Clackson Newsletter
October 2011
In this Issue:
OCTOBER UNIT MEETINGS
THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION: PART ONE
Katie Lu, Study Chair
This month we start the national study on The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education. We are presenting the history of education in the United States and common core standards. Nine questions are to be covered.
Please attend and bring the material related to the study that you have received. It will be helpful to be able to refer to it as we go. We need your input in regard to this topic.
When Kathy Ludwig spoke on education at the LWV brunch she recommended two books for people who would like some more information. They are "Savage Inequalities" by Jonathan Kozol and "Catching Up or Leading the Way" by Yong Zhao.
Unit Meeting Schedule: October 17-21
Monday Night Unit meetings in October & November will be held at Oswego Point Condominiums Clubhouse from 5:30PM to 8PM. (5050 Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego). Bring your own brown bag dinner and drink. Betty Barber @ 503-675-0594 or Cheryl Smith @ 503-699-5250.
Wednesday Unit Meeting at 3PM at Mary’s Woods. Unit Leader: Jean Hoffman @ 503-697-0833.
Thursday AM Unit Meeting at Sylvia Smith’s home. Unit Leaders: Sherry Finnigan @ 503-636-5468 or Belinda Wilson @ 503-636-9339.
Friday 10AM Unit at Willamette View, 12705 SE River Road, Portland, will be held in the Jefferson Room in the Plaza Building (old Health building). Parking on each side of building. June Routson @ 503-786-3856 or Nancy Pratt @ 503-652-6583.
The Mountain Unit Meeting for OCTOBER meeting will be held on Friday, October 21 at 10AM. Unit Leaders: Nancy Dougherty @ 503-622-4789 and Pam Ashland @ 503-622-3568. Future units will meet on Saturdays.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Sherry Finnigan for the Executive Committee
Why do we love the League of Women Voters? For me, several experiences in the last months have brought it all back home. First was the exposure to the LWVUS Educational material (a lot of it and very comprehensive) and meeting with the local study committee. Five dedicated Leaguers, led by new board member (and fairly new member) Katie Lu are working hard to prepare for the October and November units. The material is complicated but understandable and again shows the level of expertise to which we are accustomed. This is the League at its best. The speaker at our Kickoff brunch, Kathy Ludwig, was excellent and gave us a great overview of the role of the Federal Government in Education. I think those of who were not teachers particularly benefited.
My second experience was far different but equally rewarding. My husband and I were buying plants at a very remote nursery in Pend Oreille County, Washington. The previous customer went out to his car but almost immediately came back in the greenhouse. Looking at me, he demanded, “Are you a member of the League of Women Voters?” Yes”, I said, “but how in the world did you know? He responded, “Well, your license plate holder! I need to shake your hand (which he did vigorously). I think the League of Women Voters is a fine organization and I always told my students, ‘Don’t believe the politicians – go to the League of Women Voters for information’.” I told him that my husband was also a member and then we stood back and listened to his tribute to our organization. It was a great affirmation – out of nowhere - of the group I know and love and have worked for for so many years.
So having told you what a great organization we belong to, I will add that, locally, we need help. Study committee members are always needed. One unfilled job is a Public Relations person who would be responsible for writing a short “blurb” to the local newspapers about our monthly programs. Maybe two- three hours a month but most needed! Another job is Action chair, coordinating action items at the three levels of League. Both these jobs could be on-board or off-board – up to you. Most board members are holding more than one portfolio already so help in these two areas is of great importance. Call one of us (Heather Drake, Lorie James, Karan Kuntz or Sherry Finnigan) to volunteer.
FOLLOW THE MONEY --- WE NEED YOUR HELP
JOIN OUR TEAM
Are you curious about a city’s budgeting processes, especially as it applies to the sources of funds and where some of these funds must be used? Our group of three is commencing a two-year study to investigate the budgeting processes of cities using Lake Oswego and West Linn as examples. We will review city charters, city council rules and perhaps state regulations regarding the sources of funding and how these dollars flow to certain city departments and services.
Our consensus document will describe the specific source and use of funds for Lake Oswego and West Linn. Included will be a list of issues and requirements that must be considered during the budget process. Interested? We are starting this month; call Mike Taylor at 503-344-4165 for more information.
