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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1984)
Page 4 Section I Portland Observer, January 18, 1984 EDITORIAL/OPINION School oard must obey law Why does the Portland School Board refuse to obey the law and allow voters to determine whether board members should reside in seven zones instead o f at-large? O f course it is an ef fort to protect their own turf. For years the Portland School Board has considered itself above the law— remember the years o f unfair, one-way “ desegregation” that was justified with promises, half-truths and distorted statistics? Now the Board is attempting to resist the ef forts o f citizens who believe representative gov ernment would be better served by requiring rep resentatives from all areas o f the city. Currently three members live in Northwest and three others a few blocks o f each other in Northeast. Some board members—rather than look at the law—attempted to avoid the question by asking how the new system would change the quality o f the board. Although that question is irrelevant—and implies that lower-class areas might not have quality candidates—the answer should be apparent. No, it is not assured that the next board would not be as homogeneous as the current board— five white men, one white wom an; four attorneys, all professionals; all nearly the same age; the same social class. But it is cer tain that there are many, many citizens who are as well qualified and perhaps more open-minded than some o f the current board members. Nomination/election by zones would be one more step in the direction o f representative de mocracy. Along with extending the vole to Blacks, women, renters, young people, the move across the country to single-member districts (Con gress, state legislature, county commissions. Metropolitan Service District, etc.) has brought the voter closer to the elected official and al lowed the voter the opportunity for a better ers elected legislators county-wide, would never go back to that system. The School Board can try to stand in the way o f democratic progress—as it has for at leas, 20 years—bu, in the end the people will prevail. Why spend a Io, o f unnecessary time and money to fight progress? Stop the killing now Last week a unit o f Nicaragua's Popular M ili tia— the old men, little boys and women who protect their homes and fields from U.S.-sup ported “ Contras” — shot down a U.S. recon naissance helicopter that had flown into Nicara gua from Honduras. The helicopter was able to land across the border in Honduras, but the fir ing continued (according to news reports) and the U.S. pilot was killed. President Reagan's response was predictable. It's not right to shoot from one country into another, he said. That’s exactly what the Nicaraguans arc say ing. I t ’s no, right for the U.S. to train, support and pay troops to invade across Nicaragua’s borders and to bomb its cities and ports. There were more than 200 overflights by U.S. recon-helicopters and airplanes during the first eleven months o f 1983, Defense Minister Hum berto Ortega said in late December. There were 19 airborne atacks by “ those counterrevolution ary instruments o f the C IA ” including the bombing o f the Managua airport and the de struction o f port facilities in Corinto. Since O r tega’s remarks the port o f Portino was attacked by air and sea. There were also 100 violations o f Nicaragua’ s territorial waters by U.S. naval ships and 60 by Contras. These included 16 attacks on port facil ities, ships and fishing boats. There were 90 known incursions by counter revolutionaries, 79 from Honduras and the res, from Costa Rica. “ These infiltrators respond to plans for kidnapping the remote populations, assassinations, campaigns o f terror and eco nomic sabotage that the C IA has designed for the counterrevolutionaries,” Ortega explained. During the first 11 months o f 1983, 346 civil ians were murdered, and 601 wounded or kid napped. O f the 346 killed, 242 were farmers and workers and the other 104 were technicians or professionals. In the face o f these statistics o f war—o f “ shooting from one country into another” — Reagan is suddenly concerned that a U.S. pilot has been killed while carrying out these deadly operations. Perhaps he should give a little concern for the men, women and children he is killing and maiming in Nicaragua. “Central City" plan set in motion (Continued fro m page I. column 3) • W ill the new planners be hired or existing staff transferred from other duties? • W ill the public financial assist ance be given to firms in the targe, area and, if so, will special prefer ence be given to locally-owned or minority-owned enterprises? A ll o f these questions