LINN COUNTY DEMOCRATS - News & Updates

LINN COUNTY DEMOCRATS

March 22nd, 2023

3/22/2023

March 19th, 2023

3/19/2023

DPO 5th Congressional District Committee
holds March 18 reorganization meeting

The Democratic Party of Oregon 5th Congressional District Committee held its reorganization meeting Saturday, March 18 on Zoom. Results of the reorganization meeting will be posted soon. These were the open positions:
Open Positions (Eligibility):
Officers: (CD5 Delegates / Alternates Only)

Chair
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary

Standing Committees: (Any Democrat in the 5th Congressional District)

Budget Committee: 2 delegates, 1 alternate
Credentials Committee: 2 delegates, 1 alternate
Platform and Resolutions Committee: 5 delegates, 2 alternates
Rules Committee: 3 delegates, 2 alternates
Local Events and State Fair Committee: 5 delegates, 2 alternates

List of filed candidates before the meeting

March 13th, 2023

3/13/2023

Filing deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday
for May 16 special district election

A special district election will be held May 16 to fill positions for school boards, rural fire protections boards, water control districts, Lebanon Aquatic District, Oakville Community Center Park and Recreation District and the Sweet Home Cemetery District. (All the open positions are listed below) Each candidate for an office must file a declaration of candidacy or petition for nomination for office with the Linn County Clerk's Office no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, March 16. The Clerk's Office is on the second floor of the Linn County Courthouse, 300 Fourth Ave. S.W., Albany. For more information about the election, call the Clerk's Office, 541-967-3831.

Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District:
Director Zone 4, 2 Year Unexpired Term (Benton County)
Director Zone 5, 4 year term (Linn County)
Director Zone 6, 4 year term (Linn County)
Director Zone 7, 4 year term (Lincoln & Lane County)
Linn-Benton Community College:
Director Zone 1, 4 year term (South & East Linn County)
Director Zone 2-3(A), 2 Year Unexpired Term (Linn & Benton County)
Director Zone 2-3(B), 4 year term (Linn & Benton County)
Director Zone 4, 4 year term (Lebanon)
Director Zone 6-7(A), 2 Year Unexpired Term (Benton County)
Director Zone 6-7(B), 4 year term (Benton County)
Central Linn School District #552-C:
Director Zone 1, 4 year term
Director Zone 2, 4 year term
Director Zone 3, 4 year term
Director Zone 5, 4 year term
Greater Albany Public School #8J:
Director Zone 3, 4 year term
Director At-Large #1, 4 year term (Linn & Benton County)
Harrisburg School District #7:
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Lebanon Community School District #9:
Director Zone 1, 4 year term
Director Zone 4, 4 year term
Director Zone 5, 2 Year Unexpired Term
Santiam Canyon School District #129J:
Director Zone 1, Position 3, 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Zone 1, Position 4, 4 year term
Director Zone 2, Position 1, 4 year term
Scio School District #95C:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Sweet Home School District #55:
Director Zone 2, (Liberty), 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Zone 3, (Foster), 4 year term
Director Zone 4, (Cascadia), 4 year term
Director Zone 5, (At Large), 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Zone 6, (Crawfordsville), 4 year term
Director Zone 9, (Sweet Home), 4 year term
Albany Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Brownsville Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Halsey-Shedd Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Harrisburg Fire/Rescue District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Lebanon Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Lyons Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Mill City Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Scio Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Tangent Rural Fire Protection District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Dever-Conner Water Control District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Grand Prairie Water Control District:
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Director Position 6, 4 year term
Director Position 7, 4 year term
Director Position 8, 4 year term
Director Position 9, 4 year term
Little Muddy Creek Water Control District:
Director Position 1, 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Director Position 6, 4 year term
Lyons-Mehama Water District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
North Lebanon Water Control District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Director Position 6, 4 year term
Director Position 7, 4 year term
South Santiam River Water Control District:
Director Position 1, 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Position 2, 2 Year Unexpired Term
Director Position 4, 4 year term
Director Position 5, 4 year term
Director Position 6, 4 year term
Director Position 7, 4 year term
Sweet Home Cemetery District:
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Lebanon Aquatic District:
Director Position 1, 4 year term
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Oakville Community Center Park & Recreation District:
Director Position 2, 4 year term
Director Position 3, 4 year term
Director Position 4, 4 year term

