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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 24, 1977)
Mrs Frances Bcnoen-.teaapaper Roos U n iv e rs ity of Oregon L ib ra ry Lugene, Oregon 97403 Minorities reject state report Volume 7 Ne. 17 Thursday, March 24, 1977 10c par cepy Judge addresses drug issue Ai »4 Jeae’ Huginne receives National M e rit Scholarship Photo: Rene* O rtega Madison student earns award hy Ulysses Marshall To do something well and not be appreciated for your accomplishment, can prove to be disheartening. Especially if you are one of the best in the country. Luckily, this was not the case with Jene Juginnie. Becuase she is a student; and has been acknowledged as one of the best high school students in the country. Jene Jugginnie is a Senior at Madison High School. She is the winner of a National Achievement Scholarship for outstanding Black Students. Jene was one of the two students from Oregon selected for this honor. Over 55,000 Black students enrolled in more than 6,000 secondary schools enter ed the 1977 Achievement program by taking the Preliminary Scholastic Apti tude test as high school juniors. Jene was one of 475 winner's throughout the country. Winners were chosen on the basis of students academic and extra curricular accomplishments, test scores, and the recommendations of their high school principals. Jene says: "Receiving the National Achievement Scholarship has been quite an honor. The recognition I have gained because of it has been surprising, and the monetary award has made it an even more rewarding experience. This is a fine program because it rewards and encourages academic success." Jene is Senior Class President, a member of the Executive Council and on the Student Human Relations Commit tee. She was school representative to the PTA Youth Council on Alcohol and Government Day. She received the American Legion School Award. Jene was elected “Most Scholarly" and "Most Likely To Succeed.” With all the studying Jene does she still finds time to work at a local pharmacy, collect coins, listen to music, and enjoy the outdoors. She explained her academic success -I have had a home environment in whicn learning is encouraged. My mother takes an interest in my education. Thia kind of positive influence has helped me to do my best in an out of school." Superior Court Judge Robert McMul len of the State of Washington will address the Vancouver Branch, NAACP, on the subject of Drugs this Sunday. Judge McMullen was born and raised in Vancouver and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla. He served in the United States Navy, in the South Pacific. Returning after World War II, he attend ed the Willamette University Colleg of Law, graduating in 1949. After returning to Vancouver and practicing law with his father, Dale McMullen, he was selected for the Superior Court in 1966. The meeting will be held at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 1007 E. Mill Plain Boulevard, at 4:00 p.m. Also on the agenda is a discussion of the Northwest Area Conference which was held in Tacoma in February. The public is urged to attend. Advisory committees open Persons who believe parents and the public do not have adequate input into the decision making process of the Port land Public Schools can now apply to become members of the three area citizens advisory committees. Committee members, who are selected by the Board of Education, have the opportunity to make recommendations to the area sup erintendents and ultimately to the Board of Education. Nineteen vacated adult and student positions await appointments by the Portland Board of Education as three area citizen advisory committees end their seventh year of operation on June 30th. Thirteen of the open positions are held by adult community members, six by high school students. All nominees must be residents of the Portland School District. Nomination petitions for the 12-two the March 27 April 2 Black Culture year and one one-year position as adult Week observance on campus. community members now are available in Earlier in the year CBS had fund the school district's public information raising activities and contacted business office, 631 N.E. Clackamas Street, or at es and groups in Portland for sponsorship area and school offices. of projects to get Portland youth “off the Adult applicants must be age 18 or streets”. older, residents of the area they wish to represent and do not have to have During Black Culture Week many of children enrolled in Portland Public the youth who have been in these pro Schools. grams are expected to visit Pacific, meet High school students do not circulate Black alumni, and learn about the advan nomination petitions, but are nominated tages of a college education. by their student bodies. Student mem bers serve only one-year terms and must remain in good academic standing. Petitioners for adult community- member positions must have signatures sirable. of 30 adults residing in