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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
JIM VAN NOSTRAND
Editor
Founded in 1873
JEREMY FELDMAN
Circulation Manager
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Business Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
CARL EARL
Systems Manager
OUR VIEW
Katz shattered gender norms in Oregon politics
O
regonians always knew where
Vera Katz stood.
There was nothing wishy-
washy about her. That was part of the
appeal of this outgoing, opinionated pol-
itician who shattered gender norms to
become the first female speaker of the
Oregon House and later served three terms
as Portland mayor. In both roles, Katz had
profound influence throughout Oregon.
She died Monday at age 84.
Sometimes it’s difficult to real-
ize how far Oregon has come since the
1970s, when men received preference
over women at lunchtime restaurants —
because men worked, their time was valu-
able and, after all, they had to get back to
work! Vera Katz came of political age in
that era.
But it’s heartbreaking to recognize
how far we have to go, as sexism endures
in the 21st century. We long ago should
have recognized, as was demonstrated by
Katz and such legislative contemporar-
ies as fellow Democrat Betty Roberts and
Republican Norma Paulus, that women
are just as competent and capable as men
in political life and public leadership.
The tough-minded leadership of those
women stands in sharp contrast to Kate
Brown, who has yet to establish her raison
d’être for being Oregon’s governor, and
to Portland’s one-term mayors — Tom
Potter, Sam Adams and Charlie Hales —
who followed Katz.
Katz was a bold leader but also a deft
politician. In the Legislature, she found
common ground with Denny Jones, a con-
servative retired rancher from Eastern
Oregon. She and Senate President John
Kitzhaber were aligned so closely that
Stasia Honnold
“Kitz and Katz” determined years of pub-
Former Portland Mayor Vera Katz died this week after a life of notable achieve-
lic policy in Oregon.
ments, including the popular Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, where this bronze
Not everything Katz did was success-
sculpture is located.
ful, or even a good idea. She pushed edu-
cation reforms that included the much-ma- they were either an ineffective, time-wast- stands today as a warning against man-
ligned CIM and CAM for students
ing requirement or a decent reform that
dating onerous, top-down regulations that
— certificates of initial and advanced
was poorly implemented.
lack statewide understanding, let alone
mastery. Depending on your point of view,
The backlash over CIM and CAM
grassroots support. The governor and leg-
AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens
Portland Mayor Vera Katz, right, and Coun-
ty Chairwoman Diane Linn celebrate a solid
lead in early returns for the 2003 Multnomah
County $128 million income tax levy at the
headquarters of ‘Yes on 26-48’ in Portland.
islative leaders should remember that
history before shoving one-sided envi-
ronmental or tax bills through the 2018
Legislature.
Leadership is a mix of failures and suc-
cesses — and the ability to understand
both. Katz had the courage to lead, the
boldness to act and the confidence to stay
in the public eye, even when things did
not go her way.
That is leadership. Which makes
us wonder: What will be the legacy of
today’s leaders?
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thanks for generous support
of chorale singers, food bank
he North Coast Chorale and the Clatsop
Community Action Regional Food Bank
extend their thanks for the generous support
for the Messiah Sing and Play-Along held on
Nov. 26 at the Performing Arts Center in Asto-
ria. The gifts to the CCA Regional Food Bank
topped $2,000 plus over 150 pounds of food.
The chorale singers are so grateful to have a
music-loving audience like our friends in Clat-
sop County. We all experienced the joy of giv-
ing, to the CCA Regional Food Bank. Through
efforts like this we know that we are part of a
community that helps those in need.
Being part of this longstanding tradi-
tion is an honor for us at CCA Regional Food
Bank. As we do our work, we are reminded
of another longstanding tradition — the com-
mitment to always remember the poor. The
gifts received the evening of the North Coast
Chorale’s Sing and Play-Along will allow us
to acquire over 10,000 pounds of food. And
during this holiday season it will be especially
helpful to many people across our county. Our
sincere thanks go out to all who assisted and
participated in this wonderful evening. Listen-
ing to the music and joyful voices that evening
reinforced the purpose of my work during this
very busy time.
DENISE REED
North Coast Chorale
MARLIN MARTIN
CCA Regional Food Bank
Astoria
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Thanks for turnout at animal
assistance fundraiser
want to express an appreciation for the out-
standing turnout and support for the Clatsop
Animal Assistance (CAA) Dec. 9 at the annual
fundraiser and bake sale. So many folks vol-
unteered their time, money, and effort, and in
some cases, all of those at the same time.
