n
»
> *
♦ 1 • » r
r « « « • r *
» » ♦ * w » wwww«vV»^V«** > « V «
•
J une 2, 1993 • T he P ortland O bserver
P age A4
Metro Calls For Review Of
Recommendation Excluding Blacks
( Continued from front page
forts in presiding opportunities in
convention and tourism and being a
positiv c example for young entrepre­
neurs at the 1992 Annual POVA Ap­
preciation Aw ards, y et this past month.
Brook's vote on the ER Commission
stated that Jay was not a qualified
applicant.
POVA claims tobe proud of their
affirmative action policies However,
the issue is much bigger than whom
they have purchase pens, pencils, air­
line tickets, photographs and other
goods and sers ices from in order to
meet mandatory sub contracting goals
A simple investigation res cals that
the lack of African Americans, and
shows that POVA puts little if ans,
importance on this opportunity as
they hase done with their all out
efforts to attract and cater to Japanese
visitors.
Over the past 7 s cars, w hen chal­
lenged, POVA officials hase always
promised funding sources and others,
that they w ill do better w hen it comes
to African American and minority
insols enient, however their report
card of progress is laughable Their
1988 Minority Intern Program was
never implemented, in 19 9 1 the pro­
posed Minority Convention Ambas­
sador Project w as in su ltin g to
Portland’s Black community and not
to mention tsvo discrimination com­
plaints filed against POVA by former
Black employees.
POVA is not alone, the suspected
conspiracy' to ignore African Ameri­
cans overlaps to other similar agen­
cies and organizations involved in
tourism and conv ention marketing.
What METRO and other officials fail
to realize is that Portland was the
second choice only after Seattle re­
fused to accommodate them Other
potential Black conventions and con­
ferences have refused or postponed
selecting Portland due to a lack of
African American presence in the
industry when they came to visit
Other conventions hav e included
National Black County Officials, na­
tional Black Journalist, National As­
sociation of Black Educators, Blacks
In Government and others that were
services with the assistance of Roy
Jay and many other qualified Blacks
including Lynda Grice, YolandNims,
Sharon Gary-Smith, the late Gladys
McCoy, all working in unison to fill
the gaps that POVA and others were
not qualified to effectively handle.
Hopefully METRO will exercise
their authority and understand the
need to approve a separate and sub­
stantial contract as many other cities
have done to include div ersity in the
most important levels of the regions
conv ention and tourism business. It is
obvious that POVA and other agen­
cies are either not equipped, trained
or seriously interested in a actively
pursuing the potential $4 billion dol­
lar Black convention and tourism mar­
ket.
According to many, Roy Jay’s
operation has continually dem on­
strated ability to work with all in the
community to enhance convention
and economic opportunities. Hotels,
tour operators, meeting planers, res­
taurants and many others have ap­
plauded his efforts.
What is surprising to many is
that Sam Brooks, the self proclaimed
advocate of promoting economic op­
portunities for Black and other mi­
nority businesses through hisOAME,
obv iously has no real influence with
his white counterparts on the MERC
commission in recognizing the im­
portance of including div ersity of Af­
rican Americans in contracting for
convention marketing, conv ention ser­
vicing, top management nor other
unrelated business endeav ors.
Ed Washington, the elected Af­
rican American METRO counselor
and his other METRO commission­
ers, have rose to the occasion and
unanimously decided to review the
MERC Board Meeting scheduled for
Thursday, June 10 at 6pin to be held
at thcold Scars building on NE Grand,
which is the new headquarters for
METRO. Not only the Black commu­
nity plans to be in attendance, but also
many other white businesses antici­
pate being present in support of the
need for diversity in the convention
marketing and servicing to the Afri­
can American w ho has actually walked
the walk and talked the talk over the
years, Roy Jay.
Portland and Oregon have been
the victim of economic business losses
from the estimated $4 billion per year
that is generated from African Ameri­
can conventions, conferences and
meetings on a nationwide basis One
of the most lucrative conv entions ever
to come to Portland to date was the
International Churchof God In C hrist
a predominantly Black womens con­
vention with over 10,000 delegates.
