Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 1975)
« Police bullet kills Block youth I ckie Charles Johnson, seventeen ye old high school student, was kill« 1 early last Thursday by a polic. man's bullet. The shooting, the fourth fatal shooting of a Black youth since October, brought immediate reaction from the Black community. According to the official police sl<ry. as related by Sergeant Tom Hotter, Public Information Officer, Johnson war. shot by Officer Kenneth Sanford, a patrolman. On the previous night a cab driver had been robbed while delivering an PORTLAND Voi 6, No OBSERl/ER « Portland. Oregon Thursday, March 20, 197 a 10c per copy y North Portland declines poverty funds « On March 4th, the North Portland Citizens' Committee (NPCC) general membership declared null and void their contract with Portland Metro polilan Steering Committee (PMSC). The reason for the action was tha1 NPCC membership felt that it could not comply with guidelines set up by the Community Services Administra tion. After reviewing a letter from NPCC. the Executive Committee of PMSC voted to cancel the NPCC contract. The NPCC Board of Directors had voted unanimously to comply with the CSA guidelines within the 45 day time limit and had come up with a plan of action. But when the membership met the following day. the group voted to overturn the Board of Directors' decision. The North Portland Citizens' Com mittee. which was established to provide services, organization and citizen participation for the poor in North Portland, will no longer receive the $30.000 they were receiving from PMSC. The group was also receiving more than $8,000 from PMSC for the Winterization Program. This pro gram provided emergency food, fuel and winterization of housing for low income residents. PMSC is not withdrawing the funds from the North Portland area, but will continue to provide services to the poor of the area, according to Cleveland (lilcrea.se. Executive Di rector. PMSC is now working with a group that would represent the people of the community and Con corned Citizens of North Portland is to be reorganized. This group would receive the money slated for NPCC. rtic $80,000 th.it funded \pc< waa used as seed money which attracted an additional 1140,000 from other sources. On Thursday. March 13th the North Portland Citizen's Committee met to discuss the status of the corporation and set a date for election of new neighborhood representatives. President Gary Hansen suggested that the citizen's committee proceed with elections and that the contract the group held with PMSC be nullified. He said that PMSC "will be responsible for any cost of winding down their activities in North Portland, but understand's that they will try to form a new group of representatives in the community that they can work through." Steve Roso, former officer of the citizen's committee suggested that the NPCC try to renegotiate their “¿J contract with PMSC. But represena t i v Bill Taylor of PMSC said that the steering committee would not renegotiate with the group as their by laws now read because they do not conform with standards. NPCC is trying to get back materials belonging to them such as records, candidate petitions, that are currently at the PMSC office in North Portland. Questions are being raised as to whether or not PMSC would make these records available to the citizen's committee. Representative Taylor said that he had no comment. NPCC has lormed an election committee and has scheduled elect ions for Saturday, April 9th. If interested in running as a neighbor hood representative, please contact Mrs. Pat Hoffert at 248 4281 by March 31st. "Some questions we really need to consider are whether or not we need to become a neighborhood association, or should we continue to contract with various agencies," Hansen noted. The citizen's committee also de cided to operate under by-laws approved at the January 17th meeting. The general membership voted to stay with these rather than the old by laws. order of Chinese food to 3973 N. Gantenbein, an empty house. On Thursday morning, between 1:00 and 2.00 a.m., the same cab driver received a similar order from the same address and notified the police. The house was surrounded by the police and Officer Sanford, dressed in the cab driver’s uniform, went to the door. He had his gun in his hand, covered with a box. According to his report, the door was open and Johnson's companion invited him into the house. When he walked into the living room he saw Johnson pointing a gun at him. Johnson, he reported, a gun (unloaded) at him. Johnson, he reported, said, "Give me your money or I'll blow your head off." The officer identified himself as the police, and said, "Drop it." Johnson made a move, which Sanford interpreted as an indication that he was going to shoot. Sanford fired two rapid shots, the first missing and the second striking Johnson in the bark of the head. According to police policy, a weapon is only to be drawn if necessary to protect the officer or another person. According to Sergeant Potter, it was Sanford's opinion that his life was in danger. The decision to enter the house with a drawn gun, instead of asking the youths to come out, was made by detectives and a uniformed sergeant at the scene. The usual procedure that takes place following a police shooting has been initiated. Thia has three phases: a police investigation by the Inspection Division to determine whether policy and procedure was followed: an investigation by the District Attorney’s office, which is being conducted by Deputy District Attorney Grayson; and the Coroner's inquest. Johson's father, 0 . C. Johnson, reported that the police did not notify him of his son's death, but that he was told by the father of the youth who was with his son and who was apprehended by the police as he ran out of the house. Sergeant Potter said notification is not the responsibility of the police force, but they had tried to notify the parents but had difficulty identifying Johnson. Several conflicting stories have been given by the police department. Chief Baker talked to the family the day of the shooting, but seemed confused about the facts and gave several unsupported suppositions on how the shooting took place. It finally was ascertained that the bullet struck the back of Johnson's head and that his body was in the kitchen as if he were attempting to run out the back door. News reports published as late as March 19th, state that one shot was fired. Rickie Johnson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. 