are laden with political connotations. Some will be answered as the plan de velops, but most will be resolved in the next three months during what Commissioner Strachan's resolution calls a "p re planning process." The pre-planning process, to be gin immediately upon passage of the resolution, calls for the hiring of a consultant (for $18,000) and the fo r mation o f a Pre-Planning Com m it tee. The Pre-planning Committee will include M ayor Frank Ivancie, Portland Development Commission Executive Director Pa, LaCrosse. Portland Planning Bureau Chief Terry Sandblast, Commissioner Strachan (serving as chair) and three citizens. Ivancie will appoint two of the citizens, and Strachan one. The resolution empowers the Pre planning Committee to "assist the consultant(s) in preparing for Coun cil consideration a timeline, process, budget, detailed management plan, exact boundaries and scope of study.” The Pre-planning Com m it tee also will "recommend criteria for composition of a broad-based Citizens Advisory Committee to en sure adequate and balanced repre sentation___ " A budge, for Fiscal Year 1984 85 is to be presented by M ay 1 from this group to the City Council. Responding to comments from the Southeast U p lift board about the "stacked” nature o f the pre planning phase. Commissioner Strachan reiterated her commitment to citizen review and as chair o f the committee said she would do every thing possible to allow for it. I f other members of the comm it tee don't want open, public hearings during the pre-planning phase, Strachan promised, " I ’ ll do it my self.” Despite this pledge, there remains significant concern from Southeast U plift activists about the openness of the pre-planning process. “ I t ’s not that easy for Joe Citizen to call up Pat LaCrosse and talk with him for 20 minutes,” commented one of the board members. Worried that limited response time might lock ci tizens out o f the process. Committee Chair Ben Butzien noted, "T h e y’ve only got three months, and we know how that works with neighborhood associations." Next week: A look at How the Central City plan could change the face o f Portland. Public Safety Commission seeks input (Continued fro m page I column 31 will likely be surveys and cable T V programs, she added. Public participation is also en couraged at commission meetings held the second Thursday evening of each month at the Portland Build ing, she said. To place an item on Ihe agenda it is necessary to call or w riie ahead. Nielson said that at the end of two years, or as ideas come up along the way, the commission will take its findings to the City Council and the County Commission. Lindberg sees the Public Safety Commission’s re port as a plan for policy makers "that would be our guiding light as far as budget decisions in the fu ture.” He looked forward to the Com mission's work having the same im pact on public safety as the C ity’s energy savings plan had in that area, becoming a model for many other cities. Lindberg said the idea for the Commission grew out o f controver sy surrounding the opposum inci dent, internal police department problems, budget cuts, and lack of jail space. Contrary to the fear of some city commissioners, said Niel son, the commission will not be as sessing the performance o f the po lice and local criminal justice sys tem. "T h e purpose o f htis commis sion is not to point fingers," she said. kl P u tii's h e fS A ss, ib ó n Th» P o rtla n d < > b \ r '- r ' IU S P S »59 6801 '» pubh»h»d «veiy T h u n d i» b» f «'» Pubhshtng Com p*nv Inc 220, N oilh Killing» worth Po»l,«nd, Oregon 9 7 2 ,7 Pu», Offre» Bo» 3 ,3 7 Porliand Otegon 97208 Second cl«»» po»t«g» patd «> Portland Oregon Th« Porlland Observer « a » e«,abli»h»d m ,970 Subecnptron» » ,5 00 par ¥••> m ' * • Tn Counly area Po», m aeler Send addre*» changes lo lh» P o r t la n d Observer. P O MEMBER X»»oti«fion - founded ,885 Months after Reagan’s highly touted "recovery," over 10 million Americans are still unemployed. The Reagan Administration has done everything it can to guarantee widespread suffering and jobless ness for the future Budget reduc tions slashed over two million jo b less men and women from receiving unemployment compensation bene fits last year. Funds for vocational training and for new federally-spon sored jobs have been cut 60 percent since January, 1981. About 100,000 people lost jobs due to Reagan’s re ductions in Urban Developments Action Grants (U D A G s). And another $2.1 billion cut in 1982 de stroyed J40.000 jobs for low-income people funded by state and local programs. W ith the exception o f Jesse Jack- son, none of the Democratic presi dential candidates are proposing e f fective full employment agendas. Most o f them