March 12th, 2023

3/12/2023

Krystal Vertig elected 3rd Vice Chair on March 2

Krystal Vertig

Krystal Vertig was elected by acclamation as Linn County Democratic Central Committee 3rd Vice Chair during the Linn Dems monthly general meeting March 2 at Albany Public Library. Bill McCoy resigned as 3rd Vice Chair last month, and Vertig was appointed to temporarily fill position until the March 2 election. Vertig also announced that, among 12 finalists, she was selected as communications intern for the BIPOC Caucus of the Oregon State Legislature.
In other business March 2, the Central Committee:
• Approved the standing rules for the Linn County Democrats Platform Convention, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E. It will be the first county platform convention since 2017.
• Heard an appeal from Events Chair Keith Kolkow for volunteers, and donations of raffle items and pies for a dessert dash for the first quarter Democratic Party of Oregon State Central Committee fundraising dinner Saturday, March 25, at Linn-Benton Community College. Proceeds from the raffle and dessert dash will go to the Linn County Democrats. The SCC meeting runs Saturday and Sunday that weekend. To volunteer or donate, please click here.

March 06th, 2023

3/6/2023

Many voice opinions on SB-85, which would
require study of confined animal feeding operations

The Oregon Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Monday, March 13, held its second public hearing on SB-85, which would require the state Department of Agriculture to study confined animal feeding operations. There were numerous comments supporting and opposing the bill during the morning hearing at the Capitol in Salem. Many residents of the Scio area, who oppose plans by Foster Farms to build three mega chicken operations in the area and elsewhere in Linn and Marion counties, spoke in favor of the bill. (To watch the two public hearings, click the links below. ) Committee Chair Sen. Jeff Golden will decide whether to kill the bill or hold a committee work session to consider amendments and a vote on whether the bill should advance to the full Senate. Bills not scheduled for work sessions by Friday, March 17, will die.

• Linn County farmers, school children want to press pause on mega chicken farms (March 12, Democrat-Herald)
• Linn County farmers, school children want to press pause on mega chicken farms (March 12, Democrat-Herald)

Watch March 13 Public Hearing

Watch March 6 Public Hearing

March 06th, 2023

3/6/2023

Neighborhood Leaders to hear about so-called
'parent power' movement and removing books from access

The next Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader meeting will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5, on Zoom. To receive Zoom access, please contact NLP Leadership Team member Nancy Greenman.
Turning our attention towards the upcoming May election, we'll take an in-depth look at the so-called "parent power" movement in public education, as well as why removing books from access is not a good idea. Vince Adams, Corvallis School Board (and Oregon State Bar Association), and School Librarian Dana Zachary will share their expertise with us.
We'll also continue our role-plays with Graham Kislingbury and Anne Clarke giving their version of a new Neighborhood Leader introducing themself to their neighbors. And we'll take a brief look at how to use OreSTAR to find out who has filed for the May election and track the donations they have received.
As time permits, we'll also invite you to share information about legislative bills you are following and advocacy opportunities.
Save the Date! Sunday, March 19, 5 p.m.. Our regular Zoom will tour the counties to see who has filed to run for office on the May 16 ballot and look at the timeline for endorsing — and electing — candidates.
Thanks again to you all for doing the most important work to ensure our democracy!
— Linda, Steve, Susan, Mark, Brenda, Carol and Nancy
Linn Benton Democrats Organization Team

