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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 23, 1984)
Page 4 Portland Observer, May 23, 1984 VOUB. StBMWrV FcB EoCCiNér THE Soviets To weeoTiAiw EDITORIAL/OPINION ISN'T WOCWtNCr THEY'VE SEEN THE BtLUONS YOU'VE pooCED INTO D E F E N D .- THEY* 9 6 SE------------------------------------ — Haste makes waste inadequate. (3) Why should P IC pressure the City Council for approval when the director o f P IC has ad mitted (hat the plan was vague and was drafted only to meet a deadline? (4) The emphasis P IC puts upon jo b placement is not balanced by training. The plan states what it wants to do but does not tell the public Aow it is going to im pact the unem ployment rates for those who need assistance the most. (5) A lthough P IC has allocated money for welfare recipients, (he plan will penalize those under A D C because P IC will not assist them in childcare, transportation or meals. We respect and admire many on the Private Industry Council’s Board, along with the vocal commitment o f its director. However, unless these concerns are met, the City Council should defer signing a partnership with PIC . Why sign a contract without reading the fine print? P IC needs to go back to the draw ing board and develop a new plan with input from the U rb a n League, M e tro p o lita n H um an Relations Commission, Black United Front and the Portland O pportunities Industrialization Center. expectations of those who need it the most. Our communty is being asked, once again, to trust a q u a s i-p u b lic /p riv a te organization to provide for the dispossessed o f Portland. This tim e, it is the newly-formed Private Industry C o u n c il(P IC ) to effectively manage the new Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA ). The PIC will replace C E T A . Because P IC is a new creatio n , it has no proven history o f com m itm ent to the low - income p o pulation, m inority youth or Black males who live with a crim inally high unem ployment rate. Also, observers have raised con cerns as to whether P IC administrators possess the necessary experience in dealing with various cultural groups. P IC has been called upon to produce a training and employment plan (hat is expected to go before the City Council M ay 30th. Before the C ity C ouncil approves the plan, the following questions need to be answered: (1) How will one million dollars o f the money allocated to youth be spent in order to ensure a reduction in the catastrophically high minority youth unemployment rate? (2) The target groups added at the last minute in response to com m unity concerns are as vague as the original plan. Stating one third will be served w ithout saying whom or how is Demand MX defeat nuclear missiles w ith in 5 to 7 minutes o f American cities, so will the production of M X missiles escalate the arms race. The M X not only increases the danger o f nuclear war, it accelerates the rate of growth in the divisions between rich and poor. H e re ’ s why: M ilita ry spending now accounts for 48 per cent o f the entire federal budget, and as a report by Em ploym ent Research Associates o f L a n sing, M ichigan shows, “ draws from the many and gives to the few ...T h e m ilitary budget is taken from all taxpayers but is funneled to a relatively narrow group o f military contractors and employees.” The report details economic losses caused by military spending: a family of four in Portland paid $1,400 more in taxes yearly than it received in economic benefits. Oregon, as a whole, came out $864 million poorer in 1979. C learly, our Oregon Senators should vote against funding any M X missiles. Let them know how you feel. The recent vote by the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives to continue fund ing production of 15 M X missiles endangers the security o f all A m ericans. The Republican- controlled Senate may m odify the House bill and give Reagan 40 o f the 100 missiles he requested. W hether it ’s 15 missiles or 40, the M X is a misguided weapon system the country cannot afford— militarily or economically. A ll O regonians, but especially people in economically lagging communities (actually the entire state fits this description), should call or write our U .S . Senators, Bob Packwood and M ark H a tfie ld , to express opposition to any M X ’s. Reagan and his supporters in Congress say the M X is needed as a “ bargaining chip” in 1985 if arms lim itation talks don’t resume soon. This country doesn’t need more bargaining chips for future talks. We need real action now toward slowing the arms race. Just as the deployment of Cruise missiles in Europe triggered the recent Soviet move o f putting subm arine-launched 111 ■ IU Letters to the Editor Do homework To the Editor: In reading your recent editorial “ Break Cycle