inspection of the seven pairs of lock gates at Willamette Falls that kept the canal closed to the public in 2009 will be DONE. It seems that perseverance in pursuit of a worthy cause can eventually bear sweet fruit. We've been working to stabilize locks operations funding since 2002, and this massive, mandatory inspection was our biggest roadblock. We're going to use the platform of the 6th Lock Fest, May 15th, to celebrate the lock and canal's reopening for the 2010 boating season. It's, once again, a certifiably reliable transportation connection between upper and lower river communities. It can now resume its 136-year role as a resource to recreational, industrial/commercial, environmental and heritage tourism interests on the river.
| LWVCC PRESENT POSITIONS | Retain Position | Drop Position | Update Position | Restudy | Emphasize Action |
| GOVERNMENT - COUNTY | |||||
| Governmental Structure ’69, ’81, ’89, ’95 | |||||
| Library Facilities and Services 2000 | |||||
| Emergency/Disaster Planning & Preparedness 2008 | |||||
| GOVERNMENT - CITIES | |||||
| Lake Oswego City Charter ’72, ’79, ‘97 | |||||
| Lake Oswego City Library 1999 | |||||
| LAND USE PLANNING – NATURAL RESOURCES COUNTY | |||||
| Parks and Recreation – Lake Oswego 1967 | |||||
| Planned Unit Development – Lake Oswego 1970 | |||||
| Comprehensive Plan – West Linn 1974 | |||||
| East End Redevelopment – Lake Oswego 1981 | |||||
| Comprehensive Plan – Lake Oswego 1987 | |||||
| Lake Oswego Water System 1992 | |||||
| TRANSPORTATION – COUNTY | |||||
| Transportation and Traffic 1991 | |||||
| HUMAN RESOURCES - COUNTY | |||||
| Health 1974 | |||||
| Child Care 1979 | |||||
| Public Health Facilities in Clackamas County with Special Care for the Indigent 1985 | |||||
| HUMAN RESOURCES – CITIES | |||||
| Youth Activities for Lake Oswego and West Linn 1986 | |||||
| EDUCATION – COUNTY | |||||
| Clackamas Community College 1974 | |||||
| Communication and Citizen Involvement in Clackamas County School Districts 1978 | |||||
| EDUCATION – CITIES | |||||
| Elementary School Utilization – Lake Oswego 1983 | |||||
| Secondary School Utilization – Lake Oswego 1984 |
| LWVUS PRESENT POSITIONS | Retain Position | Drop Position | Update Position | Restudy | Emphasize Action |
| REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT | |||||
| VOTING RIGHTS | |||||
| Citizen’s Right to Vote 1982 | |||||
| DC Self-Government and Full Voting Representation ’82, 2000 | |||||
| ELECTION PROCESS | |||||
| Apportionment ’66, ‘82 | |||||
| Campaign Finance ’74, ‘82 | |||||
| Selection of the President ’70, ’82, 2004 | |||||
| CITIZEN RIGHTS | |||||
| Citizen’s Right to Know/Citizen Participation 1984 | |||||
| Individual Liberties 1982 | |||||
| Public Policy on Reproductive Choices 1983 | |||||
| CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENCY | |||||
| Congress ’72, ‘82 | |||||
| The Presidency ’76, ‘82 | |||||
| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | |||||
| United Nations ’77, 2000 | |||||
| Trade ’73, 2002 | |||||
| US Relations with Developing Countries 1986 | |||||
| Arms Control 1983 | |||||
| Military Policy and Defense Spending ’84, ‘86 | |||||
| NATURAL RESOURCES | |||||
| Natural Resources 1958 - 1986 | |||||
| Resource Management | |||||
| Environmental Protection and Pollution Control | |||||
| Public Participation | |||||
| Agriculture Policy | |||||
| SOCIAL POLICY | |||||
| Equality of Opportunity ’69, ’72, ’80, 89 | |||||
| Fiscal Policy ’84, ’85, ‘86 | |||||
| Health Care 1993 | |||||
| Immigration 2008 | |||||
| Meeting Basic Human Needs 1971 – 1988, ‘89 | |||||
| Child Care 1969 – 1988 | |||||
| Early Intervention for Children at Risk 1994 | |||||
| Violence Prevention 1994 | |||||
| Gun Control ’90, ’94, ‘98 | |||||
| Urban Policy ’79, ‘89 | |||||
| Death Penalty 2006 | |||||
January 2010 Calendar
January Unit Meetings: Program Planning
Tuesday , January 19 – 9:15 AM. Home of Ardis Stevenson: Unit Leader: Betty Barber (503-675-0594)
Wednesday, January 20 – 10:30 AM. Chapel Room, Terrace Building, 8605 SE Causey, near Clackamas Town Center. Unit Leaders: Jeanne Pulliam (503-594-2539) or Lenora Young (503-594-2321).
Wednesday, January 20 – 7:00 PM. Mary’s Woods, 17400 SW Holy Names Dr., Lake Oswego, Unit Leader: Jean Hoffman (503-697-0833)
Thursday, January 21 – 9:15 AM. Home of Sylvia Smith: Unit Leaders: Sherry Finnigan (503-636-5468) and Belinda Wilson (503-636-9339)
Friday, January 22 -- 9:30 AM. Willamette View, Plaza Building, Mt. Jefferson Room, 12795 SE River Road, Milwaukie, Unit Leader: June Routson (503-786-3856)
Saturday, January 23 -- 10:00 AM – Wy’east Book Shoppe, Welches, Unit Leader: Nancy Dougherty (503-622-4789)
Friday, January 29 – Lunch and Learn -- 11:45 AM -- Szechuan Kitchen, l5450 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego (l block south of the intersection of Kruse Way and Boones Ferry) Cost: $l2.00 for a family style lunch. Pay at the door. Cancellations will be billed. Reservations Deadline: 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 27. Contact Heather Drake at 503-245-1239 or htdrake@comcast.net.
Tuesday, January 26– Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting) Board Room, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
Tuesday, January 26 -- Special Election: Measures 66 & 67
February 2010 Calendar
Sunday, February 14 -- League of Women Voters 90th Birthday Celebration – 2:00 – 4:00 PM
February Unit Meetings: Local Libraries
Tuesday, February 16 – Saturday, February 20. Look for more details in the February Clackson.
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
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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