State panel holds informational hearing |
 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. |
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 |
Reflections on Black History Month
 February is Black History Month and this year's theme, as selected by Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is "Black Resistance." LaGarrett King, an associate professor of social studies education at the University at Buffalo, commented about the theme to NPR. "With resistance there is an implied understanding of oppression, and it seems to be a segment of the population who do not want to admit those historical facts. Yet, resistance helps us understand the power that Black people have in terms of their historical realities, which counters the concept of victimhood that many say drives Black History education." The ASALH notes: "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction.[...] As societal and political forces escalate to limit access to and exercise of the ballot, eliminate the teaching of Black history, and work to push us back into the 1890s, we can only rely on our capacity to resist. The enactment of HR 40, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Breathe Act, and the closure of the racial wealth gap is not the end. They too will require us to mobilize our resources, human and material, and fight for 'freedom, justice, and equality'; 'self-determination', and/or 'social transformation'.” In communities and states across the country, including here in Oregon, the political right isn't just trying to erase Black History, they are. For example, in Florida, an Advanced Placement African American Studies course has been banned, in Alabama, the State Board of Education has limited how educators talk about race, in Oregon, School Boards have banned symbols relating to Black Lives Matter and have fired educators and school administrators who support equity work [Albany] [Newberg], and books touching on the topics of race and racial justice continue to top the list of most-banned books according to the American Library Association. We all have work to do in understanding how racism permeates our institutions, and to change or dismantle |  Jonathan Harris with his painting titled ‘Critical race theory’ Source: Twitter, User Ottilia Anna MaSibanda @MaS1banda  Photo Credit: Jeffrey Greenberg/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images systems that perpetuate it. Part of that work includes holding our elected officials accountable, and by electing and supporting leaders, especially those running for School Boards, who understand that diversity is a strength. We are stronger as a community when we can acknowledge, honor, learn from and respect the contributions and lived experiences of one another, inclusive of race. — Jerred Taylor, Linn County Democrats Chair |
Linn-Benton NAACPThe mission of the Linn Benton NAACP Branch in Oregon is the same as the national organization. The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. | Democratic Party |
Sen. Jeff Merkley presents Build Lebanon Trails representatives Art Cisneros and Christine Davies with an American flag that flew over the Capitol. At the start of his town hall at LBCC, Merkley spotlighted the work of the Lebanon organization, which has been expanding the area's network of trails since 2005.
Merkley continues his town hall tradition
| ALBANY — Sen. Jeff Merkley, started his 19th Town Hall of 2023 and 525th overall on Saturday afternoon at Linn-Benton Community College by noting that few senators hold town halls anymore. “We have such a tribal divide,” said Merkley, who has served in the Senate since 2009. Yet he and his fellow Oregon colleague, Sen. Ron Wyden, who spoke in the same LBCC Forum auditorium last month, both believe the town halls provide important opportunities to hear Oregonians' concerns and viewpoints. And like Wyden, he asks audiences to adhere to one basic thing: Be respectful of others’ views. The 60 people who turned out Saturday modeled that respect, as Merkley fielded more than a dozen questions on a wide range of topics. The senator said he supports ending the U.S. embargo against Cuba, deplores tobacco companies marketing of flavored vapes to teens and wants a windfall profit tax on oil companies for their record $200 billion in profits in 2022. Merkley calculated that those profits amounted to $2 per gallon. “They’re gouging Americans,” he said. As for a Universal Health Care bill being considered in Salem, Merkley said that if the state comes up with a plan, he’d work to provide necessary support for it at the federal level. He also said he’s calling for intense scrutiny of questionable practices within Medicare Advantage and that “no one should be shunted into Medicare Advantage.” Before he concluded his remarks, Merkley noticed Scio-area resident Christina Eastman standing with a sign protesting the industrial chicken factory proposed for the rural area close to her home. “A good activist seizes the moment,” he said. “Well done.” Albany Mayor Alex Johnson, who introduced Merkley, had the final words during the hourlong town hall. He mentioned the controversy over the planned removal of 84 trees in and near Monteith Riverpark to make way for the waterfront renovation project. Also planned is the planting of 3,000 new plants and trees, and he noted that a hotel is interested in locating downtown. “Be patient.” he said. |  Albany Mayor Alex Johnson introduced Merkley. Johnson said Merkley was one of the first people to send him a letter of congratulations when he was first elected mayor in 2020. After the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, Johnson called Merkley to see how he was doing.  This was Merkley's 19th town hall so far in 2023. |
Drinking Liberally now offers three options in mid-valley
Drinking Liberally now has three monthly meetings in Linn and Benton Counties. If you miss one, there are nearby options to catch up on all the politics and socializing you enjoy so much. (And drinking is not required.) Here's the schedule:
• Corvallis: First Tuesday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd St.
