League of Women Voters of Lane County

May 2015

ARGUS

LWVLC’s ANNUAL MEETING

By Sue Boyd

To jumpstart our

examination of the LWV of

Oregon’s study,

“Public Postsecondary

Education,”

Mary Spilde,

President of Lane

Community College,

will discuss

“Challenges Facing

Community Colleges.”

Of special interest of the

LWVOR study committee

are proposals to fund

post secondary education,

SPECIAL THIRD THURSDAY, May 21

Speaker LCC President Mary Spilde

Good company, great food, and a

thoughtful look at our local League’s

issues, current and future, marked

Annual Meeting April 25.

Because our meeting was the week

before the League of Women Voters

of Oregon convention, the eventual

impact of some actions will not

known until we see what that body

chooses to do.

Our League may need to change its

tax status should the state Conven-

tion favor a proposal to consolidate

its 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 sides into a

single entity. If that happens, the

proposal offered by Pat Hocken and

approved at Annual Meeting is to

have the LWVLC Board appoint a by-

laws review committee to review our

Articles of Incorporation and bylaws

and recommend a course of action to

be voted on at a general membership

meeting.

Members voted to amend the pro-

posed budget to make a $1000 grant

to the League of Women Voters of

Oregon, which is struggling finan-

cially. This is in addition to any in-

crease in the per member payment

(PMP) which our League makes every

year. The LWVOR Board has proposed

a three dollar increase in PMP which

will be voted on during state Conven-

tion.

Pat Bitner, who chaired the study

committee for our local health care

units, received approval for a resolu-

tion asking the state Convention to

consider revising the LWVOR position

on single payer health care. If ap-

proved as proposed by delegates at

state Convention, the LWVOR Board

would direct the state Action Com-

mittee to review recent studies and

consider whether the current eco-

nomic situation would allow universal

tax-supported health care in Oregon.

Under the proposal, the LWVOR

Board would review the Action Com-

mittee analysis by December 31,

2015.

Special Meeting

MAY 21

Valley River Inn

11:30 Buffet

$16 for lunch

$5 beverage only

Free program at noon

Lunch reservations

required by

MAY 18th

Reserve at League Office

(541-343-7917) or

league@lwvlc.org

especially community col-

leges, the relationship of

community colleges to

the Higher Education Co-

ordinating Commission

and the potential to coor-

dinate course numbers

between universities and

community colleges.

Brett Rowlett will intro-

duce President Spilde. He

is Director of Governmen-

tal & Community Rela-

tions at LCÇ and a valued

member of the LWVLC

Advisory Group.

Janet Calvert

UNIT CHOICE - Flo Alvergue, Units Chair

Page 2

Monday, May 4

7 pm - Cascade Manor

Pete Sorenson, County Commis-

sioner will speak on County’s

Vehicle Registration Fee measure

Cascade View Rm, 65 W. 30th

C- Lorraine Abbott 434-4107

Frank Carlton 434-4140

Monday, May 11

10 am - S. Willamette

Pot Luck Lunch

430 E. 46th Avenue

H- Flo Alvergue 344-3430

C- Anne Best 343-5124

2 pm - Harlow Road

No meeting this month

East Eugene Unit Choice - Low Carbon Diet

Join our Eco Team Program! Everyone is invited to discuss Low Carbon Diet---A 30

Day Program to lose 5000 Pounds by David Gershon. He has created a step-by-step

program, à la Weight Watchers, designed to reduce a person's carbon footprint with

checklists and illustrations. This user-friendly guide is a serious attempt at

changing American energy-consumption behavior, offering day-to-day solutions to

an overwhelming global problem. You do not have to read the book to participate.

We will review and fill out Eco Team forms from the book that received rave reviews

from the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, and Christian Science

Monitor. The low carbon diet will be a start for our community to have personal

responsibility for climate change reduction. It would be a great introduction for kids

as well as adults. Do join our gathering! Ruth Duemler will lead us through the

discussion. If you have any questions, please call her at 541-484-6145.

