OLCV Talk

Fun vs. Power: Does it have to be a choice?

OLCV’s new Legislative Affairs Director, Evan Manvel, coordinates the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), a consortium of environmental groups who work to pass laws to protect Oregon’s air, water, and land. The OCN is currently developing its priorities for the 2009 Legislative session. Here is Evan’s take on the process:

"Day-long meetings. Seemingly unending discussions. Coordinating the efforts of fifty different environmental organizations, each with its own mission, from all across Oregon. Finding a way to reach common agreement on shared priorities.

Perhaps “fun” is not the first word I would use to describe the Oregon Conservation Network. But here’s a word I would use: Power."

Back in the mid-1990s, when OCN was first formed, I was working at the Corvallis Environmental Center. After watching us lose battle after battle in the state Legislature, I was thrilled by the idea of a unified environmental movement working together.

For several legislative sessions, OCN organized lobby days and distributed action alerts to help build a groundswell of support for good bills. But it wasn’t enough. In 2005, OCN agreed on a set of shared environmental priorities in the Legislature and hired a full-time lobbyist to work on behalf of these priorities. Since then, our effectiveness has grown dramatically.

During the 2007 session, thanks to our efforts and strong legislative leadership, all of our Priorities for a Healthy Oregon passed, including a progressive renewable energy standard requiring Oregon to get 25% of our power from renewable sources by 2025, and bills requiring computers and televisions to be recycled, and to reduce toxic pollution in the Willamette River. And we helped get a fix of the land-use debacle Measure 37 to the voters, which (as Measure 49) passed last fall, cutting unchecked sprawl by 90%.

And now, once again, we’re having those big meetings and long discussions, developing an ambitious agenda for the 2009 session that will take on big problems. While our opponents are regrouping and learning to coordinate their efforts, we have the combined knowledge and skills of fifty organizations, the power of our grassroots membership, and a unified environmental lobby.

United, as a movement, we can make great strides to protect Oregon’s natural heritage for generations to come.

And that, my friends, is fun.

Who would be Oregon's first city to become carbon neutral?

The winds are changing at the coast. The Lincoln City Council hopes to work with the Westwind Stewardship Group, a organization that manages a 500-acre Westwind conservation area north of Otis.

If all goes right, Lincoln City will be the first city in Oregon to become carbon neutral.

"It shows enormous potential," councilor Rick Brissette said. "Just the idea that Lincoln City can become a zero-carbon community someday is just phenomenal.

"It's become a huge issue and a tourism-related issue now all over the country, with people only wanting to visit sustainable and environmentally sound communities on their vacations."

He's right. You can read more about the rise of the carbon-neutral city here.

You can read the entire article about Lincoln City's plans over at The Newport News-Times.

The Great Elk-horn debate continues!

There will be a Marion County Board of Commissioners hearing on the Elkhorn project at 6 PM, Wednesday, June 18 in the first floor hearing room at the county office bldg, 555 Court Street N.E., in Salem (same location as the previous hearings).

At the hearing next Wednesday, testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person, but you can submit unlimited written testimony. 

What is up for debate?

Whether or not protecting a beautiful rural canyon from urban development is more important than the "goal exceptions" the developers want them to adopt. 

Learn how you can save the Elkhorn at OLCV's website.

OLCV Victories

Overall the exciting and historic 2008 Primary Election was a success. OLCV targeted eight races -- races we invested volunteer resources into and we had positive results in all but two.

We are celebrating huge victories three hotly contested Democratic primaries for the Legislature and three local races where our candidates are heading into run-offs in November with the lead.

We waged tough fights in two local races but lost.  Both were up-hill battles to begin with against candidates with far greater name recognition. But we are pleased with the energy and excitement of voters and volunteers despite the outcome.

The victory of Jules Kopel-Bailey in southeast Portland was a particularly sweet victory for voters as well as the environmental community. This was a tough 4 way primary, with two other strong candidates. Jules distinguished himself as an environmental leader, which helped carry him to victory. OLCV and Climate PAC were by far the largest supporters of Jules and his efforts to win and OLCV provided a huge portion of the grassroots contact in the campaign.

Eugene looks like it will have two high-profile local government races this fall, with both the Mayor's race and Lane County Commission race heading to run-offs.  In both cases, it will feel like a do-over. Both of our candidates (Kitty Piercy and Rob Handy) are ahead slightly, but not enough to overcome the fact that in both races there were third and fourth candidates filed who didn't campaign, but garnered just enough of the vote to prevent either of the two main candidates from getting beyond 50%.

Visit www.olcv.org/county_chapters to learn more about our local work.

Keep track of what's going on in Oregon environmental politics, sign up for OLCV's e-bulletin, a twice per month email newsletter.

OLCV's Election break-down:

House District 38 D Primary Chris Garrett  Winner 53%-47%

House District 42 D Primary Jules Kopel-Bailey Winner 41%-30%-27%

House District 49 D Primary  Nick Kahl  Winner 53%-47%

Portland City Council Pos. 2  Jim Middaugh Losing 62%-22% to Nick Fish, with three other candidates getting the remaining vote.  Fish wins it outright in the primary.

