JJortlanb (©bsrruer Page A6 Mayoral Candidates Address Issues September 15, 2004 School Begins with Track Safety Push The Community Association of Ports­ mouth and University Park United Meth­ odist Church will co-sponsor a Mayoral Candidate Forum in north Portland on Friday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Both c a n d id a te s , T om P o tte r an d Jim Francesconi will attend. Currently, north Portland is experi­ encing rising property values and large public investments in transportation, commercial developments, public hous­ ing, and affordable housing. The forum will be moderated by Rev. Dr. Jeanne Knepper. Each candidate will give a brief introduction. They will then be asked a series o f questions posed by the sponsors. Each candidate will have the opportunity to respond. There will be a chance for the public to ask ques­ tions through the moderator. Following the forum, refreshments will be served, and attendees can speak personally with the candidates. Women’s Business The Mt. Hood Community College BizCenter is offering a comprehensive educational program geared to helping women develop their own businesses. ‘•Fresh Start for Women Starting New Businesses” will hold twice monthly workshops, and 12 hours of individual counseling from business consultant, Dollie Mercedes. Some of the topics covered in the workshops include: ways to define your business, find the market potential, cre­ ate an action plan and how to develop leadership skills. photo by T rim et o ffic ia ls say th e sim p lest ad v ice is still the best: lo o k b o th w ays b efo re c ro ssin g the train track s. W ith s tu d e n ts f lo o d in g th e s tre e ts o n t h e ir w a y to s c h o o l, T r iM e t w a n ts to r e m i n d p e d e s t r i a n s to c r o s s tra c k s sa fe ly a n d k e e p an ey e o u t f o r th e I n te r s ta te M a x ’s n ew Y e llo w lin e in n o rth P o rtla n d , w h ic h w as n o t ru n n in g b e f o r e s c h o o l le t o u t. “ W e h av e q u ite a few elem e n ts as CaCchvetf’s CoConiaC ChapeC 20 N.E. 14th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97232 (.503) 232-4111 Denyse O. Peterson M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver Ockley Green Middle School's Gobbeau Calhoun gets some tips from Richard Parker, a CEC Security officer for TriMet, on how to be safe around the Yellow Line Max Tracks next to her school at North Interstate Avenue and Ainsworth Street. The Pre-arrangement Concept Dear Family Member: Denyse Peterson represents funeral homes and cemeteries in the Portland Metro­ politan area. Many families have a difficult time getting through all die associated decisions, questions, grief and financial responsibilities that follow when a love one dies. Denyse’s responsibility is to provide information. Pre-arranging lessens the burden before the time of death with challenges such as emotional overspending, indecision, haste and worry. Our personal planning guide can lie a great benefit to love ones. Overall, pre­ arranging will lrenefit families tremendously. The pre-arrangement Dignity Memorial providers are honored to help families in our community' with your funeral needs. Representing these fine funeral homes: • Caldwell’s Colonial Chapel • Sunnyside Chapel & Memorial Gardens • I incolli Memorial Park & Funeral Home • Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Directors • Gateway Little Chapel of die Chimes • lincoln-Willamette Funeral Directors • Killingsworth litde Chapel of the Chimes • Ross Hollywood Chapel Skvline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home w ell as a lot o f sig n s to rem in d p eo p le how to be safe aro u n d M ax ,” said M a ry F e tc h , a s p o k e s w o m a n fo r T riM et. T riM et has in stalled so p h istica te d cro ssw a lk sig n a ls w ith im ag es o f a train , au d io w arn in g s and cro ssw a lk c o u n td o w n s . T riM et sta ff m o n ito re d p la tfo rm s last w eek n ear O ck ley G reen E le m e n ­ tary S ch o o l to m ake su re k id s knew how to cro ss the track s safely . Parental Abductions Addressed Local leader supports new task force A new task force o f law enforce­ ment officials and other experts will study strategies to reduce parental abductions in Oregon and find meth­ ods to resolve them in a manner that serves the best interests o f the child and the child’s family. The effort has the backing of state Sen. Avel Gordly, an African American lawmaker representing northeast and southeast Portland “Each year, 200,(XX) children in America fall victim to parental ab­ duction. T heircases receive far less police and media attention than ab­ ductions by strangers, even though stranger abductions are far less com m on,” said Gordly. “It is my hope that this task force will help raise awareness of the problem and lead to more effective strategies for dealing with it.” The Senate Interim Task Force on Parental and Family Abductions began its challenging work in June. It will study a wide range of topics, including the emotional problems caused by parental abductions, the financial im pactof such abductions on abducted children, their families and their schools, the actual inci­ dence o f parental abductions in Oregon and methods to resolve Sen. Avel Gordly supports a taskforce on parental abductions. parental abductions successfully. The task force is also develop­ ing bills for the next regular legisla­ tive session, including one that requires law enforcement officers to report parental abduction infor­ mation to the Missing Children's Clearinghouse. Although often dismissed as cus­ tody battles, parental abductions are in reality a form of child abuse. Vic­ tims of parental abduction are tom away from their homes and loved ones and forced to suddenly start a new life. Abducted children are of­ ten given new names, religions and identities, and instructed never to speak about their past. Experts say children taken into hiding by a parent or family member are often in serious jeopardy, both psychological and physical. Because parental abduction cur­ rently is not considered a criminal offense, the Oregon State Police have little involvement with such cases. “Currently it’s acivil issue, statu­ tory changes would have to be made to turn it into a criminal is­ sue,” said Glenn Chastain, O SP 's public information officer. Portland Team Heads to Uganda For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Denyse Peterson at (503) 232-4111. Get real MAX weighs 55 tons Look both ways before crossing tracks I Three veteran medical volun­ teers w ith N orthw est M edical Teams are headed to Uganda to care for thousands of displaced. needy families camped in makeshift The team will carry in more than shelters. $40,000 in critically needed medical Dr. Stephen Boyer, a Portland supplies. The antibiotics, ban­ emergency room physician with dages, surgical kits and other items Providence St. Vincent Medical will treat 10,fXX) patients for a 30- Center, Dr. Robert Gibson, a Port­ day period. land cardiologist in private prac­ According to the United Na­ tice, and Scott Gotter, a Hillsboro tions, more than 1.5 million Ugan­ firefighter and paramedic with the dans have been driven from their City of Portland, are the first volun­ homes in response to the on going teers ever sent to Uganda by the fighting between the Ugandan gov­ Portland-based agency. ernment a n d rebel forces. Book Giveaway Saturday Give your kids the gift of reading by attending the annual C hildren's Book Fair, sponsored by the Urban League of Portland and the North Portland branch of the Multnomah County Library. The Fair is from 11 a.m .to2p.m „ Saturday Sept. 18, at the library, 512 N. Killingsworth St. Each child who attends can choose a free book to take home. The free event is intended for pre- sch