Clackson Newsletter
January 2012
In this Issue:
A Message From Your Executive Committee
Save the Date: General Meeting
Grapefruit: Another Successful Fundraiser
Mark Hatfield Distinguished Historians Forum
January Units: Program Planning: January 16 - 21
Karen Sherman, Program
Hope your holiday season was joyous and you are all ready for a new year filled with interesting and thought provoking ideas. Program this current year is filled with new studies and updates which keeps our members engaged and active. To continue this for the year ahead, we need yourinput this month at unit meetings when we do program planning for both our local and national Leagues.
At January units we will discuss retaining, dropping, updating, restudying, or taking action on our local (LWVCC) positions and on our regional positions (which we hold with LWV of East Multnomah County and the Portland League).
LWVUS is no longer asking local leagues to adopt existing program, although convention delegates will continue to do so. Local and state Leagues and ILO’s have the option to propose one new study, or one review and update, or one concurrence or to make no recommendation.
When proposing new studies, please consider the following:
- Issues that are important to you, have a wide appeal, and would attract new members.
- Will the study lead to a solid position upon which to take action?
- Is there the volunteer time and financial resources to complete a successful study?
Currently we have only one local study underway so additional ideas are very welcome!
Please bring this Clackson with the grids on pages 4 and 5 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 is available at www.lwvclackamas.org – click on Issues and then on Positions.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Karan Kuntz for the Executive Committee
Happy New Year to all! The League of Women Voters of Clackamas County has a busy schedule for winter and spring 2012. January units will plan for the coming year, readopting existing positions and considering new studies or updates to be voted on at Annual Meeting. February features a General Meeting on February 21 at 10:00 AM with attorney Charlie Hinkle speaking about the Citizens United case. In the spring two studies will be presented for consensus: the LWVUS Privatization study and the LWVOR Coastal Management study. And of course, Patio Party rounds out the year in June.
Since 2012 is a Presidential election year, Voter Service will be an important part of League activity. A number of states have passed laws that tend to make voting more difficult for various groups of citizens. LWVUS has been following this issue closely, urging action against these laws. LWVUS recently issued Election Year Resolutions/Hopes for the coming year:
- Ensure all eligible voters are registered to vote and can exercise their right to vote without having to overcome unnecessary and restrictive hurdles.
- Educate the electorate on the candidates and issues on their ballots and help them find their polling place.
- Encourage informative and productive debates between candidates so voters can learn about their elected representatives through more than just sound bites.
- Fight to make sure election outcomes are decided by voters, not by special interest money.
- Promise clean air for children and their families, and change the discussion to the important issues facing Americans in 2012.
As Oregon’s primary election (May 15, 2012) approaches, look for Vote411, League’s online voters guide. Luana Luther, a former LWVCC president who has recently returned to Lake Oswego, will oversee Clackamas County’s entries on this valuable site.
Last but not least, be sure to visit the newly redesigned League of Women Voters of Oregon web sites, www.lwvor.org and www.VoteOregon.org. Valuable member information is available on the lwvor.org site, but members must establish a unique user name and password and await approval to access the members-only portion of the site.TOP
SAVE THE DATE: GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2,10:00 AM
Please remember to save the morning of Tuesday, February 21 at 10 AM for an informative General Meeting presentation on the Citizens United case presented by attorney Charlie Hinkle. We will meet at the Bolton Fire Station in West Linn. There will be no units in February.
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ACTION: CANBY LIBRARY BUDGET
Joan Batten, Action
Our revised library position was adopted at our board retreat in June. When I delivered our final copies of the library study to Wilsonville librarian, I told him we had testified at Lake Oswego on library funding. He said that the Canby library was having major financial problems. I contacted the Canby librarian with an offer of support. The following testimony was sent to their first budget meeting held on November 29. It was also printed in the Canby Herald.
TO: CANBY BUDGET COMMITTEE
The League of Women Voters of Clackamas County urges Canby to provide additional financial support for library services. We believe the amount deducted from Library District revenue to pay for general overhead services to be excessive. Our concern is based on a recently completed re-study of the libraries of Clackamas County. Changes to library funding occurred after the formation of the County Library District. As a result of our study, the board adopted a revised position that "encourages additional support by cities in order to achieve a higher level of library services."
The League is concerned that in Canby funds coming from the library levy have been significantly reduced by charges for internal services. In the past three years, Canby has tripled the amount of these transfers. For FY
11-12 the library was allocated $221,842 internal services transfers. This is almost 30% of the library district revenue of $740,305. Of the 13 libraries in the District, only 5 make internal transfers from district funds. The County with 2 libraries deducts almost 10% ($257,494 from $2,644,238 in district revenue), Mollala deducts .019% ($12,665 from $664,016 in district revenue) and Oregon City deducts .066% ($11,604 from $1,747,746 in district revenue) .