Multnomah County Commission # 4: Carla Piluso Winning with 48%-28% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Headed to run-off.

Salem Mayor  Lloyd Chapman    Losing 45%-55% to incumbent mayor Janet Taylor in a two-way non-partisan primary.  Taylor wins it outright in the primary.

Eugene Mayor  Kitty Piercy   Leading 48.3%-47.8% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to a run-off.

Lane County Comm. (North)  Rob Handy Leading 48.7%-44.9% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to run-off.

 

Overall the exciting and historic 2008 Primary Election was a success. OLCV targeted eight races -- races we invested volunteer resources into and we had positive results in all but two.

We are celebrating huge victories three hotly contested Democratic primaries for the Legislature and three local races where our candidates are heading into run-offs in November with the lead.

We waged tough fights in two local races but lost.  Both were up-hill battles to begin with against candidates with far greater name recognition. But we are pleased with the energy and excitement of voters and volunteers despite the outcome.

The victory of Jules Kopel-Bailey in southeast Portland was a particularly sweet victory for voters as well as the environmental community. This was a tough 4 way primary, with two other strong candidates. Jules distinguished himself as an environmental leader, which helped carry him to victory. OLCV and Climate PAC were by far the largest supporters of Jules and his efforts to win and OLCV provided a huge portion of the grassroots contact in the campaign.

Eugene looks like it will have two high-profile local government races this fall, with both the Mayor's race and Lane County Commission race heading to run-offs.  In both cases, it will feel like a do-over. Both of our candidates (Kitty Piercy and Rob Handy) are ahead slightly, but not enough to overcome the fact that in both races there were third and fourth candidates filed who didn't campaign, but garnered just enough of the vote to prevent either of the two main candidates from getting beyond 50%.

Visit www.olcv.org/county_chapters to learn more about our local work.

Keep track of what's going on in Oregon environmental politics, sign up for OLCV's e-bulletin, a twice per month email newsletter.

OLCV's Election break-down:

House District 38 D Primary Chris Garrett  Winner 53%-47%

House District 42 D Primary Jules Kopel-Bailey Winner 41%-30%-27%

House District 49 D Primary  Nick Kahl  Winner 53%-47%

Portland City Council Pos. 2  Jim Middaugh Losing 62%-22% to Nick Fish, with three other candidates getting the remaining vote.  Fish wins it outright in the primary.

Multnomah County Commission # 4: Carla Piluso Winning with 48%-28% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Headed to run-off.

Salem Mayor  Lloyd Chapman    Losing 45%-55% to incumbent mayor Janet Taylor in a two-way non-partisan primary.  Taylor wins it outright in the primary.

Eugene Mayor  Kitty Piercy   Leading 48.3%-47.8% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to a run-off.

Lane County Comm. (North)  Rob Handy Leading 48.7%-44.9% in a 4-way non-partisan primary.  Heading to run-off.

 

Tuesday Night Election Party Guide

For people involved in politics across Oregon, it's (almost) time to party! Where are you going to be election night, May 20th?

We've collected a list of election night parties and put them in the handy map here.

We've left messages for some of the campaigns who are missing. Please let us know of more (by commenting on this blog post) and we'll add to the map!

Green dots are those for OLCV-endorsed candidates; blue dots are for all other candidates (including those in races where we didn't endorse anyone).

Most parties start at 7 or 7:30 and are no-host. One (the Mark Hass event) is an earlier fundraiser. Click on the dots to learn more.

Hope to see you celebrating Tuesday night!

But you've got to earn it! You can still volunteer in some very tight races.

Meet Greg Macpherson (Candidate for Oregon Attorney General endorsed by OLCV)

Last year it was my duty and my privilege to lead the legislative work on Measure 49. Our landscape was threatened by uncontrolled development on 7,500 claims filed by property owners under Measure 37. To prevent irreparable harm, I fought to refer limitations on development to the voters. It was a great day for Oregon when Measure 49 passed by a wide margin.

I’m now running for Attorney General to make sure Measure 49 is implemented as voters intended and to provide strong advocacy for other environmental protections. In the 2007 legislative session, I was one of only eight House members to receive a 100% rating on the OLCV’s Environmental scorecard. As Attorney General, I will continue to protect what makes Oregon such a special place.

Environmental enforcement has been weak in Oregon for many years. As Attorney General, I will vigorously pursue more resources for the environmental enforcement work of the Department of Justice and for the natural resource agencies who share responsibility for that work. I will bring new energy to this enforcement work, drawing on my experience as an Oregon lawyer and lawmaker.

One of the greatest threats we face is not local, but global: climate change. Oregon has been a leader in many policy areas, including deposit-return beverage bottles, end-of-life decisions, and the eradication of meth manufacturing.  In that tradition, I will use all the power and stature of the office of Attorney General to make Oregon a leader in the international movement to combat climate change. Oregon has already acted  to reduce our carbon footprint. I will enforce the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires a shift to renewable energy sources for Oregon’s electricity and  advocate for further actions to combat global warming. This effort presents the greatest moral challenge of our time.

To learn more about me, visit my website at www.votemac.com.