the area they wish After a series of meetings, the Housing to represent. Petitions, along with Authority agreed not to build on the site. biographical information, are to be filed At that time they informed the associaton with the public information office before 5 and the public that it had no further plans p.m. on April 15th. Student nominations to build and that it agreed that develop are to be filed with the same office before ment would be detrimental to the neigh- 5 p.m. on April 1st. hOOu. A five-member city-wide review panel- The Housing Authority also stated at appointed by the school board on Feb that time that the U.S. Department of ruary 2 8 -will compile a list of qualified Housing and Urban Development regu candidates from among the adult petition lations precluded sale of the property, ers in April and May and make recom but that it might be traded with another mendations to the school board. The public body for other property that could school board will meet with the student be developed. nominees and review their qualifications The Concordia Commuinty Association during the same time. is now eoncerend that upon sale of the property, it can become the site of up to 200 housing units. The association is requesting that the sale of the property for housing purposes be denied. The HAP statement in the press explained that the sale was made to obtain funds to build public housing in scattered sites. Portland's minority contracting and employment organizations disagree with the "Consolidated Contract Compliance Review Report of Portland Area Affir ative Action Plan" recently released by the State Highway Division. “It is an out and-out fabrication," Nate Proby, director of the United Minority Workers said, “No federally funded high way project has been in compliance." Eugene Jackson, director of the North west Minority Contractors Association, said, "Their figures are way off. We did a survey last summer, checking the con tractors certified payroll figures against the state statistics for the same jobs and found that the state’s statistics were wrong. They had more man hours than the contractors had reported. The con tractors also shifted the same mail around to make it look like they were utilizing more m inorities than they were.” The Highway Division review was conducted between September 1975 and June 1976 of contractors and subcon tractors on federally funded highway projects in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties and covered the period from August of 1972 to June of 1976. The report states that all contractors who were signatory to Part I of the Plan Bid Conditions (Portland Home Town Plan, active until October 2, 1975) and Part II, were found in compliance. “Each contractor demonstrated good faith ef forts and affirmative actions to employ minorites. “The percentages of minorities em ployed on federal-aid highway projects exceeded the 4.8 per cent of minorities in the work force. The percentage of minor ity man hours increased from an average of 8.6 per cent in 1973 to 10.7 per cent in June of 1976. The overall average was 9.4 per cent. “The minimum plan goals were met or exceeded in all crafts. The overall aver age percentages of minority employees by crafts are as follows: Equipment Operators 7.7 per cent Laborers 14.5 per cent Teamsters 4.7 per cent Carpenters and Piledrivers 6.1 percent Cement Masons 18.4 per cent Electricians 4.9 per cent Ironworkers 10.6 per cent An analysis of Highway Department statistics on 21 randomly selected high way projects in process in 1976 in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties gives figures that vary widely from the state survey. These are: Laborers 9 per cent Equipment Operators 9 per cent Plummers 0 Truck Drivers 8.8 per cent Electricians 6 per cent Carpenters 8 per cent Cement Masons 27 per cent Iron Workers 0 Machinists 0 Painters 0 Piledrivers 0 These statstics come from written reports submitted by the contractors and most are not verified by the state. craft are: Equipment Operators 1 per cent (8) Truck Drivers .4 per cent (2) Ironworkers 0 Carpenters 1 per cent (2) Cement Masons 0 Electricians 1 percent (1) Semi-skilled laborers 1 per cent (5) Unskilled laborers 1 per cent (7) Machinists 0 “The biggest highway job last year was Iionaid M. Drake s contract on 1-6," Proby explained. “Drake never had more than 2 per cent minority laborers. He never had more than one teamster. He finally had one Native American for an equipment operator. Drake never was in compliance. “No major contractor has been in compliance. The only reason Cascade Construction met some of its goals was because they have three Blacks who work Contractors were consistently marked as asphalt layers and they switch them not in compliance in the Highway Divi from job to job. sion records. "The Highway Department figures are At even wider variance is the data wrong and they know it. We wouldn’t supplied by the state in July 1975 in its have any problems