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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 2016)
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sisters Habitat lobbies in Salem Sisters Habitat for Humanity representatives participated in the sec- ond annual “Habitat at the Capitol” lobby day last Wednesday and Thursday in Salem. Thirty people were orga- nized by Habitat Oregon from affiliates around the state. They testified on a panel at a hearing of the House Committee on Human Services and Housing and participated in 42 legislative visits to ask for support of a statewide mortgage-leverag- ing program. House Bill 4064 would set up a structure to allow local affiliates to sell mortgages to Habitat Oregon. This would provide much-needed capital to build more homes or buy land. The Habitat “lobbyists” also asked their representa- tives to support the repeal of ORS 197.309, an Oregon law that prevents local govern- ments from using an afford- able-housing strategy called inclusionary zoning. Oregon and Texas are the only states which do not allow local communities to decide if they want to require develop- ers to set aside a percentage of homes for people with low incomes. Habitat announces new board president photo provided Sharlene Weed, Clark Brody, Robin tawney, Dwight krumme, korina huffman and gene Whisnet in Salem for “habitat at the Capitol.” The Sisters Habitat con- tingent was made up of Executive Director Sharlene Weed, Board President Clark Brody, and hom- eowner/ReStore Manager Robin Tawney. They met with Representative John Huffman’s wife, Korina; Representative Gene Whisnant; and Senator Ted Ferrioli. “It was fun to spend time at the Capitol advocat- ing for Habitat. We had a warm reception from our 11 representatives” Weed said. “The mortgage leveraging bill has overwhelming sup- port. If the leveraging bill does pass, we will be able to sell a mortgage every couple years. This will allow Sisters Habitat to build an additional house or purchase additional land for build- ing.” Weed noted that “the repeal of the inclusionary zoning legislation looks to have a more difficult path with the builders’ lobby against it.” Former Habitat Board The former music teacher, President Toni Landis passed principal, and deputy super- the gavel to Clark Brody last intendent of the Oregon month, sharing how heart- Department of Education warming it is for her to be has lived in the Sisters area involved with such a giving with his wife, Barbara, since community. 2010. He also supports Circle She will continue as a of Friends and has enjoyed board member and member singing with the Sisters of the building committee. High Desert Chorale in the Brody steps into the presi- past. Habitat also welcomed dent’s role after serving as new board members Roger vice-president in 2015. Fairfield and Chuck Harper. “Our hearts are knit together by a com- mon purpose. Collectively each of us contributes to a cause much bigger than our- selves. Our great- est reward is see- ing lives changed through home ownership. My greatest hope is that we accom- plish our mission with integrity,” Brody said when he addressed the Habitat staff and board members at photo provided the January board toni Landis passed the gavel to Clark Brody. meeting.
