Portland, Oregon ERVER AUGUST 24, 1989 VOLUME XIX NUMBER 33 Minority business enterprise ADT Security Systems and the National Crime Prevention Council ’’Spotlight” Local Portland Citizens for Crime Prevention Efforts ADT Security Systems and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) recently “ Spotlighted” six local citizens’ efforts to reduce crime and improve community life in the Portland area. Since 1985, ADT and the NCPC have spearheaded a major effort to bring crime prevention information to communities and corporations nation-wide. This joint partnership has enabled millions of Americans to learn how to help themselves and others. The Portland “ Spotlight Awards” ceremony was the seventh in a series of such events, designed to honor local crime prevention efforts. The “ Spotlight Awards” winners featured left to right arc: front row, Tony Hopson for the Self Enhance­ ment Program; Bob Thompson, Re­ gional Manager o f ADT Security Systems;citizcn Irine Tate; Susan H unter foe. the Council for Prostitu-» lion Alternatives; citizen Alan Lashbrook; and Fred Shekel for Regional Drug Initiative. Pictured in the back row arc: McGruff, the Crime Dog (partially hidden); award winner Ray Leary for FOURTH ANNUAL MEET THE LENDERS CONFERENCE TARGETS THE FASTEST GROWING BUSINESS SECTOR IN THE STATE: WOMEN- OWNED BUSINESS The target of the conference to be held Wednesday, September 20,1989, will be women-owned businesses, the fastest growing sector of Ore­ gon’s economy. This fourth annual one-day conference, whose theme is the Capital Connection, will be held at the Holiday Inn-Airport. It is spon­ sored by the United States Small Business Administration, Meet the Lenders, Inc., a coalition of women’s business and professional organiza­ tions and Lenders. The conference is aimed at women who own small businesses. New this year are one-on-one ap­ pointments with bankers or small business counselors from the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Centers. Workshops will address the financial needs of start-up and expanding busi­ nesses, including basic information on how to apply for a loan and writ­ ing a business plan. The cost o f the conference is priced at $50.00 before September 8 or $60.00 after, includ­ ing lunch. The conference features keynote speaker Barbara Sue Seal, owner and founder of Barbara Sue Seal Proper­ ties, Inc., employing 90 people. In five years’ time, her company has expanded to include five offices and West Coast Mortgage Center, founded in 1987. A “ Lenders’ Fair,” giving busi­ ness owners a chance to meet with Lenders to discuss their specific fi­ nancial needs will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Banks, governmen­ tal agencies, venture capital firms VII. Good faitn requirement sustained by Circuit Court Judge Bagley Affirms state's right to document good faith, by Stephen E. McPherson, the Self Enhancement Program; Po­ lice Chief Richard Walker; award winner Roy Ciappini for “ Project Payback;’ ’ Jack Calhoun, Executive Director of the National Crime Pre­ vention Council (partially hidden); and Allie Bird, NCPC Director of Corporate Initiatives. Kneeling in front is Portland Mayor J.E. Bud Clark I Clackamas County Circuit Court re­ cently ruled that the state has the right to insist that contractors docu­ ment good faith efforts to include disadvantaged persons in the bidding process for public works. This ruling will go far to offset the negative impact made by decisions of both the Federal court in Oregon and the United States Supreme court with regard to Minority Business Enterprise set asides. Last month, Anna McNeil, a buyer for more than eight years in the state purchasing department rejected the apparent low bid of the Brackamp- Jaeger Corporation for the construc­ tion of the Department of Transpor­ tation building at LaGrande because they had failed to show that a reason­ able effort had been made to gain the participation of women and minori­ ties. Instead, the $2.5 million con­ tract was awarded to the McCor­ mack Construction Co. which in Mrs. McNeil’s view was the lowest re­ sponsive bid. The Brackamp-Jaeger Corp, sought an injunction which was denied in Judge Bagley’s court. The question of whether the sate could legally require firms to make any special effort to include women and minorities in bid proposals was placed in a state o f confusion after the Hoffman construction Co. won a decision in Federal court with regard to the awarding of a contract to build a correctional facility in Northeast Portland. Such special set asides were further complicated by the fact that the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Croson Construction Co in Virginia. Since then all set-aside programs had been abandoned in the state based on a very narrow interpretation of the attorney g eneral. The only program left viable was the one established by the Metropolitan service oistnct unoer ordinance 87-231. In response to this dilemma. Gov­ ernor Neil Goldschmidt convened a task force to explore other avenues which would lend support to disad­ vantaged persons. One concept, that of an * ‘emerging small business’ ’ was considered and rejected because according to the American