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Vol 4, Issue 7

April 3, 2008

President Joe DiNicola

    In politics, in public meetings and every day on the job, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members stand up to make the voices of workers and working families heard. Now more than ever, your voice matters.

    In this issue of President Joe's Journal, members are ready to make a difference in the 2008 Presidential election, preparations begin for ODFW town hall budget meetings all over Oregon and everyone celebrates the work of ODFW members to preserve and protect our quality of life and rich natural heritage.

    In this issue: 2008 Election: Oregon Stands Out    ODFW Town Hall Meetings   What Does ODFW Do?

2008 Election: Oregon Stands Out
    In most Presidential election years, the outcome of the May Oregon primary doesn't seem to count for much in selecting the candidates. In fact, the last time Oregon had a really hard-fought Presidential primary for either major political party may have been back in 1968 when Eugene McCarthy and Robert Kennedy battled to win the Democratic Party nomination.

    With a relatively small number of convention delegates for each party (only 52 Democratic and 30 Republican), Oregon probably won't decide the outcome of the 2008 national race. However, in this hotly contested Democratic primary, the two remaining candidates know that every vote counts. As a consequence, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members have already seen quite a bit of news coverage of visits by Democratic Presidential candidates and campaign surrogates to Oregon.

    This year your primary vote matters more than ever. SEIU Local 503, OPEU members have chosen candidates to endorse, but our contracts do not allow the use of workplace email to discuss specific candidates or ballot measures. To check out which candidates have earned members' endorsement, please visit SEIU 503 endorsements on your own time.

    The best voter is an informed voter. The most powerful voter is the voter who completes and mails a ballot. Primary ballots will be mailed soon and are due May 20. Make sure your voice is heard. Please register now and vote early.

ODFW Town Hall Meetings
    Oregon became the 33rd state to join the union in 1859. A mere 19 years later, in 1878, the Columbia River "fish commissioner" was the first Oregon official engaged in the effort to help regulate and protect fish, wildlife and forests in Oregon. In 1887, a three member Fish Commission that replaced the fish commissioner was authorized to regulate the commercial fish industry.

    There have been many changes in the organization of what we now know as the State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife since 1878. But regardless of repeated overhauls to the structure and organization of the agency designated to protect Oregon’s natural resources, SEIU Local 503, OPEU members who work at today’s ODFW are the frontline in the effort to keep our rich Oregon natural heritage healthy and vital. The 1300 employees of ODFW work to protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations of Oregonians.

    From April 7-24, 2008, twelve public town hall meetings are scheduled around Oregon to gather citizen input on the 2009-2011 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) budget proposal. ODFW Director Roy Elicker says, "ODFW faces severe budgetary challenges over the next several years. It is important that we maintain the level of services we provide to hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers and the public."

    The first four public meetings will be held April 7 in Portland, April 8 in Bend, April 9 in La Grande and April 10 in Ontario. All meetings are scheduled from 7 PM to 9 PM. The complete list of meetings and locations can be viewed on the ODFW website. Every member of the public is welcome to attend. It's one way you can show your support for these vital programs and SEIU members who provide them. Oregon works because of the work we do.

What Does ODFW Do?
    ODFW operates a variety of facilities from Sauvie Island to Tygh Valley and from Enterprise to Port Orford. ODFW members maintain fish hatcheries, wildlife areas, public shooting grounds, hunting and fishing access sites and research stations that all work together to develop and maintain Oregon fish and wildlife resources. Portland is home for ODFW headquarters and Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend and La Grande house regional offices. An additional 20 ODFW district offices are strategically located statewide.

    A core mission at ODFW is to develop and implement recovery plans for native fish populations. In addition, 34 ODFW fish hatcheries raise and release more than 50 million fish which produce up to 80% of all salmon, trout and steelhead caught in Oregon each year. At about six inches long, salmon and steelhead smolts are released for their epic seaward migration. ODFW stocks two-inch fingerling trout in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, as well as catchable-sized fish measuring about eight inches, and trophy-sized trout up to several pounds each. More than two thirds of agency workers and over half the agency budget is dedicated to fish management, production and research.

    ODFW's Wildlife Division has responsibility for bears, cougars, antelope, sheep, deer, elk, game birds and small mammals and fur bearers, both hunted and non-hunted. In all that comes to more than 600 animal species. The 16 ODFW wildlife areas include marshes and wetlands for migratory waterfowl and rangelands where big game animals seek refuge from harsh winter weather. ODFW field biologists and technicians have their hands full overseeing more than 200,000 acres of agency-owned or leased land. ODFW's wildlife program primarily depends upon hunting license and tag sales and excise taxes distributed through the federal Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Fund and gets very little Oregon General Fund revenue.

    The official ODFW website invites Oregon residents and visitors alike to explore 27 million acres of forest lands; 34 million acres of grasslands, high desert, mountain ranges, wetlands and urban areas; 300 miles of coastline, 450 miles of Columbia River shoreline, 112,000 miles of rivers and streams; and 6,000 lakes and reservoirs and the thousands of native and migrating fish and wildlife species that thrive in every corner of Oregon's diverse habitat.

    To thrive, these species need access to quality and quantity of habitats for water, food and nesting areas. ODFW's statutory responsibility is to keep these species and habitats healthy and maintain optimum economic, commercial, recreational and aesthetic benefits for present and future generations.

    ODFW hatcheries and wildlife areas from the Columbia to California and Idaho to the Pacific provide some of the best bird, wildlife and fish viewing opportunities in North America. Plan an adventure the next time you want to enjoy some spectacular natural bounty. Learn more about Oregon's fish and wildlife through the work and facilities ODFW members keep ready for you to enjoy.

    Great job ODFW. The work you do makes a huge difference for every member and every Oregonian.