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U n iv e rs ity of Oregon L ib ra ry
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PORTLAND
Gladys McCoy wins commission race
OBSER/ER
Vohuae 8 N». 22 Thursday, May 25, 1978 10c par copy
Gladys McCoy was an easy winner in
the race for the Democratic Party nomi
nation to County Commiasion, Position 5.
Competing with six other candidates,
Mrs. McCoy received more than 3,500
votes more than her closest contenders,
former State Representative Harvey
Akeson and Gresham councilperson
Paula Bentley.
Mrs. McCoy will face an easy race in
November with the Republican candi
date, Carl Neuberger.
Berna Plummer, Republican candidate
for the same position, was defeated by
Neuberger.
Carol Bryant lost out in her first bid for
election, trailing four-term legislator Dr.
Howard Cherry in Legislative District 14.
After running a hard-working house to
house campaign, Mrs. Bryant came in
second in a field of five.
Representative Gretchen Kafoury eas
ily defeated her opponent to win the
Democratic nomination for District 13.
She will be opposed by Fran Ariniello, an
Ja»«« O. PUntoo, Vice President ef Eastern Airlines,
discusses N A A C P Convention with Robert Butler of Travel
Roberts.
W a n e Nana of Padfie Pewar aad Light receives N A A C P
certificate al achievement trees Andrea Hollie. Als» pictured
are Jaases O. Plinton. Bobbie Naan aad Thomas Keaaedy.
NAACP Convention provides Portland opportonity
by Jee McHenry
The final meeting of the NAACP's Blue
Ribbon Committee was held at the Hilton
Hotel May 18th.
In an address directed to the members
of thia committee, James 0 . Plinton. Vice
President of M arket Development for
Eastern Airlines stressed the importance
of viewing the world from an interna
tional perspective rather than a parochial
view.
M r. Plinton stated. “Very important in
this global view is the understanding of
the fact that there is no one in Portland
today who is more than 24 hours away
from any place on the earth's surface.
“You see. the problems of the whole
world today are in Portland's backyard.
And at the same time Portland is a fish
bowl, open to the view of the rest oi the
world
M r. Plinton went on to explain the
significance of his global view in relation
ship to the NAACP's National Confer
ence to be held in Portland July 3rd-7th
by stating:
"Portland is a showboat and it is an
opportunity also, because the N A A C P
has a new face, a new body, and a new
modus operandum. even though the
goals are the same the methodology is
much more 1980 role."
According to M r. Plinton, Portland's
character is an ideal crucible in which to
test this new methodology, an opportu
nity tor Portland to prove to the world
that Portland's way is the right way. I t
doesn't have anything to do with race or
the racial identity, or the racial objectives
of the N A A C P. The objectives are not
racial; the objectives are not only na
tional. they are international, and so is
the impact.
According to M r. Plinton the future of
this nation’s ideology is going to be
benefited or deterred by what goes on in
Portland and by the fallout of what goes
on here st the NAACP's National Con
vention.
“W e are, as a nation, working in a
world of international alienation on the
political, economic and industrial sense.
W hat better opportunity to befriend and
orient that alienated world around us, the
OPECS, European Common M arkets, the
Organization of African U nity, the Orga
nization of American States, than by our
actions here in Portland and by our
interaction and cooperation with the
N A A C P National Convention.”
In M r. Plinton’s view, the world will
look to see how Portland, as a total
community, will respond to the influx of
Black people from all over the nation for
that will represent the nation's attitudes
as a whole.
active member of the Irvington commun
ity, in November.
Wally Priestley received the Demo
cratic nomination for District 16 with a
win over four time challenger Ron
McCarty. Evie Crowell, in her first
political campaign, came in third with a
creditable thirty per cent of the vote.
Preistley will face Republican candidate
Bruce Broussard in the General Election.
A surprise to most political pundits
was the resounding victory of State
Senator Vic Atiyeh over former Gover
nor Tom McCall for the Republican
nomination tor Governor. Atiyeh was the
party’s choice in 1974, defeating State
Treasurer Clay Meyers. He was subse
quently beaten by Bob Straub.
McCall's political career ended on a
sour note as he castigated the Republican
voters . , , “M y whole problem is that I am
so progressive . . . so many Republicans
wanted to shaft me." Claiming to have an
ability that Atiyeh does not possess to
get Democratic and Independent votes,
he said, “this is the night that Straub
probably was re-elected by 200.000
votes.” McCall blamed his defeat on a
“hatchet job” by the third candidate. Rep
resentative Roger M artin, and the fact
that the young voters who he believes
support him did not vote.