1993*94 International Trade And
Development Graduate Fellowships
Seven Oregon State Sy stem of
higher Education graduate students
have been awarded the International
Trade and Development Graduate
Fellowships for the 1993-94 academic
year.
The fellow ships are supported by
a $1 million endowment to the State
Svstem from the Sasakawa Founda­
tion of Tokyo The endowment was
given in 1991 w hen C hancellor
Bartlett entered into agreement to es­
tablish the program From interest
earnings of approximately $50,000
per year, the State System committee
awards fellowships to graduate stu­
dents to pursue coursework that will
enhance their abilities to contribute to
international understanding, world
peace, the international political
economy, and to careers in education,
government, business, or human ser­
vice in international areas.
Heinke Bonnlandcr is a Oregon
State University doctoral student in
Public Health with an emphasis in
international health For herdisserta-
Drug Czar Dr. Lee Brown, PBS
official D r Jennifer Lawson, and
Africare hav e been named as recipi­
ents of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)’s
1993 Peace and Justice Awards in
law, media, and international rela­
tions, respectiv ely . The presentations
w ill be made July 23, in Atlanta dur­
ing AKA’s biennial leadership semi­
nar.
Recently named by President
Clinton to head the nations’s war on
drugs, Dr. Brown is being honored for
his achievements directing police de­
partments in Atlanta. Houston, and
New York “He enacted programs
Public Assistance Sought
In Sexual Assault-Robbery
Investigation
Occurred-May 17, 1993 6800 N. Missouri Avenue
Portland Police Special Assault
Detectives are seeking the public’s
assistance in regards to the attack of
45 year old w oman, w hich occurred at
6:55 am on Monday, May 17,1993 in
the 6800 block of N. Missouri Av­
enue.
Reportedly, the victim w as in the
driveway of her home when the sus­
pect approached her and stated that he
allegedly had aids and was going to
kill her The suspect then scratched
his face and then scratched the face of
the victim, in an apparent attempt to
transfer the virus. The suspect robbed
the victim at knifepoint, pulled his
pants down and began to pull the
victims pants down, when the victim’s
dog attacked the suspect and bit him
on the left arm The suspect then fled
the scene
The suspect is described as a male
white, 25-30 years of age, 6 ’1 tall, 140
pounds, red or auburn hair described
as greasy and matted dow n. scabs and
open sores on face, smelled of alcohol
and was dirty as if he hadn't bathed in
several day s.
A composite drawing, w hich was
just completed, of the suspect is avail­
able in the Public Information Office
located in room 1526 of the Justice
Center, 1111 SW 2nd Avenue
Investigators report that there
have not been any similar incidents
reported in this area. Inv estigators ask
anyone with information regarding
this incident to please contact the
Detectiv e Division at (503) 796-3400.
The investigation is continuing.
C ontinued from fro n t page
* * *
y '
4 . .
•
■
lative business.” Since he became
acting chair he is learning to deal
with that peculiar position that re­
quires one person to be both executive
officer and fellow commissioner.
Miggins secs this as a tune for the
county “to establish its identity.”
Change demands that the county set
policy goals and establish priorities
“We can't do it all,” he cautions
“We have to decide what we can do
with our resources; we have to make
decisions.”
Six years ago Miggins married
Joan Peterson; both had children from
previous m arriages. Occasionally
Hank and Joan go camping, in the
company of their German shepherd,
A.J (no meaning) But lately there
hasn't been time to savor all the
liveability potential Miggins came
here to enjoy.
Still there is some time for fish­
ing— and fish stories Last October
Miggins and two friends put into the
T ra sk
R iver
e a rly
one morning, and before the others
got the boat anchored, Miggins an­
swered a tug on his line and beheld a
52-pound salmon It was his biggest
catch ever
« 9
Best Cash Prices
Speedy
Service
104 NE Russell
Portland, OR 97212
282-5111
Friendly
Call for Quote!
United Courier Workers Vote To
Join Teamsters Union
Workers at the package delivery
company, United Courier in Portland,
Klamath Falls, Bend, Redmond, Sis­
ters, Medford and Eugene voted over­
whelmingly to join the Teamsters.