Diana Grandberry

LWV of Lane County

Board & Off Board

Roster 2014-15

President

SUSAN TAVAKOLIAN

Secretary

MARJ MAXWELL

Treasurer

PHYLLIS LOOBEY

Action

KAPPY EATON &

PAT HOCKEN

Argus Editor

CHARLCIE KAYLOR

Finance

JANET CALVERT

Historian

GAYLE DOWNING

Nominations

CAROL HILDEBRAND

Membership

ANNE BEST &

KATHY MERWIN-GONZALES

Public Relations

JENNIFER HAYNES

Units

FLO ALVERGUE

Voter Service

RHONDA LIVESAY

Tuesday, May 12

9:30 am - Coburg Road

No meeting this month

Noon - Springfield Unit

No meeting this month

Wednesday, May 13

10 am - East Eugene

See article below

555 E. 15th, Central Presbyterian

H- Stephanie Winsor 342-8243

C- Diana Grandberry 342-8402

2 pm - Cottage Grove/Creswell

No meeting this month

3 pm - S.W. Eugene

No meeting this month

Human trafficking

was the topic for our

November unit discus-

sions. Many of us have

wondered where we could

find out more or if we

could possibly get in-

volved with helping in

some way.

There is just such an

opportunity.

May 7, from 5 to 7:20 pm.

HEDCO Education Bldg,

Room 142, 1655 Alder St.

The Students Against

Modern Day Slavery

(SAMS) are hosting an

event with several guests

and professionals who

were among victims and

survivors of human traf-

ficking.

The event is free and

open to the public.

Veronika Walton

From the Membership Committee:

Next Action

Committee

Meeting

9:30 am

May 6

1021 N. Pond Rd.

Eugene

Kappy’s home

Any League member is

welcome to attend.

Page 3

GOVERNANCE

Ethics Issues

Both the Governor and the

Republican (Rs) leadership

have drafted revisions to

the state’s ethics statutes.

The House Rules committee

held a hearing April 27 on

the Rs proposals. HB 3505

relates to public records law

which goes back decades

and is in need of revisions,

particularly to the provi-

sions for the public’s access

to information. This bill

would require the retention

schedules of certain materi-

als and establish a three

year retention requirement.

Additions include legislative

and social media informa-

tion, electronic media,

maximum fees for copying,

and consequences for the

delay in providing the mate-

rials requested.

HB 2790 would require pub-

lic agency testifiers to take

an oath as to accuracy and

truth of their information.

HB 2791 makes falsification

of statements to legislative

committees a crime.

HB 3043 would require that

the Governor file identifica-

tion information for the

First Spouse to the Oregon

Government Ethics Commis-

sion and set policies and

procedures regarding the

public role of the First

Spouse, prohibiting policy-

making or agenda- setting.

HB 3331 which would allow

the Legislature to appoint

an independent counsel by

joint resolution.

HB 4537 would require a

member of the Legislature

to file a statement of paid

political activity with the

Secretary of State if the

member or an immediate

family member, serves as a

paid candidate consultant.

The league submitted Com-

ments on these bills particu-

larly related to the need for

public records laws to be

revised, with fewer exemp-

tions, better/faster re-

sponses for records re-

quests and retention limits.

The Governor’s bills are SB

9, and HBs 2019 and 2020.

They are related to impor-

tant ethics revisions on pub-

lic record keeping, and for

policies regarding the First

Partner as a public official.

The Rules committee should

be encouraged to consider

all of the proposals and

seek common ground for

amendments. The Senate

Rules committee discussed

SB 9 April 28.

National Popular Vote

HB 3475, the National Popu-

lar Vote Compact NPV), had

a positive hearing April 15

in the House Rules commit-

tee, with Dr. John Koza,

president of NPV, providing

the lead testimony. It is ex-

pected to move out of the

committee within the week.

The Interstate Compact,

now supported by 11 states

and the District of Colum-

bia, would require the

counting of all votes in a

Presidential election, to de-

termine the person receiv-

ing the most votes across

the country, so that the win-

ner would be that person

and every vote would count.

Candidates would need to

visit many states to win

votes, not just the six or

seven “battleground” areas.

A work session in House

Rules is expected to move

the bill to the House floor

for a vote on May 4.

Tax Credits

Oregon’s Tax Expenditures,

consisting of credits, ex-

emptions, deferrals and

deductions, account for

$38.7 billion in money the

state doesn’t receive. Each

regular session of the Legis-

lature (odd-numbered years)

is now required to review any

credits scheduled to sunset

in the year following the ses-

sion. There are 18 in that

category for 2016. Together,

they account for $64 million

in the 2013-15 Adopted

Budget.