Other surprises were the State Se
nator M ary “W endy” Roberts’ win over
A F L C IO official Nellie Fox for Labor
Commissioner and the good showing of
Ruth McFarland in the Superintendent of
Public Education race. McFarland, an
instructor at M t. Hood Community Col
lege. started her campaign at a slow pace
and spent less money than most state
wide candidates, but she came on strong
in the late weeks and received enough
votes to put the race in a run-off at the
November General Election. Since Super
intendent Verne Duncan failed to get
fifty percent of the votes, he will meet
McFarland in November.
Rally honors African liberation
by N. Fungsi Kumbaia
This Saturday, May 27th, will mark
another African Liberation Day, a day to
stop and take stock of the liberation
struggles in South Africa. It will not only
be a show of solidarity with our brothers
and sisters in the struggle, but also an
opportunity to reaffirm the tie that binds,
to foster closer cooperation while we
exchange ideas and strategies.
To bring the struggle closer to home,
this year there will be an examination of
the shocking unemployment situation
specifically in the Black community. The
“official" figures are: Black adults 25-30%
and youngsters (16-30 age group) 50%.
The real figures are generally much
higher and, in fact, among Black youth,
the unemployment figure is over 60%.
Not only are more jobs needed, they
must be decent jobs because the vast
majority of those who are "employed” are
underemployed. The twin evils: unem
ployment and underemployment are de
stroying the Black family, disintegrating
the community as youngsters turn to
dope and petty crime out of desperation.
L et’s get together Saturday and discuss
these problems - is there still a little
racism left in Portland? How come we
seem to be a lot worse off than anybody
else in terms of jobs?
Saturday's program starts with a
march and rally from King School to
Irvington Park at 1:00 p.m. A t the park,
there will be speakers giving an update
on the situation in Southern Africa
focusing on: a) The pseudo-settlement in
Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and the continuing
armed struggle; b) The recent violation of
Angola's territory by the mad dogs of the
Vorster regime; c) The apartheid regime
of South Africa itself after the Black
uprisings - which by the way have never
really ceased; d) American corporations
keeping apartheid afloat; e) South A fri
ca's ties with the U.S. and of course,
JOBS (for Portlanders).
Hopefully, out of Saturday's program,
will come some viable answers to the
problems of the Black community. To
reiterate an old African proverb, “A child
that never cries will die of hunger.” We
won't get anything if we just sit hack and
expect it to be served to us on a platter.
The history of the civil rights struggle
should be testimony enough.
I f we want jobs, we have to demand
them; if we want freedom, we have to
demand. In either case, it is our right.
W e do not have to beg anybody as if we
were asking a favor. The struggle is the
same. So let us link hands, join forces,
consolidate plans, pool ideas and we will
win!
U nity is strength and Black
strength (unity) is something that still
has to realize its potential.
So, come one, come all Saturday to get
this all important business off the ground.
Entertainment w ill be provided by sev
eral groups including kids from the Black
Educational Center, poetry and possibly
a dramatic presentation.
See you Saturday either at King School
or the Park!!
Vanport experience influences LIFE director
by Marte» M hesüey
This May 30th will mark the 30th
anniversary of the Vanport Flood of '48, a
catastrophe that virtually eliminated an
entire city. W ith a population of 20,000,
Vanport was the second largest city in
Oregon during World W ar II. The flood
was one of the biggest disasters ever to
hit the Northwest. Although only three
people died, thousands lost everything
they owned. Those involved will never
forget the tragedy and the ensuing
struggle for restitution. One of these is
Ms. Gertrude Crowe, present director of
the L -I-F -E Center (Low Income Family
Emergency Center) at 321 N .E . Russell.
Ms. Crowe, in her early thirties when
the tragedy struck, hasn't stopped her
own relief work for the less fortunate in
all these years. Remembering Vanport,
Ms. Crowe still praises the good people of
Portland who took refugees into their
homes when it was necessary. An article
appearing in the June 1st Oregon Journal
of 1948 indicates the particularly interest
ing situation brought about by the flood.
It states Race I tees Lost In Relief Work
and goes on to say race discrimination
was forgotten in the emergency of the
Vanport disaster, with townspeople and
members bombarding the newly formed
Urban League of Portland with offers to
help house "Negroes."