The w orkers complained that low
wages, poor health insurance, no sick
leave, no vacation or other benefits
had been offered by the company.
Most earn less than $6 an hour. The
company transports documents and
packages for film labs, medical labo-
ratories, banks and retail outlets. It is
largest contract courier in the
Western u.S.
Eighty percent (80%) of the 65
AKA takes particular pleasure in sa-
lutingDr. Law son because “her selec-
lion as PBS’ first chief of program-
ming is a further indicator that Blacks
and women are penetrating the glass
ceiling and making a difference.”
The selection of Africare as the
recipient of the award in international
relations marks the first time that
AKA has chosen an organization,
rather than an individual Explaining
the selection. Dr. Scott said, “As we
began to consider nominees last fall, it
was clear that the role Africare has
played in calling attention to and ad­
dressing the plight of Africans is un­
paralleled, and so we thought it appro­
priate to make this move.”
T he aw a rd s, in s titu te d in
1991 in a u g u ra l re c ip ie n ts w ere
O prah W infrey, m edia; Andrew
Young, international relations, and
Roland Burris. Illinois attorney gen­
e ra l, law .
Superintendent Jack Bierwirth
told board members that pink slips
will be issued to approximately 400
persons employed by the Portland
Public School district There will ap­
proximately 44 adm inistrative, 96
teaching, 260 classified and mainte­
nance, and some certified positions
cut Bierwirth said, “It is a very sub­
stantial number of positions, a lot less
than it would have been had we lost
$51 million, but it’sa substantial num-
bcr.'
The amount of people to be laid
off is depending on retirements. The
early retirement incentive will have
an influence on what actually occurs
The pay roll includes about 6,600
employees which makes Multnomah
County one of the largest employers
Some cuts were av oided in the class­
room because the school year was
shortened by two days. The service
areas to students was hit heav iest.
The cuts w ill also affect the Green
Thumb. Student Suspension, and Early
Childhood Education Centers The
social workers who provide direct ser­
vice to students were cut from 3 2 to 20
Board members want people to
understand that this is for this year
only and by the time next year rolls
around we may be in the same position
again
* « • * Z
Dad’s heating
DO oils Service
OREGON
LOTTERY
Portland School
District Will Cut 400
Positions
New County Chair
Hooked Big One
unteered for Vietnam where he helped
close the huge air base at Da Nang. He
retired from Fairchild AFB in Spo­
kane with the rank of master ser­
geant. He had been in the Air Force
almost continuously since his gradu­
ation from school in his home town,
Canton, Miss., the only boy in a se­
nior class of five.
From his various Air Force posts,
Miggins took college courses on the
side At Fairchild he got a bachelor’s
d e g re e
in
so cio lo g y
from Ft Wright college When an
opening dev eloped on the col lege staff,
Miggins left the serv ice to become the
school’s business manager He con­
tin u e d study an d w o rk , to
earn a m aster’s degree in human ser­
vices and to become the college vice
president for financial affairs He
w as at Ft. W rig h t m ore th an
six years, until 1981 w hen he selected
Portland for liv ing
As executive assistant to McCoy
in Mulnomah County's governing
body, M igginsdid most of the adm in­
istrative chores in the office
“I was essentially managing the
county in the last three years,” he
said "Gladys concentrated on legis­
which were successful in building
police forces which were fairer and
more responsive to the needs of all
classes and races, and we are de­
lighted to salute him,” said AKA in­
ternational president Dr. Mary' Shy
Scott of Atlanta.
As executive vice president of
national programming and promo­
tion serv ices for the Public Broadcast­
ing Service, Dr. Lawson has been
instrumental in creating more diver­
sity in programming. Dr. Scott said
systems that improve quality of life
without environmental degradation or
societal displacement.
Kreg Lindberg is a Oregon State
University doctoral student in Forest
Resources with a specialization in
community and resource development.
On his academic program, Lindberg
is concentralingon economic and com­
munity development in coastal com­
munities that attract tourism.
Dietorich Wcttschereck is a O r­
egon State University doctoral candi­
date in Computer Sciences with an
em p h asis on m achine learn in g .
W ettschereck’s dissertation research
has the potential of teaching comput­
ers to identify and translate multiple
languages.
