NEWS THE CLACKAMAS PRINT December 6,1989 Page 3 Victims1 panel tells tragic stories of drinking, driving by Jennifer Soper Staff Writer A teenage boy was killed less than a mile away from his home on the way to his church youth group. A young woman was fa tally injured on the way home of dance practice. A young man is paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. These are only a few of the tragedies the Clacka mas County Victims’ Impact Panel tells people about every month. Attending the panel is just one of the steps drunk drivers must go through in Clackamas County. “I can’t express the words I feel, and I know there is no excuse for what I did, but I promise to you all that I will never drink and drive again as long as I live.” That is just one of the reactions to the panel since it began. The panel, which held its first meeting just over two years ago, is more than just part of a process. It is made up of people whose lives have been forever changed by a drunk driver. The victims tell their stories to DUII offenders hoping the crimes won’t be repeated. People who are in the diversion program, involved with commu nitycorrections, or have received a citation for minor in possession of alcohol are also sentenced to attend the panel. Driver’s educa tion students and the general public attend the panel also. At each panel the speakers are introduced and then left to tell how a drunk driver severely af fected their lives. The panelists don’t quote statistics or blame other people for the choice one drunk driver made. “I got involved when the panel was first organized. I felt I had good reason to join because my husband was killed by a drunk driver; I wanted to impress upon one person not to drink and drive,” said panelist Carol Monahan. “They tell their stories with the hope that they can prevent this from happening to someone else,” explained Connie Strang- field, a member of the panel’s steering committee. After the panelists are through speaking, paper and pencils are passed out and viewers are asked to comment about the paneL Later the panelists read and discuss the comments that were made. “I think reading the comments after the panel each time is rein forcement,” said Sharon O’Shea, a member of the Victims’ Assis tance Program. Although each of the panel ists have very different stories to tell, they have similar reasons for being members of the panel. “It makes the victims feel like they’re doing something real posi tive with this tragedy that’s hap pened in their lives,” said Strang- Forney elected to NEA board by Brenda Hodgen Staff Writer After an entire week of cam paigning, Kevin Forney, publica tions designer at CCC, was elected to the National Education Asso ciation’s Board of Directors dur ing NEA’s annual representative assembly last summer. “At the beginning of the week there were only two of us running, and we were like ‘This will be a breeze,”’ explained Forney. “Later, two more women signed, which brought the total to four people running for three seats. Then the race was on.” The Assembly was neld in Washington, D.C Representatives from all 50 states attended, as well as some from overseas. Forney was up early every morning traveling from hotel to hotel meeting with various repre sentatives and support groups. “It was quite a drain waking up every morning at 5 a.m. with meetings beginning at 7 a.m.,” he stressed. “Most of the candidates were more concerned about hitting the major states, but I thought why not hit the hotels where several states’ reps were staying instead of those with only major states. It was like killing two birds with one stone,” said Forney Forney is the first classified member ever to be elected from Oregon. Classified members are members other than teachers and administration, such as cashiers, registrars, and custodians. Classi fied members were admitted as full members of NEA in 1984. Before that time, the NEA con sisted only of administration and classroom teachers. “Some teachers still won’t vote for classified members,” said Forney. “Someone said once‘You mean we could have a janitor for a présidait some day?’ and l thought ‘Well no, not unless you vote for him.’” Forney was also appointed to NEA’s National Publication Relations Committee. “We basically asses how well we can implement the program,” he said. “Our main message is toward states, businesses, and the government to urge them to in vest in education.” Kevin Forney of the Public Information Office is a recently- elected member of the Board of Directors for the National Education Association. Pho«® by cw T he M oney M achine Doit out of respect for the dead. And the living. THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION MEMORIAL PROGRAM. American Heart Association in Oregon 1-800-452-9445 field. ‘The healing comes from tell- ingyour story. It doesn’t make the paid go away totally, but it makes it better,” said Monahan. “We know we can’t stop the drinking; that’s not our intent. It’s the lethal combination of the two (drinking and driving) that we want to stop,” Monahan continued. Currently there is a study being done to establish the return rate of DUII offenders to the panel. “Based upon the feedback that (the offenders) give us, it has a noticeable effect,” said Sgt. Paul Steigleder of the Clackamas County DUII Taskforce. “What sort of long lasting impact it has remains to be seen,” Steigleder explained. If viewer feedback is any indi cation of the impact the panel has on offenders, the return rate won’t be high. “I realize how difficult it was for these people to share their experience. I think this should be kept as part of the sentence/treat- ment for DUII conviction. It brings a realism that few other programs can,” wrote one person after see ing the panel. “I think the panel gives (offenders) a different per spective than they’re getting from any other kind of treatment,” Strangfield said. “It’s an aspect that nobody ever thinks about before they get behind the wheel.” One member of the panel summed up the experience this way: “I cannot begin to describe how much the panelists stories touched my heart. They are doing a great service to the community. God forbid if I ever get behind the wheel drunk again.” Form now available by Tootie Smith Staff Writer Available as never before to students at CCC are the Student Complaint Forms. The student complaint proc ess is initiated when a student brings a complaint against any member of the CCC staff or fac ulty due to mistreatment or in competent instruction. Realizing the inadequacies that exist in thepresent system, the form arose concurrently from the Counseling Office, Dean of Instructional Services office, and Student Community Services. “Student complaints were not being nandled as well as they should be,” said Vince Fitzger ald, counselor. The Student Complaint Form is an avenue allowing stu dents to assume the responsibil ity for his or her rights. Also, the supervisor is inter ested in being accountable for the performance and standards of his or her department, contin ued Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald urges students who have complaints to try to resolve the conflict between the person involved before pursing other steps in the three-step, process. “It should solve some prob lems we’ve had before of stu dents going to the wrong per son," said Fitzgerald “In the past, students mis takenly went to counselors to complain, aboutjan instructor, and that created friction between staff members, counselors, and fellow faculty,” said Tom Richards, head of the English Department. “I think it gives students a sense of satisfaction. We have? n’t had a lot of complaints,, but: now they don’t have to wonder where the complaints should go,” said Dean of Instruction Lyle Reese. Reese also urged students who have complaints ¡ to, .-try to resolve the conflict directly with the staff member in question. THE ARMY HAS THE FIERCEST HELICOPTER IN THE WORLD... It can see in the dark. And attack with out being seen. It can strike like lightning. It’s fast, smart and mean. But the AH-64 Apache helicopter doesn’t fly by itself It needs trained avia torsCapable of handling its.awesome technology. Warrant Officer Flight Training takes ability, dedication and commitment. It’s an intensive 40-week training program designed to take the very best people and make them pilots. If you have a high school diploma, preferably two years of college and can complete Basic Training, we just might have a flight suit your size. To find out if you qualify for Warrant Officer Flight Training, see your local Army Recruiter today SFC Terry Hansen, 659—I 525 With the skills to operate this machine you can earn $50,000 - $60,000 - $70,000 or more a year. For more details, call College of Legal Arts, (503) 223-5100 (call collect outside the Portland area) ...AND WE WANT TO TEACH YOU HOWTO FLY IT