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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2014)
Don’t forget to vote! Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day! SW Trails president wins Spirit of Portland Award – Page 8 Meals on Wheels needs volunteers for the holidays Three cheers for Wilson Cheerleaders – Page 4 The Southwest Portland Post Volume No. 23 Issue No. 1 www.swportlandpost.com Portland, Oregon Complimentary November 2014 Prominent speakers at Lewis and Clark Law School debate marijuana legalization MEASURE 91 By Erik C Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Editor’s Note: At press time, Ballot Measure 91, which would legalize recreational marijuana in Oregon, awaited the fate of voters on Election Day, Nov. 4. According to a poll conducted for The Oregonian and KGW, Oregon voters were closely divided. The Oct. 26-27 survey of 403 likely voters found that 44 percent backed the legalization measure while 46 percent were opposed. Nine percent were undecided or would not say. Four prominent speakers offered their own perspectives on legalization of marijuana in Oregon at a Sept. 25 forum at Lewis and Clark Law School. Present were Inge Fryklund, a law professor from the University of Chicago; Anthony Johnson, a lawyer and chief petitioner of Measure 91; Robert Whelan, an economist with Chase Bank and director of Eco NW and professor Tung Yin, from the L&C Law School and three times a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court justices. Fryklund spoke first. The law professor said she organized Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, or LEAP, with over 120 chapters nationwide. “The organization was formed due to the over-excessive,” Fryklund said, “and inequity, of incarceration, and valuable law enforcement resources, of low-level marijuana infractions, especially with low-income people of color.” According to Fryklund, in the days of Al Capone and Prohibition, the level of corruption was very high. Hundreds died from homemade alcohol and violence on the street. “[Marijuana] needs to be legalized so it can be regulated,” Fryklund continued. A round of applause erupted. “Violent crime related to (marijuana) drug deals will subside; purity of the product will be made clear with labeling. Standards are not going to be any worse under legalization. People will know what they’re getting,” Fryklund explained. Economist Rober Whelan (nee Helan), the only non-lawyer on the panel, was next. “I like to throw cold water on grand ideas,” he said. Measure 91 organizers approached him some time ago to analyze statewide marijuana legalization from an economic perspective. Whelan’s background includes similar analysis for projects in Portland on tourism, casinos, and the future James Beard Market. “I’d agree to work on it,” Whelan said, “but I said I wouldn’t vote for it.” He figured out what the market would be like if marijuana were taxed. According to his estimates, taxes would bring in about $40 million the first year alone. The state estimated (Continued on Page 6) Age-friendly businesses meet needs of the elderly By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post If you’ve been in Paloma Clothing in Hillsdale recently, you may have noticed that the lights are a bit brighter, the sales clerks speak a little clearer and louder, and the promotional flyers have a larger font. Welcome to a business that is certified “age-friendly.” B u s i n e s s e s i n P o r t l a n d a re becoming committed to creating an environment that caters to people of all ages, especially the elderly. According to the nonprofit Elders in Action, every day 10,000 people turn 65 in the United States. This is currently 16 percent of the population and soon will be 22 percent. According to Joan Corella, program manager at Elders in Action, seniors buy gifts, goods, and services. “They’re grandparents,” said Corella at the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association meeting in September, “and even caregivers to their own parents in many cases. They hold the majority of the discretionary income most of all.” Staying healthy, active, and engaged is a goal most people want to do in life. If these traits are not present, health issues, need for care, and dependence increases posing a burden on family members and the community. “It is for this reason,” Corella continued, “that businesses be age- friendly.” Face it or not, as we age, hearing loss affects one third of people over 65; older eyes need more light; the brain processes information in new ways. “When I come into some businesses, I feel invisible,” said one of the older members. “Marketing is mainly targeted at 18-35 age olds.” The audience shook their heads. Paloma Clothing originally wanted to change all its lighting to become energy efficient but soon realized Don’t forget to renew your subscription. Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206 customers could read the tags much better after the switch. Other age-friendly certified businesses in the area include Fred Meyer, Les Schwab, Marco’s Cafe, Umpqua Bank, and Portland Community College. Corella stresses improving eye contact with the customer, s p e a k i n g i n c l e a r, concise sentences, and checking in with your listener. “Putting things in legible writing,” Corella said, “is information the person can read and remember later.” Age-friendly goes b e y o n d i m p ro v i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n Becky Hamar, 71, works at Paloma Clothing. The store has modes; it includes the made changes to be more elder-friendly. physical environment, (Photo courtesy of Shelby Rice, Paloma Clothing) as in seating, access, entryways, and stairs. village. However many businesses, “If I were to remodel, then I’d be specifically those in older buildings, held for the regulations,” Arel said. are not accessible. Having unisex “(ADA restrooms) would take up half restrooms provide a place for of my restaurant space.” the elderly who are caregivers to “New construction is one thing,” grandchildren who may need a said small business owner Barry diaper change or the elderly may Wittenberg, “but spending tens of need some assistance. thousands of dollars to provide Steve Arel, owner of O’Connor’s complete access is unreasonable and Restaurant in Multnomah Village, a burden on small business owners.” said that his building is grandfathered Wittenberg went on to explain in as well as other buildings in the (Continued on Page 6)
