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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2012)
WWW . THESKANNER . COM J UNE 20 , 2012 P ORTLAND , O REGON V OLUME XXXIV, N O . 25 25 CENTS For The Skanner news alerts Text "NEWS" to 503-715-0890 or scan this QR code C HALLENGING P EOPLE TO S HAPE A B ETTER F UTURE N OW OCBA Firings: Why? MICHELLE Gov. Kitzhaber boots two commissioners – no explanation Lisa Loving Of The Skanner News PHOTO BY CHRIS HO PHOTGRAPHY F ired Oregon Commission for Black Affairs members Clifford Walker and Willie Woolfolk say they have been invited to hearings at the state capitol to “clear their names” – but as yet neither has been informed about exactly what they are supposed to have done to get the boot. “Can you believe this?” Woolfolk said Friday morning. “It sure would be nice to know what I’m clearing my name from.” However, a series of emails between the commissioners and the Oregon Advocacy Commission administrative staff, obtained by The Skanner News, shows that a power struggle between the two commissioners and the staff brewed throughout this past spring. However it’s unclear whether their con- flicts had anything to do with the firings since the governor’s office is refusing com- ment. Commissioners are not paid employees, they are volunteers appointed by the gover- nor. The paid support employees tend to daily operations of the state’s four advocacy com- missions, for: women; Black affairs; His- panic affairs; and Asian and Pacific Islander affairs. Walker and Woolfolk have served on the board for five years and four years, respec- tively. Walker is an Air Force veteran, retired entrepreneur and founder of the Portland- Mutare, Zimbabwe, Sister City Association. He is a longtime HIV/AIDS education activist. Woolfolk is a construction worker and 15 year member of the Construction & General Laborers Union of Southern Oregon. As of Friday morning, both men’s photos and biographies had been scrubbed from the OCBA website, although two new commis- sion members still have incomplete profiles. First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the 2012 Commencement Address at Oregon State University, Sunday June 17. She is pictured here with OSU Provost Sabah Randhawa, (left) and OSU President Ed Ray who awarded her an honorary Doctorate in Public Health for her work to raise awareness about healthy living. First Lady, Public Health Doctor Michelle Obama tells new OSU graduates ‘live your dreams’ Helen Silvis Of The Skanner News Michelle Obama wowed an enthusiastic crowd of 5000 graduates and their families at Oregon State University where she gave the 2012 Com- mencement address, Sunday June 17. Speaking under clear blue skies, the First Lady spoke about her father and how much he had taught her about life. She made sure to tell him she loved him, before his death from multiple sclero- sis. “...no matter what struggles or setbacks you face in your life, focus on what you have, not what you’re missing,” she said. “My Dad taught us this les- son every day by how he lived his life.” Obama urged graduates to pursue their dreams, telling them that fat paychecks, fancy offices and impressive resumes are not the most important things in life. She was a highly paid lawyer, but felt unfilled and left to go work in the Chicago Mayor’s office, where she felt she could make a more valu- able contribution. “I was living the dream, but it wasn’t my dream,” Obama said. “Craig felt the same way, unbeknownst to me.” The First Lady’s brother Craig Robinson left a lucrative financial services career to coach basketball. He currently is head basketball coach at OSU. Robinson told reporters he was happy that his sister is meeting his new baby for the first time. Robinson and his wife have a four-month-old son, Aaron. Martin Kelly, at the ceremo- ny to watch his son Tyler Zinsli graduate, said having Michelle Obama deliver the commencement speech made the occasion even more momentous. “She’s a very interesting and articulate woman,” he said before she spoke. “I’m very excited to hear what she has to See OSU on page 3 See OCBA on page 3 INDEX News ......................2,3 Opinion ..................4,5 A & E ......................6,8 Bids/Classifieds ..........7 Breaking Racial Stereotypes on Nature Greg Wolley named to Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission By Bruce Poinsette Of The Skanner News W hen it comes to the outdoors, Greg Wolley has been everywhere you can imagine, defying many stereotypes about African-Americans and wildlife. “They say Black people don’t bike, hike, etc.,” he says. “Students of color are not see- ing images of people in natural resources that look like them — they don’t have role models.” On May 21, Wolley became the first African-American to serve on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commis- sion (ODFW). Besides increasing the participation of people of color, Wolley wants to focus on policies around hunting and fishing. He says he wants to clarify how many and what types of animals can be hunted and ensure that the fish populations are strong and healthy. In addition to these agendas, he also wants to look at the impact large mammals like wolves, bears and cougars have on people’s lifestyles. Lastly, Wolley wants to balance See WOLLEY on page 3