0 . C. Johnson, was junior at Washington High School. He had no RICKIE JOHNSON prior delinquency record. Several community organizations are planning action. Ellis Casson, President of the NAACP, Portland Branch, has requested a "full investi gation." Officer Sanford remains on duty at the North Portland Precinct. Sheriff’s office gains m inority interns Sheriff Lee P. Brown, Director, Multnomah County Department of Public Safety announced the place ment of four graduate students from Portland State University in a minority intern program. The students are Rochelle Henniger, O.B. Hill. Lee Arthur Madison and Vertise Williams. They will work within the Sheriffs Office for one year conduct ing research and problem solving projects. They will devote approxi mately twenty hours per week to the Sheriffs Office while enrolled full time at Portland State University and will work full-time during the summer. Sheriff Brown described the interns as "A group of highly motivated and skilled students who will undoubtedly make a valuable contribution to the department." The program is funded by the Police Foundation and administered through the institute for Urban Affairs and Research at Howard University in Washington, D. C. Prior to becoming Sheriff of Multnomah County, Brown was Director of the Department of Criminal Justice of Howard University , where he was instrumental in establishing the minority intern program. Several other police departments are also involved in this program. Public Welfare appoints North Branch manager The Multnomah Regional Manager for Public Welfare, John Burch, announced the appointm ent of Dwight Long as Branch Manager for North Portland Public Welfare Office. Office Mr. Long comes to Public Welfare with a variety of admini strative and educational expertise. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has most recently served as Director for Veterans Affairs. City of Seattle Seattle, Washington, where he was re sponsible for total administration, policy, procedures, and services for veterans. Although his background is primarily in administration, he has had experience in direct social services, including public welfare as a caseworker in Toppenish, Washing ton. His appointment is effective March 24, 1975. He will be coordinating activities closely with Mrs. Hazel Hays. Albina Center Manager, and Gary Gomez. Albina Branch Manager for Public Welfare. Qualified Blacks from the Portland area applied for the position but were not chosen. The North Branch Office will be located at Interstate and Buffalo and will serve North Port land. PMSC emergency food program finds disappointment, enthusiasm The controversial PMSC emer gency program has been launched amid both complaint and praise. The $219,000 program is designed to provide emergency food and nutritional rare to needy people across the state. A statewide NEEDS Council determined where the money would go, anil local councils will bo developed to plan and coordinate local programs. Grants totaling $120,000 went to Community Action Programs, $50,000 to programs in counties not having CAP programs, $7,000 to special projects, and $42,000 for administra tion. PMSC allocated its share to two private agencies operating in the Portland area, the Salvation Army and LIFE Center. A third program, FISH, had been included, but refused the money. Jane Higginbotham, director of FISH, explained that her agency would not bo involved because of too much required paper work and questions that would be degrading to the recepient. Amelia Stepetin, director of the NEEDS program, explained that little paper work is required. The recepient is asked for his name, address, number in tamily, emer gency need, reason for need, source of income, and annual gross incom To lie eligible the family must t i within federal income guidelines. The individuals income can be verified by an income tax return, an employer, a wage receipt or by verbal statement. The only other paper work re quired is a listing of the vouches issued. "1 would have to question the responsibility of any employee of an agency that is supposed to serve the poor, who would refuse to accept money to assist them because of such a small amount of work required." Mrs. Stepetin said. "It was the most terrible ex perience I have ever had”, Mrs. Gertrude Crowe, director of LIFE Center, said of her experience with the program. "As soon as it appeared in the paper that I would have money, they came in crowds, demanding their “share". When I finally did get the money $2.500. it was gone in hours " Mrs Crowe discribed her amaze ment as crowds of people pushed their way into the center demanding their $50.00. The allotment was to be $10.00 per family memeber and a $50.00 maximum. They all knew the maximum and all said they had five family members. I don't know whether they did or not and since I was told not to require proof of need, I don't know if they really were in need. It seemed to be a family affair a lot of relatives and friends. Some came in new cars and wore expensive leathers. When the money was gone they just stood around and looked Mrs. Crowe said there were