March 04th, 2023

3/4/2023

January-February stories and videos

News from the Capitol
• Video:Senate Natural Resources Committee informational hearing on regulatory framework for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (Feb. 21)
• Oregon semiconductor aid plan takes shape (Feb. 27, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Civil commitment spike challenges legal system (Feb.25, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Panel hears measures to lower voting age (Feb. 24, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Capital Chatter: A big week in Oregon state government (Feb. 23, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Lawmakers consider requirements to spur housing development (Feb. 19, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Reality check arrives for Oregon Legislature, or how most legislation gets left in the dust (Feb. 17, Oregon Capital Insider)
Oregon Senate passes bipartisan bill to address child care shortage (Feb. 16, Oregon Capital Insider)
• 'Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance' rejected by Oregon Court of Appeals (Feb. 16, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Oregon's Adrienne Nelson confirmed for federal judgeship (Feb. 16, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Appeals judge fires back at gun rights advocate (Feb. 16, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Senate Committee on Health Care public hearings on SB 704 (Universal Health Care Plan) Listen to the Feb. 13 testimony (starts at beginning). Listen to Feb. 15 testimony (starts at 40:39).
• Petition urges legislators to support bill on moratorium for industrial-scale animal feeding operations (Feb. 15, linncodems.org)
• Mass notification 'panic button' system for schools gets hearing (Feb. 14, Capital Insider)
Kotek alleges abuse of power by top OLCC managers (Feb. 8, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Governor Kotek's recommended budget (Office of the governor)
Five takeaways from governor's budget proposal (Feb. 6, Oregon Capital Insider)
• Recreation coalition seeks reversal of landmark liability ruling (Jan. 21, Oregon Capital Insider)

February 28th, 2023

2/28/2023

State panel holds informational hearing
on Confined Animal Feeding Operations

The Oregon Senate Natural Resources Committee held an informational hearing Feb. 28 on the regulatory framework for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Oregon. The hearing was livestreamed. (See the video link below.)
No testimony was taken, but proponents of a bill aimed at putting the brakes on construction of large-scale chicken operations in the mid-valley were in attendance.
People opposing plans by plans Foster Farms to locate millions of broiler chickens in the Scio, Stayton, Jefferson and Aumsville areas are circulating an online petition urging legislators to support House Bill 2667, which would place a moratorium on construction of new or expanding CAFOs.
Members of the Natural Resources committee are: Chair Sen. Jeff Golden, Vice-Chair Sen. Fred Girod, Sen. Floyd Prozanski, Sen. David Brock Smith and Sen. Kathleen Taylor. Members of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water.have been invited to hearing.
Speaking at Tuesday's hearing were::
• Wym Matthews, CAFO and Fertilizer Programs Manager, Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Jim Johnson, Land Use and Water Planning Coordinator, Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Jennifer Wigal, Water Quality Division Administrator, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Michael Orman, Air Quality Planning Manager, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Bryn Hudson, Legislative Coordinator, Oregon Water Resources Department
• Mike McCord, Northwest Region Manager, Oregon Water Resources Department.
The committee may soon decide whether public hearings will be held on HB 2667 and other CAFO-related bills. April 4 is the deadline to hold public hearings on these bills.

Watch the hearing video

February 28th, 2023

2/28/2023

John Phillips IV, 2nd vice president of the Linn Benton NAACP, emceed the vigil Monday at The Grove Church in downtown Albany.

Albany vigil honors life of Tyre Nichols

Michael Thomson lights a candle.

The Linn Benton NAACP didn’t want to simply issue a statement following the Jan. 10 death of Tyre Nichols, whose beating by Memphis police officers three days earlier was captured on video.
Instead, the organization decided to plan a community vigil honoring the life of Nichols, a FedEx worker, the father of a 4-year-old son, an avid photographer and skateboarder and an all-around “good person,” according to his mother and friends.
More than 20 people gathered for the vigil Monday evening, Feb. 20, at The Grove Church in downtown Albany, while others watched it online.
People lit candles, observed moments of silence, saw projected images of Nichols and heard remarks from Linn Benton NAACP leaders: President Jason Dorsette; 3rd Vice Chair Barry Jerkins; and 2nd Vice Chair John Phillips IV, who emceed the event.
“He had a real good eye for photography,” said Phillips, who showed a number of Nichols’ website photos of Memphis and the Mississippi River that runs through it.
NAACP member Susan Leonard read part of Nichols' mother RowVaughn Wells' statement from a January press conference: "Nobody's perfect, OK? But he was damn near," she said. "My son was a beautiful soul."
Dorsette said he grieves for Nichols’ family, Black people and allies around the nation.
“Today, in spite of our continued grief, I am reminded that we are a triumphant people and that our creator will never put more on us than we can bare. I choose to celebrate Tyre’s life — a life well lived and a legacy that will continue to make positive impacts on our lives. …
“By no means, am I suggesting that we rush our individual or collective healing process because I know that’s not realistic. However, what I am asking for us to do is to give ourselves grace and compassion and to double down on our efforts to push our local and national legislatures to create policy and law that totally disrupt and radically replace the system of policing and its trainings across the United States of America."
Heather Carmichael, worship pastor of The Grove Church and an NAACP member, recited the Langston Hughes’ poem, “I Dream a World. It reads, in part:
“A world I dream where black or white,
“Whatever race you be,
"Will share the bounties of the earth
“And every man is free,
“Where wretchedness will hang its head
"And joy, like a pearl,
“Attends the needs of all mankind --
“Of such I dream, my world!”