The former Governor recom-

mended retention of all the

credits, but the new Gover-

nor does not agree with cred-

its totaling about $15 million

that could be saved. The

Joint Ways and Means com-

mittee has proposed no

more than $14 million in

appropriations for 2015-17.

There is a Joint Tax Credits

committee to review the rec-

ommendations from the leg-

islative Policy committees on

the sun-setting credits, and

to recommend to Ways and

Means which tax credits

should be revised, continued

or repealed. Obviously, this

year, the $14 million is a far

cry from $64 million so allo-

cations are critical. The Tax

committee held a hearing on

six credits April 23, and 11

more on April 30.

One new credit for employ-

ment-related household ser-

vices and dependent care

expenses was included with

those expiring. Some others

include persons with severe

disability, expenses in lieu of

nursing home care, child

with disability care, long

term insurance premiums

and contributions to the Of-

fice of Child Care. This ses-

sion, several new tax credits

are being considered.

Limits on Political

Contributions

SJR 5, a constitutional

amendment to allow the Leg-

islature and the public, by

initiative, to set limits on

(Continued on page 5)

ACTION - State of the State

by Kappy Eaton, Action Co-chair

Local Budgets

Spring is the time when

most Oregon local govern-

ments consider and adopt a

budget for the upcoming

fiscal year which usually

begins on July 1. To begin

the budget process, the city

manager or county adminis-

trator or other chief admin-

istrative officer presents a

proposed budget to the

agency's budget committee.

As a reminder, Oregon local

government budget com-

mittees are made up of the

governing board and an

equal number of members

appointed by the board. The

budget committee discusses

the proposed budget, holds

a public hearing, and rec-

ommends a budget to the

governing board for adop-

tion. The Board must hold

another public hearing and

adopt a budget before the

new fiscal year begins.

The League reviews pro-

posed and recommended

budgets to learn about the

adequacy of funding for

government programs that

the League supports. LWVLC

frequently testifies about

funding priorities and sug-

gests adjustments to fund-

ing levels.

Lane County Budget

Lane County's budget meet-

ings for the 2015-16 budget

year will begin on May 5 at

5:30 p.m. with a public

hearing. Also, at that time

the County Administrator

will present his proposed

budget to the Lane County

Budget Committee. The

Budget Committee will hold

several public meetings in

Page 4

ACTION - Local

by Pat Hocken, Action Co-chair

on the approach to be

used for the UGB housing

decision, i.e. whether to

use the existing population

forecast from 2009 or wait

for the new population

forecast to be issued by

June 30.

MUPTE

In an April 29 work ses-

sion, the Eugene City

Council will again consider

changes to the city's Multi-

unit Property Tax Exemp-

tion (MUPTE) program,

which has been suspended

until September 1, 2015.

Council will consider the

impact of Council motions

approved in January on the

draft of a new ordinance

and provide further input.

Among issues are the rep-

resentation on a proposed

MUPTE Review Panel and

the timing of compliance

reports to the panel, the

requirement that a certain

percentage of units be af-

fordable workforce hous-

ing or that the developer

provide "in lieu" payment

into a city affordable or

emergency housing fund,

and requirements to hire

local contractors and con-

struction workers.

Lane County Vehicle

Registration Fee

The League submitted an

article to the Register

Guard in support of the

Lane County Vehicle Regis-

tration Fee. Our support is

based on the importance

of maintaining road and

bridge infrastructure and

the lack of adequate, ex-

isting resources to do so.

(See article on page 6.)

don Branch Library and

maintaining a responsible

reserve."

I note, however, that a sig-

nificant portion ($250,000)

of the funding for Human

Services Commission is con-

sidered one-year funding.

Also, the Sheldon Library

will be open only 26 hours

per week, which many be-

lieve is inadequate service.

Interestingly, the City Coun-

cil has a work session on a

potential library levy sched-

uled for May 26.

Envision Eugene Well,

the road to adoption of the

City of Eugene's long term

growth plan continues to

have detours and temporary

closures. In January the

Council directed staff to

move ahead with the staff

recommendation for ex-

panding the urban growth

boundary (UGB) for jobs,

parks, and schools. In Feb-

ruary, staff presented a re-

vised recommendation to

the Council for single family

homes that did not require

an expansion of the UGB

for homes, a change driven

by an analysis of additional

data.

