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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 1978)
Portland Observer Thursday, May 18. 1978 Page 5 Through the eyes of Mr. W . . . by Harold C. William. budget vote bolds key to Mt. Hood CC future Four years of stability for M t. Hood Community College w ill be at stake Tuesday, May 23rd, when district voters consider a revised tax base lor the community college. D r. R. Stephen Nicholson, M HCC pre sident, said extrem ely careful planning has gone into the tax base request to insure that the college can operate within the six percent limitation during the 1978-82 four year period if the proposal is approved. “The college board has made a public commitment to not seek additional operating finds for four years if the May 23rd measare is successful,“ Nicholson said. "This means the college will have four years of stability, and voters will not be asked to provide more money each year through special levies," he said. On the average over the four year period, the $5.9 million proposal will not increase the college's current tax rate of 12.20 per $1,000 valuation. "In fact, the average tax rate over the four years is expected to be less than the current $2.20 rate." Nicholson said. He explained that the tax rate in the initial year w ill be higher, but when averaged over four years it will be lesi than the current rate. Tax base funds are used for college operations only, such as teaching, instruc tional equipment, plant maintenance, stu dent services, and instructional support services. Nicholson stressed that the May 23rd ballot measure is only for operating funds and is not a bond issue for construction of buildings. The college's current tax base, $2.5 million this year, was approved in 1970. This tax base provided five years of stability; a special levy was not needed until 1975. Since 1970, the college has had only two special levies, one in 1975 and another in 1977. Nicholson noted that a tax base, by law, can increase only six percent each year, but that inflation costs beyond the college's control have far exceeded that figure since 1970. "For example, inflation has more than doubled our energy and paper costs since 1970," he explained. A t the same time, student enrollment has more than doubled since 1970, with the largest increase in the number of vocational students training tor jobs. “We can't control inflation, but we do keep a tight fist on those areas where we can control expenses,” the college presi dent said. The college board recently agreed to re tire nearly $2.7 million in bonded indebtedness by using state funds returned to the college for past construc tion 'T h is was a good opportunity for the college to return money to our taxpayers and at the same time keep the tax rate down,” he said. In other recent action, the board voted to proceed with another financial plan designed to save district taxpayers up to $650,000 by refinancing bonds sold four years ago with new bonds at a lower interest rate now available in the present market. “W e are pleased at the progress we have made this year in controlling costs while still maintaining quality education for our district,” Nicholson said. This year the Northw est Association of Schools and Colleges renewed M t. Hood's accreditation for ten years after exten sive self-study and agency review of the entire college. Charter committee sets hearings The Multnomah County Charter Re view Committee met Monday. A pril 24, 1978 to hear Subcommittee reporta. These reports will be open to discussion and suggestions at weekly Monday night meetings throughout the month of May and at public hearings throughout the month of June. Summaries of these preliminary reports are as follows: D IS T R IC T IN G - The Districting Sub committee presented a proposal and an alternative for the Committee to con aider. The proposal was for a seven member County Commission with three full time Commissioners elected at large and four part time Commissioners (one quarter salary) elected from districts. The alternate proposal was for five bill time Commissioners, two at large, and three from districts. District Com missioners would be subject to a resi dency requirements. Redistricting after 1980 would be done by the Auditor upon report from the elections division. S E P A R A T IO N O P E X E C U T IV E A N D L E G IS L A T IV E PO W ER S - The Wildcard Subcommittee in concurrence with the Districting Subcommittee sug gested a full time chief executive officer who would essentially retain the present powers of the Chairman of the Board but would no longer vote as a member of the Board. The executive officer would prepare the budget, attend and be heard at Commission meetings, appoint admini strative officers, and execute the policies and ordinances of the Board. The executive would have veto power but could be overridden by 2/3rds of the Board. The Subcommittee recommended the chief executive be elected at large, and the Board elect its own presiding officer annually. T E R M - Both the Term and Vacancy Subcommittee and the Districting Sub committee recommended retaining four year terms. R E V E N U E BO N D S - The Wildcard Subcommittee has suggested the Com m ittee consider making a recommenda tion that the County be allowed to issue revenue bonds with the specific require ment they not be paid from property taxes. O T H E R - The W ildcard Subcommittee also made recommendations that changes be made in the Charter to include the feminine and neuter as well as the masculine gender, that a disability clause be included, and that the Charter incor porate the State nondiscrimination amendment creating nonpartisan elective offices. The Term and Vacancy Subcom mittee suggested that the full Committee resolve the issues of partisans vs. nonpar tisan elections and districting before adopting a position on how best to fill vacancies on the Board. S