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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2007)
8 jUStpUt DCCEMBLR 7. 2OQ7____ northwest Opposition Records Go Public Earlier this year, political activist and former lobbyist Ellen Lowe filed a complaint with the Oregon secretary of state’s office stating that the anti-gay group Concerned Oregonians was mislead ing potential donors by calling itself a political action committee. The complaint is still in process. Concerned Oregonians has since changed its tune and filed as an official PAC. In late October, the group officially registered with the state elections division as opposing Measure 49 (which is not gay-related). This required Concerned Oregonians to make its finan cial records public. The now official PAC’s com plete campaign finance activity was posted Oct. 29 on the secretary of state's Web site. Records show the group spent $3,550 to retain the services of CH Consulting, a Minnesota-based sales and marketing firm. Glenn Zirkle has made by far the largest contri bution to Concerned Oregonians at $10,000. He is president of Portland-based WSCO Petroleum. He graduated from Multnomah Bible College in 1979 and once told the alumni publication, “Every time my life brushes up against someone else s, I have an opportunity to leave the fragrance of Christ.” The committee directors are listed as Jim Stentz, Epic Aviation contract administrator, and David Crowe, better known as the executive direc tor for Restore America, one of the groups that gathered signatures in a failed attempt to refer Oregon’s new domestic partnership and non discrimination laws to the 2008 ballot. Crowe lists his Lake Oswego post office box as HOUSE & GARDENS WhereyouCANsaylDo” his address under director for the PAC, but when he reimburses him self $2,667.86 for money he spent, he lists a different address in Grimsley, Tenn. In October, The New York Times identified Crowe and his wife, Merrily, as being “of Tennessee.” When asked directly about the discrepancy, Crowe told Just Out: “An attempt has been made on my life. In protection of my wife, chil dren and grandchildren, we won’t tell anyone where we live.” Crowe’s most recent effort is through a group called the Alliance Defense Fund, which filed suit Dec. 3 against the Oregon secretary of state, claiming the office “wrongfully inval idated voters’ signatures" on the attempted referenda. Basic Rights Oregon executive This 2004 crowd shot demonstrates the popularity of Peacock director John Hummel said in a state- According to its three core organizers— ment that he is confident the lawsuit will be dis missed. “The secretary of state’s job is to ensure the Kimberlee Van Patten, Maria Council and Kevin Cook (aka Poison Waters)—interest exists. Money uniform and efficient administration of elections, and we’re confident that all of the proper rules and doesn’t. regulations were followed as usual.” ■ “All the reasons we stopped doing it still exist, except we’ve had a chance to rest. In 2004, we’d Rebirth of the Peacock been doing it for 10 years. We were all fairly There’s chatter among the drag community. exhausted,” said Van Patten. “All the other rea Rumors are trickling through the court. The bears sons—that it’s all very expensive to put on, that we got wind of it. Activists feel the tingle. have to make it not only the best party in the city Peacock in the Park is back. but a fund-raiser as well—those challenges still Or is it? exist.” in the Park. The main organizers have added the energy of a new board in hopes of revitalizing Peacock in the Park. They have also secured the day and location, June 29, 2008, at Washington Park Amphitheater. Peacock in the Park, the brainchild of the late Rose Empress XXIX Lady Elaine Peacock, was a par ty that raised money for the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund. The organization has awarded more than $156,200 in grants to the queer commu nity and its children. Continued on Page 10 aeon Let Ä Ho«’0*5’ Gay Owned & Operated 2143 Madison "Penthouse Unit" $689,000 American Plaza Towers Spectacular views to the East Mt. Hood, The Willamette River and The City. 2050 square feet-3 Bed/2 Bath Professionally Remodeled Kitchen and Baths Hardwood floors and carpet HOA's Include Pool and Work-out Room 1533 SE Main St-Grand Old Portland 5 Bed/3.5 Bath with Mother-in-law Unit City Views/Built -ins/Modern Upgrades Space Galore! NEW PRICE! kJ hair for men studio & women $750,000 sbavatili devlin rc.il estate broker 503-656-1894 www AinsworthHouse. net |L x>t Whitcomb Drive, igißo lx)t Oregon i City. OB 97045 3 503.280.5280 RfDKEN www.sponkhalfstudlo.com Oregon first I<M) 1 ] SII )ivision port land, or • direct (503)473-57 16 w w w. a r t - o f- r c a 1 e s t a t e. c o i n
