Clackson Newsletter
March 2010
March Unit Meetings
Unit Choice
March brings the popular “unit choice” to our unit meetings. Each unit has chosen a subject, and most a speaker, of special interest to its attendees. All members are invited to attend any or all units. Catch up with people you don't regularly see and take advantage of the variety of topics.
The Lake Oswego Unit meeting on Tuesday, March 16 will host the Executive Director of Ride Connection. She will speak on transportation alternatives - choices other than driving or walking. The meeting will be held at 9:15 AM at the home of Ardis Stevenson.
The Wednesday March 17 morning meeting of the Causey Avenue Unit will host Brent Barton, District 51 Representative. The meeting is at 10:30 AM in the Chapel Room.
The Wednesday, March 17, Mary's Woods Unit is planning a trip to Willamette Locks. Contact Jean Hoffman for details.
The Lake Oswego Thursday, March 18 Unit meeting will focus on restructuring ideas for our League. The meeting will be held at the home of Sylvia Smith.
The Friday morning Willamette View Unit is planning to host a local legislator on March 19.
The Mountain Unit will meet on Saturday, March 20th at 10:00 AM at the WyEast Booke Shoppe. They will continue with library study and discuss ways to assist the Welches branch library.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Joan Batten, Executive Committee Member
We are busy getting ready for the Annual Meeting on the first Saturday in May. The budget committee and the nominating committee reported on their work. The workbook will be in the mail to you by April 5. Sherry Finnigan has taken on the job of getting it all together.
I hope you will all plan to attend. The 90th birthday party was a successful event. Pictures taken by Bob duBiel were published in the local newspapers. Thanks to all who helped with the party and found the time to attend. It was great to honor our 50 year members. We gave Marge Easley, our State president and one of our members, the winning picture from our 75th Anniversary celebration. It will be hung in the state office where many people will be able to enjoy it.
In March we have unit choice with many interesting meetings planned. You can attend one -- or even all of them. It's your choice!
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MARCH LUNCH & LEARN: CLIMATE CHANGE
From Hopenhagen to Nopenhagen:
Stories from Inside the Climate Change Negotiations
Heather Drake
Last December, Lewis & Clark Law School’s International Environmental Law Project sent a team of faculty and students to the Copenhagen climate change talks. Their mission was to provide legal advice to nongovernmental organizations and developing countries.
At the March Lunch & Learn meeting, Clinical Law Professor Erica Thorson will share a few of the most important stories from the Copenhagen Climate Change negotiations from an insider's perspective, including:
- the procedural morass of the negotiations and why the negotiations largely failed;
- what the state of the negotiations means for the Least Developing Countries, those most likely at risk from climate change;
- and the meeting's general lack of transparency and assault on public participation.
I hope you, along with any of your friends who have a passion for this issue, will join us for a revealing look into the world of international climate negotiations.
Date:March 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
The discussion of urban reserves continues. As Clackamas County works on their reserves, there will also be input from METRO and from the other counties in the Metro area. All of these groups must come to an agreement.
The Commissioners discussed the Clackamas County’s Local Streets Traffic Calming and Skinny Streets Program, asking should it be reviewed and revised. This program provides traffic calming – such as speed bumps – on arterial and connector roads.
The Department of Transportation and Development recommended reducing code violation fines in order to comply with new State regulations. Although the daily fines would be reduced, they can be fined on a daily basis that will still allow for stiff penalties for violations. The County Counsel agrees to this recommendation.
The Commissioners reviewed the Performance Review of the County Clerk’s Office. Recommendations were made to implement the recommendations made by the review team.
It was recommended that the County pursue obtaining funds from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program – which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The Vector Control District presented their audit of 2008-2009, their 2009 Annual Report, and their 2010 Work Plan.
The Parks and Recreation Department presented a new fee system for Barton Park to the Commissioners. It recommends a daily fee of $5 per car and it also limits the use of alcohol at the park.
The Transportation Department recommended the formation of an Area Commission of Transportation (ACT) for the rural areas outside of the Metro boundaries, including the small cities of Sandy, Estacada, Molalla, and Canby.
For more details, go to the County’s website and click on government. You can find both the written presentation papers and the recording of the work session. You can listen to the Commissioners and staff discuss these presentations.
SAVE THE DATE! ANNUAL MEETING |
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| When: Saturday, May 1, 2010 Time: 1:30 to 4:30PM Where: Lake Oswego Heritage House Why: Review the accomplishments of last year, review the new budget, make plans for next year, and visit with other Leaguers! |
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UPCOMING PLANT SALE!
