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VOLUME XIX NUMBER 17
PORTLAND POLICE TO PATROL
TRI-MET VEHICLES AND
TRANSIT STATIONS
Portland Police officers could be patrolling Tri-Met vehicles and transit
stations as early as May 15th, under a contract approved today by the 1 ri-
Met Board of Directors.
The contract calls for a unit of six officers and a sergeant to patrol Tri-
Met in exchange for payment of approximately $500,000 per year, accord­
ing to Tri-Met General Manager James E. Cowen.
The officers will replace a unit of Oregon State Troopers assigned to T ri-
Met last November by Governor Neil Goldschmidt. Cowen said the
presence of the state of police had resulted in fewer incidents and restored
public confidence.
* ‘The troopers set the standard for exactly the kind of policing Tri-Met
needs,” Cowen said. “ We owe them a real debt.”
In addition to increased police presence, Tri-Met is taking a number ot
other steps to ensure passenger safety, including:
* Installing intercoms on MAX so passengers can
communicate with the driver. Installation
begins in June and will be completed in
September;
* Testing video surveillance to see if it is an
effective deterrent. Video cameras will be
installed on three buses in early May;
* Special training to help drivers in dealing with
difficult situations and avoiding conflicts; and
* A number o f other measures related to emergency
procedures and information gathering.
URBAN LEAGUE LAUNCHES MEMBERSHIP
DRIVE
“ The Urban League of Portland will be launching the most ambitious
membership campaign since the organization s inception in 1945, states
Louis Boston, newly elected Chairman of the Board. The membership
campaign slated to kick-off on Thursday, May 11, 1989, will reach over
60,000 households in the Portland Metropolitan Area. The campaign is
designed to accomplish two primary objectives; (1) to broaden community
awareness and (2) to increase revenue through individual contributions. A
press conference is schedule for Thursday, May 11, 1989 at the Urban
League headquarters, 10 North Russell at 12:00 noon. At this press
conference various leaders of our community will be present to show their
support.
The three-day membership campaign will include a live Radio-a-thon,
canvassing of neighborhoods to solicit memberships and selected sites to be
staffed by V.LP.’s and Urban League employees; thereby allowing the
public an opportunity to gain information about the Urban League pro­
grams.
‘ ‘We decided to take a grass-roots approach so that we can reestablish our
position as a permanent fixture which serves our community, stales Useni
Perkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Portland.
MLK JR
HOLIDAY BILL
ANNOUNCED
“ The thing that is so special about
em-State Senators Jim Hill, D-Salem, the adoption of Martin Luther King s
i Bill McCoy, D-Portland, along with birthday by Oregon’s banks and savings
presentative Margaret Carter, D- and loans is that the idea originated
rtland, today unveiled their plan to from their employees and customers
rther establish Martin Luther King rather than from imposition by the
’s birthday as a holiday.
government,” Hill said.
SB 1184, at the request of Oregon’s
Carter goes on to say “ this legislation
lancial institutions and the Banker’s displays a great respect for the works of
sociation, adds King’s birthday to the a man who personally laid down his life
t of holidays for banks and savings for the citizens of America, male and
sociations. It would close all banking female, black and white.rich, and poor.”
stitutions for the third Monday in She commended the financial institution
of Oregon for taking such a bold and
nuary.
“ It is necessary to have this bill to courageous step in showing their esteem
sip solve the confusion that exists in for Dr.KIng.
» p ie ’s minds as to whether we really
ive this holiday," McCoy said.
COUNCIL SECURES LOCATION
FOR NORTHEAST TRAINING
CENTER
ie board of directors of The Pri-
Industry Council has approved a
for a Northeast Portland site which
»use a new employment and train-
enter.
te site, 4800 square feet in Union
re at 3034 NE Union, will house
oyment and training programs for
ents of North and Northeast Port-
Employment and training serv-
will be offered through partner-
5 between The Private Industry
ncil and Adult and Family Serv-
the Employment Division and
land Community College.
