Democrats celebrate local, state victories  Carolyn McLeod was ecstatic after learning Tuesday evening that she had a narrow lead over opponent Kevin Kreitman in the Albany City Council Ward 2B race. Michael Thomson was all smiles as the winner of the three-way Albany City Council Ward 1B race. Both joined others for the Linn Dems Watch Party at Calapooia Brewing. McLeod's lead continued to widen slightly, and she declared victory on Saturday, Nov 9. Post-election message |
 Nov. 6, 2024 Friends, I want to start by taking a moment to acknowledge the pain, fear and frustration that many of us are going through right now. For many, the emotions we are feeling today cut much deeper than the those we experienced in 2016. This time, we know. We know what is at stake, we know who is at risk, and we know that we have to keep pushing forward with resolve and purpose. Even though the top of the ticket didn’t go as we had hoped and expected nationwide, we still have quite a bit to be proud of and to fight for here at home. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz energized and activated hundreds of volunteers ready to stand up for our rights and freedom. We are grateful to them for stepping up to run in this unprecedented election, and for your work over the last several months. Thanks to your effort, Oregon will have a fierce defender of our State’s rights in Attorney General Elect Dan Rayfield, reasoned and responsible management of our State’s finances and investments with Treasurer Elect Elizabeth Steiner, and strong leadership for protecting the integrity of our elections with Secretary of State Elect Tobias Read. I am also incredibly optimistic that Janelle Bynum will come out on top and flip the 5th Congressional District, and, as of this post, there is still a chance that this seat is the one that gives us a majority in the House of Representatives. Our local slate of City Council candidates in Albany did great last night as well. In Ward 1 and Ward 3, Michael Thomson and Marilyn Smith appear to be winning their races with a clear majority of support from voters, and Carolyn McLeod is leading in current vote returns in Ward 2. I will reiterate, these campaigns received a major boost thanks to your efforts. Your calls, your postcards, your conversations with your neighbors and friends, and your contributions made all the difference. I also want to acknowledge and thank several candidates who stepped up, put themselves out there and put in the work this cycle. Though they may not have won their races, they have continued to move the |  Jackie Montague, Circe Verba and Nichole Case (not pictured) got things set up for a festive evening. Verba, who chairs the Linn Dems Communications Committee and served as our campaign office manager, emceed the watch party and thanked those who volunteered during the campaign.  Terrence Virnig, right, joined by Greg Ivers, Sheree Speaks-Mahi and Ben Watts, came up short but ran a great race against HD15 incumbent Shelly Boshart Davis. Vernig captured 41 percent of the vote, the best showing yet against Boshart Davis. needle in a big way. Terrence Virnig is on track to hold the incumbent to their lowest vote share in House District 15 since my attempt at that seat in 2018. David Scranage turned out a good amount of voters opposed to the incumbent County Commissioner, and Ivan Maluski made a great effort at unseating a representative in solid-red House District 11. This work matters. In this moment, I know that many of us are looking for community, for support and for ways to stand up and fight for the folks we care about. Know this, the Linn County Democrats will continue their fight for a more just, more fair, and more equitable future for all. We’re not going away, we’re not shying away from fighting for what’s right, and we will keep pushing forward, together. In solidarity and determination, — Jerred Taylor Linn County Democrats Chair |
Bynum flips Congressional District 5
Janelle Bynum talks with supporters outside the Linn Dems campaign office Oct, 19 before canvassing in Albany neighborhoods.
Nov. 8, 2024
Democrat Janelle Bynum will be the next U.S. Representative from Oregon Congressional District 5.
“I am beyond honored that my neighbors have chosen me to be the next congresswoman," Bynum said in a statement Nov. 8 after The Oregonian/OregonLive called the race for her. “My work has always been a love letter to Oregon’s children. I ran for office to make their futures brighter, and I’ll do just that in Washington — for their education, for their reproductive freedoms, for their job opportunities, and so much more."
"I am proud to be the first — but not the last — Black member of Congress from Oregon," she said, "and I’m grateful for what this moment means not just for my children, but for all young people across our state to see that change is possible.”
Bynum has flipped the Fifth District. CD5 was among the highest-profile House races in the country this year.
As of Nov 8,, Bynum had 51 percent of the vote to about 49 percent for Republican incumbent Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Bynum had a 9,460-vote lead. DeRemer had not conceded Nov. 8, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting, which was a source for this story.
Democrat Janelle Bynum will be the next U.S. Representative from Oregon Congressional District 5.