 

Rep. Greg Macpherson

More joy, less consumption.

Alison Wiley created and writes for the blog The Diamond-Cut Life in order to create awareness about the need to reduce "our consumption down to the core of happiness."

Alison's message? More joy, less consumption. That's definitely a message that OLCV agrees with.

Alison recently hosted a table and joined a record crowd of 870 guests, including 82 elected officials and candidates, joined OLCV Staff and Board members at OLCV's 11th Annual Dinner (AKA Eco Prom) last Friday night.

Rep. Ben Cannon stellar MC, OLCV Executive Director Jonathan Poisner got everyone on their feet at the start with a stirring speech, and keynote speaker Christine Ervin deliver thought-provoking address on the green building movement. And of course, lots of hobnobbing and campaigning  during the preceding reception and dinner.
 
Another program highlight: Debra Higbee received OLCV's 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award - congrats, Debra!

 

OLCV enthusiastically thanks everyone who helped make this dinner a success - table sponsors, volunteers, wine donors, who attended. We are already looking forward to an even better event next year, and hope you are too!
 

Check out photos of this year's event on OLCV's website.
 

Find out why Alison Wiley hosts a table of ten each year at OLCV's EcoProm and check out her great photos of some of Portland's finest movers & shakers over on her blog, The Diamond-Cut Life.

How do you vote?

We don't want to know if you vote "D" or "R" when you sit down to mark your ballot. We're confident you'll make the right choice.

We want to know how you vote.

Do you already know who you're voting for before you open your ballot? Do you use endorsements, from OLCV for example, to help you decide? Perhaps you flip through the voter's guide and reach each entry very carefully before you make your considerations.

Do you vote alone in a dark room? Or at the dinner table with the rest of your family?

We want to know how you vote! So tell us.

Post your comments below!

Meet Nick Kahl (Candidate for House District 49 endorsed by OLCV)

"Nick Kahl has energy, lifetime roots in the district and a plethora of sensible ideas for leveraging jobs and capital projects for his constituents. We think the Legislature needs him."

- The Oregonian, 4/18/08

I was born and raised in East County. I have seen the best of what the area has to offer but have also seen the challenges that come with change. One of those challenges is finding the balance between a strong economy and keeping the same great quality of life in East County that we all love. The growth we are seeing in East County also raises environmental concerns and that is why I voted yes on Measure 49.

Measure 49 is smart policy that protects the Oregon we know and love. It will ensure that future generations will get to take advantage of the unique beauty for which the state is known. To help pass Measure 49 I went door to door talking with voters and worked to make sure we protect our clean air and water.

The other side of all of the growth we are witnessing is a need for good family wage jobs. East County is perfectly situated to take advantage of the growing demand for green jobs. Whether it is manufacturing solar panels or designing new technologies, we have a ready and willing work force. East County and Oregon need leaders who are poised to take advantage of this growing need; this is why I am the right candidate for District 49.

I have experience finding the balance a strong economy and a healthy environment. As a Staff Assistant in Commissioner Jeff Cogen's office, I created a cellular phone recycling plan. I was able to institute a program that is reducing landfill waste, and helping a local small business. Oregon needs creative leaders who are willing to think outside the box to find sustainable solutions. I will use my experience and knowledge to craft smart policy that brings good family wage jobs and green industry to District 49.

I care deeply about the future of East County and the state of Oregon. I know that we must build sustainable relationships between business and the environment in order to put Oregon at the front of the green collar revolution. Economic growth that is environmentally smart is good for our schools, our neighborhoods and our community. I will work tirelessly to make these goals a reality.

To find out more, join the conversation at www.nickkahl.com.

Green presidential candidates?

 

There has been a lot of talk about the environment in all three of the presidential campaigns in 2008 - unlike anything we've seen in previous years.

Voters are asking who will take the lead in the fight against global warming, who will strengthen the environmental protections that the Bush administration spent the last 7 1/2 years weakening, who will do the most to remind us that we are all responsible for our choices and encourage us to choose wisely so that we can be proud of the environmental legacy we pass on to our children?

This year we are in a unique situation. Many of us who have been working to push environmental protections forward for years are pleasantly surprised to hear the environment mentioned in stump speeches across the country (not just in Oregon where it is mainstream to bleed green) - to hear voters question the candidates again and again on their plans to fight global warming or explain how they will invest in clean, renewable energy.

Seattlepi.com recently reported:

All three support the development of clean energy and limiting the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. All agree that it's important to restore Puget Sound. All have opposed oil drilling in the ecologically fragile Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And none is willing to back the removal of Snake River dams as a means of saving the region's waning salmon populations.

But there are fundamental differences -- mostly between the two Democrats and the Republican. It's clear from a look at the senators' lifetime voting records. Out of 100 points, Clinton scores a "90," Obama a "96" and McCain a "26," as tallied by the League of Conservation Voters, which, like other major environmental groups, has not endorsed a candidate.

You can learn more about the environmental records of all three presidential candidates at www.lcv.org/voterguide or below:

Democrats:

Senator Hillary Clinton

Senator Barack Obama

Republican:

Senator John McCain

Read "How green are the presidential candidates?" at seattlepi.com.