C H E D U L E : C o m m itte e m e etin g scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Monday night M ay 22nd, at the Multnomah County I.E .D ., Seminar Room, 220 S.E. 102nd. Public hearings are scheduled for Mon days, 7:30 p.m., June 5th (Roosevelt High Cafeteria), June 12th, (Cleveland High Cafeteria), June 19th (Lincoln High Cafe teriä), and June 26th (M t. Hood Commu nity College, Town and Gown Room). Candidate leads YWCA walk The sale, including used articles and a “fantastic bake sale" will be held across the street from the park at the home of Northeast Y W C A Director Del von Bar re tt, 2106 N .E . Ainsworth from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. According to Ma. B arrett, money earn ed from the Walkathon and Sale goes toward partial scholarships for children who do not qualify for any other West wind scholarship program. W hat happens if it rains? “W e just get w et,” Director Barrett said, "and pray a lot." Ruth McFarland The fifth annual Walkathon and May Sale, sponsored by the Northeast Y W C A to help raise funds so that boys and girls in the Northeast area can go to Camp Westwind, the Y W C A summer camp near Lincoln C ity, will be held Saturday, May 20th. Evie Crowell, a candidate for state representative from the 16th District and a former chairperson of the Y W C A Board of Directors, will lead the Walkathon. starting at 11:00 a.m., May 20th in Alberta Park. W alkers find sponsors willing to pledge 50 cents a lap around A lberta Park. No m atter what happens in thia elec tion year, it is important that Black people and other people of color join together for a common bond, built on understanding, trust and the will to live. In the last decade with the silencing of the great voice of M artin Luther King, Jr., the sound of thunder and the voice of hope have dwindled to a whisper of confusion, disillusion and distrust. It is important that Black people and people of color set out the priorities for their destiny, for society will not address the issues that affect Blacks and other people of color unless Blacks and people of color are willing to die for principles that would allow their children of the future to dream dreams that will become a reality toward a better life. Few persons in this present day have been to the mountain top and even fewer have a dream. The common bond of unity is the most powerful force that Black people and people of color have in which to fight to bring about change in this oppressed society. Black people and people of color will have to dictate, spell out what it wants from society, what it is willing to give in return and what it will not tolerate. It should be obvious to Black people and people of color that no one cares if you don't care - no one will fight if you're not willing to fight - there will be no dreams if you are not willing to dream - there will be no reality if you are not willing to join together in a common bond of power and unity for the betterment of' all people of color and hope that the - future will bring universal understanding to all people. The time is now to build, for dreams are the blueprint to reality and without the blueprint, the children of the future have no hope. Endorsed by: The Oregonian The Oregon Journal The Portland Observer The W illamette Week Oregon AFL-CIO Oregon League of Envlronmenta Voters Oregon Public Employees Council Citizen’s Alliance for Responsible Education (School Board mem bers and Administrators) United Transportation Union Portland Town Council People fo r Im provem ent of Education (Oregon Teachers) Citizen Action by State Employees Oregon Federation of Teachers Paid for by GRETCHEN KAFOURY for State Representative No 13, BERYL LINN, Treasurer; 1508 NE Stanton, Portland, Oregon 97212 282-8288 RE-ELECT JUDGE JORDAN 14 YEARS EXPERIENCE •Appointed Municipal Court Judge by Mayor Terry Schrunk. •Appointed Multnomah County Dtetrict Judge by Gov ernor Tom McCeN. Elected 1072. •Elected Presiding Judge 3 Times by hie Fellow Judges. Art Festival King and Sabin Community Schools will hold its first “Spring A r t Festival" on Saturday M ay 20th, from noon until 8:00 p.m. A t M artin Luther King Jr. Early Childhood School located at 4906 N E 6th. This is a community project sponsored by community people with the assistance of the Metropolitan A r t Commission, please mark your calendar for this special Fun Day. There is no admission, for more information, contact: Liz Sheppard, 288- 6391 or Don Liedel: 281-6915. •Elected President, American Judges Association, 1070. Committee to Re-elect Judge Jordan, Sam Martin, Treasurer 300 Jackson Tower, Portland, Ore 97208 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carol B ryan t Democrat for State Representative District 14 W orking p eo p le s a y N ellie Fox w ill m ake the best Labor Commissioner. They're right. . Conscientious . Confident . Committed • Candid PAID FOR BY F O I FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE S 71 Endorsed, Ora. AFL-CIO C.O.P.E. Carol Bryant for State Representative Committee. Bob Smith, Treasurer 130 N.E. Holland St. • Portland. OR 97211 • 285-0060 For State Superintendent o f Public Instruction All children are entitled to quality education. Teachers should emphasize basic skills. A new State Superintendent could be the turning point for our Schools Textbooks should be at the appropriate grade level Quality, not quantity of administrators is essential. Competencies should be started at kindergarten level. Educational decision-making should be at the local level. Ruth McFarland for Supanntandant Committee (Virginia Wat. Ti ?960 N F Ovtamn No 17 Greuhem. OR 97030 666 2203 I believe that all people, regardless of race, religion, or sex, have a right to equal opportunity in education, in em ployment, and in housing. We must work hard on legislation which guarantees women's and m in o rity rights in this state. JANE CEASE I y
