Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1973)
Group meets to organize Chicano ‘education chapter’ By SCOTT DALTON Of the Emerald The first meeting of the Oregon Chicano Educators Association (OCEA) was held in 111 Fenton Hall at the University on Saturday. The meeting began at 10 a.m. and was attended by a group of about 25 persons. Leading the discussion was Juan Guzman, President of OCEA. The purpose of the first meeting was to help establish an OCEA chapter in Eugene. A variety of topics were discussed at the meeting in cluding the need to put pressure on the local school districts, development of membership rules, and identification of Chicano students. Part of the OCEA program will be to help students receive scholarships and to develop job openings in Oregon. The state leaders encouraged Eugene residents to meet to organize a chapter and elect officers. The local chapter will begin recruiting drives in four different areas: educators and professionals in education, college students, Chicanos from the community at large, and members of the broadcast media. During a break in the proceedings, Guzman explained some of the goals and problems of the OCEA. According to Guzman, the association was started in May of 1973. “This is our first official meeting,” he said of the Eugene gathering. He added that OCEA Juan Guzman hopes to get four chapters started this fall. The group is based from Mt. Angel College in Mt. Angel, Ore. Guzman was asked by the Emerald to explain who Chicanos were as a group. “I would de fine Chicanos as people of Spanish speaking ancestry,” he said. He noted however, that many im migrants from Latin American countries or Mexico feel a much stronger sense of identity with their old homelands. “We may not be able to reach them, but we can help their children,” said Guzman. He noted that the term “Chicano” was coined by Spanish speaking people in the United States. He compared it to the establishment of a “Black” identity by Americans of African ancestry. “My family has been in America for three generations,” said Guzman, “this is my home.” Guzman complained that many people in the greater community emphasize the differences bet ween the various groups rather than the similarities. “People of Spanish speaking background really have the same problems,” he said. Guzman pointed out that education for Chicano students can be very difficult because of their need to learn a second language. “You know how difficult it is to speak anything in a language class,” said Guzman, “well, that is how it is for Chicanos in every class.” OCEA also puts out a monthly newsletter with information and editorials on the progress of the organization. Also attending the meeting were Alicia Romeriz, Consultant for the Northwest Educational Technical Lab in Portland and Alfonso Cabrera, assistant director of SESAMEX. OSPIRG charges sales \fraud ’ in Top Ranch land promotion By LEE SIEGEL Of the Emerald American jrvict men overseas are being defrauded by the promoters of the Top Ranch subdivision in Grant County, the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) charged Saturday. In a letter to State Real Estate Commissioner Jeffrey Holbrook, Doug Babb, OSPIRG staff member, has accused Kamala, Inc. of Seattle, and its agents, of selling lots at Top Ranch to ser vicemen stationed in Okinawa, Taiwan, and other rest and recreation bases, without first informing them of a Real Estate Division public report that points to the unavailability of water and electricity at Top Ranch. The report also states that the State Health Division has rejected Top Ranch property as un suitable for subsurface sewage disposal systems, thus leaving pit privies as the only allowable means of sewage disposal. The Oregon Subdivision Control Act (ORS 92.290) requires that realtors show prospective customers Real Estate Division reports on the property prior to the execution of a sales contrast. Prospective buyers depend on these reports for information on property they have not seen. Of six veterans contacted by OSPIRG, three were not shown the public report on Top Ranch prior to the sale. Babb has asked Commissioner Holbrook to investigate the sales practices of Kamala, Inc. and its agents, Capital Management Systems, Tapei, Taiwan, and Unival Investments Ltd., Seoul, South Korea, and to enjoin further sales at Top Ranch. In addition, Babb has requested that the Real Estate Division seek convictions for violation of the Subdivision Control Act, and that Top Ranch property owners be informed that they may be victims of deception. Real Estate Commissioner Jefferey Holbrook would not comment on the content of the OSPIRG investigation. He said that he will send a letter in response to OSPIRG s study today, and will make copies available to the press if OSPIRG does not do so. Babb conducted the investigation of Top Ranch as an offshoot of his study of the Real Estate Division, which will be released in Early October. He decided to look into the Top Ranch matter after being told by Jack Jones, Subdivision Section Supervisor of the Division that while the Top ranch situation was a mess, no complaints had been received, and thus nothing could be done. This reply was termed “irresponsible” by Babb, who said that “The most simple investigation would have revealed the evidence...which shows violation of the Oregon Subdivision Control law and a likely pattern of calculated deception to defraud American servicemen stationed overseas.” While Babb said that he was sure some pur chasers were aware that their property could not be fully developed, many did not realize that an outhouse would be the only allowable means of sewage disposal at Top Ranch. According to Grant County records, the veterans contacted by OSPIRG are among 45 who own property at the subdivision. Photos by Trish Weisman A featured speaker at Saturday’s meeting of the OCEA was Alicia Romeriz. THE D°w* BEAT Featured Band All Week STREET TALK ^ 959 Peart, Eugene closed Mondays Migrant Labor Project MPL, Offers 4 Positions for DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SECRETARY and CONSULTANT Must be in work study For information call: ext. 3509 or 3508 Or come to: EMU Room 304 U of O Deadline for Applications: 10-4-73 10% OFF on any plant with this coupon Mon. & Tues. THE INDOOR GARDEN 12th High 342-2735 6 blocks west of Campus MORENOS ^STAUR^ Serving Full Course Mexican Dinners and Imported Beer & Wine Tuesday-Sunday Open 4p.m. for reservations 343-5612