The center, slated to open in early
June, will offer basic skills training, job
search skill instruction, job placement,
employability training and counseling
and support services for residents of the
area. Access to vocational training will
also be available.
A community resource group has
been established and will continue to
provide advice throughout the develop­
ment and implementation process. An
employer resource group is also being
formed.
Renovation construction is set to begin
within the next two weeks.
NORTHEAST PORTLAND IS HOME TO FAMED METAL SCULPTURE ARTIST
Garland Thompson
You would never know it as you pass
the comer of Alberta and Grand in
Northeast Portland .that one of the
American arts community’s leading
sculptors lives and works there in the
neighborhood, just like you and I, who
go to work everyday, “God willing and
the creek don’t rise!”
Al Goldsby, a well-connected Black
Portland metal sculptor, who has
achieved national fame, numerous ($)
commissions and recognition for his
brilliant work in bronze, aluminum
(and I don’t mean just re-cycling beer
cans, either) and brass. Yes, he has the
nerve of a brass-ass monkey” to be
about becoming famous, after being
bom in Fordyce Arkansas and an Ore­
Phofn by Dean Guernsey
gon resident since 1941. Do you believe
alma mater for a “minute”), Knapp
it? Is the Pope Catholic and known to
Lumber Sales.Inc., Art Advocates,
support Polish causes?
- Canby United Methodist Church and
As Malcolm X, use to say, “don’t
many other well to -do arts patrons
take my word for it, check it out! I
(Mr.& Mrs. Charles Paulson, Mr.&
mean, for instance, the next time you
Mrs. William Hasltine Collection,
are walking around the Lloyd Center,
Dr.& Mrs.J. Gilbert Rogers, Mr. Ted
Shopping or ice skating and eating
Gilbert, of Gilbert Bros., Mr.& Mrs.
popcorn, be a “Portland observer” and
Jeffrey Holbrook, Mr.& Mrs. Howard
view, first hand, one of this “ mega-
Vollum, Mr.& Mrs. William Gaiser,
metalman’s large sculptures in the main
Mr.& Mrs.Elino Kiander, Ms. Arlene
Mall, that he calls, “Free Form.” This
Harwood, Mr.& Mrs.Edward Sandin,
“heavy metal” works, a working water
Mr.& Mrs. Frank Blachely, etc.)They
fountain, portrays Oregon’s beloved
recognize “a good thing” when they see
salmon climbing the fish ladders of the
it, and put “their money where their
great Columbia River. Now is th»» deep
mouth is!”
BRONZE SCU LPTU RE TO H IG H ­
or what?
He has exhibited in several one-man
LIG H T NEW CENTRAL OREGON
and group shows in galleries throughout
W ELCO M E CENTER
the Northwest, (I first met him at one of
The list of Goldsby’s sculpture com­
his recent shows at the Interstate Fire­
missions in long and growing. He is
house Cultural Center, (1FCC) and his
currently working in his very same
work can be seen in numerous private
above mentioned studio (the average
and corporate collections. And that is
passerbyer might think it is just another
not cheap, when we talk abo>t those*-» small Northeast Portland metalworks
folks; such as Boeing Aircraft Corpora­
shop or garage), on a huge new piece in
tion, Blue Cross Building in Seattle,
bronze (18 feet long, 6 feet deep and 8-
First National Bank of Oregon, Univer­
1/2 feet high), that will adorn the en­
sity of Oregon’s Museum of Art (my old
trance to the new Central Oregon Wel­
VASQUEZ JR.
APPOINTED
DIRECTOR OF
STATE
COMMUNITY
SERVICES.
come Center in Bend, Oregon (Why
Not?).