if that report were “Summary of Employment Data (includ true.” ing Minority Breakdown) for all federal- A1 Wingford, assistant director of aid highway projects for month ending NMCA, said, “The Highway Department 7/31/75” This report is based on a is making an attempt to show that they once-a-year verification process taking have been doing what they were suppos place every July. Contractors are aware ed to do - in reality it is just icing for the when the check is made and are able to cake. From the information we have from supplement their minority work forces if the Highway Department, it was a they wish. one-month sampling that reflects a total The July 1975 report shows a total of years work. I think that it is no more than 120 jobs at a cost of $166,522,281. A total a white washing of the situation. work force of 2579 included 134 minori “The only way you can really do ties. These were: 25 Blacks, 9 Asians, 56 anything is to spread the contracts American Indians, and 44 Spanish around and see that minorities get a Speaking. Minorities made up 5 per cent share. of the work force. They were 28 per cent “The State of Oregon was one of the of the apprentices and 30 per cent of the few states that shows zero minority on the-job trainees. participation. I don’t agree with their - statistics. The way their system is set up Minorities according to crafts were: I don’t think they can prove what they Equipment Operators 4 per cent say. Truck Drivers 2 per cent “When you take money from Minor Iron Workers 11 per cent ity Business Enterprise and tell the Carpenters 7 per cent grantor that you can’t find a minority Cement Masons 14 per cent organization to use it - when you give the Electricians 4 per cent money to non-minorities and they give 30 Semi-skilled laborers 5 per cent day training and receive the bulk of the Unskilled laborers 6 per cent money, I don't think you are doing the Machinists 2 per cent right thing. Goals for all trades are between 5.5 and “They are doing no more than trying to 6.5 per cent. justify their prior activities. I think it is a Employment of Blacks according to sham.” Pacific plans Black Culture Week Two Portland students at Pacific Uni versity are among officers of Concerned Black Students tC’BSI on the campus. They are Lenore Wheeler, 866 N. Russell, secretary .and Angela Burns, ¡1948 N.E. 7th Ave.. Black Culture Week chairman. Other officers include Bonnie Deckard, president, and Terrance Wallace, vice president, both of Los Angeles, and Beverly Turner, Compton, California, financial aid and admissions chairman. The Pacific CBS is now busy planning ■ W j Coucordia opposes propi The Concordia Community Association has expressed concern that the Housing Authority of Portland has sold property adjacent to Dekum Court Project and that the property can be used for high density housing. HAP reportedly,4ias sold the property for approximate!/ $280,000, the sale to culminate in April. The neighborhood association has been concerned about building in the area since the summer of 1975 when it became aware of tentative plans to expand the low income housing project, Dekum Court. The association surveyed the neighborhood and developed statistics to show the adverse impact on the neigh borhood. The Portland Public Schools, Portland Police Department, Portland Traffic Bureau. Portland Public Works, and the Portland Fire Department all gave re ports with statistics supporting the idea that additional public housing in the neighborhood was impractical and unde The Training and Employment Divi sion of the City of Portland has dropped a complaint filed agaisnt it by the North west Minority Contractors Association following an informal hearing Thursday. The complain was filed on February 17 following the city's withdrawal of CETA positions for NMCA. The organization was informed that their CETA positions were not refunded because of a poor transition record. One requirement of the program is that CETA employees be hired or placed in other employment. MALE PRINCIPLE Dorband sculpture selected for museum show Artist Roger Dorband is shown putting the final touches on his wood sculpture, “Male Principle." Dorband’s sculpture was one of the works chosen from 883 entries for this year's Artist of Oregon show sponsored by the Portland Art Museum. The show begins on March 23rd and runs approximately one month. In the past Dorband was employed as a social worker at the Albina Child Care Center and the 4C's Family Day and Night Care program. He also was employed part-time by the Portland Observer in the advertising department, and currently takes occasional sports photographs for the newspaper. This is Dorband’s second Artists of Oregon show. He was also represented by a wood sculpture in the 1975 exhibi tion. Recently Dorband was employed by the Metropolitan Arts Commission in their Artists in Residence program. At present he devotes fulltime to his studio work where he concentrates on wood sculpture and does