The senior boys of Marshfield High School, in Coos Bay, OR, will be pleased to know they are in prestigious company with their fundraising efforts for the Share Bear Snack Pack program.
ACTION ITEMS FOR CENTRAL OREGONIANS:
Congress voted last week to approve President Obama's budget along straight party lines. It was a big test not only for President Obama, but for our entire movement. Take just a few minutes to call our Senators and let them know how much we appreciate their crucial votes.
Let Congressman Walden know how disappointed you are that he did not support a budget that tackles the long-term challenges to our prosperity.
Rep. Gregg Walden (R-OR-02)
CALL: 202-225-6730
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
CALL: 202-224-5244
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
CALL: 202-224-3753
Deschutes County Town Hall Meeting
Residents of Deschutes County are invited to attend an open forum Town Hall Meeting with Senator Ron Wyden to ask questions and voice their concerns. Senator Wyden has been holding town halls in each Oregon county every year since 1996. The event in Bend is town hall number 509.
Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Bend Elks Club
63120 Boyd Acres Rd. (Off of Empire Blvd)
SAVE THE METOLIUS
A pivotal public hearing for saving the Metolius will be on April 7th at 3:00pm in our Capitol in Salem. (Hearing Room E)
This is our chance to show members of the Legislature that the Metolius is a special place worthy of strong protection. We need them to pass HB 3100 in order to protect against two proposed large scale developments that truly threaten the Metolius as we know it.
Any help you could provide to get lots of people to the hearing would make a tremendous difference. Some of the potentially swing legislators aren't personally familiar with the Metolius and don't necessarily realize that a lot of people from all over Oregon view it as a treasure. We have a great deal of support from many legislators, but as of now the final vote looks to be very close. It could well hinge on the strength of our collective voices.
THANK YOU for all of your work!!!!
-Jonathan Manton
541 729-2923
For information about the American Recovery and Revitalization Act and how it can be tapped to grow the green economy please note the following websites:
· The federal government's ARRA website is: http://recovery.oregon.gov/
· Oregon State's ARRA website is: www.recovery.gov
· The Oregon Department of Energy's direct ARRA website is: www.oregon.gov/energy/Stimulus2009.shtml
The Oregon Green Jobs Initiative, spearheaded by 3EStrategies, now has a bill number -- HB 3300. HB 3300 would require the Oregon Workforce Investment Board to prioritize its focus on green jobs and to develop a comprehensive green jobs development strategic plan to be presented to the Oregon Legislature in early 2010.
The Oregon Employment Department has identified a green job as one that provides a service or creates a product in any of the following categories:
-Increasing energy efficiency;
-Producing renewable energy;
-Preventing, reducing or mitigating environmental degradation;
-Cleaning up and restoring the natural environment; or
-Providing education, consulting, policy promotion, accreditation, trading and offsets, or similar services supporting any of the other categories.
Upcoming Event:
Green Building: The New Economy and the Future of the Building Industry with Jason McLennan, at COCC, 5:30pm, Sunday April 12
For links to more information on these events, visit:
3EStrategies Events Page
This was forwarded to me from Oregonians for Obama so I thought I'd share it....
Found this list of some of what Obama has done so far, Go Obama!from here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/10/105049/235EXAMPLES OF CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN:1/21/9 Directed military leaders to end war in Iraq and begin responsible withdrawal1/21/9 Passed ethics guidelines banning hires based on politics1/21/9 Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees1/22/9 Released Presidential records1/22/9 Ordered the close of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay1/22/9 Banned torture1/22/9 Ordered a systematic review of detention policies and procedures and a review of all individual cases.1/23/9 Lifted a ban on federal funding for international groups that provide family planning that included information about abortion (The Global Gag Rule / Mexico City Policy)1/26/9 Reversed Bush Administration obstruction and ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider California's request to apply tighter air pollution standards on automobiles.1/27/9 Granted his 1st formal Presidential interview in office to to an Arab channel, the Saudi-backed, Dubai-based al-Arabiya1/29/9 Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act1/30/9 Ordered Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts2/4/9 Expanded eligibility for State Children's Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)2/6/9 Established an Economic Recovery Advisory Board2/10/9 Initiated a comprehensive cybersecurity review of critical U.S. systems2/17/9 Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch2/17/9 Sent two additional brigades to Afghanistan2/17/9 Supported increased funding for the NEA2/18/9 Created a plan to weatherize 1 million low income homes per year for the next 10 years2/19/9 Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits2/19/9 Created a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners2/19/9 Created a White House Offi ce on Urban Policy2/20/9 Created a plan committed to investment in all types of alternative energy2/27/9 Halted DEA medical marijuana raids in California3/5/9 Convened a comprehensive health care summit to begin the task of overhauling health care in the U.S.3/9/9 Reversed restrictions on stem cell research and ended the Bush Administration "War on Science."
EXAMPLES OF CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN:
1/21/9 Directed military leaders to end war in Iraq and begin responsible withdrawal
1/21/9 Passed ethics guidelines banning hires based on politics
1/21/9 Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees
1/22/9 Released Presidential records
1/22/9 Ordered the close of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay
1/22/9 Banned torture
1/22/9 Ordered a systematic review of detention policies and procedures and a review of all individual cases.
1/23/9 Lifted a ban on federal funding for international groups that provide family planning that included information about abortion (The Global Gag Rule / Mexico City Policy)
1/26/9 Reversed Bush Administration obstruction and ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider California's request to apply tighter air pollution standards on automobiles.
