Clackson Newsletter
November2009
November Unit Meetings
DEFEND OREGON AN ADVOCACY PRESENTATION
November program will be an advocacy presentation in support of ballot measurers 66 & 67. Defend Oregon is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to a fairer tax system in Oregon. The League of Women Voters of Oregon is a member of the Defend Oregon Coalition and supports a Yes Vote on January 26, 2010.
Here is what the measures do:
- Protect basic services including, education, healthcare, and public safety
- Preserve about $1 billion of funding for these vital services
- Preserve and create Oregon jobs
- Protect working class families and small businesses
- Creates tax break for about 280,000 people by exempting the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits
95% of businesses will see an increase of $0 - $140 in income taxes – Corporate minimum tax (unchanged since 1931) changes from $10 - $150.
97.5% of taxpayers will not see an increase in their taxes.
Our guest presenter is Sarah Allsbrooks, an outreach organizer for Defend Oregon. Please join Sarah and fellow League members at one of the listed meetings as we defend Oregon.
Wednesday, November 18,
10:30 AM
Chapel Room, Terrace Building, Town Center Villages
8605 SE Causey Avenue, Happy Valley
Thursday, November 19, 9:15 AM
The Clubhouse at Oswego Point Condominiums
Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego
Saturday, November 21, 10:00 AM
Wy’east Book Shoppe and Art Gallery
67195 East Highway 26, Welches
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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sherry Finnigan, Executive Committee
Some League members are technologically savvy and other of us not so much! I put myself in the latter category but was encouraged to go on line and check out the new LWVCC website. (www.lwvclackamas.org). The new site was designed by League member Emily Medley in the spring and was up and running in mid-summer. For those of you who have not yet logged on, this is a treat for the eye and easy to navigate. Look for the misty blue sky with Mt. Hood in the background. On the site you will find pages for our Events, the current newsletter, Voting Information, Clackamas County government information, our Positions, How to Join and How to Donate. We much appreciate Karan Kuntz’s Webmaster efforts to keep the site up to date and for donating the monthly fee.
More technology! Nine LWVCC members made the trip down the valley to Eugene on October 17 to the state workshop. In the morning we heard a speaker from Defend Oregon speaking on the tax measures we will be voting on in January and heard State President, Marge Easley, speak on civil discourse. The afternoon was devoted to technological pursuits such as learning about Facebook, Storybank, and how to do Power Point presentations. Most of the technologically impaired felt better when the lunch speaker, a retired professor from the University of Oregon in Information Services, confided she thought Twitter was a waste of time.
Once again, the makeup of the Executive committee has changed. Pam Ashland, who was elected as 1st Vice President and who was serving on the Executive Committee, resigned both these positions in early October. At the October board meeting, the board agreed that Lyn Gordon would take over as 1st Vice President and Pam would continue on board with the Observers portfolio. Lorie James will fill in the fifth spot on the committee. The committee is meeting the second week of the month, using the time to set the board meeting agenda and attend to timely issues. As a sort of board training exercise, we have begun to ask newer board members to join us as we sort out the month’s work.
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!
WINTER PARTY SILENT AUCTION
Now is the time to put on your donor hat for the winter party silent auction. Get out of the rut and look for new things and activities! We already have offers of computer support, “modern up-to-date games playing lessons”, Christmas gift baskets, activity debit cards…..
Suggestions for giving include plane rides, dinners, power washing /vac services, pool parties (both kinds), vacation home weekends, restaurant and activity debit cards, providing desserts or a dinner, knitting, craft lessons, a calligraphy or scrapbook party, gift cards. Call me and we’ll get your offering in the loop. Sarah Chaplen (503-635-8729).
Save the Date
Winter Holiday Brunch
Saturday, December 12th
9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
Clackamas Meeting and Banquet Facility
The Holidays are almost upon us and soon it will be time to celebrate the season with League friends, old and new, so invite a guest or two.
It’s not confirmed, but our plan is to have a speaker from the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge come and talk about the Great Backyard Bird Count, which takes place February 12-15, 2010.
Our traditional raffle and silent auction will be part of the fun. Sherry & Matt Finnigan will organize the raffle items. New and gently used items are welcome – handcrafted items, Christmas decorations, and gift baskets have proved very popular in the past. Tickets for the raffle will continue to be $1, for a single, $5 for six. Sarah Chaplen will be in charge of the silent auction. Sarah is looking for such items as gift cards, a weekend at your vacation home, or something creative like a balloon ride.
Reservations are required by Monday, December 7. The banquet facility needs to know how much food to prepare and we look forward to seeing who is coming, so reserve early. The cost is $13.00.
- Reservations: Lyn Gordon at 503-636-9383 or lyngordon48@comcast.net
- Raffle items: Sherry & Matt Finnigan at 503-636-5468 or Cheryl Borden at 503-723-4257
- Silent Auction: Sarah Chaplen at 503-635-8729
- Where: Clackamas Meeting and Banquet Facility (in the Denny’s building), 15815 SE 82nd Drive, Clackamas, Oregon
- Directions: from I-205, exit 12. Head east, immediate left turn onto 82nd Drive. Left into Denny’s parking lot. Meeting is on the right/north side of the building.