General Contractors who were plaintiffs in both of the afore­ mentioned cases, more than half of their membership would be eligible to participate. Despite this fact HB3001 establishing such a unit was sponsored by Representative Marga­ ret Carter. It is interesting to note, that although she was a member of the governor’s task force, she never participated in any of the delibera­ tions and the final report of the task force was never released. Last week the Governor’s office announced that SB 1189 had been signed into law establishing an Emerging Small Business account for a pilot program in the Depart­ ment of Transportation. The amount deposited for the biennium was es­ tablished as $2.2 million. Now that the concedpt of an emerging small business has been chisled into law, it is very likely that it will erode the WBE/MBE program practiced by the Metropolitan Service District It is very encouraging to observe that Mrs. Anna McNeil had the good sense to protect those gains made under a loosely constructed “ good faith effort” . SEI GETS BOOST FROM FRED MEYER CHARITABLE TRUST and private financial and manage­ ment companies will offer their ex­ pertise at the fair. To close the conference, Meet the Lenders will hold a special reception to enable informal networking among small business owners, speakers and sources of capital. Meet the Lenders, Inc. is a non­ profit organization established to assist women and to bring together small businesses and capital resources. It serves Oregon and southwest Wash­ ington businesses in all stages of de­ velopment. For more information and prereg­ istration, contact the Small Business Administration (503) 221-2682 or Jeanne Whitbcck (503) 656-4447. Halim and Khaleelah Rahsaan Earn National Honors Halim R ahsaan,academ ic advi­ sor specialist at Sylvania Campus, and his d aughter, Khaleelah, 12, were spotlighted on separate national stages during July. Halim, chairman of the Desegre­ gation Monitoring Advisory Com­ m ittee of the Portland Public Schools.was a featured speaker at the 10th annual National Black United Front Convention July 20-23 in Chi­ cago. Halim’sprcscntation was titled “ Models of Educational success for African-American Youth.” Twenty-eight Black United Front chapters across the country have adopted the African-American Baseline Essays curriculum in areas of language arts, science, social stud­ ies, music, art and math. Halim said the curriculum, known throughout the educational world as “ the Port- 25C land Model,” was developed by Portland Public Schools at the urging of the Desegregation Monitoring Advisory Committee and Black United Front Khaleelah, meantime, won mul­ tiple honors at a national baton twirl­ ing competition at the Louisville, Ky., convention center July 15-22. She was on the nine-member Oregon team which won first place in one category and third overall. Individually, Khaleelah received a first place trophy for her two-baton routine, was seventh out of 30 you ng- slers in strut competition, fourth place in solo, fifth in dance twirl, ninth (out of 20) in national pairs and won two seconds and a third place award in marching categories. Halim’s wife, Fran, and their son, Karim, accom­ panied the two liminaries on the trip cast. By Jim i Johnson Self Enhancem ent Incorporated received a $654,000 grant from the Fred Meyer Charitable Trust. This grant will enable SEI to hire addi­ tional staff, including a Parental Coordinator which is “ critical” ac­ cording to Joy Cross, Curriculum Specialist. SEI will expand services to include more students and parents, for the purpose of increasing chances for success in life added Cross. SEI Co-Directors; Tony Hopson and Ray Leary hope that SEI will be an on going positive instrument in aiding Urban Youth. Hopson and Leary feel that networking with com­ munity agencies to provide more serv­ ices for our youth is a must during these crucial limes. Self Enhancement served over 6(X) second thru twclveth grade students throughout the school year and sum­ mer months. The curriculum included Drug/Alcohol problems, Peer Assess­ ment, Communication, Human Sexu­ ality, Employment Skills, Positive Mental Attitude (P.M.A.) and Health. These subjects were taught at vari­ ous schools throughout North/North- east Portland. “ The Curriculum ar­ eas will be adjusted appropriately for each grade level” , stated Ms. Cross. in addition to the academic cur­ riculum students arc given a chance to participate in basketball camps and other activity based programs. “ The name Self Enhancement reflects a sense of self-esteem which makes our youths feel worthwhile” , remarked Ms. Cross. “ The most important and effec­ tive tool in working together with staff and students is a committed and collective vision as well as the estab­ lishment of positive relationships” , stated Cross. “ If you want to impact effectively a child’s life,you must be there with them, ar.d be a consistent part of their lives, particularly Afri­ can-American students” . Cross con­ tinued. Education is the foundation upon which dreams become reality and we commend the SEI staff for their com - mitment and dedication to Urban Youth. 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