All the city-operated LINCC libraries benefit from some form of support from their cities. Some municipalities are able to provide cash support from their general funds to augment the operational funds provided by the library district. Others, who do not have the means to provide cash support, provide in-kind services, or charge a minimal amount for such services.
Canby has finally been able to meet the minimum standards for libraries established by the Oregon Library Association after years of inadequate service levels. Canby is still below the "threshold" level standard. It is important to the other libraries in the County that Canby remains a viable operation. All libraries share their collections and benefit from increased collections and inter-library cooperation. Libraries provide vital and important services to all our communities. The League encourages the City of Canby to provide as much additional support as possible for the Canby Public Library so that it can continue to serve its citizens and reach the minimum service standards.
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League of Women Voters of Clackamas County Positions
LWVCC POSITIONS – January 2012 |
RETAIN |
DROP |
UPDATE |
RESTUDY |
ACTION |
GOVERNMENT - COUNTY |
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Governmental Structure ’69, ’81,’89,’95 |
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Library Facilities and Services 2000, ‘11 |
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Emergency/Disaster Planning & Preparedness 2008 |
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GOVERNMENT - CITIES |
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Lake Oswego City Charter ’72, ’79, ‘97 |
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Lake Oswego City Library 1999 |
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LAND USE PLANNING – NATURAL RESOURCES COUNTY |
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Long Range Comprehensive Planning 1973 |
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Land Use 1974 |
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Parks and Open Space 1975 |
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Local Improvement Districts 1977 |
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Economic Impact of Growth 1979 |
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Water 2004 |
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LAND USE PLANNING – NATURAL RESOURCES WEST CO. |
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Growth and Infill ’91, ‘92 |
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Stafford Area 1993 |
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Tree Ordinance 2001 |
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LAND USE PLANNING – NATURAL RESOURCES CITIES |
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Parks and Recreation – Lake Oswego 1967 |
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Planned Unit Development – Lake Oswego 1970 |
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Comprehensive Plan – West Linn 1974 |
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East End Redevelopment – Lake Oswego 1981 |
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Comprehensive Plan – Lake Oswego 1987 |
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Lake Oswego Water System 1992 |
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TRANSPORTATION – COUNTY |
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Transportation and Traffic 1991 |
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HUMAN RESOURCES - COUNTY |
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Health 1974 |
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Child Care 1979 |
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Public Health Facilities in CC w/Special Care for Indigent 1985 |
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HUMAN RESOURCES – CITIES |
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Youth Activities & Facilities for Lake Oswego & West Linn 1986 |
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EDUCATION – COUNTY |
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Clackamas Community College 1974 |
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Communication & Citizen Involvement CC School Dist. 1978 |
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EDUCATION – CITIES |
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Elementary School Utilization – Lake Oswego 1983 |
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Secondary School Utilization – Lake Oswego 1984 |
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REGIONAL (held with EMCO & LWV Portland) |
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Promotion of Orderly Metro. Government ’67,’79,’94, 2000 |
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Metropolitan Government ’92,’94, 2000 |
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Regional Planning and Governance 1996 |
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Urban Growth Management ’92,’94, 2000 |
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Metropolitan Transportation ’77,’87,’94,’98 |
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Port of Portland ’75,’94 |
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Solid Waste ’72,’85,’94 |
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TOP
LWVUS POSITIONS
LWVUS PRESENT POSITIONS |
Retain |
Drop |
Update |
Restudy |
Emphasize |
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT |
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VOTING RIGHTS |
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Citizen’s Right to Vote 1982 |
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DC Self-Government and Full Voting Representation ’82, 2000 |
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ELECTION PROCESS |
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Apportionment ’66, ‘82 |
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Campaign Finance ’74, ‘82 |
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Selection of the President ’70, ’82, 2004, 2010 |
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CITIZEN RIGHTS |
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Citizen’s Right to Know/Citizen Participation 1984 |
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Individual Liberties 1982 |
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Public Policy on Reproductive Choices 1983 |
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CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENCY |
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Congress ’72, ‘82 |
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The Presidency ’76, ‘82 |
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS |
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United Nations ’77, 2002 |
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Trade ’73, 2002 |
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US Relations with Developing Countries 1986 |
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Arms Control 1983, 2010 |
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Military Policy and Defense Spending ’84, ‘86 |
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NATURAL RESOURCES |
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Natural Resources 1958 - 1986 |
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Resource Management |
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Environmental Protection and Pollution Control |
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Public Participation |
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Agriculture Policy |
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SOCIAL POLICY |
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Equality of Opportunity ’69, ’72, ’80, ’89, 2010 |
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Fiscal Policy ’84, ’85, ‘86 |
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Health Care 1993 |
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Immigration 2008 |
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Meeting Basic Human Needs 1971 – 1988, ‘89 |
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Child Care 1969 – 1988 |
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Early Intervention for Children at Risk 1994 |
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Violence Prevention 1994 |
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Gun Control ’90, ’94, ‘98 |
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Urban Policy ’79, ‘89 |
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Death Penalty 2006 |
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GRAPEFRUIT: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER
Sonja Kollias, Grapefruit Committee Chair
Grapefruit season came to a successful end with 196 boxes of Texas Rio Star grapefruit sold to 140 buyers of which 29% were LWVCC members. Thank you to all who participated, particularly to Lee Stevenson (Stevenson & Associates, Inc.) who once again was a major purchaser. A special thank you goes to committee members Keith Zilk, Belinda Wilson, Barbara Browningand Liz Leahy who have been instrumental in the sales and distribution of the grapefruit for 4 seasons now. Bill Walter was a key committee member during the first 3 seasons.