Winter Party Raffle
As many of you will remember, the winter party raffle and silent auction are easy and lucrative ways of fundraising for the League. This is a good time to clean out a closet or two for some wonderful item. They can be new or gently used items such as Christmas decorations, decorative household items, baskets filled with goodies, plants, and handwork. To make our job easier, we really have to know you are bringing the item prior to the party. Optimum for us is having the item in hand before the date and we will transport it for you! There will also be a signup sheet at the November units to indicate what you are bringing.
Cheryl Borden and Sherry Finnigan will be in charge of the raffle. So please, call Cheryl (503-723-4257) or Sherry (503-636=-5468) to give us a heads up!
GRAPEFRUIT ORDER NOW – ENJOY LATER
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Pink Grapefruit Sale 2009 Rio Star Sweet Texas Grapefruit |
Image © Joanna Barnum Grapefruit Committee: |
There is still time to get your order in. We hope to match our sales of last year. To date, orders total 126 boxes of which Bill Walter has been responsible for 28% and Keith Zilk, 14%. Thanks for your support! |
ACTION
Joan Batten, Action Chair
Health Care Reform is still in the spotlight. We responded to a National Action Alert on the need to pass a public option in the House. A letter was sent regarding the League's support of the public option as part of health care reform.
Please call, e-mail or write a letter to your members of congress in support of passage of health care reform legislation and the inclusion of a public option. You can also write your own letter to the editor of your local newspaper. The Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings are very good about printing the letters they receive, so your efforts would likely result in publication. More information is available at the National League web site.
The State League is part of a coalition called Defend Oregon. We have received a request to be part of an effort to have individuals sign a pledge to Vote YES on the corporate tax measures that will be on the ballot in January. Our November units will be presented by Defend Oregon. It is easy to sign the pledge on the web at www.DefendOregon.org. If you don't have access to a computer, call Defend Oregon at 503-234-0444 to get a form.
I am still waiting for a response from YOU to be part of a local Action Committee. Call or e-mail Joan Batten, 503 639-4064 or joanbatten@msn.com.
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LWVUS PRESS RELEASE - 8/19/09
PUBLIC OPTION IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH REFORM
"The public option in health care reform may not be essential to bureaucrats or insurance companies but it absolutely is essential to the almost 47 million uninsured Americans who live day to day without health care coverage," said League of Women Voters National President Mary G. Wilson. Calling on Congress and the President not to succumb to the bullying tactics being used by special interest groups, Wilson urged Congress and the President not to waver in their support of the public option included in H.R.3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, recently passed by three House committees.
America is facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves millions of Americans without any coverage. Wilson said, "The current health care system is endangering our economy, our health, and our national security. Last fall, voters elected a Congress and President that promised to reform our health care system. Voters made it clear that they want a change in our health care system, a change that puts the brakes on the excesses created by a system dominated by large insurance companies."
'It is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system and a public option will make that possible for Americans who cannot obtain coverage through the traditional employer-sponsored plans. We believe that health care reform legislation must guarantee access to comprehensive and essential benefits to all U.S. residents."
"But the possibility of universal coverage is not the only advantage of the public option. We must control costs and the public option is the best chance to bring costs into line with reality. As a nation, we are spending $1 out of every $6 we earn on health care. Over the last three decades, increases in the amount we spend on health care have consistently risen faster than wages and inflation. Health care reform must provide effective cost controls, equitable distribution of services and allow for efficient and economical delivery of care. Offering everyone the choice of a government administered health insurance plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance plans is key to lowering costs."
"The public option is critical to health care reform. Now is not the time for politicians to get cold feet just because a handful of special-interest-backed protesters spread lies and make noise at public forums. Congress and the President need to demonstrate real leadership and move forward with true health care reform."
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November 2009 Calendar
Tuesday, November 3 – Local Election Day
November Unit Meetings: January Special Election: An Advocacy Presentation
Please note changes in times and locations for November unit meetings. Because we are inviting an outside speaker from DEFEND OREGON, there will be only three meetings.
Wednesday, November 18, 10:30 AM
Chapel Room, Terrace Building, Town Center Villages
8605 SE Causey Avenue, Happy ValleyThursday, November 19, 9:15 AM
The Clubhouse at Oswego Point Condominiums
Foothills Drive, Lake OswegoSaturday, November 21, 10:00 AM
Wy’east Book Shoppe and Art Gallery
67195 East Highway 26, Welches
Tuesday, November 24– Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting)
Board Room, Pacific West Bank,
2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
December 2009 Calendar
Saturday, December 12th, -- Winter Holiday Brunch --9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon Clackamas Meeting and Banquet Facility,
15815 SE 82nd Drive, Clackamas, Oregon
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
Pacific West Bank | 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn
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