The residential recommen-

dations were based on the

population forecasts

adopted in 2009. However,

the city has the option to

use a newly released Port-

land State University (PSU)

population forecast for

Eugene that will be finalized

by June 30, 2015.

At a work session on April

27, the staff will seek direc-

tion from the City Council

May to consider the pro-

posal before making its rec-

ommendation to the Board

of Commissioners. The

League's review will focus

on funding for public safety,

road maintenance, and hu-

man services. The voter's

decision on the proposed

vehicle registration fee will

be known before the budget

process is completed. Lane

County Budget Committee

meetings are usually held at

Harris Hall in the Lane

County Public Service Build-

ing and also broadcast on

cable channel 21.

City of Eugene Budget

The City of Eugene's budget

process will begin on April

29 at 6:00 p.m. with the

presentation of the pro-

posed 2015-16 budget to

the Budget Committee. Ad-

ditional Budget Committee

meetings are scheduled for

May 5 at 5:30 p.m. and May

12 at 5:30 p.m. There will

be a public hearing at the

May 5 meeting. All meetings

will be held in the Bascom-

Tykeson Room in the Down-

town Public Library and will

be broadcast on cable chan-

nel 21.

The Eugene City Manager's

proposed budget (195

pages) has been posted on

the City's website. In his

budget message, he states

that for the first time in six

years the proposed budget

does not have a long-term

budget gap. He describes

the document as a "stable

budget that provides fund-

ing for our current level of

services while ensuring on-

going funding for the Shel-

Page 5

THANK YOU, DONORS! - Janet Calvert, Finance Chair

Each and every member contributes to

League by paying dues, attending

League units and Third Thursday fo-

rums, reading the ARGUS, serving on

the Board of Directors and/or commit-

tees and generally providing moral

support.

A big thanks to LWVLC donors

Thirty-five local League members do-

nated just over $3,000 to support the

League of Women Voters of Lane

County’s advocacy, office mainte-

nance, member and voter education

and voter service activities. These

funds will help us reach out to the

community with a timely web site,

enhanced voter service and commu-

nity forums focusing on current is-

sues.

candidate political campaign con-

tributions, was heard April 21 in

Senate Rules with a packed room

audience. Few were in opposition,

reflecting Oregonians’ (74% favor-

able polling) continued support

for limits, especially in this era of

limitless dollars. Oregon had lim-

its from the early 1900s until

1975. Costs spiraled upward from

$3,000 for a House seat and

$5,000 for a Senate seat, to

$30,000 for the House and

$50,000 for the Senate in 1974.

Limits set through a 1994 initia-

tive were denied by the Oregon

Supreme Court that ruled allowing

any such limits required a consti-

tutional amendment to authorize.

Action now rests with the commit-

tee.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Major issues still going through

hearings or budget allocations

include water quality standards,

aerial spraying and pesticides,

creation of a commission to deter-

mine the future of the state Elliott

Forest, a “right to mine” on agri-

cultural lands (think Lone Pine and

Thistledown locally), carbon pric-

ing as related to climate change,

and $4 million for a DEQ loan pro-

gram to assist low-income owners

of failing septic systems in sensi-

tive areas. A 3 cent increase to the

30 cents state gas tax passed out

of Transportation to the Rules

committee, with referral to the

Revenue and then to Ways and

Means.

Measures that have “died” include

Coal to Clean for Oregon transi-

tion away from coal to clean en-

ergy, and an exception to land use

(Continued from page 3) to allow development on forest or

agricultural lands if certain em-

ployment goals were met.

SOCIAL POLICY

The House has passed approval to

provide conduit bonds for the

construction of residential facili-

ties for mental health and sub-

stance abuse clients, domestic

violence victims and people with

disabilities. County governments

can request bonds for non-profit

agencies facilities, to be paid back

by the agencies. The fight for fire

arm background checks on private

sales continued with a 10 hour

hearing April 22 in House Rules,

after a huge hearing in the Senate

Judiciary committee.

After passage by the House, the

Senate Judiciary committee will

now discuss the proposal to allow

county mental health staff to in-

terview those with C Felony

charges, but who appear to be

unfit to proceed on criminal

charges, to determine if they can

be treated in the community.