are advocating a " w a tered-down” version of Reaganom ics— real increases in defense spend ing, no restoration o f social pro grams to pre-1979 levels, and no massive vocational training and jobs initiatives. It's clear that the de mand for " fu ll employment" can not get on (he national agenda un less we employ grassroots activism and protest strategies which were also used during the civil rights movement. We cannot depend upon the Democratic Party or the elector al system to implement reforms un less we build a powerful movement for jobs and greater social justice. The Association o f Community Organizations for Reform Now (A C O R N ), the largest grassroots or ganization in the U.S. with over 50,000 low and moderate income member families in 25 states, has de "F ro m The Grassroots' veloped an effective campaign to fight for jobs. A C O R N is pushing cities across the country to adopt "First Source” resolutions. A First Source Agreement requires compan ies that receive specific types o f pub lic assistance to hire the hardcore unemployed first. Companies that obtain tax abatements, U D A G s and low interest loans at taxpayers' ex pense have to agree to use their city’s manpower training agenev as their firs t source for all entry-level positions which are generated by (heir business development. The people who benefit directly from First Source Agreements are those who have been the principal victims o f Reaganomics. Workers are eligible for First Source jobs if (hey have been jobless for half a year or more, or are foodstamp or welfare recipients, or have a pover ty-level family income. A corpora tion can recruit other potential workers only if the city manager is unable to find sufficient numbers of qualified women and men with the above criteria. Can First Source Agreements really work? A C O R N organizers point to a recent Rutgers University study which praised Portland, O re gon’s First Source program for in creasing the hiring o f persons eligi ble for their C E T A program. Over 1700 unemployed were hired in Portland alone; another 1500 found jobs through Minneapolis, M inne sota's program. The Rutgers study stated that "employers in Portland confirmed that they are hiring a greater percentage o f minorities and women than they would have done in the absence of First Source and they are pleased with the persons they have hired.” In 1983, A C O R N won First ey A C O R N leaders would be the last to suggest that First Source Agree ments are a solution to the unem ployment crisis. Not even the defeat o f Reaganism will bring about a full employment economy. But the First Source campaign is a bold and worthwhile technique which moves us in the right direction. For more inform ation, contact Ms. Michele A . Tingling, A C O R N , 413 8th Street, S .E ., Washington D C . , 20003,(202)547-9292. by Gladys McCoy, County Commissioner This inform ation is designed to prepare you for an "onslaught" of ballot measures in M ay, each re questing tax dollars for services. The following is the request before the Board o f County Commission ers. There will be others and I will bring them lo your attention as they come forth. You need to begin to prioritize each issue and become in formed o f its merit so you may vote as an informed voter. On December 13, the Justice C o ordinating Council made its final re port to the Board of County C om missioners. They are asking at the election of M ay 15, 1984, that the ci tizens o f Multnom ah County ap prove a three-year serial levy for County Correction Services. The purpose o f this measure au thorizes Multnom ah Counly to levy $4,640,000 each of the three years 1984 85, 1985-86, 1986-87. for a to tal o f $13,920,000. Recommendations: 1) Reopen Claire Argow Center for a women's correctional facility $3.073,540. 2) Reopen the courthouse jail for sentenced male misdemeanants. M axim um sentence: 30 days— $1,408,700. 3) Establish a work release/resti tution center in an urban location for sentenced misdemeanants and low-risk felons. Average length of stay: 3 months—$1,920,960. 4) Establish a mental health " u r gency" center for 4 to 14 day pre trial residence with release supervi sion and services— $2,305,150. 5) Establish a mandated alcohol ism treatment facility for misde meanants and city ordinance violat ors. Average length o f stay: 4 months with release supervision and services— $2,433,220. 6) Contract for pre-trial release supervision: temporary shelter and services— $512,260. 7) Expand pre-trial close street su pervision: Add 2 staff; length of su pervision: 60 days— $2 56 ,130. 8) Contract for sentencing sanc tions and services: Alcohol, drug, mental health counseling, job place ment, education and training and related court ordered ser v i c e s ^ 12.260. 