“I am beyond honored that my neighbors have chosen me to be the next congresswoman," Bynum said in a statement Nov. 8 after The Oregonian/OregonLive called the race for her. “My work has always been a love letter to Oregon’s children. I ran for office to make their futures brighter, and I’ll do just that in Washington — for their education, for their reproductive freedoms, for their job opportunities, and so much more."
"I am proud to be the first — but not the last — Black member of Congress from Oregon," she said, "and I’m grateful for what this moment means not just for my children, but for all young people across our state to see that change is possible.”
Bynum has flipped the Fifth District. CD5 was among the highest-profile House races in the country this year.
As of Nov 8,, Bynum had 51 percent of the vote to about 49 percent for Republican incumbent Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Bynum had a 9,460-vote lead. DeRemer had not conceded Nov. 8, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting, which was a source for this story.
'Only when it’s dark enough,
can you see the stars'
— Kamala Harris, Nov. 6, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation after her loss to former President Donald Trump, formally ending her campaign. She pledged her loyalty to the Constitution and delivered a message to the young people in the audience. |
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Strike Day 16
Teachers walk the picket line Tuesday morning outside the school district office.
No agreement reached; mediation resumes Friday
Wednesday marks Day 16 of the Albany teachers strike. A long day of mediation ended at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday with no agreement. Class size remained a sticking point.
Mediation will resume on Friday.
Here is part of the Greater Albany Education Association's update issued after Tuesday’s mediation session:
"Despite our united front and hours of waiting, management came back with a resounding NO on our final proposal. They refuse to move forward on key issues, including:
"• Proposed pay increases for FACT staff, Nurses, and Speech-Language Pathologists.
"• Senate Bill 5506 funding for SPED (special education) teacher stipends. The state is offering what could be over $1000 per SPED teacher in extra stipends. The district is rejecting this support, claiming that the associated roll-up costs (taxes and related expenses) are “too expensive.”
"• High Class Thresholds. The district laid out thresholds for class size but they are too big. They are not willing to make any solid commitments on class size in Albany.
“We laid out the clear parts of our class size proposals that are needed to achieve a just settlement, but management refuses to even try a one year pilot to allow Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers to have the professional discretion to know their class is unsafe and overcrowded and they need additional support from certified employees.
" Click here to view the GAEA Non Confidential Proposal that was given at 10 pm tonight. Click here to see the Class Size Proposal."
"... During the Thanksgiving Holiday, please take a moment to appreciate the youngest kids in your families and communities, and know that we will not stop fighting for them.
"We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend! We will be back at the table on Friday."
The GAEA plans no picketing or rallies during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
To view the full Nov. 26 updates from GAEA and Greater Albany Public Schools, click the buttons below.
Mediation will resume on Friday.
Here is part of the Greater Albany Education Association's update issued after Tuesday’s mediation session:
"Despite our united front and hours of waiting, management came back with a resounding NO on our final proposal. They refuse to move forward on key issues, including:
"• Proposed pay increases for FACT staff, Nurses, and Speech-Language Pathologists.
"• Senate Bill 5506 funding for SPED (special education) teacher stipends. The state is offering what could be over $1000 per SPED teacher in extra stipends. The district is rejecting this support, claiming that the associated roll-up costs (taxes and related expenses) are “too expensive.”
"• High Class Thresholds. The district laid out thresholds for class size but they are too big. They are not willing to make any solid commitments on class size in Albany.
“We laid out the clear parts of our class size proposals that are needed to achieve a just settlement, but management refuses to even try a one year pilot to allow Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers to have the professional discretion to know their class is unsafe and overcrowded and they need additional support from certified employees.
" Click here to view the GAEA Non Confidential Proposal that was given at 10 pm tonight. Click here to see the Class Size Proposal."
"... During the Thanksgiving Holiday, please take a moment to appreciate the youngest kids in your families and communities, and know that we will not stop fighting for them.
"We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend! We will be back at the table on Friday."
The GAEA plans no picketing or rallies during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
To view the full Nov. 26 updates from GAEA and Greater Albany Public Schools, click the buttons below.
Strike Day 15
Teachers walk the picket line Tuesday morning outside the school district office.
With impending loss of district
healthcare coverage, teachers react and rally
The Albany teachers strike entered its third week Tuesday, with morning picketing at the school district office that culminated with a health care rally.
