February 11, 2015
The
Portland Observer Black
INSIDE
The
Week in Review
L AW &J USTICE
C ALENDAR
page 2
History Month
Page 3
This page
Sponsored by:
L OCAL N EWS
pages 6-7
page 8
Michael Alexander
Lolenzo Poe
Local leaders criticize
Governor’s budget
nity agenda fails to mirror the national conversa-
tion.
“If ever there were a group of students who
needed the support of a governor with a strong
vision for education it would be our black young
men specifically and all black children in general,
but we have not seen your words turn to action,”
the civil rights organization wrote in a Jan. 23 letter
to the governor.
Signed by Michael Alexander, Urban League of
Portland president; Lolenzo Poe, chair of the Afri-
can American Alliance, Charles McGee of the Black
Leaving Black Youth Out
M ETRO
page 9
A group of leaders from Portland’s black com-
munity say they are deeply frustrated and disap-
pointed in the lack of specific support for African
American youth in the governor’s new budget for
state government services.
Just as the city of Portland has joined a new
Black Male Achievement initiative born of the
Obama White House to improve the outcomes for
black men and young black males, the Urban League
of Portland says Gov. John Kitzhaber’s Opportu-
continued
on page 16
Fire at Allen Temple Church
An electric fire erupted at the Allen Temple CME
Church Saturday evening, sending plumes of smoke
into the King Neighborhood.
Firefighters managed to extinguish most of the fire
before it could spread and further destroy the historic
building, but then a second electric fire was spotted
later that night near the roof.
Final Push for Healthcare Signups
pages 12-15
C LASSIFIEDS
O PINION
pages 18-19
An investigator with Portland Fire and Rescue
determined that this was an electrical fire in the wall.
The Fire Bureau will release estimates on the damages
when they are available.
Sunday services will be held at the Maranatha
Church at 4222 N.E. 12th Ave. until the church is
repaired.
page 16
Uninsured Portlanders are invited to take
care of their hearts and health this Valentine’s
Day by signing up for the Affordable Care
Act.
The Saturday, Feb. 14 event sponsored by
Planned Parenthood and the Coalition of Com-
munity Health Clinics will be held at Emanuel
Hospital’s Lorenzen Center at 2801 N.
Gantenbein Ave., between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the
last day before the enrolment period for 2015
ends.
Officials said it is very important that any ne
who is still uninsured take advantage of this
public event. To learn more, call 503-260-0682.