P a g e 4. P o r tla n d O b s e rv e r, N o v e m b e r 11, 1987
3
METROPOLITAN
Speak Out
Step Aboard the Citizen's
Train, Ltd.
What are some of the problems that
the senior citizens in our community
face today?
Arnold Pitre, 41, native Oregonian and local businessman,
seeks to present important, pertinent, community issue ques
tions, to randomly picked citizens, and report the responses
by A rn o ld Pitre
D ew ey Taylor II
W ilm a Pitre
Painting Contractor
Retired Nurse
There are a lot of inconsiderate
youth that cause a lot of problems
for our seniors. There have been
violent attacks against our senior
citizens. How would you like it if
your mother or father was attacked?
Transportation is a big problem
for the elderly. A good transit pro
gram for the elderly would be help
ful, so they can go shopping, get to
medical facilities, etc.
In our country and our commu
nity, we don't give our elderly the
respect that we used to. In other
countries, people look to the elders
for wisdom and knowledge.
The elderly in our community lose
their identiy and are disposed of.
Lonliness. Emotional stress due
to lonliness often leads to medical
problems, both physical and men
tal. Some seniors are malnurished,
because they have no one to help
them acquire the necessary food to
sustain them properly.
Our senior citizens need to be in
volved; more physical outreach is
needed; they need someone to
share time with them, to talk to
them, go fishing, or just go for a
walk. Senior citizens need to be
remembered . . . they need love.
On March 19, 1988 the Citizens’ Train, Ltd., will leave Portland, Seat
tle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles and start its whistle-stopping trip to
Washington, D.C., where citizens will ask members of Congress to reorder
the priorities of the U S. budget.
The idea, conceived of over a year ago in Portland, Oregon, around a
dining room table, is as simple as it is appealing. A citizens' train whistle-
stops across the country during the Constitutional Bicentennial Celebration
and focuses the attention of the nation on a budget that truly reflects the
ideals of the Constitution. Once on board, passengers attend classes on
the Constitution, the budget, and citizen advocacy. After arriving at the
Capitol, they present members of Congress with a citizens' budget and
local resolutions supporting a civilian economy. This idea is now a reality.
The Citizens' Train (via Amtrak) will travel across country, hook up in
Chicago, and then proceed to Philadelphia, where passengers will "tip their
hats to the Constitution" before arriving in the Capitol on Tuesday, March
22, 1988. ALong the way citizens will have the opportunity to enjoy the
hoopla of whistle-stops, celebrate the Constitution, and attend classes,
all aimed at preparing them for three days of congressional meetings.
Citizens will meet members of Congress and present the document,
Principles of a National Citizens' Budget, mandating a civilian economy. In
addition, local organizations in communities across the country will sponsor
resolutions which support the Citizens' Budget and reflect the specific
needs of their communities.
Senator Mark 0. Hatfield, a strong supporter of the project says,
"Because the money in the federal budget is our money, we all should have
a say in how it is spent. To have that say, we must come together for a
truly national dialogue, . . . and I can think of no more constructive effort to
do that than the Citizens' Train."
Representative Les AuCoin adds, "I believe the Citizens' Train can help
focus the goals and ideals of the American people into a united show of
strength."
Catherine Glass, novelist, scriptwriter, and one of the original people
who developed the idea, says, "The Citizens' Train gives Americans the
chance to say 'yes' to a citizens' budget that reflects these ideals."
Embodying domocratic principles, the Citizens' Train is organized with
each whistle-stop city being responsible for its own efforts including fund
raising, publicity, local citizen budget resolutions, and entertainment at
the whistle-stops.
Richard Mehrer, a private consultant for small businesses in Seattle,
says, "The Citizens' Train is a great concept. Small business owners are
the largest employers in the country and the Citizens Train is a great way
for these people to get involved in the social structure of their country and
to act on their ideals, which for many got them into business in the first
place."
Many national and local peace, justice and environmental organiza
tions have already become involved. The Citizens Train Project, a non
profit corporation, operates under the auspices of the Ecumenical Ministries
of Oregon (EMO). EMO has endorsed the train along with SANE, Women's
Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND), the National Congress of Amer
ican Indians, the Grey Panthers, Unitarian/Universalist Service Committee,
and the National and Oregon Associations of Church Women United.
Local sponsors include the Sierra Club (Columbia Gorge Group), Physicians
for Social Responsibility, Oregon Association of Railroad Passengers, Rain
bow Coalition, Generations for Peace — and the list is growing daily.
Elizabeth Furse, executive director of the Oregon Peace Institute and
national board member of SANE, says "The Citizens' Train is catching fire
across the country. What a lovely opportunity for citizen participation in
the American spirit."
There are many ways you can participate. Round trip train tickets
start at $275.00. A limited number of seats are available — so call soon if
you are interested. All travel arrangements can be made through Wide
Travel International, 1001 SW Fifth, Portland, Oregon, 97204 (503-224
0242 or 1 800-634-6090.) Additional information concerning town meet
ings, upcoming events, sponsorships, and how you can become involved
can be obtained from Citizens' Train, LTD., P.O. Box 10765, Portland, Ore
/
gon 97210 (503) 281-8361. ____________________
Although the original playing cards came from 10th century AD China, -
the earliest to bear the four suits of the modern pack reputedly date from >,
France in 1440 AD.
*
Yamaha Electronic Keyboards.