Having been a part of a successful small
community volunteer effort decades ago in
North Central Washington to build a big com-
munity center called “the Barn,” this annual
effort here to support animals in need is
outstanding.
Rumor has it that it’s the second-largest
fundraiser bake sale in America. Coupled with
items to silent bid on, everyone should feel
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great about the final total raised for the animals
that need help. Sure, I could name Linda Per-
kins and Crissy Christian and all the others, but
with so many volunteers everyone should be
proud to be a part of this … great job to all who
helped.
Small towns are really good at this because
of that sense of community and ownership.
Count us in for next year.
PAT WILSON
Astoria
Vote ‘yes’ on Measure 101
‘yes’ vote on Measure 101 on Jan. 23 will
ensure access to health care to 95 percent
of Oregonians and create a state reinsurance
program that reduces premiums for people who
buy their own coverage.
The Oregon Legislature worked out this
referral with a large group of stakehold-
ers, including hospitals, and passed it in both
houses with a 3/5th vote. A budgetary measure
it will temporarily assess hospitals, insurance
companies, and the Public Employees’ Bene-
fits Board. Rural hospitals will be charged at a
lower rate.
A no vote will cut funding for the Oregon
Health Plan, and trigger the loss of up to $5
billion in matching federal funding.
Vote ‘yes’ for health care in Oregon on Jan. 23
JUANITA PRICE
Astoria
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Support the arts and get a
tax deduction from the state
s we celebrate the season of giving, we at
the Oregon Cultural Trust hope you will
support a cultural organization that makes a
difference in your world. Oregon’s famous
quality of life is due, in large part, to the 1,400-
plus arts, heritage and humanities organizations
that call our great state home.
That’s why the Oregon Legislature estab-
lished the cultural tax credit to reward Orego-
nians who donate to cultural nonprofit orga-
nizations. Just donate to one or more of the
libraries, arts organizations or museums you
care about, then make a matching gift to the
Oregon Cultural Trust at culturaltrust.org by
Dec. 31. When you file your 2017 state taxes,
the donation you made to the Cultural Trust
will come back to you via the cultural tax
credit. That’s right, you double the impact of
your donation for free.
This year generous donors lifted Oregon
Cultural Trust fundraising to a new high, result-
ing in a record $2.94 million in awards to 136
cultural nonprofits last fiscal year. The awards
include a total of $735,887 to the Cultural
Trust’s five statewide partners (Oregon Arts
Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission,
Oregon Humanities, Oregon Historical Soci-
ety and the State Historic Preservation Office);
$735,887 to 45 county and tribal cultural coa-
litions — for regranting in their communities;
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and $1,471,774 in competitive Cultural Devel-
opment Grants to 86 cultural organizations
across the state.
In the North Coast area, the Cultural Trust
awarded $7,741 to Astoria Visual Arts, $10,543
to the Clatsop County Cultural Coalition,
$9,171 to the Tillamook County Cultural Coa-
lition, $70,307 to the Cultural Coalition of
Washington County and $11,878 to the Colum-
bia County Cultural Coalition. The grants to
the cultural coalitions will be used to award
more local grants for projects that matter to the
community.
The Cultural Trust envisions an Oregon that
champions and invests in creative expression
and cultural exchange, driving innovation and
opportunity for all. Our mission is to lead Ore-
gon in cultivating, growing and valuing culture
as an integral part of communities.
Please help us double the love for Oregon
culture by taking advantage of the cultural tax
credit this year. We are deeply grateful for your
support.
BERENIECE JONES-CENTENO
Board member, Oregon Cultural Trust
Salem
he other day at a book signing in Long
Beach, Washington, I heard two whiskered
old musicians performing. The lyrics in the
song they were singing struck a sad note within
me. They were: “You don’t matter to me any
more.”
How sad that anyone doesn’t matter any
more. Everyone should matter. To Jesus, every-
one mattered. The little children, the tax collec-
tors, even the prostitutes. So, if everyone mat-
tered to him, surely they should matter to each
one of us.
Each time we meet any person, friend or
stranger, and we ignore them, and “pass on the
other side of the street,” as the priest in Levit-
icus did in the account of the good Samaritan,
by our actions were saying “you don’t matter.”
So many of our social problems are the
result of so many thinking they don’t matter.
So what’s the solution? I guess, to start with,
each one of us must recognize that we do mat-
ter, and by our actions, show all others we meet
that they, too, really matter.
At this Christmas time, I’m sure there are
many lonely souls, so take the time to make a
call, send a greeting. Let them know that they
matter.
JIM BERNARD
Warrenton
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