George W. White is a University
of Oregon doctoral candidate in Ge­
ography with an emphasis on political
and ethnic geography of Central and
Eastern Europe. For his dissertation
project. White is undertaking four case
studies of “ethnic space" in Eastern
Europe.
lion research Bonnlandcr is studying
tuberculosis in liaiti, a country in w hich
she serv ed as a nurse and a researcher
on immunization issues.
David V Carruthers is a Univer­
sity of Oregon doctoral candidate in
Political Science with an emphasis on
comparativ e politics and international
relations. In the summer of 1993,
Carruthers w ill begin his dissertation
fieldwork on niral political organiz­
ing in changing Mexico.
Roxanne Easley is a University
of Oregon doctoral candidate in his­
tory with an emphasis on modem
Russian history. Easley’s dissertation
centers on the institution of the peace
arbitrator, created in 1861 in Russia to
implement the emancipation of the
serfs.
Bettina von Hagen is a Portland
State University doctoral student in
Urban Studies with an emphasis on
natural resources management, and
environmental and resource econom­
ics. Her interests are in finding alter­
natives to traditional development
I
AKA Announces 1993 Peace and
Justice Award Winners
‘ Ï ' ¿5 * » ; ;
* * < * ♦ • '♦ T
workers originally signed cards ask­
ing the union to represent them in
April, 1993. The vote to establish
union representation was 36-3 in Port­
land, Klamath Falls, Bend, Redmond
and Sisters, and 11-2 in Medford and
Eugene
The election in Portland nearly
did n 't happen. The company rev ersed
itself and objected to an election on or
near its property It suggested workers
vote in the street. The JLRB asked the
Teamsters to cancel the election, w hich
is guaranteed by law. The teamsters
refused.
Organizer Lorenc Scheer moved
the election to a nearby parking lot
and the NLRB concurred
The election is part of a national
Teamster drive to organize this com­
pany. Elections at other United Cou­
rier branches arc expected later this
summer in Seattle/Tacoma, WA and
throughout northern California. The
Teamsters already w on sizeable elec­
tions throughout the greater Los An­
geles area
This drive is part of a national
campaign to organize the whole cou­
rier industry which is characterized
by exploitation of w orkers, according
to Scheer.
I N T R O D U C IN G A
R E V O L U T I O N A R Y I DEA
IN B A N K I N G :
L o a n s F o r p e o p l e
W h o A c tu a lly N eed
T he M o n ey .
S o m e banks seem to th in k yon need lots a n d lots oj s tu ff before you can get
a loan. I lo u s e s . C a r s . Y achts. It s o r t o f m a k e s y o u w o n d e r : if s o m e o n e ’s
a lre a d y g o t all th a t s tu ff, w h a t d o th e y n e e d a lo an fo r? I h a t s w h y w e ve
c o m e u p w ith O p p o r t u n i t y L oans. S o e v e n it y o u r i n c o m e s low , c h a n c e s
a re fa irly h ig h y o u c a n g e t a lo an . F o r th in g s y o u n e e d . L ik e a n e w r e f r ig ­
e ra to r. S o m e re a s o n a b ly n ic e n e w a lu m in u m g u tte r s . O r to pay s o m e re a ­
s o n a b ly p a in f u l d e n ta l b ills. A n y w a y , it s e e m e d lik e a p r e t t y d e c e n t id e a ,
I
b a im k .
A ll lo r n . art- .u b ,c .. to approval H a v.u g a good . re d it h n m ry . ami o r a lu u o r y o i p.o ,ng yo ur b rlb o n tim e w r ll g rra d y im prove
s r'u r 'b .,; " s ... ..p p ro A l K e rru n rb * u h c , yo u're f . lb n g ..... v o n . lo r o .o r o .
.o r a r i . 0 r.-r.l the In n -
I ,ke ,1...
•ippr.
I ‘ »9.3 U .S B a n k. M e m b e r I I > I <
• * z zz
• • • • * » » * '
• r * ■
**■ HA i
' * * ' * * ' I f Ü LV * * ‘
''S • ••* . •
.
4
* * * "
* *
I