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February 9, 1989 • Portland Observer ♦ Page 3
Business Community
Questions Salzman
Defection
Minority Business Enterprise in Oregon
(Continued From Front Page)
over cases in which as practicing
lawyers, they had absolutely no ex­
perience. In such instances the legal
acumen of a brilliant law clerk to­
gether with their personal biases come
into play. Such a condition creates a
great potential for usurpation.
For anyone to suggest even ob­
tusely that women, minorities and es­
pecially Blacks have not been dis­
criminated against in the construction
industry is an argument so specious
that one cannot take it very seriously.
The record speaks for itself in an ac­
cumulation of convincing statistics.
The projected goal for women in the
Multnomah County business enter­
prise was a paltry two per cent. The
Mattson Company relying solely upon
what it calls a “ good faith effort” was
successful in finding less than one
per cent certifiable women to fulfill
their contract obligation. With such
results it is little wonder that the County
affirmative action program sought to
make the bidding process more re­
sponsive to the obvious gender and
ethnic gap. Such de facto discrimina­
tion against the affected groups should
have been obvious to any fairminded
person.
The Oregon Department of Trans-
portation frequently publishes statis­
tics that are very telling. In a recent
issue of the American Contractor
Ronault Catalani, former EEO and
Minority Business Enterprise Con­
tract manager reported a healthy
increase in the number of women
subcontractors. However,, just be­
low that in a small box the sad reality
is documented. There are no Black
female subcontractors. The white
female counterpart has captured a
hefty 80% of the female share.
Statistics can be very deceiving.
The tabu lator who finds one person in
a particular category can report legiti­
mately a 200% increase if a second
person is added before a second
count. A more accurate method to
report such data is to indicate how
closely a count in a particular cate­
gory reflects the demographics of the
population in general.
Another nagging problem is to
devise an appropriate method which
would more accurately identify the six
ethnic subgroups. In general this has
not been difficult where most Blacks
are concerned. But with Hispanics
the surname alone does not separate
those of European origin from others
who came from the Caribbean basin.
The matter of identifying an American
Indian lineage even without docu­
mentation is so characterized on
demand. Just as in any other govern­
mental assistance program the po­
tential for abuse compromises the
deserving affected party.
The governor has convened a group
of experts in the field to address the
improvement of the business pro­
gram for the disadvantaged in light of
the devastating effect the Redden
decision together with the Richmond
ruling might have on the state of
Oregon. In the interim, it will be inter­
esting to observe how the elected
officials who make the laws in the
legislature respond to this challenge.
JUSTICE JUANITA KIDD STOUT: A CAREER OF
FIRSTS-Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice
Juanita Kidd Stout is the first Black woman to serve
on a state supreme court, reports the February
Ebony. Justice Stout, who also made history 30
years ago as the first Black woman elected a U.S.
judge, surpassed her childhood aspiration of be­
coming a lawyer and continues to achieve. She
credits her late husband, Dr. Otis Stout for much of
her success, recalling that he selflessly put his
aspiring young wife through law school using his
Gl education benefits. At age 69, Justice Stout now
marks 29 years on the bench, and has emerged as
one of the most respected judges in the country.
She holds over 100 of her profession’s most pres­
tigious awards, plus nine honorary degrees, Includ­
ing the Justice of the Year Award by the National As­
sociation of Women Judge,s which she received
this year. (Photo courtesy of Ebony)
(Continued From Front Page)
Why does Peter Salzman run? Only
he really knows. If he truly feels un­
safe on Union Avenue, there are many
of his business associates, including
Warner Salzman, who do not share
that view. If Peter Salzman harbors a
hidden agenda, perhaps he will per­
mit the people who laid the ground­
work for his success to take a peak
after he moves to Wilsonville.
1864-1943
Or. George Washington Carver
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• Born a slave, worked his way
through Iowa State College at Ames.
• Headed agricultural research at
Tuskegee.
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• Produced 118 uses of the sweet
potato.
• Received many medals and honors.
». .• . .
• Taught South to diversify crops,
growing peanuts and sweet potatoes
to enrich the soil.
Discovered 300 substances derived from peanuts.
Courtesy of Tuskegee Institute
Bequeathed his life earnings to the Carver Foundation.
TRI-MET
We're here
to get you there
POPULAR SONGSTRESS ANITA BAKER chats about her career and
personal life with host Deborah Crable at a posh Washington, D.C.,
restaurant.
NE
SPECTRUM
THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF FOUR SPECIALS
S K ^B âânoN
of
fclliC ÈllH lSTO K ïl^ MONTH
Join Host Bruce Broussard, publisher o f the American Contractor and Guests: Lena Garcia Seabold, State
Advocate for Women and Minorities; Jack Karlinoski, General Manager of Oregon’s Associated General
Contractors; Alvin Batiste, President of the National Association of Minority Contractors; Audrey Castile,
Oregon Women Construction Owners and Executives; and Ray Phelps, Director of Finance and
Administration for the Metropolitan Service Division convened in a searching discussion of women and
minority business enterprises, and the effect o f their participation in Oregon’s multi-million dollar
subcontracting business.
Co-Hosts: Kevin Headen, Daily Journal of Commerce and Stephen E. McPherson, The Portland Observer
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