Post-Secondary Education

Update

The Oregon Education Investment

Board (OEIB) is at the top of Ore-

gon’s public education structure,

with the Oregon Chief Education

Officer as their staff head. Under

its jurisdiction are the Early Learn-

ing Council and the Higher Educa-

tion Coordination Commission as

well as numerous other education

bodies. They are all part of Ore-

gon’s 40-40-20 plan for seamless

education from birth through

graduate school levels. There is

considerable speculation as to its

future, with amendments to the

proposed budget. There are still

almost 20 higher ed bills still

floating around.

Women’s Health and

Wellness

At the meeting of the Alliance

April 21, the legislative issues

concerning women were updated

after the deadline for hearings

and work sessions passed. Several

investments for women’s health

and safety are included in the pro-

posed Department of Human Ser-

vices budget: HB 5026, now in

Joint Ways and Means committee

and expected to pass; SB 492

which allows use of sick or per-

sonal business days for employ-

ees who are victims of domestic

violence, sexual assault or stalk-

ing, has passed the Senate; SB

525, dealing with possession of

firearms by a person subject to a

restraining order or domestic vio-

lence conviction, is on the way to

the Senate; SB 759A which re-

quires all public and private uni-

versities and colleges in Oregon to

adopt written protocol for victims

of sexual assault has passed the

Senate.

SB 894, an omnibus bill on

women’s health and safety, has

been moved from the 2015 legis-

lative agenda, and will be consid-

ered in the 2016 session. HB

2007, wage transparency discrimi-

nation has passed the House, but

HB 2006, pay equity, is not mov-

ing forward. Also, the minimum

wage bills HBs 2008,2009 and

2012, have been moved from the

House Business and Labor com-

mittee to the House Rules commit-

tee where their future is uncertain.

State Action Continued

Page 6

OP ED SUBMITTED TO

THE REGISTER-GUARD

231 provides for an annual out-

side audit report to a citizen re-

view committee.

The above information is a very

brief summary of the reasons the

fee is needed, how it will be col-

lected, and how it will be used.

There is a wealth of information

available on the websites of local

governments for voters to peruse.

At www.lanecounty.org, there is

an interactive map that shows all

the roads within Lane County that

county government has responsi-

bility for plus a list of maintenance

projects that will be carried out if

Measure 20-231 passes. There is

also a long list (over 20 items) of

frequently asked questions and

answers to them.

The websites of the City of Eugene

(www.eugene-or.gov/)

and the City of Springfield

(www.ci.springfield.or.us/)

describe how the funding from

Measure 20-231 would assist their

communities and possible mainte-

nance projects it would be used

for. The City of Springfield site

notes that city’s expected share of

$1 million would be used to ad-

dress the existing $4.5 million

backlog of maintenance needs for

which there is no funding avail-

able.

We urge voters to support Meas-

ure 20-231. The proposed vehicle

registration fee is an appropriate

way to raise revenue for preserv-

ing our transportation infrastruc-

ture throughout Lane County.

Let’s not waste previous taxpayer

investments in capital assets by

failing to repair and maintain

them. Let’s work to ensure safety

on our roads and bridges.

Susan Tavakolian, President

League of Women Voters

Lane County

Lane County Vehicle

Registration Fee

The League of Women Voters of

Lane County supports the Lane

County vehicle registration fee

that will appear as Measure 20-

231 on the May 19 ballot. We urge

voters to approve this funding

proposal that will raise about $11

million annually for road pur-

poses, providing a stable, long-

term revenue source for Lane

County and its incorporated cities.

Preserving and maintaining the

infrastructure built with public

resources is a critical responsibil-

ity of local government. Transpor-

tation infrastructure under direct

Lane County responsibility in-

cludes 1440 miles of roads and

417 bridges with an estimated

value of $6 billion.

The incorporated cities also have

extensive transportation assets

they must maintain as well as in-

adequate resources. For example,

both Eugene and Springfield have

backlogs of road repair projects

for which there is no funding de-

spite the adoption of local gas

taxes and property taxes dedi-

cated to road maintenance.

The $11 million expected to be

raised annually by the proposed

vehicle registration fee will be

split, with 60% (about $6.6 million)

received by the county and the

other 40% (about $4.4 million)

received by the incorporated cities

based on population. With this

measure the City of Eugene is

expected to receive $2.7 million

and the City of Springfield about

$1 million and other incorporated

cities a proportionate amount.