It is still a few months off, but the board was discussing the Patio Party in June and we want to have a plant sale in conjunction with the party. It would be limited to the smaller plants that people could easily carry away with them.
When you break apart some of your plants this spring, please save us the starts. Pot them up and put them in a shady spot. By June, they should be established and grow well in another members yard. If you plant some pots with annuals, plant another one or two for the sale. It won't make a huge amount of money, but the garden tours proved that we have loads of members interested in their gardens.
SUNSHINE LESSONS: HOW OPEN IS OREGON GOVERNMENT?
A Public Forum
Saturday, March 20, 1 – 3 pm
Multnomah County Library, U.S. Bank Room
801 SW 10th, Portland
Thanks to the public-records advocacy of journalists, lawyers and politicos, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger recently announced changes aimed at improving government openness. What does this mean for concerned citizens? What should the next steps be? Join the Society of Professional Journalists in discussing the meaning of open, transparent government.
Moderator:
Lee van der Voo is an independent journalist based in Portland and serves as Sunshine Chair for the Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, promoting open records and government transparency.
Our panelists:
Therese Bottomly is an Open Oregon board member and, as a managing editor for The Oregonian, is the newsroom’s expert on the inclusion of reader interests in the paper’s daily decision making. In the past several years, she has focused on opening access to public records for the benefit of all Oregonians.
Tony Green, Oregon Department of Justice communications and policy director, is a spokesperson for John Kroger and helped launch the Attorney General Office’s government transparency initiative in December.
Norman Turrill is an active member of Open Oregon and the League of Women's Voters. He joined the LWV in Seattle in the 1970s when men were first invited to join and has remained active in issues regarding the public’s right to know.
ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
New Local Member |
New National Member |
| Rita Boyd | Clarethel Kahananui |
Rejoining Members |
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| Honor Denney | Dina Trachta |
BIRTHDAY PARTY RECAP
On February 14, forty some LWVCC members and guests celebrated the 90th birthday of the League of Women Voters of the US and of Oregon. Held at the Heritage House in Lake Oswego, it was a great opportunity to connect with old League friends and meet some new ones.
Honored guests included Marge Easley, LWVCC member and President of LWVOR, Betsy Pratt, LWV Portland President and Sally Moncrief, Lake Oswego City councilor and daughter of League member, Sue Trotter. Also honored were three fifty-year members of the League, Peggy Oliver, Nancy Tassock and Nancy Pratt. A fourth fifty-year member, Virginia Campbell, was unable to attend.
Lyn Gordon, LWVCC First Vice President, presented Easley with a picture drawn by Christie Lewis fifteen years ago in a contest sponsored by the League to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Gordon explained the picture “needs a wall’’ and hoped it could find a resting place in the state office for the near future.
Scrapbooks and other memorabilia were displayed so members could reminisce about earlier League activities. Attendees feasted on appetizers supplied by League members, a festive birthday cake and raised champagne glasses in salute to the League
March 2010 Calendar
March Unit Meetings: Unit Choice
Tuesday, March 16 – 9:15 am, Home of Ardis Stevenson. Unit Leader: Betty Barber (503-675-0594). Speaker: Executive Director of Ride Connection.
Wednesday, March 17 – 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. Speaker: Brent Barton, District 51 Representative.
Wednesday, March 17 -- Trip to Willamette Locks. Contact Jean Hoffman (503-697-0833) for details.
Thursday, March 18 -- 9:15 am. Home of Sylvia Smith. Unit Leaders: Sherry Finnigan (503-636-5468) and Belinda Wilson (503-636-9339) Topic: Restructuring ideas for our League.
Friday, March 19 -- 9:30 AM. Willamette View, Plaza Building, Mt. Jefferson Room, 12795 SE River Road, Milwaukie, Unit Leader: June Routson (503-786-3856). Speaker: Local legislator.
Saturday, March 20 -- 10:00 AM – Wy’east Book Shoppe, Welches, Unit Leader: Nancy Dougherty (503-622-4789). Discussion of ways to help Welches Library.
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 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 WednesdayMarch 24. Contact Heather Drake at 503-245-1239 or htdrake@comcast.net.
April 2010 Calendar
April Unit Meetings: TBA
Week of April 20 – 24
Tuesday, April 27– Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting) Board Room, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
Lunch and Learn: TBA
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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