Clackson Newsletter
October 2009
OCTOBER UNIT MEETINGS:
How Would You Spend $3,000?
How Would You Spend $3,000? This is the question for October Units. We have been given the opportunity to spend $3,000 with no strings attached. All we need to do is decide how to spend it.
The board did some brainstorming and has come up with a list of possibilities. Now we need your input.
What would you like to see LWVCC do that fits your passions and interests as well as the most pressing needs of our community?
Join your board and fellow League members at unit meetings the third week of October and together we will answer the question, “How would you spend $3,000?”
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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Lyn Gordon, Executive Committee
It is a beautiful late September day as I write this message on behalf of the executive committee. By the time this Clackson reaches you LWVCC will have kicked off its League year in a slightly different way. Instead of having a September evening potluck we had a September general meeting and will have an October luncheon hosted by the Mountain Unit. Hopefully many of you attended or will attend one or both of these League activities.
The LWVCC 2009-10 budget committee did something in a slightly different way as well. At the May 2009 Annual Meeting the budget committee presented a line item expenditure of $3,000 for a special project or projects and left open what that project(s) might be. At its July retreat the board brainstormed a long list of possibilities. From there the executive committee reviewed the list with a goal of merging ideas, where possible, for better focus and presented the refined list to the full board at the August board meeting. Now this listing of possible special projects will be the focus of our October unit meetings.
How do you, our members, want this money used – help for immigrants, on public relations, as seed money for a green fundraising tour, to purchase a projector and screen for power point presentations, in service to the community, scholarship money, in support of mock election, seed money for a long-term fundraiser, or something not listed here? Your executive committee views the special project(s) as an opportunity. An opportunity to do something that fits the passions and interests of our current members as well as the most pressing needs of our community.
Please join your board and fellow LWVCC members for further discussion of these and other possibilities at October units.
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Holiday Silent Auction:
Save Your Gift Cards!
The most popular items at the past two Christmas auctions have been gift cards! Save those unused gift debit cards and donate them to the year’s silent auction at the holiday brunch. (Please also keep some piece of paper that gives the worth of the card!).
Or, donate fun!
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Bridge lessons
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A weekend at your vacation home?
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A balloon ride?
Start thinking now!
Contact Sarah Chaplen
H (503) 635-8729
W (503) 252-2500
Clackamas County Commissioners Corner
Pam Ashland, Observers
The Clackamas County Commissioners had two work sessions in September due to conventions, workshops, and vacations. They discussed the urban and rural reserves, and recommendations were made to Metro. They are in the process of developing their strategic plan for the County. They are working on a plan to consolidate public housing projects with support coming from Hope VI funds. They received recommendations from the Trees Task Force. They are finalizing the scope of the County Administrator’s job definition and will begin a nationwide search to fill the job.
Here is how you can access information from the Commissioners’ work sessions on-line. The County website is www.co.clackamas.or.us. Then click on government. Then click on
weekly schedule. It will tell you what is happening this week, with a description of the presentations. Click on staff presentations and then click on pdf; this will give you the description of the presentation. All work session presentations are taped and then available the following week. Just click on pod and you can listen to the Commissioners’ work session for that presentation. When you go to the site, you will be able to see at least two months of past presentations. The work sessions are designed to inform and offer advice to the Commissioners. They then can make final decisions at their Thursday business meeting – which is broadcast on cable television. You can follow the staff presentation from a work session to the completed project at the business meeting. All this information is available on line at the touch of your fingers. Feel free to explore the Clackamas County website and learn more about your local government
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GRAPEFRUIT ORDER NOW – ENJOY LATER
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Pink Grapefruit Sale 2009 Rio Star Sweet Texas Grapefruit |
Image © Joanna Barnum Grapefruit Committee:
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Once again it is time for the LWVCC Grapefruit Fundraiser. YOU can make it a success. BUY/SELL boxes of GRAPEFRUIT by November 20, 2009. At $17 for a 20lb box of tasty grapefruit the sales should be fairly easy and the profits will be used for LWVCC voters’ service projects. |
ACTION
Joan Batten, Action Chair
At the general meeting on the 23rd we were inspired by two of the state action team telling what happened at the last legislative session and plans for the future monitoring monthly committee meetings and a legislative one-month session in February. You can get involved in those activities. Some can be done from your computer at home. Think about it!
