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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2008)
AFSCME #88 backs three in Multnomah Co. races The union that represents most workers at Multnomah County an- nounced Feb. 20 that it will back Deb- orah Kafoury, Rob Milesnick and Carla Piluso for three open seats on the non- partisan County Commission. Multnomah County Employees Lo- cal 88, an affiliate of the American Fed- eration of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) represents some 2,700 workers there. The county is responsible for jails, libraries, bridges and an array of social services for the aged, sick, disabled and mentally ill. Local 88 is the largest of the eight unions representing county workers. Its three-step endorsement process in- cludes written questionnaires from all candidates, interviews by the AFSCME Local 88 Political Action Committee, and participation in a Candidates’ Fo- rum. That forum — held at the general membership meeting Feb. 20 — al- lowed candidates to respond directly to questions submitted by members. “It’s an exciting meeting. I love it because everybody is so involved,” said union president Becky Steward. Following the forum, members dis- cuss and then vote on their endorse- ment selections. Kafoury is a former House Democ- ratic leader from Northeast Portland. She served as a state rep from 1999 to 2004. She graduated from Portland’s Grant High School and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Whitman College. Also running in Dis- trict 1 are Wes Soderback and Mark Newey. Neither responded to AF- SCME’s questionnaire or invitation to the forum. Rob Milesnick received a law de- gree from Syracuse University. He works as a lobbyist for ODS Health Plans. Prior to that he worked for the Oregon Judicial Department supervis- ing DUII probationers in Multnomah Chase is backing union members with the Union Plus ® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. County. Also running for the seat in District 3 are Judy Shiprack, Mike Del- man, Bruce Barclay and Roy Burkett. Burkett did not respond to the union’s invite. Carla Piluso has a 29-year career in law enforcement, including the last five years as chief of police for the City of Gresham. She holds a bachelor’s de- gree in political science and speech from Willamette University. Her 95- year-old father was a longtime member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and Piluso herself was a shop steward for the Teamsters. She has been with the police depart- ment for 29 years. Also running for the seat representing East Multnomah County are Diane McKeel and Ken Quinby. The primary election is May 20. If no candidate gets 50 percent plus one, the top two vote-getters will face off in November. Gardner won’t run for Congress; other candidates still deciding Oregon Labor Commissioner Dan Gardner, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48, has decided not to run for Congress this year. Democratic U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley announced Feb. 8 that she will not seek re-election to her seat in the 5th Congressional District. Gardner discussed a possible run with political advisers and his family, and late last month announced he would not run, saying that spending time with his children would come first. Gardner has two-and-a-half more years to serve in his second term as labor commissioner. Two other potential Democratic candidates also won’t seek the job. They are Paul Evans and Brigadier General Mike Caldwell. Evans is an aide to Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and spouse of Hooley’s chief of staff. Caldwell is well-known by the building trades and in AFSCME circles at the Oregon Military Department. Meanwhile, State Sen. Kurt Schrader (D-Canby) has thrown his hat into the ring in the Democratic primary, and former State Treasurer Jim Hill is rumored to be interested. On the Republican side, Kevin Mannix and Mike Erickson are looking hard at the open seat. Mannix is a Democrat-turned-Republican state legislator who ran un- successfully for governor and attorney general. Erickson challenged Hooley two years ago — and lost by a sizable margin. Only one Republican candidate had filed to run at press time. He is R.J. Wilson, a Salem dance instructor. BEAVERTON, OR (503) 644-1400 Northwest Dental Associates, P.C. VANCOUVER, WA FISHER’S LANDING (360) 891-1999 GRESHAM, OR (503) 492-8487 Sarah Barber, D.D.S Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. HILLSBORO, OR ORENCO STATION (503) 640-9999 • A wide variety of mortgages VANCOUVER, WA SALMON CREEK (360) 574-4574 MILWAUKIE, OR (503) 659-2525 Choose from fixed rate, adjustable-rate, and low- or no-closing costs options. Phong Bui, D.M.D. Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. Stirewalt, P.C. PORTLAND, OR (503) 777-0761 SALEM, OR (503) 362-8359 • Special Lending First-time homebuyer and less-than-perfect credit programs. Protecting Union Member Smiles and Wallets. QUALITY, AFFORDABLE FAMILY DENTAL CARE Member-only savings on new purchases and refinance. It all adds up to more home-buying power. Contact your local Union Plus Mortgage Specialist General, cosmetic, and specialty care Call Bob Krueger at: 503-490-0459 Evening and Saturday appointments Most insurance and union plans accepted Easy credit and low monthly payments, O.A.C. Ask about our PAGE 4 WILSONVILLE, OR (503) 682-8552 GRANTS PASS, OR (541) 479-6696 If you are unemployed or disabled. Union Plus is a registered trademark of Union Privilege. Eligibility for mortgage assistance begins one year after closing on a Union Plus Mortgage through Chase Home Finance. This offer may not be com- bined with any other promotional offer or rebate, is not transferable, and is available to bona fide mem- bers of participating unions. For down payments of less than 20%, mortgage insurance (MI) is required and MI charges apply. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. ©2008 JP Morgan Chase & Co. All Rights Reserved. P-UP 104 2A-7604 Service Employees International Union Locals 503 and 49 have en- dorsed Democrat John Kroger for Oregon attorney general. SEIU is Oregon’s largest union, representing nearly 50,000 workers in the hospital systems, long-term care, property services and public-service sectors. “We endorsed John Kroger because we need an attorney general who will stand up for the people of Oregon and John has a history of doing the peo- ple’s work,” said Kate Pingo, secre- tary-treasurer of Local 49. SEIU joins Carpenters Union Lo- cals 247 and 2154 of Portland and 1065 of Salem in supporting Kroger, along with former Gov. John Kitzhaber and City Commissioners Erik Sten, Dan Saltzman and Randy Leonard. Kroger is a Lewis & Clark Law School professor and a former federal prosecutor, who says he will combat the state’s meth crisis by pushing for tougher enforcement and treatment, will hold polluters accountable by im- posing fines and jail time, and will fight for the civil rights of Oregonians by arguing those cases himself in court. SERVING UNIONS FOR OVER 25 YEARS • FREE Mortgage Assistance Benefit • Savings on closing costs SEIU Local 503 and 49 endorse Kroger for AG Dental Discount Program ORTHODONTICS AVAILABLE! 100 $ OFF NON COVERED DENTAL SERVICES There may be future costs based on diagnosis. Limit one per person. Not valid on diagnostic or preventative services. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Must surrender at time of service. Valid for cash, PPO, Indemnity patients only. Can't be combined, subject to change, expires 12/31/2008. 1-888-BRIGHT NOW www.BRIGHTNOW.com Smiles for Everyone! © 2007 Bright Now! Dental, Inc. NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS MARCH 7, 2008
