Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1996)
10 ▼ m a rch 1, 109 0 ▼ ju s t o u t national news I have chosen to take a more human approach as a Realtor. I build my business on a referral basis and firmly believe that the satisfaction of my client is far more important than my financial gain. 1 communicate clearly and openly, and I’m always honest with my clients. I’ll gladly climb a nearby tree to check on a roof or get a bit dirty investigating a crawl space or an attic. I work mainly in Portland’s close-in Southeast and Northeast neighborhoods and specialize in older homes with character. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, please do give me a call. Under the gun , Already the subject of a recall effort Coroner Dexter Amend now faces a lawsuit ▼ by Inga Sorensen Nora Isacson 215 SE 102nd, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97216 (503) 256-1234 VM/pgr 9503) 948-5610 The Prudential Performance Group One, Inc. REALTORS* r ! ---~ I CAN'T PROMISE A TAX REFUND. l|®#7 / (BUT I CAM PROMISE YOU W ON'T BE FOUND DEAD OH APRIL 15TH W ITH MULTIPLE, SELF-INFLICTED PENCIL WOUNDS.) ■ I i / Doing your own taxes can be a painful experience. Why torture yourself when I can do your taxes quickly, accurately, and in most cases, for a flat fee. I have over 11 years experience completing individual, small business and corporate returns, and offer a free initial consultation. Please take my number, even if you iasist on doing your own taxes... you may need my legal services someday. Christopher D. Wright P.C., CPA & Attorney at Law 621 SW Alder, Suite 530 • Portland, OR 97205 (503) 227-6004 DON’T YO U J U S T H A TE PAYING RETAIL? Whether they need a fleet of one or one hundred vehicles, more people buy from Damerow than from any other fleet source in the entire Northwest. • No Broker’s Fees • Below Market Finance Rates • Largest Ford Inventory in the Northwest • Prompt, Courteous Service • High Trade-In Allowances • The Northwest’s Lowest Fleet Pricing f d i d l l íif)j)(>íi!lnt('ii! d i j i l i ii i i r (/ifOfc a i l l : R o g a S h elb y D ire ct l ine: 6 2 7 - 9 5 5 5 S h e lle y S h e lb y D it e c i L in e : 6 2 7 - 9 5 5 2 BEAVERTON FORD Fleet Sales 4 0 7 0 S.W . H a ll B l v d . • ( 5 0 3 ) 6 4 3 - 5 5 5 5 • ( 8 0 0 ) 8 7 1 - 3 6 7 3 Furthermore, Babcock’s doctor, Daniel Coulston, exter Amend, the Spokane County says Amend questioned him about whether his coroner who several months ago sug client was a “practicing sodomist.” gested there was a link between a “I think he’s got his own personal agenda— Spokane girl’s murder and homo his campaign against homosexuality,” Coulston sexuality—because she had previ The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review. ously been sodomized— is facing a $2 told million Babcock’s body was eventually returned to lawsuit that alleges he went “beyond all bounds the funeral home— and six days after her brother of decency” when he demanded an autopsy on a died, Salcido received his ashes. man who died of AIDS complications. In light of that episode, Coulston submitted a The lawsuit claims that Amend delayed the complaint to the Spokane County Medical Soci cremation and memorial service for 39-year-old ety; the office forwarded it to a state agency that Curtis Babcock, a gay Spokane cosmetologist is already investigating Amend at Gov. Mike who died Nov. 8, because he was trying to link Lowry’s request. Babcock’s death to sodomy. Babcock’s relatives Last September, Lowry called for an investi say that Amend compounded their grief by delay gation after Amend suggested there was a con ing his cremation “and trying to use an autopsy to nection between homosexuality and the murder prove homosexuality led to his death.” of 9-year-old Rachel Carver, who had previously The lawsuit comes on the heels of yet another been sodomized by a male family member. controversy involving Amend, who was recently Social service agen accused of asking the family of 11-year-old The Spokesman-Review says cies in both Washington and California reportedly fire victim Jeffrey supporters were “hailing him had extensive files on the Himes if the boy mas girl’s abuse. Her father turbated or had sex with as a hero fo r his anti-gay other boys. Autopsy re served time for abusing sults show Himes died stand. Some even wanted him her, and the girl’s uncle has pleaded guilty to the of smoke inhalation. to run fo r mayor. ” murder. At the time of T hat incident her death she was living shocked m any, and with her uncle, a convicted sex offender, and his prompted state lawmakers to introduce a bill that would allow Spokane County to replace the em wife in north Spokane. The Carver controversy sparked a recall cam battled coroner, who is elected, with an appointed medical examiner. An elected coroner cannot be paign, which is currently tied up in the courts. fired, can only be recalled by voters, and does not Perhaps most disturbing is the fact that an esti have to have any medical expertise. A medical mated 360 people rallied in Amend’s defense last examiner routinely is appointed and must be August when his comments about Carver came trained in death investigation. under fire. The Spokesman-Review says support ers were “hailing him as a hero for his anti-gay The Babcock autopsy battle, meanwhile, be gan when Georgia Salcido, Babcock’s sister, stand. Some even wanted him to run for mayor.” attempted to pick up her brother’s ashes at the Despite that support, an estimated 140 Spo Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home two days after his kane physicians have signed a petition calling for death. Babcock, who learned he was HIV posi Amend’s removal, and the Spokane Human Rights tive 14 years ago, had made plans to be cremated. Commission has called for his resignation. The embalmer, however, told Salcido the cre Additionally, an editorial in the local newspa mation had been delayed because Amend wanted per states: “No one, including those who share an autopsy. Babcock’s body had been removed Amend’s aversion toward the gay lifestyle, can from the morgue under Amend’s authorization. defend an unprofessional obsession that violates Forensic pathologist George Lindholm in turn distraught people who are struggling to cope with refused Amend’s request, saying Babcock’s con death. dition was “well-diagnosed” and not “sudden and “Put yourself in the survivors’ shoes. How’d unexpected,” and thus did not warrant an au you like a strange man barging into your life after topsy. a loved one’s death, asking about his or her sex Lindholm also called Amend’s request an habits?” unnecessary invasion of privacy and described It concludes: “God have mercy on you if the the coroner’s action as a “public witch hunt.” coroner comes calling.” D Saadat joins NGLTF board Portland activist Kathleen Saadat was appointed to the board of directors of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at the organization’ s Janu ary board meeting. Saadat was one of four new members to join the board. The other three are Dick Nathan of Los Angeles and San Francisco; Kenneth Collins of Long Beach, Calif.; | and Joseph Hall of Charleston, S.C. Saadat has been active in progressive and lesbian and gay politics in Oregon for the past 20 years. She served as the Kathleen Saadat governor’s affirmative action of ficer under former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt. She was a member of the steering committee of the No on 9 campaign in 1992 and was active in 1994’sNoon 13 campaign. She is co-chair of the Portland Rainbow Coali tion. During the 1992 cam paign to defeat Ballot Mea sure 9, Saadat coordinated the formation of African Ameri cans Voting No on Nine, which later became African Americans for Human Rights. She has received numerous awards for her activism. Saadat is a consultant, trainer and speaker on diver sity and other issues. Kristine Chatwood t.f \ f if * y-» f ^ f • *