The Beaverton Valley Times - Opinion http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/index.php Portland and surrounding area community news and information DeBernardis left huge educational legacy http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126827547843734500 2010-03-11 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126827547843734500 en-us The recent passing of Portland Community College’s founding President Amo DeBernardis should not be mourned but celebrated for the accomplishments, commitment to higher education and vision that DeBernardis provided. DeBernardis served as PCC’s president from 1961 to 1979, and it was ... Westlund provided leadership example http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126827541527846800 2010-03-11 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126827541527846800 en-us State Treasurer Ben Westlund’s death Sunday from cancer is a significant loss not only for his family but also the state. In the toxic political environment that permeates Salem, in which every vote and every public statement is measured by its ability to promote one party or tear down the ... Soapbox: Inch by inch, job by job, Oregon working out of recession http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126827531479156500 2010-03-11 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126827531479156500 en-us Inch by inch… job by job… Oregon is working our way out of this global recession. The work accomplished in the 25-day legislative session we just concluded will help our state’s recovery and continue our efforts to prepare Oregon for a robust economic resurgence in the coming ... Soapbox: Urban renewal plan would adversely affect Beaverton’s tax base http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767021581801600 2010-03-04 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767021581801600 en-us Despite strong opposition, the Beaverton City Council voted Feb. 8 to plan a multi-million dollar urban renewal scheme that I believe would raise the property taxes of the city, the Beaverton School District and other “cash cow” public bodies for 30-plus years. The school district ... Soapbox: Invest in our students, not bank profits http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767014370734900 2010-03-04 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767014370734900 en-us For decades, bankers have gotten a free ride from American taxpayers. The U.S. Department of Education currently subsidizes student loans to the tune of $9 billion every year. Banks service these loans, collect the debt, keep the interest and turn a profit. When borrowers default on their loans, ... Letters http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767005227153600 2010-03-04 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767005227153600 en-us Schouten best choice for commission chairman In our troubled economy, who in Washington County would be best to help guide us to prosperity as the next chairman of the Board of Commissioners? Dick Schouten, currently a commissioner, is the clear choice. He has been a leader in Washington County ... State spending is unsustainable http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767000341346200 2010-03-04 00:00:00 http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=126767000341346200 en-us Huge budget shortfalls have become a tradition for Oregon’s state government – and the latest prediction from Salem is that they will continue for as far as the eye can see. Rep. Peter Buckley, co-chair of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee, recently said state economists ...