Not D ancing” I was amazed to learn that your paper believes that “ Portland Public School administrators are afraid to tackle educational problems aggessively or creatively because their hands are tied by the unions.” A dd itio n a lly you make the point that “ administrators need to break free from the handcuffs o f unions which discourage merit pay and creative teaching.” You exposed your absolute ignorance o f the positions the Association has taken to support educational equity and excellence in Portland and the proposals we con tinually advocate before the Port land Board o f Education which would im prove the academic achievement of all students. It is time for you to complete your homework. The assignment is to regularly cover Board of Education meetings and contact me, the union president, to learn our positions. From an informed base, you may be less inclined to mislead your readers on the condition of Portland's educational program. C. Leonard Anderson President Portland Association o f Teachers Animal thanks To the Editor- On behalf of the staff and many volunteers of M etro’s Washington ! — ------------ ■ ■ Park Zoo, I want to thank the community for supporting the Zoo levy at Tuesday’s Primary election. We are grateful for the o ppor tunity to continue improving your Zoo. I t ’ s an educational and recreatinal facility of which we can all be proud. And, the animals thank you, too. Rich Gustafson Executive Officer MSD Reaffirm unity To the Editor: Now that the M ay P rim ary is over, and Margaret Carter har won the Democratic nomination to run against the Republican nominee, Chad Debnam, who is also Black, we are assured that District 18 will be represented by a Black person. I want to congratulate Ms. Carter on her victory and to thank each person who went out and voted. While I am pleased at Ms. C a r ter’s victory, I am saddened by the division that was brought on by the campaign, Things were said that should not have been said. A c cusations were made that were un founded; that may have damaged the character and reputation of some of our finest leaders and ministers. I hope the things that have been done and said will not destroy the unity that has existed, between the community and the ministers over the past six years. We who are Christian, must ex tend the first hand to see that the damage is not made permanent by ! ............. . ----------------- our pride and ego. What happened is exactly what the white system in this city hoped would happen: a lot o f mud slinging, so they could look at the leadership of the community and see how they could destroy the unity that we had. We can't afford to be separated, not even for one day! There are too many things holding us back to quarrel with each other. Remember, together we stand, divided we fall. God bless. TH Y V6 SEEN THE THOUSANDS O f NEW WARHEADS, AND THEBE ARE MO MC60TIKTI0M8 JUST WAIT 'TILTHEY'V€ SEEN US TEAK UP THE SALI 1 TREATY Carter exemplifies unity by Herb Cawlborne M argaret C arter is “ the best example o f unity in this com m u n ity." Ron Herndon described the feelings best. Margaret Carter, through a tireless campaign and honest thought, has served as a con crete example of what we can do as a com m unity, if only we will organize, think and carry out the plans. The race in District 18 was hard fought. This com m unity started fighting two years ago, when we realized (hat we had squandered away a perfect opportunity to get someone in the State Legislature. So many people ran, the vote was split. Ed Leek won as a result. No matter who we had voted fo r, no matter whu we liked the best, many of us made up our minds that this should never happen again. I f this com munity loses again, it w on’t be because we beat ourselves. The race in District 18 began to draw attention when Margaret Car ter began to discuss running for the Legislature. We knew H arold Williams was running and there was no reason to suspect that some others might not get in the race. Out o f many discussions, the District 18 Leadership Forum was created to find a way to give a strong endorsement to one can didate, hoping that this would provide some way to "lean toward" one o f a group of otherwise good people. We could only have one with strong support. Any more than that would divide the votes again. We held the Forum on November 5, 1983. The structure was well organized and the rules were known by everyone, including a ll the can didates. (W e had argued over the rules for five meetings and each candidate was either there or had representatives at every meeting. It was a great success. Tw o- hundred voters on a Sunday after noon, 7 months before a prim ary election, is a very good turnout. Margaret Carter finished this first stage of the District 18 race by win ning the Forum in impressive