Current vehicle registration fees in

Oregon are among the lowest in

the United States, 39th in one re-

port, and lowest among Western

states. Historically, Lane County

roads and bridges have been well

maintained using federal forest

payments and state gas taxes.

However, federal payments have

declined dramatically in the last

decade, gas tax revenues are in-

sufficient for maintenance needs,

and road fund reserves have been

depleted. Recognizing that the

cost of reconstructing deteriorated

roads can be ten times the cost of

maintaining roads, Lane County is

seeking additional resources now

to help support an adequate main-

tenance program. In addition,

well-maintained roads are safer for

motorists and can prevent costly

vehicle repairs.

The proposed Lane County vehicle

registration fee, $35 per year,

would be collected by the Oregon

Department of Motor Vehicles

(DMV) along with the Oregon vehi-

cle registration fee at the time a

passenger vehicle is registered or

re-registered, thus eliminating the

need to create and pay for a sepa-

rate administrative process. The

County fee is a flat fee, just like

the Oregon fee, because that is

what is allowed by Oregon statute,

which does not permit calculating

the fee based on the cost, weight,

or energy efficiency of the vehicle

or the number of vehicles an indi-

vidual owns. The County fee

would not apply to heavy trucks,

which already pay the state

weight-mile tax based on actual

impact on Oregon roads.

Under Oregon law the funds raised

by the fee must be used for road

purposes. In addition, Measure 20-

Page 7

WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE

by JEANNE ARMSTRONG

PATRICK HICKS

Patrick literally fixed his way into the

League of Women Voters. When the

old office copier had seemed to copy

its last page, Patrick managed a tem-

porary fix before providing the office

with new equipment. He liked the

idea that men as well as women

could be members, joined the League

in 2014, and, soon after, volunteered

to act as consultant with the League

budgeting process.

Patrick was born in Sioux Falls, South

Dakota, where he actively partici-

pated in student-body activities in

both middle and high school. He was

encouraged by his parents to register

to vote as soon as he reached voting

age and was advised, “You can’t com-

plain if you don’t vote.” Since that

time, he has never missed an elec-

tion.

Patrick enrolled in the University of

South Dakota Business School and

completed his freshman year there.

After visiting Oregon, he was at-

tracted by the “great outdoors” and

was able to transfer to the University

of Oregon College of Business, where

he earned his Bachelor of Science in

Business Administration. His studies

focused on marketing concepts and

strategies. He is now working in

sales, which helps him understand

how businesses use their machines

and their software to further their

businesses.

Patrick and his partner, Sarah, are

raising two Australian shepherds – an

18-month-old miniature named Sully,

and a 16 week old standard named

Beorn (reference: “ Lord of the

Rings”). They both enjoy hiking,

camping, and fishing and frequent

the Ridgeline Trail and Mt. Pisgah

locally. Patrick also plays soccer, bas-

ketball, and other sports.

SHARON WILSON

Sharon moved with her parents from

Boise, Idaho to Springfield in 1951

when her father came to work at

Lookout Point Dam. As often hap-

pens with visitors to Oregon, the

family decided to stay on when that

project was finished. Sharon com-

pleted her school years at Maple Ele-

mentary and Springfield High Schools

and went on to raise two daughters.

She is a grandmother and great-

grandmother and has family mem-

bers living in Oregon, California,

Washington, Texas, and Idaho.

For some years Sharon worked for

what was then First Interstate Bank,

where she began as a teller and, over

time, took on increasingly more com-

plex bookkeeping jobs. Later she

took a position as on-site Director for

the Muddy Puddle Day Care Center

where she worked with children from

infancy through age six. Her experi-

ence working with children, both in

the home and the day-care cen-

ter, contributes to her interest in the

current LWVOR study on Children at

Risk. Sharon attends both unit meet-

ings and Third Thursday luncheons.

She has found the League a good

resource for understanding political

and voting matters.

Sharon lives on one-third of an acre

just east of Springfield, where she

keeps busy working in her flower and

vegetable gardens. She is an active

member of the Garden Club but finds

time also to do tole painting and

sewing. She especially enjoys quilt-

ing. Sharon cares for her nine-year-

old big grey rescue cat, Earl (after the

tea), who joined in this conversation

in the background.

