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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1978)
Portland Observer Thursday, November 2, 1978 Page 3 MSD Council - Position 11 Robert Phillips la a candidate for the newly created Metropolitan Ser vice District, position 11. Reasons for Candidacy: Phillips explained his reasons for running for a position on the M SD as a desire to provide a “ voice for the Black community** as well as to represent all o f the citizens o f District 11. “ So often we don’t get involved in issues until decisions have already been made. Black people should be represented at all levels o f government — so we can help make the decisions that effect our communities.** with a large number of residents and discusses a variety of issues and con cerns. As chairperson o f the Greater Northeast Police Precinct Council, he meets w ith individuals and organizations in the area stretching roughly from 1-5 to the airport, from Columbia to Fremont. The Precinct Council deals with p olice/citizen concerns including crime prevention, police-community relations and complaints against the police. The Council is sponsored by the Police Bureau but made up of citizens. As chairman, Phillips must tread the narrow path that allows him to communicate effectively with the police without losing the con gives me an insight into the problems o f the district that 1 would not otherwise be so familiar w ith.” lasues of Concern " M y main concern if 1 am elected to the M SD Council will be citizen involvement. The M S D Council is just being set up and there is already a lot o f conflict and con fusion about how it will operate and exactly what it w ill do. The guidelines still have to be written. 1 want to insure that the people do not get lost in the shuffle — that they really have access to the Council and that their input is heard and con sidered.” “ Another area of concern is the large amounts o f federal and other money that is coming into the Port land area for programs. Much of this money is now funneled through C R AG and many of the functions o f C R A G will be transferred to the M SD. “ I would like to take a good look at this money — what it is for and how it is used — and try to see if there isn’t a better way to coordinate services.” RE-ELECT BOB STRAUB, Dem ocrat for Governor Pressures from the System Asked how he w ould react to pressures from special interest groups and how he will avoid being set up as the “ Black spokesman,” Phillips responded that he has worked under pressure and believes he can make independent decisions. “ There is a lot o f pressure on the Precinct Council — each group wants its views stated and the police are not the easiest people to work with. I ’ve dealt with pressure while serving on the C ity ’ s Budget Task Force on Police. I attended Oregon State University the year after all o f the Black students left in protest, and they say I ’m the first Black from Portland to graduate in fo u r consecutive years. There were few Blacks at Oregon State and some people didn’t want us there so many dropped out. I even had my apartment bombed, but 1 decided to stay. That was pressure — so I think I could withstand any kind o f pressure.” Qualification for the Poaition Robert Phillips, candidate for M SD position 11, greets Clara Bartholomew at Senior Adult Center monthly potluck. Phillips said he contacted several community organizations and people who are active in the community “ to see if they thought 1 would be a good representative o f their interests and whether they would support my can didacy. W hen 1 felt that I had adequate support, I went ahead and filed.” Community Contacts Phillips is active in the Sabin and King Neighborhood Associations and works w ith the Northeast Coalition o f Neighborhoods and its members. In this capacity he meets fidence of the community. An example o f the issues the coun cil confronts was a fiery meeting between the representatives o f the police department and the Outsiders and Brothers Free motorcycle clubs, in which the Brothers Free accused the police o f refusing to protect them and the Outsiders charging police harassment. Members o f the general public complained about the Out siders’ activities and the police neglecting to enforce the law. “ My work with the Council and with many other community groups Phillips holds a Master o f Social W o rk Degree w ith emphasis on community organization and plan ning and is currently a service coor d in ato r fo r the State A d u lt and Family Services. His job consists of planning, developing and coor dinating services fo r adults and families in need o f welfare, health or protective services. He serves on the City o f Portland Residential Care F acility B oard, which regulates group care facilities for youth, handi capped, corrections, drug and alcohol treatment, and the elderly. He is a member o f the Multnomah County Developmental Disabilities C o o rd in atin g C ouncil and the Southeast Senior Citizens Task Force. Legislation aids RETAMo^n. JUDG E W ELCH “ ...Fully Qualified ...A Good Choice” The Oregonian Judge Welch's Experience and Perspective Mean Fairness, Under standing and Compassion in Her Daily Court Work. The Multnomah County Domestic Relations Bench * Needs Judge W elch Endorsed by: Multnomah County Labor Council, Portland Federation of /Teachers, Willamette Week. Committee to Retain Judge Welch James B Richardson. Treasurer 731 S.W Bancroft Terrace Portland OR 97201 minority business W A S H IN G T O N — President Carter has signed legislation which w ill strengthen government p ro grams to assist business owned by minorities and other disadvantaged individuals in the United States. “ This bill addresses a matter of deep concern to this Administration- making minority-owned businesses into full and equal partners in the free enterprise system,” President Carter said. The President signed H R 11318, which makes changes in the Small Business Act so that minority firms will have more opportunities to do business with the Federal govern ment. The legislation is expected to increase the number o f contracts going to all small businesses. The bill also makes it easier for minority firms to seek loans from the Small Business Administration and makes bonding requirements less restrictive. “ As a result o f racial or ethnic prejudice or social bias, too many Americans have too long been kept from realizing their full potential in the small business community. H R 11318 goes a long way in helping small and disadvantaged businesses grow in our economy,” the President said. He extended special thanks to Congressmen Parren M itc h e ll, Joseph Addabbo, and Senator Sam Nunn for their role in drafting the legislation. R tM F M B iR TO jSr/WI V 0 T E !§ & Since 1975 G O VER N O R BOB S TR A U B • Has appointed more than 30 Blacks to key posi tions on: Apprenticeship and Training Council Board o f Education Board o f Higher Education Law Enforcement Council Parole Board Tri-M et • Has hired Blacks fo r key sta ff positions, including: Ombudsman A ffirm ative A ction O fficer Purchasing Manager, General Services Dept. • Helped a ttra ct the W acker Chemical plant and its ' 1,000 new jobs, more than 1/3 o f them promised to m ino rity workers. Th an ks to BOB S T R A U B 'S Leadership • Oregon had the first A ffirm a tive A ctio n plan o f any State — even before Federal requirements were in effect. • The n um ber o f Blacks in State em ploym ent in creased fro m 274 to 363 persons — an increase of 32% . • The State has awarded contracts totaling $1,171,$56.00 to m in o rity businesses, just in this biennium . "Bob Straub is one o f the most decent, candid and honest Governors in this Country. ” — Vice President Walter Mondale, (October 28, 1978) Keep Bob Straub working for you Vote to Re-elect Governor Bob Straub Paid for by the Re-elect Bob Straub Committee, Stan Geffen, Treasurer, P.O. Box 328, Portland, OR. 97207 1