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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 1980)
Portland Observer August 21, ISSO Page 3 Recall debate raises tempers By N yew usi A skari While many area residents were busy settling and shaking o ff the rigors o f the day, representatives from the Black U nited F ront, Citizens For A Responsible School Board, Citizens For Com m unity Unity and the Northeast community were meeting at King Neighborhood F a cility , in an e ffo rt to fu rth e r c la rify their positions on issues surrounding the recall campaign, the present boycott o f the Lloyd C orporation, and the threatened Sept. 2, boycott of Portland Public School District No. 1. When the smoke cleared Monday night, it was evident that Portland is in for a long season of unpredictable turmoil. Each representative were allowed ten minutes to express its organization's position, followed by informal questioning by members of the audience. Two minutes each were given for closing remarks First to speak, and representing the Citizens For A Responsible School Board, was Evie Crowell. Ironically, Hal Hart, co-chairperson o f the committee, was present but refused to participate, even after being asked by members o f the Black community. “ I feel we are adequately represented,” he said. Ronnie Herndon, co-chairman of the Black United F ront and its ’ representative at the forum, respon ded: ‘ ‘ Its’ an insult to the Black com m unity that M r. H art is refusing to defend his committee’ s position. He has done it all over town, on T.V., and other forums, yet when it comes to the Black community, he chooses to front Ms. Crowell as his mouth piece. As far as I know, Ms. Crowell has never represented the Recall committee anywhere before, u n til to n ig h t. Again, we ask Mr. Hart to step for ward and defend their position.” Hart did not respond, even to the boos and repeated urging from members o f the audience. Visibly shaken, Ms. Crowell proceeded to briefly outline some o f her commit tee’s reasons for wanting Newhall, Caw thorne, Buel and Priestley removed from the board: • irre s p o n s ib ility in decision making. • reckless conduct • lacking qualities o f good judgment and, • jeopardizing the s ta b ility o f Portland School System. When questioned about her per sonal involvement with the Recall committee, Ms. Crowell said she was acting as a private citizen and a concerned parent. ” 1 feel that the manner in which Dr. Blanchard was removed, showed im m a tu rity o f judgm ent,” she said. Her answer sparked heated comments from the audience, some posing serious questions about her performance as a former school board member. It was pointed out that only once, while serving on the school board, did she cast a vote favorable to changing the conditions o f Black children in the school system. She was also questioned about her lack Black United Front co-chairm en Ron Herndon and Rev. John Jackson m eet w ith IR to LI M iriam Lawson of the D epartm ent of Justice, Com m unity R e la tio n s S e rv ic e (C R S I. W a s h in g to n . D C .. Robert Hughes, m ediator CRS. and John M athis. Black United Front pickets Lloyd Center, asking supporters not to spend their money. Lloyd Corporation vice president Bob Cameron is active in school board recall m ovem ent. (Photo: Richard Brown) of concern fo r "Q u a lity Education" for Black children past and present. Ms. Crowell defined the Recall committee as “ a broad based com mittee o f concerned citizens; long term residents w ith a sense o f responsibility.” Ronnie Herndon, in explaining the Black United F ront’ s position said, " I ’ m sorry, that in this day and tim e, to hear someone talk about how sad it is to see Robert Blanchard go, given the harm he did to a generation of black children.” • desegregation plan — bussed Black children out o f their com m u nity, but never m a ndatorily bussed one white child • early childhood centers -- almost 69% white in lower grades • few Blacks hired in the school system • three (3) times as many Black students suspended three (3) years in a row • curriculum - a joke to say the least. "The Black United Front entered the Recall reluctantly. We feel it is a waste o f taxpayers money. We also feel that dissatisfaction with school board members should be settled at the polls, however, we will not call o ff our recall campaign. In the first place, the recall committee gives no indication that it is willing to drop its recall. I f we called o ff our recall, or i f the recall o f the four school board members is successful, what we’ll have is three board members Doing her th e re to ineure ehe w ill be able to get a "Q u ality Education," Morezeta Baker gives a flyer encouraging the boycott of Lloyd Center to Saturday shopper as Janet Hiner looks on. (Photo: Richard J. Brown) who don’ t really care about Black children given the policies, practices and votes they have cast during the tenure on the B oard,” Herndon said. Paul M illiu s , representing the C itizens fo r C om m unity U n ity , called on both the Black United Front and the recall committee to drop their recall campaigns. "T he most pressing need is not mass disruption o f the Board, but the creation o f a climate of decision of plans and programs that meet the challenge of the 80s,” he said. This committee fears a division of communities if the recall campaigns continue. It proposes that the Black United Front and the recall commit- mittee work together to solve the problems, thus allowing other issues of importance to become part o f the problem solving e ffo rt. Some o f those issues outlined were: • decling revenues • staff changes • shrinking student population • program involvements • school closures "W e want to prom ote an on going dialogue within the Portland com m unity to id e n tify these problems and come up w ith a creative solution for them. “ We are firm ly opposed to both recalls o f school board members that are now under way. We are asking both sides to cool it, to turn down the rhetoric, to turn in recall petitions, unsigned o f course. For those who are critical o f the school board, we say, watch them closely, call them to task, but also ask to help. D on't sign...servel” he urged. The feeling o f the community was best reflected in a comment made by a Black woman, who recently moved to Portland from Chicago. "W h a t these powerful people are failing to realize is, no matter how much money they have to throw around, no matter how successful their recall is or isn’ t, it all boils down to the children. W ith o u t children there can be no school board, nothing. Both w hite and Black parents know this, and I ’ m sure, as both concerned parents and citizens, we shall keep our children out o f this school system, until the real issues are resolved to the com m unity’ s satisfaction. W ithout the children, this system cannot func tio n ,” she concluded. WANTED P e rso n s and organizations who can v o lu n te e r tim e , space, m aterials, tra n sportation. Call 288-6700 conciliator CRS. both of Seattle Region 10. discuss how the Justice Department might be helpful In preventing com m unity disruption and conflict during the proposed school boycott. (Photo: Richard J. Brown) Albina ministers oppose recalls The follow ing is a statem ent of Reverend G arlin g to n. c h a ir m an o f the A lb in a M in is te ria l Alliance: A fte r careful deliberation and consideration it is the position o f the Albinia Ministerial Alliance not to support any recall effort sponsored by local community groups. We therefore call upon the com mittee fo r a responsible School board to discontinue their recall ef forts. I f they do so we have been assured that the Black United Front and their supporters will drop their action. The recall was not designed as a tool ol use when citizens disagree with an elected public body. It is clear, that such disagreements should be addressed at the polls. It is a proper use, it would seem, if a public body has violated the law, or deliberately and w illfu lly violated board policy or acted in gross misconduct. Neither this Board nor any future Board should be made to function under threat o f recall for every con troversial decision. The Democratic process provides for differences o f opinion, but let us disagree without being disagreeable. Because o f the extremely divisive potential of any recall not rooted in genuine m isconduct, it is the position o f the Albina Ministerial Alliance not to support any recall effort. We all upon our fellow clergyman and brothers and sisters o f goodwill throughout the Rose City to join hands o f reconciliation. Good education predicated upon a basis o f equity for both Black and white children is a concern not only to those o f us who are Black, many o f our white fellow citizens have spent hours addressing the inequities of our system. In a school system that treats all races fa irly everyone wins. OUR TECHNICAL SCHOOL WON’T CO ST YOU A CENT. For free job tra in in g -p i us pay and benefits while you learn —join today’s Army. 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