This month's action has centered on Health Care Reform. We responded to requests from both National and State Calls to Action on the need to pass real health care reform that guarantees quality, affordable health care to all U.S. residents and allows consumers to choose a government-administered health insurance plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance plans. We sent an op-ed letter to the newspapers in the County. Some have already published it. We also wrote to our Senators and Representatives asking their support for health care legislation. It is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system, and all Americans must have health care coverage, including the choice of a quality, affordable public insurance plan.
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. The LWVUS press release is included in this issue. More information is available at the National League web site.
There are other areas where we should be taking action locally at both the city and county level. If you are interested in joining an Action Committee, please let me know by calling or e-mailing 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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Growing our Grassroots – LWVOR Fall Workshop
Saturday, October 17, 2009
First United Methodist Church
1376 Olive St., Eugene
9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
This year’s LWVOR Fall Workshop will offer ways to expand League’s reach as well as improve our effectiveness as an organization. Highlights of the day’s agenda include:
- Valuable talking points to counter those trying to repeal the legislative tax measures, details of those measures and why they are needed
- A communication expert to tell us “How to Reach an Audience in Today’s World”
- LWVOR Technology Committee discussing tools to optimize League’s outreach and “technology stations” to familiarize you with helpful computer tools and social media. Bring your laptop if you have one.
- Sharing of innovative ideas with other Leagues
- Interactive discussion on how League can promote civil discourse on controversial issues
We will be working on carpooling for those who will be attending. A reservation form can be found on page 7. Additional information and a reservation form can also be found in the LWVOR Fall Voter.
Calendar
Saturday. October 3 – Fall Kick-off – 11:30 AM. Speaker: Darlene Hooley, former US Representative. Rendezvous Grill, Welches. RSVP by October 1 to Nancy Dougherty at 503-622-4789 or nndougherty@earthlink.net; Pam Ashland at 503-622-3568 or misschattr@verizon.net. To carpool meet at the Oregon Trail Shopping Center, near the Oregon City Exit off I-205, by 10:30 AM.
Saturday, October 17 – LWVOR Fall Workshop – 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. First United Methodist Church 1376 Olive St., Eugene. Reservations by October 9.
October Unit Meetings: How Would You Spend $3,000?
Tuesday, October 20 –9:15 AM. Home of Ardis Stevenson. Unit Leader: Betty Barber (503-675-0594)
Wednesday, October 21 – 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.
Thursday, October 22 – 9:15 AM. Home of Sylvia Smith. Unit Leaders: Sherry Finnigan (503-636-5468) and Belinda Wilson (503-636-9339)
Thursday, October 22 – 7:00 PM. Mary’s Woods, 17400 SW Holy Names Dr., Lake Oswego, Unit Leader: Jean Hoffman (503-697-0833). Note: This is a one time change of meeting day.
Fri., October 23 -- 9:30 AM. Willamette View, Plaza Building, Mt. Jefferson Room, 12795 SE River Road, Milwaukie, Unit Leader: June Routson (503-786-3856)
Sat., October 24 -- 10:00 AM. Wy’east Book Shoppe, Welches, Unit Leader: Nancy Dougherty (503-622-4789)
Tuesday, October 27– Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting) Board Room, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
Tuesday, November 3 – Local Election Day
November 17-21 --Unit Meetings: January Special Election (tentative)
Tuesday, November 24– Board Meeting – 9:15 am (social), 9:30 am (meeting) Board Room, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
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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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