Meanwhile, both the Greater Albany Education Association and Greater Albany Public Schools bargaining teams returned to mediation Tuesday morning after a Monday pause. Talks continued through the day. No update was immediately available.
The school district plans to stop covering GAEA members’ health insurance Dec. 1, a subject that Dana Lovejoy, the teachers union president, addressed in a message to members Monday.
“I wanted to speak with you directly about the impact of the District’s cruel move to cut our healthcare coverage over the Thanksgiving weekend,” Lovejoy said. “Tomorrow, we will rally together at the District office to speak out against this attack on ourselves and our families. Our parent union, the Oregon Education Association, has committed to cover COBRA costs for every member of GAEA.”
Lovejoy’s message included reactions from a number of teachers. Here are two of them:
• Justin Roach, Memorial Middle School social studies teacher and former GAPS board member:“This is a mediation tactic of the District, but for us it’s life and death. My wife Jen is both an organ transplant and cancer survivor, and she relies on my medical coverage for access to life saving medication and frequent medical appointments to ensure her kidneys and liver are working properly. When she was having organ transplants years ago, the District Office asked principals to donate leave days so she wouldn’t have to be unpaid. When she had cancer, they found a place she would be able to work during COVID to support kids and keep her job.”
“Then the new District management came in, and the new School Board, and everything changed. For them to go from that to leaving us without healthcare is an astounding turnaround. I know that this is something that they’re doing purely based on the strike — they’re trying to break us apart. …I feel a sense of increased resolve to stay on the line, because of the gravity of disrespect we’ve experienced from this District.”
• Jadie Wright, South Shore second grade teacher: “My 5 year old son needs surgery which I now am having to push back because the District chose to cut off our health insurance and put our children and families at risk.
“I’m striking in part for my son, because he is a GAPS student — his kindergarten class has 24 students in it, including one student whose IEP is being severely violated. By taking away our medical coverage, they are trying to silence us and break the strike instead of fixing the problems that caused it.”
Meanwhile, both the Greater Albany Education Association and Greater Albany Public Schools bargaining teams returned to mediation Tuesday morning after a Monday pause. Talks continued through the day. No update was immediately available.
The school district plans to stop covering GAEA members’ health insurance Dec. 1, a subject that Dana Lovejoy, the teachers union president, addressed in a message to members Monday.
“I wanted to speak with you directly about the impact of the District’s cruel move to cut our healthcare coverage over the Thanksgiving weekend,” Lovejoy said. “Tomorrow, we will rally together at the District office to speak out against this attack on ourselves and our families. Our parent union, the Oregon Education Association, has committed to cover COBRA costs for every member of GAEA.”
Lovejoy’s message included reactions from a number of teachers. Here are two of them:
• Justin Roach, Memorial Middle School social studies teacher and former GAPS board member:“This is a mediation tactic of the District, but for us it’s life and death. My wife Jen is both an organ transplant and cancer survivor, and she relies on my medical coverage for access to life saving medication and frequent medical appointments to ensure her kidneys and liver are working properly. When she was having organ transplants years ago, the District Office asked principals to donate leave days so she wouldn’t have to be unpaid. When she had cancer, they found a place she would be able to work during COVID to support kids and keep her job.”
“Then the new District management came in, and the new School Board, and everything changed. For them to go from that to leaving us without healthcare is an astounding turnaround. I know that this is something that they’re doing purely based on the strike — they’re trying to break us apart. …I feel a sense of increased resolve to stay on the line, because of the gravity of disrespect we’ve experienced from this District.”
• Jadie Wright, South Shore second grade teacher: “My 5 year old son needs surgery which I now am having to push back because the District chose to cut off our health insurance and put our children and families at risk.
“I’m striking in part for my son, because he is a GAPS student — his kindergarten class has 24 students in it, including one student whose IEP is being severely violated. By taking away our medical coverage, they are trying to silence us and break the strike instead of fixing the problems that caused it.”
Strike day 14
Panelists listen to Shana Hains, West Albany science teacher, respond to a question during the first of two forums Monday evening at LBCC. From left are Mike Garnier, West science teacher; David Tracy, Liberty second-grade teacher; Hains; Jadie Wright, South Shore 2nd grade self contained dual immersion teacher; Trevor Hast, Memorial Middle School alternative education teacher; Dori Podrabsky, Timber Ridge math teacher; Sandi Washburn, behavior school support specialist; Katy Kelly, North Albany Middle School science teacher; and Chelsea Yurchenko, NAMS special programs teacher.