-t
Laf Keaton
Senior Citizen Program Coordinator
Urban League of Portland
• ■, » ♦
j ;
<?.-.
i <?.'
Most of the seniors are on a fixed
income and become part of a cal
lous system in terms of govern
mental resources.
Reaganomics
has not helped the seniors but, in
fact, has hurt them. There are some
private programs that attempt to fill
the void, such as the Salvation
Army, Neighbor Care, etc., but they
are not enough.
Seniors are targets to young anti
social types (thugs) who do bodily
harm to them or rip them off. Our
tax system is not as equitable to
seniors as it could be. Social Secu
rity does not take into account that
often times seniors need special
diets which actually cost more, and
they are on fixed or poverty level
incomes. Seniors are fragile and
suffer medical problems such as dia
betes, cataracts, broken bones, etc.
One of the most hidden abuses
there is is senior citizen abuse.
M ardell Taylor
Information & Referral Specialist
Urban League of Portland
•
1
?
.• »
'
: • V
.» IÎ-.3
;© ä
r . ». > ••
Seniors are afraid in our commu
nity. They are very vulnerable to
crime. With the various programs
that are in existance, seniors still
have many needs that are not being
met. We need volunteer programs
in the community to address the
needs of our senior citizens.
Many seniors are reluctant to ask
their families or relatives for help,
because they feel they ar burdening
them.
This feeling adds to the
stress of being in a helpless situa
tion. Many seniors are proud peo
ple and are reluctant to seek help
because of it. They need a sense of
belonging; they feel isolated.
We have made some progress,
but a lot needs to be done.
SOUND SAVINGS!
1887-1987
SAKE s2 0
© YAMAHA
749"
S
S H S -1 O
If you are interested in learning about the new Nicaragua; if renovating
the hospital in the port city of Corinto; if you want to see the Peace Plan
at work: Please call soon for our January departure to Ben Linder Con
struction Brigade, Portland Corinto Sister City Association, 233-5181.
k DIAZ o 3201 NE Columbia Btvd
N ew
Portland, OR 97211
►
./
’ • V?
KING
J ill
;
Lifetime warranty on above honored at any
Radiator King in U S on all non-commercial
cars and trucks to 3/4 ton
(2o«)699-455O
999
Compictr Coding System Sonnet for Trucking
47467
47463
Htovy igurpmont. Honor Auto on) Light Trucks
Vh
ft-
W IN T E R IZ A T IO N S P E C IA L
:> r • ’
Power Flush plus up to 2 gals
ol antifreeze/coolant
SO
"’Z < I 99
”
FREE RADIATOR CHECK
HEATER SALES/SERVICE
Rebuilt Radiators
Chemical Clean & Repair
$29” * ;
Rod Out A Repair
$ 48’ !^
‘ Additional charge to remove and replace radiate
Open Mon thru Frt 8-5 • Set. by Appt
V.4 -’ í
y.-ts '
DORIS CAFE
I
3240 N. Williams
N o w Open
2 8 7 -9 2 4 9
Am erican b M exican
Foods
'Vii'*-*’
i ’. r i ■r- :■
• ; •î’1- •*
r
Chord sequencer
(450 chord memory)
One hand melody playing
Built-in speaker
Shoulder strap included
Optional Power Adapter #47476
s99®?*
R a d ia to rs
N ew C o re s . . ............ $75? j
(503) 2 8 2 -9 7 0 7
(ííySl
47452
Reg. $169.99
GUÌ-BOARD
Unique guitar-like body
32-keys
25 FM voices (digital)
25 rhythm patterns
Pitch-bend wheel
MIDI compatible
Work and Travel in Nicaragua
O
?3k
Owners
\
MEXICAN
7
foop^y
Jewell Thomas b Rosie A Dean
Week,v Specials
Chuterlings
I
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
44 M id -s iz e keys
100 P reset so u n d s in "V o ic e B ank”
10 P reset rhythm s
P re -p ro g ra m m e d song
Easy play a u to bass c h o rd system
D rum fill-in
V ib ra to
S ustain
B u ilt-in spe a ke r
h e a d p h o n e /a u x -o u t ja ck
SAVE *20
QQ99
Reg
$119.99
HRS. Tues Thürs. 12:00 noon -10:00 p.m
Fri. Sat. 12:00 noon 2 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m .-8:00 p.m.
j
Satisfaction guaranteed
or your money back
ALDERWOOD MALL
TACOMA MALL
CLACKAMAS TOWN CENTER
EVERETT
FIRST AVE.
OLYMPIA-LACEY
OVERLAKE»
SILVERDALE
AURORA
t Sear». Roebuck and Co., 1987 RENTON CENTER
SEATAC MALL
VANCOUVER
WASHINGTON SQUARE
• ♦
• .
SAVE $2 0
199"
$21999
O x T a .i
Pigs Feet
tí, » w
Uk'!' .
49 F u ll-s iz e keys
32 FM in stru m e n t so u n d s
16 Preset rhythm s
9 - N ote p o ly p h o n ic
Easy play a u to bass c h o rd system
w ith va ria tio n s
• 8 P re -p ro g ra m m e d d e m o n stra tio n
so n g s
• Sustain
• B u ilt-in speaker
Neck Bones
s--<
î« î
..V -.* . / ’V ' i f '
•
•
•
•
•
■
'A '
'•
SEAJRS