In pre-civil rights days, this is remark
able praise for a city with the then racial
constituency of Portland. Prior to 1940,
the Black population of the greater
Portland area was only 1,931. In 1945 it
had jumped to 15,000. with many housed
at the newly constructed city of Vanport
(Vancouver Portland). About twenty per
cent of Vanport was "colored" and thia
represented about half the Black popula
non of Portland. Built during the war
effort to house migrant Kaiser ship yard
workers, it was the largest federal
housing complex of its kind in the
nation.
By 1948, Vanport was mainly a vet
erans' city handling the post w ar over
crowding. The majority of Vanport'»
population was poor; one fourth of the
city was on welfare. However, there was
never any discrimination or segregation
in housing, "except by choice," stated the
Housing Authority of Portland, which
took the place of Mayor and City Council
for Vanport. Ms. Crowe claims that there
was no discrimination in Vanport City,
although in Portland one could find
numerous "we cater to whites only"
signs.
Although President H arry Truman had
declared the entire Columbia River basin
a disaster area, many victims were left
entirely to their own devices with no aid
from public agencies. The State Welfare
Division decided after Truman's declara
tion that it was a natural disaster and
that the refugees were not entitled to
relief. Surplus war property and army
and navy materials were offered, but the
Housing Authority of Portland did noth
ing to find replacement housing. I t was
the Red Cross that came up with one
million dollars in aid and who conducted
evacuation and relief planning despite
statements by the district army engineer
who, up to within hours before the dike
broke, was still giving reassurance of “no
danger" and claiming in the event of
flood. Vanport residents would be given
36 hours advance warning.
The Red
Cross paid no attention and was ready
when disaster struck. In addition, news
articles at the time claim almost every
family in North Portland turned out to
offer shelter to their neighbors. Many
church groups were helpful, like the
Church of Christian Scientists who gave
52,000 in aid money. The Y W C A opened
its doors for refugees and there were
even a few landlords who made some
empty apartment quarters available.
Vanport was much more than just a
physical disaster. I t was also a triumph
of human involvement and charity. Ms.
Crowe, understandably, has much faith in
charity. In 1966, Ms. Crowe and Rev
erend Samuel Johnson, present director
of Highland Community Center, and
others put together the L -I-F -E Center.
“People cume when they need, and then
give when they can," so states Ms.
Crowe. She prefers to think of the
L -I-F -E Center as a survival service ex
change. Between 1,000 to 2,000 people
are serviced every month, and most of
the budgeting for the Center comes from
charity monies provided by agencies like
United W ay. Originally the L -I-F -E Cen
ter was funded by President Johnson's
Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).
However, when public funding ended, it
was only through the hard efforts of Ms.
Crowe and the Reverend Johnson that
the L -I-F -E Center kept going. Ms. Crowe
had learned a lesson from the Vanport
experience.
W hat does the L -I-F -E Center offer?
Under present guidelines, a person in
need can come in once every two months
and will receive a large box of food stuffs
and clothing. A typical food box might
consist of dry beans, bread, soup, canned
fruit and vegetables, potatoes, chicken
backs, cole slaw, cottage cheese and a
macaroni casserole. For those without
cooking facilities, a different basket is
made up.
Much of this food is brought in by the
Tri-County Community Council In te r
agency Food Bank, a food salvaging
project servicing the tri-county area. The
Food Bank distributes the surplus foods
they collect from wholesalers and bak
eries, supermarkets and produce ware
houses, to 25 member emergency helping
agencies. Only a small monthly fee is
charged to help with the Food Bank's
expenses in running the trucks. In the
past month, the Food Bank has given the
L-I-F-E Center over 2,672 pounds of food.
A t an estimated value of 50c a pound
that's over a thousand dollars worth of
food recycled into the community. Gov
ernment monies are only involved so far
as paying C E T A employees like Dan
Mullins, a driver for the Food Bank, and
Robert Williams and Albert Forthan,
workers at the L I- F - E Center.
Yoa're Not Begging
Unless they are handicapped, a senior
citizen, or sick, a donation of time and
service is asked in return at the Center.
“You're not begging.” These were Ms.
Crowe's words for a man who had shown
up in tears because he couldn't even buy
peanut butter for his kids after the IRS
took his paycheck. People seeking help
are put to work making quilts, helping to
package food baskets, sorting, painting,
cleaning and helping the drivers. People
from the court are allowed to work off
community s e rv re time and often want
to stay on. Everyone involved in every
aspect of the Center has nothing but
praise. “The attitude here is always
positive," says Robert Williams, the
administrative assistant.