This exciting new project, out of
Goldsby’s “new bronze age,” (Sched­
uled for installation this Summer, ’89)
was commissioned by ARts-in public -
Places, (originally called, “Arts Now,”
founded in 1967, by such people as
Nancy Kern, Jody Ward and Sue
Hollem, who make up apart of the se­
lection committee, that worked to bring
art to Central Oregon). In 1977, the
Bend Foundation invited this dynamo
group to make annual selections of art to
be displayed in public locations in the
area. A great idea, indeed.
Out of 75 artist around the state, 3
finalists were chosen, given $300.00
each, taken to the building site in Bend,
and lo and behold, our man in Northeast
P ortland,
A1
(solid-gold)
Goldsby,’’copped the big prize,” a
lovely $45,000 commission, after sub­
mitting slides of his work, a paper and
then bronze miniature model of the
piece. I mention these details, just to
give us an idea of how the selection
process in the high-powered arts world
truly works, And it is intense, you bet­
ter believe it, but the payoff can be like
“the Lotto (You got to be in it to win it)! ”
Write on, big Al!
To give me an idea of just how he
works, Goldsby said that he was in­
spired by the metal sculptor, Tom
Hardy, when he served as Hardy’s
apprentice some 20 years ago. So you
see “the master/disciple” & apprentice­
ship concept and system still does work
best. I was graciously given “the grand
tour” of “the shop” and ate blueberry
muffins (I love it!) In addition to being
recognized as a premiere sculptor now
himself, is well known for the encour­
agement he offers other beginning
young artists.
Now this is how he works. First, Al
transforms large sheets of bronze, alu­
minum and brass into strong sweeping
sculptures that possess a sense of notion
(now is that “heavy?”). As he loured me
through the display section of his stu­
dio, we touched one of his big elliptical
flower-hke brass or bronze pieces (I
can’t remember which) and it continued
to vibrate throughout our interesting
conversation. It continued to do so,
even when we photographed this for­
mer part owner of his family-owned
gourmet catering service and now full­
time “artiste noir extraordinaire!” Vi­
ola!
The latest Al Goldsby Art Exhibit,
opening May 2-3,1989,4:30-8:30 pm,
will be on view by appointment through
May 24th at Randall Associates, Inc.,
7460 SW Hunziker Road (1-5 south to
Rt. 217, to 72nd),Suite H, Portland,
Oregon. For further information call
Betsy Heath (503) 620-2026 and she’ll
set you straight and may be you might
get a blueberry muffin, on which to
munch and dig this “hot metal artist!
SENIOR OF
THE WEEK
Photo by Dean Guernsey
Minority Business Enterprises in Oregon
Part VI. Governor's task force abandons emerging small business
concept. Re-embraces and enhances focus on minorities and women
by
Stephen
E.
McPherson,
special
correspondent
What should have been the final
working session of the Governor’s Task
Force on Minority Participation in public
SAt F.M—Victor Vasquez, Jr. has been
contracts has been extended for yet
appointed to the position of Director of
another fortnight. The impetus for the
State Community Services effective
refocusing of such an approach was
today, according to Kevin W.
triggered by the concerns of those persons
Concannon .Director of the Oregon
in the public sector who would have to
Department of Human Resources, within
administer such a program.
which State Community Services
Ray Phelps, director of finance and
operates..Vasquez, 39, was made the
administration for the Metropolitan
permanent Director after serving in an
Service District, criticized the concept
acting capacity since January, 1989.
of the emerging small business approach
“ As an Oregonian from Hermiston
because it was so broadly structured as
and as a person with an Hispanic
to create confusion and disparity in the
background, Vasquez brings to the
manner of its administration. He further
position the requisite qualities desirable
indicated that there had been an
for leadership.
overwhelming misinterpretation of the
State Community Services, with an
Supreme Court decision with regard to
annual budget of $23 million operates
Croson vs. The City of Richmond. The
Federal and State Programs through
Richmond set-asides had been structured
more than 35 Community Services is
so as to include persons who really had
responsible for Community Action
not been affected by discrimination in
Programs, low income weatherization
the awarding of public contracts. Mr.
and energy assistance, a variety of
Phelps further indicated that to embrace
emergency food services, youth
the concept of emerging small businesses
employment, migrant assistance, and
the task force would be put in the position
services for the homeless and housing
of destroying all forms of affirmative
programs
active.