• Lebanon: Second Thursday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dos Arbolitos, 50 W. Oak St.
• Albany Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Taqueria Alonzo, 240 Broadalbin St. (in Two Rivers Market), 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Corvallis: First Tuesday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd St.
• Lebanon: Second Thursday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dos Arbolitos, 50 W. Oak St.
• Albany Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Taqueria Alonzo, 240 Broadalbin St. (in Two Rivers Market), 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Neighborhood Leaders to look
at how to engage in legislative session
Please join with our Neighborhood Leader Program at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, as we focus on how to engage in the Oregon Legislative session that's going on right now.
Special guest Representative David Gomberg will share his experience. We'll walk through how to navigate the Oregon State Legislature website, to find out about and advocate on the issues that matter to you. Role-plays on contacting your elected representatives will be included. To receive Zoom access for the meeting and for more information about NLP, please contact NLP Leadership Team member Nancy Greenman.
Next Up: Save the Dates:
Linda, Steve, Susan, Mark, Brenda, Carol and Nancy
Linn Benton Democrats Organization Team
Special guest Representative David Gomberg will share his experience. We'll walk through how to navigate the Oregon State Legislature website, to find out about and advocate on the issues that matter to you. Role-plays on contacting your elected representatives will be included. To receive Zoom access for the meeting and for more information about NLP, please contact NLP Leadership Team member Nancy Greenman.
Next Up: Save the Dates:
- New Linn County Neighborhood Leaders Orientation — You should have received a separate email with information and links to the program orientation by Zoom at 5;30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Sunday, Feb 26. If you didn't get the email, please "reply" to let Nancy know.
- Sunday, March 5, 5 p.m. -- As promised, 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.
Linda, Steve, Susan, Mark, Brenda, Carol and Nancy
Linn Benton Democrats Organization Team
State of the Union
'My economic plan is about investing in places and people that have been forgotten. Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind or treated like they’re invisible.'
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• Six takeaways from Biden's State of the Union address (Feb. 8, CNN)
• Republicans repeatedly heckle Biden during speech (Feb. 8, CNN)
• How Biden successfully baited Congressional Republicans (Feb. 7, The Atlantic)
• Full transcript of Biden's State of the Union address (Feb. 7, Axios)
• Republicans repeatedly heckle Biden during speech (Feb. 8, CNN)
• How Biden successfully baited Congressional Republicans (Feb. 7, The Atlantic)
• Full transcript of Biden's State of the Union address (Feb. 7, Axios)
Petition urges legislators to support moratorium
on industrial-scale animal feeding operations
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 industrial-scale animal feeding operations. Another related bill, Senate Bill 399. would close the loophole for unlimited groundwater for livestock watering. Hearings on both bills have yet to be scheduled. Below is a link to the petition urging support for HB 2667:
Black History Month events
 Events above are at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E. |  Events above are at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, 100 S.W. Memorial Place on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis, unless otherwise listed. |
News & Updates
Look here for news, commentary and updates from Linn Dems and ally organizations
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