"Us coming together is the opportunity to grieve the way the world is and hope the way it can be," said Heather Carmichael, worship pastor at The Grove Church.

Jason Dorsette, president of the Linn Benton NAACP, speaks during the vigil.

Barry Jerkins, Linn Benton NAACP 3rd vice chair and former president, gives remarks during the vigil.

Tyre Nichols' photography

February 21st, 2023

2/21/2023

City of Albany to present potential
Climate-Friendly Areas at Feb. 21 public meeting

In English: The City of Albany, in partnership with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) is hosting a public meeting to present potential Climate Friendly Area locations - places where people can meet most of their daily needs without having to drive by having housing near a mix of jobs, businesses, and services. The meeting will consist of a presentation on the proposed areas from OCWCOG representatives and a public input forum to gather community feedback on the potential sites.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6 to 7:30 pm.
City Hall Council Chambers
Broadalbin St. S.W.
An online survey will be available on the project website beginning February 21st to provide another opportunity for comments: https://www.cityofalbany.net/cd/cfec. Learn more online and view the November 2022 public overview meeting video and slides.
To help provide residents with more housing and transportation choices, and meet Oregon’s adopted climate goals, cities must reduce barriers to walkable and accessible communities. The Climate Friendly Areas process requires centering voices of underserved populations and working towards equitable outcomes.
Please contact Anne Catlin, anne.catlin@cityofalbany.net, 541-917-7560, to request translation services to participate in the meeting, to invite city staff to attend a meeting or event, or to schedule a one-on-one meeting. Share this invitation with your contacts.

En español: Reunión públicas para presentar propuestas de zonas ecológicas
La ciudad de Albany, en colaboración con el Consejo Gubernamental de las Cascadas Occidentales de Oregon (OCWCOG, por sus siglas en inglés), celebrarán una reunión pública para presentar posibles ubicaciones de zonas ecológicas en ambas comunidades - lugares en los que las personas puedan satisfacer la mayoría de sus necesidades diarias sin tener que conducir, gracias a viviendas ubicadas cerca de una variedad de puestos de trabajo, empresas y servicios. La reunión consistirá en una presentación de las zonas propuestas por parte de representantes del OCWCOG y un foro de opinión pública para recabar los comentarios de la comunidad sobre los posibles emplazamientos.
Martes 21 de febrero, De 6 a 7:30 p. m.
Sala de plenos del ayuntamiento
333 Broadalbin Street SW, Albany
Una encuesta en línea estará disponible en el sitio web de los proyecto a partir del 21 de febrero a fin de ofrecer otra oportunidad de presentar opiniones: https://www.cityofalbany.net/cd/cfec. Para obtener más información, consulte el sitio web y vea el video y las diapositivas de la reunión públicas de noviembre de 2022.
Con el fin de ofrecer a los habitantes más opciones de vivienda y transporte, y cumplir los objetivos climáticos adoptados por Oregon, las ciudades deben reducir los obstáculos a los que se enfrentan los constructores locales que desean desarrollar urbanizaciones tradicionales y más transitables. El proceso de creación de zonas ecológicas requiere que se preste especial atención a las opiniones de las poblaciones más desfavorecidas y que se trabaje para lograr resultados equitativos.
Póngase en contacto Anne Catlin para si necesita servicios de traducción para participar en la reunión, para invitar al personal del ayuntamiento a asistir a una reunión o evento, o para programar una reunión privada: anne.catlin@cityofalbany.net, 541-917-7550. Comparte esta invitación con tus contactos