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O ctober 15. 2008
O pinion
No Voter Meltdown on Election Day
Make sure every vote is counted
paign focusing on the ur­
gent need for voter edu­
With the presiden­
cation, increased partici­
tial election of 2008
pation and the prevention
less than a m onth
away, voters must ask
o f the kind of vote sup­
themselves two impor­
p ressio n th at has o c ­
tant questions: First,
cu rred in the last tw o
which candidate has
presidential elections.
the best long-term so­
We are demanding that
lution for fixing our economy and all election officials uphold their
helping American families and duties and do what is necessary
homeowners get back on their now and all the way to Election
feet. And second, are we pre­ Day to prevent any infringe­
pared as citizens to make our ments on voting rights. We are
voices heard, stand up for our calling on governors to verify
rights and make sure every vote that they have contingency plans
for all foreseeable problems as­
is counted.
That’s why the National Urban sociated with the predicted mas­
League is launching an unprec­ sive turnout. And we are urging
edented "Vote to Empower" cam­ the President and both political
by M arc M orial
campaigns to announce a zero-
tolerance for voter suppression.
The National Urban League is
ready to do its part. As a start,
we are spotlighting areas of con­
cern and issuing our first in a se­
ries of alerts and recommenda­
tions for citizen action. For ex­
ample. in Michigan allegations
have been made that foreclosure
lists will be used to prevent citi­
zens from voting. If true, this
means that victims of foreclosure
will lose their voting rights. A law­
suit has been filed to prevent this
from happening and we will con­
tinue to monitor the situation.
Other potential suppression ef­
forts across the nation are also
being investigated.
Finally, it is important that you
educate yourself about the vot-
ing rules in your state and report
any potential problems such as
lack of voting machines or voter
intimidation.
The swift action taken to ad­
dress the growing panic in the
financial markets reminds us of
the government's fundamental
responsibility to take action to
avert national catastrophes. On
Nov. 4, voters will have the last
word. Preventing a voter melt­
down in 2008 is just as important
as preventing an economic melt­
down,
Back by Popular Demand
O ld S chool M aster B arber R eggie Brown
Htntrs/Dnys-. 1 l-7 Tu c s -F ri • 10-7 Sat
Reggie’s Barber Shop
3213 NE Martin Luther King. Jr. Blvd • 503-280-0222
Specialize in all hair types. Straight razor cuts/ lines /shaves;
Sheers. Clippers and Fades
Marc Maria! is president and
chief executive officer fa r the Na­
tional Urban League.
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Portland Observer Endorsements
Nov. 4 General Election
• U.S. President: Barack Obama
PageAS
Ask about our Special
Tightwad luesday
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LICENSED BARBER S WANTED
Speak up on Transportation!
Help shape local, regional and statewide transportation
funding decisions for the next four years.
Metro and the Oregon Department of Transportation invite you to comment on
proposed transportation projects in the Portland metropolitan region at any one
of two public meetings in October. Metro is seeking public input on the regional
flexible fund allocations, and ODOT is seeking public comment on the Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program.
• U.S. Senator: Jeff Merkley
• Measure 54: Yes
At these meetings you may:
• testify before elected officials and submit written comments on projects and
programs eligible for regional flexible fund allocations
• testify before ODOT officials on the Region 1 Statewide Transportation Im­
provement Program
• get more information about a range of regional planning programs from
roads to highways to transit and land-use planning
• talk with technical staff
Allows 18-year-old voters in school board elections.
• Measure 55: Yes
Allows legislators to finish term in original district after redistricting.
• Measure 56: Yes
Eliminates double-majority election requirement
• Measure 57: No
Doesn’t address root cause of crime. Costly, but better alternative to Measure 61.
• Measure 58: No
Unwise mandate on bilingual education.
• Measure 59: No
Unlimited federal tax deduction would reduce state budget by $1.2 billion.
• Measure 60: No
Unfair to teachers.
• Measure 61: No
• Measure 64: No
Way too costly. Doesn’t address root cause of crime.
Limits political rights of public
employees.
• Measure 62: No
Takes away money from schools.
• Measure 65: No
• Measure 63: No
Limits rights of political parties to
nominate candidates.
Sacrifices safety in building permit process.
Oregon City,
Pioneer Community Center
Tuesday, Oct. 2 8 ,5 to 8 p.m.
615 Fifth St. (at Washington)
Metro Regional Center
Thursday, Oct. 30, 5 to 8 p.m.
Council Chamber
600 NE Grand Ave., Portland
TriMet lines 33, 34, 35 and Express 99
TriMet line 6, MAX red and blue lines to Ore­
gon Convention Center, yellow line to Rose
Quarter
r
Translators and interpreters available upon request.
All facilities are ADA accessible.
Oregon
Departm ent
o f Transportation
Metro | People places. Open spaces
Please Join
^(.InrB attit (© hserrier Newspaper
at
Community Service Awards Banquet
t
RESCHEDULED TO
Friday, March 20
7 p.m to 10 p.m.
This celebratory event will include music from local talent, awards of scholarships,
and community service awards for those in the community that realize the potential
in our city and communities who strive to continually give of themselves.
Charles Washington, the Publisher of the Portland Observer Newspaper carries on
the legacy of his mother's hard work in the community and her efforts in helping
those in the community.
for tickets or table information contact:
Kathy Linder email kathyl@portlandobserver.com or call 503-288-0033