TOP
LUNCH AND LEARN:FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
Join us Friday, January 27, 20l2 at 11:30 AM, at Tucci’s, 220 A Avenue in Lake Oswego for a gourmet meal ordered individually from the menu at the price of $15.00. Seating is limited so call early for reservations to Lorie James, 503-638-3207 or 503-638-7038.
Our speaker Anna Plaster and her program were featured in the Oregonian recently. They serve food to needy people in Clackamas County from a 40 ft. renovated school bus. Great community service and recycling idea.
MARK O. HATFIELD DISTINGUISHED HISTORIANS FORUM
In this centennial year of Oregon's achievement of women's suffrage, the Oregon Historical Society has invited Lynn Sherr of ABC News Magazine 20/20 to speak about Susan B. Anthony, the subject of two of her books, at their Distinguished Historians Forum. The lecture is Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the First Congregational Church in Portland at 7:00 pm (new time). Ticket sales are handled exclusively through BoxOfficeTickets.com. Contact Nancy Murray if you would like to carpool, and wear a League of Women Voters button proudly!
THANK YOU, CORPORATE AFFILIATES
Lake Oswego
Accessories from the heart
220 ’A’ Avenue, Suite 100
Lake Oswego, 97034
http://www.accessoriesfromtheheart.com/
Backyard Bird Shop, Inc.
16949 S.W. 65th Ave.
Lake Oswego, 97035
http://www.backyardbirdshop.com/
Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst
17400 Holy Names Dr.
Lake Oswego, 97034
http://www.maryswoods.com/
Otak, Inc.
17355 SW Boones Ferry Rd.
Lake Oswego, 97035
http://www.otak.com/
Portland
Generations - Town Center Village
8801 SE Causey Avenue, Ste 1
Portland, OR 97086
http://www.towncentervillage.com/
Sandy
Strand Tea Company
PO Box 580
Sandy, OR 97055
http://www.strandtea.com/shop/info_2.html
Synergy Consulting Inc.
729 NE Oregon St., Suite 125
Portland, 97232
http://www.synergyhq.com/index.html
Welches
Wy’east Book Shoppe and Art Gallery
67195 E US Highway 26
Welches, OR 97067
West Linn
Words Count – Editing & Writing
2555 Dillow Drive
TOP
Monday, 16 - Saturday, 21 : Unit Meetings: Program Planning
Monday, January 16, 5:30 PM: Come for soup! Soup supper will be served at 5:30, followed by a program planning presentation and discussion at 6:00 pm. Soup, bread, and wine will be provided for $5.00. Place: Nancy Murray’s 2220 Hillside Drive, Lake Oswego. PLEASE (as in must) reserve a place with Nancy by Friday, January 13 (503-635-6456 or n.murray.01@hotmail.com). Unit Leader: Betty Barber 503-675-0594. |
Tuesday, 24: Board Meeting: 9:30 AM, Pacific West Bank,
Friday, 27: Lunch & Learn: 11:30 AM, Tucci’s, 220 A Avenue, Lake Oswego
FEBRUARY 2012 CALENDAR
Tuesday, 7: Day at the Legislature: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Oregon State Capitol, Salem; reservations due by Tuesday January 31.
Tuesday, 21:General Meeting: 10:00 AM, Bolton Fire Station, West Linn
Tuesday, 28: Board Meeting: 9:30 AM, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.