The L I-F -E
Center is a meeting place where there is a
sharing of ideas and information. They
are not looking for people who are
seeking only support. The idea of the
Center, like the idea of charity itself is to
give whenever you can.
Ms. Crowe
knows it works. I t worked after Vanport,
and it's still working today.
Mrs. Gertrude Crowe, founder and director of the L IF E Center prepares used
clothing for those who need assistance.
Educational Center offers youth conference
Portland State University’s Educa
tional Center is holding a “Black Youth
leadership Conference," June 8th 10th at
Camp Adams, at no cost to interested
Black youths.
The conference is open to high school
seniors, students enrolled in community
agency programs (agesl5 19), and drop
Aid Africans
Portland Citisens Against Racism is
collecting clothing and other items for the
freedom fighters and refugees in south
ern Africa.
Portland Citizens Against Racism will
sort, crate and ship materials to the areas
of greatest need. Items that are most
needed are:
• clean, durable men's and boy's doth
(Please turn to page 2 col. 4)
outs (ages 15-19), according to Lucious
Hicks, director of the Ed Center.
Enrollment is free on a first-come-first
serve basis to the first 60 applicants.
However, students with limited economic
resources will be given priority.
Deadline for applying is May 31st.
Meals, lodging and transportation will
be provided, but participants will be
asked to supply their own bedding.
The purpose of the conference, accord
ing to Hicks, is to offer Black youths a
positive learning experience and an op
portunity to cultivate leadership poten
tial.
Participants will be encouraged to
discuss concerns, ideas, and aspirations
for themselves and for their communities,
as well as to consider various leadership
alternatives.
Specific workshop topics include: “Edu
cation: The Key to Success - M yth or
Reality?" “Communicating Leadership
Dynamics," "Non traditional Careers for
Blacks in the 1980’s”; "Dynamics of
Community Development”; and “Speak
Out - Re assessing Our Values."
Guest conference leaders will include:
Herb Cawthorne. director of the PSU
Educational Opportunity Program; Ca
rolyn Murray, assistant professor of
Black studies at PSU; and Louis Merrick,
coordinator of special programs for the
Oregon State System of Higher Educa
tion.
The idea for a Black youth leadership
conference originated with Hicks, who
attended a similar program in Los An
geles when he was a high school senior.
He sees the conference filling a need
for “a continuing medium of communica
tion and affiliation with the endless
numbers of older Blacks who have the
potential of helping Black youth realize
their own leadership potentials."
For further information on the confer
ence, contact the Educational Center at
229 3864 or drop by at 4815 N .E . 7th.
Judge discharges sex offender
Judge Clifford B. Olsen has discharged
a sex abuse charge against Kirby Boeckel
after a jury found him guilty of abusing a
sixteen year old Black girl.
Boeckel, who is a twenty-two year old
white man, and the young lady had been
going together for some time when she
and her parents told him that she no
longer wanted to see him.
According to evidence offered at the
trial, Boekel went to see her early in the
morning of October 17th. She called the
police, who removed him to his car. He
returned to her home immediately and
then she called his parents. They took
him home but he again returned to her
home.
He came into the home and struggled
with her, forcing her to commit ora,
sodomy. The police, responding to a call.
heard her screaming, kicked down the
door and saw Boeckel chasing her.
Boeckel was charged with Sodomy I
and Trespass I. The jury found him guilty
of trespass I, a misdemeanor, and sex
abuse, a class three felony. He was
referred to pre-sentence investigation
but left the state and had to be extradited
from Idaho.
Judge Olsen discharged the sex abuse
charge, giving no sentence. Stating that
although technically this was sodomy, the
case was more one of trespass, he
sentanced Boeckel to one year for tress
pass and recommended work release. His
flight from the state was not mentioned.
The District Attorney’s office has
received an indictment on failure to
appear in the first degree and plans to
prosecute on that charge.
Deputy District Attorney John Brad
ley, who prosecuted the sex offense case,
told the Observer that the fact that this
man was not sentenced for the sex
offense is no indication of the District
Attorney's office's intent to prosecute
similar cases. T h e District Attorney did
prosecute and the jury found the defend
ant guilty. I hope that this case will not
deter other Black women from reporting
rape cases. This case did prove that a
jury will fund a white man guilty of on
offense against a Black woman. We want
to prooecute; we want these crimes
reported."
Few Black women report sex crimes
and Bradley is of the opinion that many
Black women do not report cases because
they are not convinced that the case
would be vigorously prosecuted.