Teachers field questions at community forums
The crowd awaits the start of the first of two community forums Monday. Wide-ranging questions about the ongoing strike were fielded by panels of Albany teachers Monday evening during two community forums at Linn-Benton Community College.
Hundreds of people attended the forums that ran from 5:30 to 6:30 and 7 to 8. The panelists answered written questions from the audience, and the final 20 minutes of each forum offered the opportunity for small group and one-on-one conversations, as well as time to eat burritos from Taco El Machin.
Monday marked Day 14 of the strike and a pause in mediation. Class size and compensation are the remaining issues.
At the earlier forum, West Albany science teacher Mike Garnier took the first question, about class size. “The (cap) number is not the most important thing,” he said, but “how the problem is dealt with when it comes up.” He emphasized that it’s a process requiring leadership accountability.
Shana Hains, West Albany science teacher, said, “we can manage (large numbers of) kids … but to teach kids well we need smaller classes.”
Another question was about what happens to TAG (talented and gifted) students. Katy Kelly, North Albany Middle School science teacher, said that when class sizes are smaller she can more effectively teach students who are on individual education plans (IEPs), students who are at grade level and TAG students, all of whom she has in her classes. “I can do it, really,” she said.
School has been canceled nine days so far during the strike, and one teacher said no one knows for sure what the post-strike end of the school year will look like. Kelly said there may be some wiggle room because GAPS is over the number of student contact days the state requires. “Hopefully it won’t go into summer,” she said.
Trevor Hast, Memorial Middle School alternative education teacher, said the plan is to keep mediating until there’s a settlement.
Mediation is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning, when there will also be picketing in front of the district office. The GAEA plans no picketing or rallies Wednesday through Sunday.
Are teachers worried about potential layoffs after the strike? “I don’t think it’s going to be a huge issue.” said Dori Podrabsky, Timber Ridge math teacher. “I’m sad we’re not there (in the classroom), but this (strike) is the right thing to help kids.”
Responding to a comment that some community members think chanting has been divisive, Garnier said, “Not everything we’ve said is right. .. We’ve lost some trust. We’re going to work really hard to get that back. We want our community to be whole.”
David Tracy, Liberty Elementary second grade teacher, described as “amazing” the support teachers have received from the community. “Thank you for the support,” he said. “It can be so uplifting.”
Garnier noted people from organizations around town to have stepped up with support.
“Be curious and ask us questions,” added Sandi Washburn, behavior school support specialist. “Keep reaching out and asking questions.”
—— Graham Kislingbury, Linn County Democrats
Hundreds of people attended the forums that ran from 5:30 to 6:30 and 7 to 8. The panelists answered written questions from the audience, and the final 20 minutes of each forum offered the opportunity for small group and one-on-one conversations, as well as time to eat burritos from Taco El Machin.
Monday marked Day 14 of the strike and a pause in mediation. Class size and compensation are the remaining issues.
At the earlier forum, West Albany science teacher Mike Garnier took the first question, about class size. “The (cap) number is not the most important thing,” he said, but “how the problem is dealt with when it comes up.” He emphasized that it’s a process requiring leadership accountability.
Shana Hains, West Albany science teacher, said, “we can manage (large numbers of) kids … but to teach kids well we need smaller classes.”
Another question was about what happens to TAG (talented and gifted) students. Katy Kelly, North Albany Middle School science teacher, said that when class sizes are smaller she can more effectively teach students who are on individual education plans (IEPs), students who are at grade level and TAG students, all of whom she has in her classes. “I can do it, really,” she said.
School has been canceled nine days so far during the strike, and one teacher said no one knows for sure what the post-strike end of the school year will look like. Kelly said there may be some wiggle room because GAPS is over the number of student contact days the state requires. “Hopefully it won’t go into summer,” she said.
Trevor Hast, Memorial Middle School alternative education teacher, said the plan is to keep mediating until there’s a settlement.
Mediation is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning, when there will also be picketing in front of the district office. The GAEA plans no picketing or rallies Wednesday through Sunday.
Are teachers worried about potential layoffs after the strike? “I don’t think it’s going to be a huge issue.” said Dori Podrabsky, Timber Ridge math teacher. “I’m sad we’re not there (in the classroom), but this (strike) is the right thing to help kids.”
Responding to a comment that some community members think chanting has been divisive, Garnier said, “Not everything we’ve said is right. .. We’ve lost some trust. We’re going to work really hard to get that back. We want our community to be whole.”