occasional portrait commissions in bronze relief. In discussing “Male Principle”, Dorband attributed the inspiration to the opening of a dance entitled “Revelations” which he saw performed by the Alvin Ailey Dancers, a Black troupe out of Harlem. “The pose seemed to express the spiritual aspect of maie energy found in the philosophies of India and China, in which I am very interested. “As I worked on the piece, which is an abstract figure with head thrust back, it occurred to me that the pose also reflects the aspiration of western man in his desire to 'get to the top’. The phallic shape of the sculpture completes the image by its reference to male sexuality.” Dorband stated that his ideas about the sculpture are in no way definitive and he hopes others who view it might formulate their own interpretations. Neighborhood program explores child care City dismisses NMCA complaint NWMC claims that they successfully transitioned four out of nine persons, with two remaining on the job until the funds wre cut. They said other agencies with lower records were refunded. City records showed a 17 per cent transition SCULPTOR ROGER OOKHANO record for NMCA while their own records show 44 per cent. NMCA also charged that most of the agencies selected for funding cater to the middle and upper classes and are socially oriented, while agencies dealing more directly with the poor and with economic development are denied. Eugene Jackson, director of NMCA, said his organization will appeal the decision to the U.S. Department of l^abor and to the U.S. Supreme Court if neccessary. "ft was a kangaroo court. The hearings officer didn't even get the materials until the day of the hearing and there was far too much to read in a few minutes. We are put in the position of appealing to the same agency that denied us in the first place." “ Neighborhood Options in Child Care" is a program that is identifying the natural child care patterns in the com munity and assisting to strengthen and expand them. “We have surveyed the community to find where the children are, who is caring for them, and who is in need of child care". Mrs. Carol Bryant, director of the program explained. NOCC began in 1975, funded by the American Friends Service Committee, to assist the Piedmont-Columbia neighbor hoods, which had no child care centers. It has now spread throughout the North and Northeast areas and also is able to make referrals in all areas of the city. Central to the program was the identi fication of persons who care for children in their homes or who are willing to care for children. With this “provider" list, NOCC can refer parents who are seeking child care. This is done on an informal basis, with parents and providers making thier own arrangements for payment. Some of the homes are certified by the state and some are not. NOCC helps to enrich the day care experience by providing assistance to a newly formed "Day Care Mothers Assoc iation". This association, run by the day care mothers themselves, will provide training, exchange of ideas and equip ment, group field trips, discussions of mutual concerns, skills exchange, etc. They also plan group liability insurance, group purchasing and a loan fund or credit union. A new project is the Day Care Equip ment Exchange. A special grant provided for purchase of cribs, cots, highchairs, strollers and other equipment for loan to day care mothers. Services are also provided by NOCC to parents who do not need regular day care but who may need baby sitting occasion ally or want their children to have experiences with other children. Play groups can be arranged for two or three parents and their children. The parents take turns providing play and activities for the children, which not only gives the children an opportunity to be together but frees the parents for a few hours. The first play goup will develop into a preschool for two and three year olds this fall with mothers taking turns operating the center. A “Little People's Exchange” encour ages parents to trade baby sitting with each other. A list of approved teen age baby sitters is provided for those who do not wish to exchange. NOCC can arrange field visits or other g ro u p activities for day care mothers or for mothers who would like to do thing with their children along with oth« adults. A newly formed women's group wi provide women an opportunity to discus some of their common problems: chil development, divorce, finances, legi problems that are common to womei employment opportunities, etc. Talkin with other women helps eliminate th feeling of isolation that can come froi staying home with children all day. All day care mothers and child car providers are invited to participate in th Day Care Mothers Association. Meeting are held on the fourth Thursday of eacl month at 7:30 p.m. at 6329 N.E. Union Ms. Bryant and Ms. Rosemary Harrel Associate, invite anyone in need of chib care or intersted in providing child can to contact the program at 289-5746.