9) Establish day labor/com m u- nity service program for sentenced offenders to work daily in public service projects and reside at home, in lieu of jail. Length o f involve ment: 2 months. W ork crew size: 10. Staff. 3. $384,180. Further, the Justice Coordinating Council recommends that the policy for M ultnom ah County be as fo l lows: 1) T o establish and maintain a corrections system which enhances public safety by: •A ppropriate detention of per sons arrested for criminal conduct to insure appearance in court and to prevent recurrences of criminal con duct. •Appropriate incarceration o f con victed defendants for purposes of deterrence, punishment, prevention of recurrence o f criminal conduct and the safety o f the general public. •A ppropriate placement of de fendants in non-secure facilities and programs which encourage payment of restitution to victims and ac countability for adherence to court ordered requirements. 2) To adhere to the obligations imposed by the federal and state constitution and statutes. Disposi tion of offenders will be consistent with such requirements and those the sentencing judge has directed. 3) T o provide adequate booking and 1 ■ " " " ™ ™ ™ pre sentence detention space for persons arrested and detained for violation o f municipal, state and federal statutes. However, under O RS 169.030 and other applicable statutes, each entity shall pay the county for costs of providing such facilities for any prisoner put into the system by that government enti ty. The county shall enter into a contract with each entity to define such costs. 4) T o provide appropriate hous ing for sentenced misdemeanant prisoners, 5) To determine quickly guilt or innocence and to appropriately pun ish wrongdoers by providing, direct ly or through the State, sufficient re sources to the courts, prosecution and indigent defense for speedy ad judications. 6) Whenever possible, to hold all pre-trial detainees in the M u ltn o mah County Detention Center in or der that they will be available to the judicial system while their cases are being adjudicated. 7) That the state should provide the facilities and pay the costs of housing sentenced felons in local correctional facilities. The provi sions of ORS 169 030 should be amended accordingly. Prisoners would remain under (he jurisdiction o f the court and not be transferred to the slate. 8) That the legislative branch of city, county and state government and the taxpayers provide adequate funding to implement policies here tofore mentioned. I expect the Board o f County Commissioners to hold both work sessions and public hearings during the month o f January before put ting this package on the M ay, 1984 ballot. We need your input. I urge your review o f these recommenda tions and let me hear from you. 'I " T tew spa per. Subscribe today! I PORTLAND OBSERNER Yea. I w ould like a subscription to the Portland Observer. I have enclosed my check or money order for $15, for a one-year subscription PLEASE PRINT 283 2486 N atio n a l A dvertising Representative A m a lg a m a te d Publishers Inc N e w York Source Agreements in Little Rock, Arkansas, Denver, and Dallas. L it tle Rock agreed to require First Source Agreements for every con tractor receiving emergency jobs money, and 40 A C O R N people will be hired by the developer o f one ho tel. 125 A C O R N members in Den ver will be hired, and forty A C O R N members were placed for jobs by the Dallas Alliance o f Businessmen. A t lanta mayor Andrew Young voiced strong support for the first source concept, and Young’s staff is d ra ft ing an ordinance that will include re cipients o f all forms o f public subsi dy. In Detroit, progressive council- person Mel Ravitz plans to intro duce A C O R N 's resolution. This fall, Washington. D .C . mayor M a r ion Barry issued a First Source O r der that covers all city-aided pro jects. A C O R N has combined its public lobbying with Grassroots protests to force the First Source issue, l ast August 16, for example, A C O R N activists showed up at selected sites in 15 cities in a series o f coordinated job actions or "w ork-ins.” M any of the sites chosen for the demonstra tions receive federal funds from U D A G s, but few if any low-income people. Blacks or welfare recipients obtain jobs created by public mon From the Boardroom you. B o » 3137 Portland Oragon 97208 Alfred I Henderson, Editor/Publisher Al ti illiams. Advertising Manager by Dr. M anning M arable ï News for and about Portland Observer Oreqon New .paper Full employment agenda needed Mad ,o Pon,and Observai Bo» 3137 Portland Oreqon 9T208 Nam e A ddress C,ty .S ta te . .Z ip I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