Vasquez comes to the post of Director
Lillie Walker, the purchasing agent
of State Community
for Multnomah County whose rejection
Services after having served as an
of the Mattson low bid for the prison
Assistant Administrator in the State’s
construction resulted in the suit which
Senior Services Division. Previously,
triggered the Redden decision joined in
he was employed in the State of New
the discussion to concur with the analysis
York as Director of Research in Veterans
made by Mr. Phelps.
Affairs and prior to that as Affirmative
Even the Associated General
Action Officer for the Commonwealth
Contractors which at limes has been the
of Massachuscttes.
main litigant to challenge minority and
“ We arc pleased that we were able
women business enterprises entered into
to recruit Victor Vasquez back to
the discussion as being opposed to
Oregon.” Concannon Said. “ Victor
implementing the nebulous concept of
Vasquez is genuinely committed to full
emerging small business. Jeff Davidson
partnership with community agencies
who previously had been very supportive
and will work actively with the directors
of the emerging small business concept
and their boards in his role as Director
told the task force that he had submitted
of State Community Services,”
the the eligibility profile of ESB 's to his
Concannon concluded.
•
• -
* «.
membership database and learned that
57% of the AGC membership would el
qualify to participate under such a
program. Given those conditions they
strongly supported the notion that the
task force should refocus on the original
concept of strengthening Minority and
Women Business Enterprises.
Given that kind of serious interaction
with regard to what particular mode
would be most beneficial to the state of
Oregon, the task force concluded without
dissent that the only viable alternative
to the Croson and Mattson decisions
would be to keep both Minority and
Women Business Enterprises alive.
As a result of this historic exchange
of ideas.the State of Oregon is now in
the position to field one of the most
innovative affirmative action programs
since the entire process was sent into
orbit following Croson and Mattson.
To be sure, this new approach addresses
some of the bread and butter issues that
have plagued the African
American entrepreneur eternally. The
recent innovation embraces bonding and
supportive cash flow. It promotes special
set-asides to be funded by private
industry. It also establishes a mentoring
program to ensure that a new breed of
craftspeople will be entering the
workplace without interruption.
There are a number of issues that
will be recommended to the governor
which will require legislative action
which no doubt will not ensue during
the current biennium. It is, however,
delightful to observe that the State of
Oregon not only strongly embraces a
continuance of minority and women
business enterprises, but that this
commitment extends to an enhancement
which might very well serve as a model
for the entire nation. O f such an effort
we should rightly feel quite proud.
>
ft *
Birdie Lee Taylor
by Jimi Johnson
Seventy-eight year old Birdie Taylor
came to Portland in 1942 from
Texakana, Arkansas with her husband
O.C. to work in the shipyards. This
“Youthful” senior is the mother of eight
children, twenty-one grandchildren,
and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Taylor, a sports enthusiast says,
she played softball with her children
and grandchilren until 1987. A member
of Fellowship Church, Mrs. Taylor
credits her vitality and longevity to a
strong belief in God. and staying active
physically, mentally, and spiritually.
“Some people give up when they reach
a certain age, but I don’t,”..... Never
give up.” she adds.
Always finding ways to keep busy,
Mrs. Taylor shares household duties
with her daughter, Gary Ann, as well as
babysit her grand-daughter. She still
enjoys a night out dancing with her
daughters from time to time, “this keeps
me in good spirits and good condition,”
she says.
“Life for me has not been a bed of
roses, but through God’s help I’ve made
it this far,” adds Mrs. Taylor.
THE PORTLAND OBSERVER
SALUTES Mrs. Bi. die Taylor, a
beautiful senior with a youthful
heart.
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