CHUCK CRAWFORD

Chuck brings a rich background of

life experiences and activism to the

League of Women Voters. He first

took notice of the League during the

League’s sponsorship of early presi-

dential debates and agrees with

LWVUS Trustees, who in 1988, when

pulling out of sponsorship, issued a

terse press release: "The League has

no intention of becoming an acces-

sory to the hoodwinking of the

American public."

Born in Denver, Chuck has lived and

worked in almost every state in the

country, except for the South. As a

child he and his parents picked corn

and fruit as itinerant workers in Colo-

rado, Utah, Nebraska, and even into

Illinois. His father worked at jobs that

were available, including hauling big

chunks of ice cut from the high lakes

of Colorado. Eventually, his Dad se-

cured a job as a machinist at the Los

Alamos, New Mexico nuclear com-

plex, and Chuck enrolled in high

school there.

From the time Chuck was a young-

ster, he was interested in electronics

and remembers playing around with

crystal radio sets. He left Los Alamos

to work as an apprentice electrician

in San Diego, where he began a life-

long participation in union organiza-

tion and activities. He served in vari-

ous elected positions with the Inter-

national Brotherhood of Electric

Workers (IBEW). While living and

working in Philomath, Chuck was

elected to the City Council and later

served on the budget committee

there.

Currently Chuck works part-time as

an electrical inspector. His children

reside in Oregon, grandchildren and

great-grandchildren live in Pennsyl-

vania and Florida. When not inspect-

ing, he loves to cook and has devel-

oped a reputation as an expert!

Delivering reports

Phyllis Loobey, Treasurer

Janet Calvert, Finance Chair

Page 8

PICTURES OF OUR ANNUAL

MEETING

PICTURES OF OUR ANNUAL

MEETING by Barbara Carter

Presiding - Susan Tavakolian, President (standing)

Kappy Easton, Parliamentarian (left)

Marj Maxwell, Secretary (center)

Susan Tavakolian and

Linda Ferdowsian

Program Co-chars,

Kathy Merwin-Gonzales

Membership Co-chair,

Linda Lynch

President, and

Jeanne Taylor

Secretary,

elected to two–year terms.

Honored for their service

Susan Tavakolian, President

Charlcie Kaylor, Argus Editor

Phyllis Loobey, Treasurer

Page 9

PICTURES OF OUR ANNUAL

MEETING

PICTURES OF OUR ANNUAL

MEETING by Barbara Carter

Good conversations!

Registration table

Fran Boehner, Barbara

French, and Sheila Sundahl

Lois Taylor with her suffragist poster

338 West 11th Ave., Suite 101

Eugene, OR 97401

Phone: 541-343-7917

league@lwvlc.org

Lwvlc.org

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF LANE COUNTY

EDUCATING VOTERS

Page 10

Caption describing picture

or graphic.

Membership Form

League of Women Voters of Lane County

As a member of the League, you will receive the monthly newsletter from LWVLC (Argus), which has informa-tion about our monthly and unit meetings, and the quarterly newsletter from the Oregon League (Voter). Mail the form and check payable to LWVLC to: LWVLC 338 West 11th Ave, Suite 101 Eugene, OR 97401

Individual $65

Household (Two people at the same address) $97.50

Student $20

Individual after February 1st $32

Name

Address

Phone

Email (for League use only)

Please give this

to a friend

Thanks to our

2014-15 Directory

Advertisers

Lane Forest Products

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Long's Meat Market

Studio d Hair Salon

Unique Properties

MAY

1– 3, State Convention in Eugene

4, 7 pm - Cascade Manor Unit meeting (page 2)

6, 9:30 am - Action committee meeting

12, 2 pm - Voter Service committee meeting

11 & 13, Unit meetings (pg 2)

18, Third Thursday reservation deadline

20, 1:30 pm - Board meeting, League office

21, 11:30 am - Special Third Thursday (pg 1)

22, Midnight - Argus deadline

26, 2 pm - Membership Meeting (5th St. Market)

26, 3 pm - Chat & Chew (5th Street Market)

Our Mission The League of Women Voters, a

nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active

participation in government, works to increase understanding of

major public policy issues, and influences public policy through

education and advocacy.

CALENDAR

The League office is open

Monday, Wednesday and Friday,

11am - 1:30pm

Closed Memorial Day, May 25th