fashion. Then, an articulate, dedicated in dividual took over from there. Margaret Carter ran an outstanding campaign. She sharpened her knowledge of the issues each week and she got more and more at ease when speaking in homes, at banquets and to rallies. She went af ter and got almost every important endorsement, because she studied the issues and presented them in an honest, open way. She kept her ego out o f (he s ta ff’ s way, listening to them and follow ing their advice when she agreed. While Carter made new friends, she kept dealing with the old ones. I f notes were compared, many would say they got a call from Margaret C a rte r, but not just to “ touch bases.” She called for in formation, for suggestions. C arter's campaign was so well done (hat she received more votes than her two opponents put Concerns raised about PIC plan (Continued from page I, column 6/ jobs and good opportunities come along, (hey w ill go to the new unemployed or the new poor." There is also a charge that welfare recipients will be participating in the program for free. The plan current ly reads, " N o participant w ill receive tins type of assistance (S50.00) a week) while receiving wages, unemployment compensation or public assistance.” “ There is no incentive if you are disadvantaged or low income. No child care, bus fare or money for meals." The unclear language of how one m illion dollars w ill be spent on youth, the question of a Northeast office and lack of community input in form ulating the plan and its revisions, were also attacked. Ronnie Herndon, from the Black United Front, said, “ The current plan is full of holes for people who really need the services. Holes that welfare recipients, minority youth •si WS» a PS* VNL a The Portland Observer was established in 1970 MEMBER Subscnptions 115 00 par yaar in thè TriC ounty area Post m aster Sand addrass changas lo thè Portland Observer. P 0 Bo» 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208 M W A pep Association - Founded IM S I A lfredL. Henderson, Editor/Publisher A l Williams, Advertising Manager PLEASE PRINT Mail io Portland Observet Bos 3137 Portland Oregon 97208 National Advertising Representativa Am algam ated Publishers. Inc N ew York Subscribe today! I ! News fo r and about : you. I I I I I 283 2486 I Portland‘s largest black-owned newspaper. ! PORTL4ND OBSERVER In O regon „0»»' " ’ »»a The P ortlan d Observer fU S P S 959 5801 it published every Thursday by Eiie Publishing Company, In c , 2201 North Killings worth. Portland, Oregon 97217, Post Office Bo» 3137. Portland. Oregon 97208 Second class postage paid st Portland Oregon The Observer welcomes Letters to the Editor Letters should be short, and must contain the writer's name and address taddresses are not print ed/. The Observer reserves the right to edit fo r length. American Heart Association and Black males will fall through.” Cole said, if the current plan is not approved, the entire JP TA program is jeopardized. "The state has informed us that it is unlikely that we will be able to begin our program.” Our source said, “ The real option is that the state will give the money back to the C ity . There w ill be a program regardless of whether the current plan is approved." Portland Observer At UNI • Vesta Deweese-Loving WE'RE FIG H TIN G FO R Y O U R LIFE together! Enough said. Margaret Carter’s victory is a vic tory for this com m unity— all elements of it. As an individual, she is the symbol of our unity; “ the best example.” The community effort began with the District 18 Leadership Forum. The organization of an opportunity for people to listen to and evaluate the candidates early was the first step. More than 20 organizations sent representatives to the first meeting. Everyone agreed and was ready to move forward. A fter the Forum , people in our community joined the campaign. The money stayed here to help the cause. Special interest outside the district could see that this time we meant business and that Margaret C arter might win. They put their money on the best odds. Some worked on the Jesse Jackson campaign, registering voters, passing out literature, holding rallies and mentioning Margaret Cartel every chance they got. Then we went to vote. And we went in impressive numbers! Carter won! Jesse Jackson got 12Vo of the vote! Bud Clark got a much needed boost. And Frank Ivancie can now do what he’s said he’s always wan- to do— “ go fishing.” "W ith unity, there is nothing we can’t get accomplished," Ron Her- don said, “ Black people have only made progress when they got behind a cause and stood together. W e’ re getting better and better at it.’ N a m e ________ .S tate, Yes, I would like • subscription to the Portland Observer. □ I have enclosed my check or money order for $15, for a one-year subscription. I I I I I I U I I I I I I I