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PROGRAM UPDATE
Karen Sherman, Program Chair
The 2011-2012 League year kicked off with a brunch featuring a dynamic and informative speaker, Kathy Ludwig, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction at West Linn-Wilsonville School District, who gave members and guests an historical overview of “The Federal Government’s Role in Education.” October’s units will focus on the core curriculum with consensus questions and November’s units will focus on funding with consensus questions.
The LWVUS study on “Privatization of Government Services, Assets, and Functions” will present at February units. This committee will start to meet very soon. Please contact program chair, Karen Sherman, at klsherman@comcast.net or at 503-636-8223 if you would like to volunteer to be on this committee.
This is a very busy year for program with opportunities for many varied interests. Other studies include the LWVOR “Coastal Management” Study, LWVCC “Funding Processes for City Services Using Lake Oswego and West Linn as Examples” Study, and LWVOR Restudy of the 1995 “Children at Risk” Position. Also, program planning presenters are needed to present local and national program planning in January and ballot measure presenters are needed to present ballot measures in April. Observers are always needed for monitoring city or county issues via cable TV or in person. Please contact program chair, Karen Sherman, for information or to volunteer for any of these opportunities.
SPECIAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 8
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
There are two ballot measures on the Nov. 8 ballot dealing with urban renewal districts in Clackamas County. One basic fact needs to be understood first: both of these measures deal with unincorporated areas only.
The county currently has the authority to administer urban renewal districts in unincorporated areas. Cities have their own codes and procedures for organizing and operating urban renewal districts.
Measure 3-386 is a citizen initiative which requires a public vote of all county residents on establishing a new urban renewal district and/or any changes to an existing one. It requires full disclosure of all finances, i.e. interest rates, indebtedness, expiration date, etc. The election would be at the normal primary and general election times. Proponents claim that county funds for education, police and fire have been diverted to urban renewal agencies without a vote of the citizens of the county.
Measure 3-388 is a referral from the Clackamas County commissioners which would require that residents within the boundaries of a potential urban renewal district in unincorporated Clackamas County must vote to approve it before it can be created. This allows residents who would be most affected by a new urban renewal district – and most familiar with the needs of an area – to vote. Proponents feel that requiring a county-wide vote will hurt our ability to create jobs and build and maintain the roads, sewers and sidewalks that business and people need; they feel this is not the right time to limit a proven job creation tool.
In the event both measures pass with 50+%, the one with the most votes will win. Ballots will be mailed around October 21.
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GRAPEFRUIT
GRAPEFRUIT |
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LEAGUE of WOMEN VOTERS |
Grapefruit Committee: |
Liz Leahy [503-699-2260] |
OCTOBER 2011 CALENDAR
Monday, 17 – Friday, 21 : Unit Meetings: The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education: Part One, History and Common Core Standards:
Monday, 17 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, Oswego Pont Condominiums Clubhouse, 5050 Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego. Bring your own brown bag dinner and drink. For information, contact Betty Barber (503-675-0594) or Cheryl Smith (503-699-5250). |
Wednesday, 19 |
3:00 PM, Mary’s Woods, 17400 SW Holy Names Drive, Lake Oswego. Unit Leader: Jean Hoffman (503-697-0833 |
Thursday, 20 |
9:15 AM, Sylvia Smith’s home. Unit Leaders: Sherry Finnigan (503-636-5468) or Belinda Wilson (503-636-9339). |
Friday, 21 |
10:00 AM, Willamette View, 12705 SE River Road, Portland. Meeting is to be held in the Plaza Building (old Health building) in the Jefferson Room. Parking on each side of building. June Routson (503-786-3856) or Nancy Pratt (503-652-6583). |
Friday, 21 |
10:00 AM, Wy’east Book Shoppe in Welches. Unit Leaders: Nancy Dougherty (503-622-4789) or Pam Ashland (503-622-3568). |
Saturday, 22: LWVOR Fall Workshop. 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM, Phoenix Inn, Eugene. For registration, see page 5.
Tuesday, 25: Board Meeting: 9:30 AM, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
NOVEMBER 2011 CALENDAR
Tuesday, 8: Special Election
Monday, 14 – Saturday, 19: Unit Meetings: The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education: Part Two. Details in the November Clackson.
Tuesday, 22: Board Meeting: 9:30 AM, Pacific West Bank, 2040 8th Avenue, West Linn.
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