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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2013)
Local News Election New Park in Pearl optimism, she said. “Even the supporters of fluoridation from what they are talking about today are regrouping and looking at what these other alternatives are,” she said. “For example, the pilot dental therapists program that the end child abuse, and deliver after-school, summer and mentoring programs to at-risk children. Commissioner Dan Saltzman has led the effort to send city support to children in need. “I am very grateful to Portland voters for reaffirming their support in making children a higher priori- ty in our city,” he said, “by investing in proven programs that are making a difference in young people’s lives and helping to keep them safe and successful.” Saltzman said this year the pro- gram added a new focus: combating the serious problem of childhood hunger. “We are figuring out how to make a seri- ous contribution in ending hunger.” ...we must act to address the well-documented oral health crisis in Portland... . state has legislated. That’s a very cost-effec- tive way to allow access for more of our children in need….It’s been very successful in Alaska and Minnesota and in particular for low-income families.” Chris Kabel, a senior program officer with the Northwest Health Foundation reacted to the defeat. “We are of course disappointed in the out- come of the vote on community water fluoridation, a practice backed by decades of research and evidence. We hope that those who proposed other solutions to Port- land’s oral health crisis join our community partners to advocate for increased funding for and access to prevention services and dental treatment.” It’s too early to say if fluoridation cam- paigners will try again, Kabel said. “What we do know is that we must act to address the well-documented oral health crisis in Portland, and we look forward to working with a diverse range of partners to implement other evidence-based strate- gies.” Ending Child Abuse The Portland Childrens Levy was passed for another five years, with more than 70 percent support. The property tax levy sends around $10 million a year to efforts to Grand opening festivities were last week for the Fields Park, a brand-new 3.2 acre facility in the Pearl that opened to the public on May 6. The park consists of a one- acre lawn/common area, sitting areas, a strolling path, entry plaza, Portland Loo restroom and a large children’s playground. The park also has an 8,000 square foot dog off-leash area. PHOTO COURTESY PORTLAND PARKS AND RECREATION continued from page 1 Natural Improvements The METRO natural resources levy passed. It will allow METRO to maintain and improve natural areas across the region and to improve water quality for fish. “We deeply appreciate the confidence shown by our region’s residents, who value these special places and the fish and wildlife that depend on them,” said Metro Council President Tom Hughes in a statement. And Jim Desmond, Metro’s Sustainability Center Director, said the results show pub- lic awareness has grown when it comes to problems such as invasive species. Voters in suburban areas, however, were less enthusi- astic about the levy than Portland voters, even though the parks it will support are largely closer to the suburbs. Work is due to begin this summer at Blue Lake Park, Oxbow Park, Creek Canyon Natural Area in Oregon City, Killin Wet- lands in Washington County, and River Island Natural Area on the Clackamas River. Beaverton Schools The Beaverton Schools levy passed by a margin of more than 10 percent, delighting school board members and teachers. The district was forced to cut 344 teacher posi- tions this year. The levy will fund 151 teachers for the 2013-14 school year. Portland Public School Board In the Portland School Board contests, longtime Portland Public Schools board member Martin Gonzalez lost his seat to former board member and retired teacher, Steve Buel. Buel says funds should be focused on positions that work directly with students and on reducing class sizes. Other issues he highlights are the changing role of princi- pals, unstable enrollment boundaries and discipline. “There is a huge disparity from school to school of the baseline behavior for the kids who attend different schools,” he says on his website. “This just means that at some schools creating a positive environment takes a lot more work, effort and focus than another school may. But we have to expend the energy necessary to give all of our chil- dren a good learning experience. All of our children. The district needs to support and help these efforts.” Pam Knowles and Tom Koehler were also elected to the PPS board. In a landslide vote, Kali Thorne Ladd won the race for the Portland Community Col- lege Zone 2 Director position. Jim Harper was elected to Zone 4, and Ken Madden to Zone 5. Former Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto was elected to Multnomah Educational Service District. Rose continued from page 2 Run, to be held Jun. 1. It’s the largest fun-run in Oregon with prizes for best costume. Regis- tration is $15 per person for adults, $10 for youth ages 7-12, and $5 for kids six and under. The Starlight Run will charge $15 for t-shirts. Add an extra $5 for entry fees after May 20. The Portland General Elec- tric/SOLVE Starlight Parade will also be held Jun. 1. This year’s Grand Marshals are the Portland Winterhawks who recently won the WHL Finals. CITYFAIR SCHEDULE: June 3; June 4; June 5 Weekend of May 24 - 27 May 24: 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. May 25 - May 27: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Location: Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park (in Downtown Portland) Weekend of May 30 - June 2 May 30 - May 31: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. June 1 - June 2: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Event Schedule: June 5: Fred Meyer Junior Parade June 5: World Environment Day June 5 - 9: Fleet Week June 6: Creative Youth Awards June 6 - 7: Lloyd Center/Portland Rose Society 125th Annual Spring Rose Show June 7: Grand Floral Fireworks: Time: 10:00 p.m. Location: Governor Tom McCall Weekend of June 6 - 9 June 6 - June 7: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. June 8 - June 9: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. CityFair will be CLOSED: May 28; May 29; Waterfront Park. Admission: Included with Regular Admission June 8: Queen’s Coronation Presented By Pacific Power June 8: Bank of the West Grand Floral Walk June 8: Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade June 8 - 9: Grand Floral Float Showcase June 8 - 9: Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race June 9: Dairy Farmers of Oregon Milk Carton Boat Race June 14 - 16: Rose Cup Races Lewis & Clark continued from page 3 -try will never have to face. And you have dedicated your life to trying to right some of the wrongs you have witnessed and even participated in. What message are you bringing for our young college graduates at Lewis & Clark? Romeo Dallaire: I am going to describe them as being the new generation of activists in a revolutionary time. I am actu- ally going to tell them that they are members not of an X, Y or Z generation, but they are members of a generation without borders. That they have gone global – they’ve gone worldwide – and because of this revolution in communi- cations, they in fact can coalesce and be a signifi- cant balance of power in the democracies of the world. And so I’m going to empower them, I hope, with this sense of participa- tion in advancing humanity — because we can actually speak of the whole of humanity. We are soon going to be able to Skype anybody in humanity. So it’s no longer a foreign thing, it’s actually human beings that you can see and talk to and speak of. And so I’m going to project with them how they can be a generation that’s going to move others aside because they are mastering this new revolutionary capability that’s been put in their hands. I’m also going to indicate to them that no matter how advanced the 20 percent of the ‘haves’ of the world can progress, we can’t simply and pretentiously articulate that humanity is advancing when 80 percent are living in abject poverty with no hope. And so I’m trying to articulate for them that they, individually, want to participate in a right of passage — post-undergrad or maybe even possibly post high school — and go into developing countries and get their boots dirty. That they will have under their bed that pair of dirty boots, that they went into these countries and talked and felt See DALLAIRE on page 8 May 22, 2013 The Portland Skanner Page 3