some persons served who she knew were needy. Most of those asked for money to purchase food stamps. "I don't know how it could have been organized better, maybe less publicity would have helped, maybe it should have been used only for food stamps. The agencies involved were never given an opportunity to provide input and we were not given much direction." The Salvation Army has not received its funds, but already is being inundated with people waiting. Mrs. Marian Basso director of the Salvation Army Family Welfare Services, states that "we have no money at this point, and we are still discussing terms.” "We are trying to work out pro cedures that will avoid possible fraud." said Mrs. Basso. A happier experience is taking place in Clatsop County, when $6,000 given to Tillamook and Clatsop Counties, is being used to sit up a food bank and community gardens. The food bank, with food stockpiles located in several areas, will dis tribute food only to persons in emergency situations and will operate x%ith volunteers. The community garden projected was dubbed SPUDS by it originator. Colonel Richard McCarter. It will be located at Camp Rilea, on about five (Please turn to pg. 8 col. 3) Amelia Stepetin, director of the NEEDS program, and Colom. RicM-d McCarter of Camp Rilea survey land and greenhouses that w ' be use for the Clatsop County community garden, a pilot project funded by NEEDS. ---------Legislators call for commission recall if Edgefield closes-------- The following are exerpts from a statement by Senator Vern Cook and Representative Glenn Otto made at a meeting of th» "Committee to Save Edgefield Manor." "On Monday February 3rd we became aware of County Commission Chairman Donald Clark's intention to dose Edgefield Manor. On that day we expressed our shock and concern that such an important decision should have been made without any public notice or public meeting at which the people of Multnomah County had an opportunity to be made aware of the facts underlying the derision or to express their views as to the wisdom of the proposed plan of action." From that day on we were the recipients of a deluge of calls asking us, the elected Represen tative and Senator from the district in which Edgefield Manor is located, what could be done to prevent its closure, and many more calls expres sing outrage at the manner in which the county commissioners intended to carry out that decision. At the regular Legislative Report Breakfast held on February 8th by Senator Cook, Representative Glenn Otto and Representative Harvey Akeson, there was an outpouring of concerned citi.ens asking us to take the lead demanding that the Multnomah County Commissioners either hold public hearings and present facts and give the opportunity to the people to present facts upon which an open, public and intelligent decision could be based on whether Edgefield Manor should be closed or kept open, or alternatively, that the Commissioners continue the operation of Edgefield Manor. "Although on February 27th, the Multnomah County Commissioners adopted a resolution saying they would hold public hearings on that question to this date they have not done so although two weeks ago we made both public and private de mands upon them that they do so. We have reluctantly come to the conclusion that neither Multnomah County Commission Charimari Clark nor a majority of the Commissioners intend to hold such hearings. It appears that they intend to either close down Edgefield Manor or try to dispose of it through sale or lease to some private individual or concern, all without either a legal or proper hearing.” We therefore serve the following notice upon County Com mission Chairman ('lark and th. members of the Multnomah County Commission, as well as to any prospective leasees or purchasers of Edgefield Manor: If you attempt to go through with such a lease or sale arrangement without first holding the full public hearings we have demanded, we will bring legal action against both the Commission and the would be lessees or purchasers to prevent the con sumation of such lease or purchase. While we would not be so bold as to predict the outcome of such legal action we are confident that substan tial legal questions will exist which will justify the lawsuit and the accompanying extensive deposition taking we will pursue in the event such a suit must be brought. "We furthej serve notice upon County Commissioner Clark County Commissioner Gordon, County Com missioner Buchanan and County Commissioner Corbett:" “Unless plans to close Edgefield or turn it over to a private individual or concern are abandoned at this time we will, on April 5th, beginning at 10:00 a.m., here in the M & M Restaurant in Gresham, organize four committees, the Committee to recall Donald Clark, the Committee to recall Mel Gordon, the Committee to recall Alice Corbett and the Committee to recall Dennis Buchanan. Our time table will be as follows: "On July 7th, 1975, we will file with the Registrar of Elections in Multnomah County the preliminary petitions for the recall of County Commission Chair'*'*n Don Clark and County Commiso. . .. r ' '" ..don. On August 4th. 1975, in the sai ,e office, we will file the preliminary petitions for the recall of Comnis sioners Alice Corbett and Dennis Buchanan." "The day has come when the people can no longer tolerate Mult nomah County Commissioners who have and show their conte ipt for those who elected them, we the people of Multnomah County. "We can no longer tolerate county commissioners who peraist in inak.ng all important decisions in private 'nd continue to flaunt the open meetings law." "We can no longer tolerate county commissioners a ■ the eh. man of that commission w) « refus- »o pro' id” an opnortunitv to he pern n- who elee'ed ‘Xp ess their v ie w s on ie oil. I’ ■ lestien: (Please turn t . pg. 8 col. 4'