1/27/9 Granted his 1st formal Presidential interview in office to to an Arab channel, the Saudi-backed, Dubai-based al-Arabiya
1/29/9 Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
1/30/9 Ordered Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts
2/4/9 Expanded eligibility for State Children's Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
2/6/9 Established an Economic Recovery Advisory Board
2/10/9 Initiated a comprehensive cybersecurity review of critical U.S. systems
2/17/9 Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch
2/17/9 Sent two additional brigades to Afghanistan
2/17/9 Supported increased funding for the NEA
2/18/9 Created a plan to weatherize 1 million low income homes per year for the next 10 years
2/19/9 Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits
2/19/9 Created a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
2/19/9 Created a White House Offi ce on Urban Policy
2/20/9 Created a plan committed to investment in all types of alternative energy
2/27/9 Halted DEA medical marijuana raids in California
3/5/9 Convened a comprehensive health care summit to begin the task of overhauling health care in the U.S.
3/9/9 Reversed restrictions on stem cell research and ended the Bush Administration "War on Science."
In times of need and crisis we can draw on a storehouse of knowledge laid down over many generations.
Our ancestors displayed both noble and ignoble behavior.
These traits are part of our history.In times of crisis these traits or qualities can come to the surface. Dormant wisdom was already noted in deep antiquity in stories, adventures, quests and myths.
Times of danger and crisis were times of heroes and heroines who emerged from obscurity in service to the greater need.
We are in such times today.
Just look around you and you can see ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.
These forces of hidden wisdom emerge when noble, virtuous, and selfless qualities of heart and soul are ignited by recognition of the desperate needs being faced by family, community, nation and our planet.
The over mental, linear and intellectual concentration can result in a loss of access to these hidden forces available to us.
To tap into this reservoir of wisdom and slowly become part of its rhythm requires clear thinking, a quiet calm mind and a heart that embraces the common good selflessly.
Tap into the heart of wisdom for real CHANGE.
CENTRAL OREGON FOR CHANGE ONLINE CALENDAR LAUNCHES
In an effort to find an easy way to let folks know about events, important actions, meetings and opportunities for making real change a reality, we are putting together an online calendar. If you would like to list something in the calendar, please send a short description of your event (50 words or less is best), the time, location and any other important information, such as links to more detailed info, to kymberli4change@gmail.com.
Check the calendar often -- as some actions need to happen very quickly, such as making immediate phone calls to legislators to express views and concerns on pending legislation. Now, you can stay on top of how you can be an ongoing part of making change happen!
You can view the ‘centraloregon4change’ calendar from any web browser using this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=centraloregon4change%40gmail.com&ct.
Fired Up and Ready To Go - Kymberli Colburne Kymberli4change@gmail.com
OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN IN CENTRAL OREGON:
Become involved in your community, volunteer for a city or county committee. Committee openings are advertised in the newspaper or call the city or county and ask about what openings are coming up. Put your best foot forward, learn about what the committee does before you interview or apply. You will learn, meet new people and perhaps have fun.
Judy Clinton
541-317-8472
METOLIUS RIVER UPDATE
Leaders from across of the state are working diligently on proposals to protect and preserve the Metolius River. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (“LCDC”) recently issued a second draft proposal to designate the Basin and a buffer zone as an Area of Critical State Concern. Under this proposal, an agency management plan would prevent large scale developments, including both destination resorts that have been proposed.
LCDC will make a final recommendation to the legislature some time in March. The legislature can accept, amend, or reject LCDC’s plan. Meanwhile legislation is forthcoming which will accept the LCDC’s recommendation to create an Area of Critical State Concern and ensure that no development in or near the Basin will adversely affect the Metolius, its tributaries, fish and wildlife. Jonathan, Central Oregon LandWatch, and a host of other conservation-oriented organizations are likely to urge strong support for this legislation. Once it is finalized and announced publicly, there will be lots of opportunities to contact key legislators to express your opinions.
Stay tuned! And contact Jonathan (541) 729-2923 (jmanton2008@gmail.com) any time with questions, concerns, or comments.
Deschutes County Voters Ballot Deadline Tue March 10th
As March 10 nears and the voters of Deschutes County decide whether or not to retain the Local Rule that seeks to reduce additional nitrate inputs into the groundwater and local rivers, we encourage voters to review the information provided by the U.S. Geological Service and Deschutes County prior to making their decision. Two good sources are: http://www.deschutes.org/cdd/gpp/ and http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3103/. A ‘Yes’ vote on March 10 would retain the Local Rule and help protect the Little Deschutes and Deschutes Rivers from nitrate pollution. A ‘No’ vote would repeal the Local Rule.
Notice of Organizational Meeting of the Deschutes County Democratic Central Committee
The MARCH Organizational meeting of the Deschutes County Democratic Central Committee will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at Bend's Community Center, 1036 NE 5th Street, Bend, Oregon. Social time will begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is expected to run from 7 to 9 p.m. Please feel free to contact Craig Wilhelm, Vice-Chair, Executive Steering Committee, at craig.wilhelm@gmail.com or 541.633.7878 if you have any questions regarding attendance. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
PTAC (Public Transit Advisory Committee) public hearing on proposed elimination of all weekend BAT (Bend Area Transit) and DAR (Dial-a-Ride) service, fare hikes and route changes will be held at City Hall, 3:30 to 5:30 pm, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. More info at www.bendareatransit.com and 317-3039. This is a good opportunity for people to express their concerns about BAT service cuts.
RECOMMENDED READING
For a better understanding of where we are economically and why a BIG stimulus is necessary, H. Joe Cornett of Prineville recommends an excellent book by Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize winning economist, Professor of Economics at Princeton, and columnist for the NY Times. The Book, "Return of Depression Economics", is actually an update of his earlier 1999 book reviewing the 90s economic crisis in Asia. In the earlier book Krugman predicted the possibility of our current crisis. Check out his blog at http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/