David Tracy, Liberty Elementary second grade teacher, described as “amazing” the support teachers have received from the community. “Thank you for the support,” he said. “It can be so uplifting.”
Garnier noted people from organizations around town to have stepped up with support.
“Be curious and ask us questions,” added Sandi Washburn, behavior school support specialist. “Keep reaching out and asking questions.”
—— Graham Kislingbury, Linn County Democrats
Strike day 13
No settlement; some |  Albany City Councilors-elect Carolyn McLeod and Michael Thomson stood in support of the teachers Saturday. minutes a week of classified assistance to our Kindergarten teachers with 30 students. They could provide more, but there is not a guarantee it won’t be more of the same. Allowing GAEA one vote with 3 members of management gives no real protection from continuing to have overcrowded unsafe classrooms." Here is part of the GAPS update: "Much of the work (Sunday) was focused on class-size language. Movement was made on the part of both groups. "At 9:30 p.m., the District passed a non-confidential offer to GAEA that addressed all remaining articles. The District made significant movement to offer protections and remedies in our class size offer." For the full updates, click the buttons below. Monday marks Day 14 of the strike, including nine days of no school. Monday and Tuesday were originally scheduled to be no-school days with parent-teacher conferences, which have been canceled. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are scheduled holiday days. A community rally in support of the striking teachers was held Saturday morning at the Linn County Courthouse. |
Strike Day 11
Memorial Middle School teachers and a supporter, Jerry Blais (in hard hat), picket Friday morning along Ninth Avenue at Geary Street.
 North Albany Elementary teachers picket Friday morning at Geary Street and Ninth Avenue. | Two steps closerTeachers hit the picket lines again Friday morning, and there was a bit of hope in the air — make that two bits. When a group of North Albany Elementary teachers (shown at left) was asked if they were "pumped" that the teachers' and district's bargaining teams had reached tentative agreement on prep time and professional development early Friday morning, everyone nodded, and several expressed hope that the strike would be settled soon. Mediation, which was to resume at noon Friday, now focuses on two remaining issues: class size and compensation. On Friday afternoon, the Greater Albany Education Association scheduled a "Solidarity Showcase" in the LBCC Dining Hall. Friday was the 11th day of the strike, including nine days of no school. Parents-teacher conferences, scheduled for next week, have been canceled. |
Strike Day 10
Teachers and their supporters march south along Calapooia Street en route to the school district office on Seventh Avenue.
GAEA, GAPS tentatively agree
on prep time, professional development
 Special delivery: 1,000 pencils. The Greater Albany Education Association and Greater Albany Public Schools bargaining teams reached tentative agreement on two more significant bargaining articles — prep time and professional development — early Friday morning. Here is part of the GAEA statement released after a long day of mediation that ended at 1 a.m. Friday: "We won a REAL guaranteed 30 hour cap on Professional Development to firmly protect our ability to spend time in Professional Learning Communities and spend invaluable time learning from our peers. We will have a real voice in how the remaining time is used to best benefit our students and community! We also won a REAL guarantee on the 6 of 8 block schedule for our High Schools. It won’t start until fall of 2025, but it is guaranteed not to change until the next contract after this one is ratified (2027 or 2028). What is even more important than these serious improvements, is that the way has finally been cleared to tackle our highest priorities regarding educator | Video: Pencil drop at Greater Albany Public Schools district office. recruitment, retention, and class size. By having these two articles agreed upon, we only have class size and our economic package to settle!" On Thursday, hundreds of striking teachers and supporters marched from Monteith Riverpark to the school district office, where they deposited 1,000 pencils at the front doors. That, according to organizers, symbolically represented the number of signatures on a petition that started circulating Tuesday asking for members of the school board to resign. "Every pencil we left behind is a symbol of someone who is standing up for change. Each pencil represents a community member, a parent, or an educator demanding more from GAPS leaders — and more for Albany |
Strike Day 9
The rally scene Wednesday afternoon at Monteith Riverpark.
Tentative agreement | Video: State Sen. Sara Gelser addresses the crowd at Monteith Riverpark. Mediation on remaining bargaining articles was to resume at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. After Wednesday afternoon's rally, several hundred teachers and supporters fanned out across the district, canvassing door to door with strike flyers. Schools were closed again on Thursday. Picketing across the district started at 7:30 a.m., and a solidarity march was scheduled for 1 p.m., starting at Monteith Riverpark. |
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