Beaverton wont fund a 4th of July celebration but will fund a Mexican Independance day celebration

[ORDagnabbit]

http://beaverton.katu.com/content/beaverton-funds-mexican-independence-day-not-america-s

This wont end well...



here’s a fiery debate brewing over Beaverton’s plans to celebrate Mexican Independence Day later this month with taxpayer money while not funding a Fourth of July celebration.

Some people say the celebration that’s planned on Sept. 16 at Beaverton’s City Park shouldn’t be happening, but for now, Beaverton will mark Mexico’s independence bicentennial by spending $5,000.

The plans have conservative radio talk-show host, Lars Larson, crying foul.

“Beaverton is going to spend American tax dollars to celebrate Mexican Independence Day,” he said. “And there’s no reason to celebrate that outside of Mexico.”

Beaverton city officials acknowledge they’re holding the event and paying for it because the Mexican Consulate in Portland asked them to.

None of the Beaverton city council members or the city’s mayor returned phone calls Thursday seeking comment.

What’s more, the city doesn’t sponsor any events recognizing America’s Independence Day.

more at the link...

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Well, isn't this nice.

Wake up, Beaverton.

[gophates]

2. Whatever

I can't get my outrage meter to move on this. Isn't there any real news to talk about?

[Obamanaut]

11. Well, there is the book section controversy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9063498&mesg_id=9063498

[pampango]

3. "Beaverton decided to promote Mexico's 200th anniversary celebrating independence"

Politely brushing off criticism from conservative talk show hosts locally and nationally, Mayor Denny Doyle on Thursday said Beaverton is proceeding with a taxpayer-funded event this month celebrating Mexico's bicentennial. Local commentator Lars Larson blasted Beaverton's celebration on his radio show last week and it gained national notoriety Wednesday when Fox News' Bill O'Reilly piled on by saying the city looks like a "pinhead."

City leaders say the point their critics are missing -- and are specifically misrepresenting -- is that Beaverton decided to promote Mexico's 200th anniversary celebrating independence. It's not that officials ignored the Fourth of July in favor of Mexican's Independence Day -- it's that this Sept. 16 is a significant milestone for the country and local immigrants.

"It was to recognize a unique day," Doyle said. "Let folks know they're welcome in Beaverton. Let them know they can be proud of where they came from."

Beaverton is the most diverse big city in Oregon, according to U.S. Census estimates. About 27 percent of Beaverton's population is non-white. Sixteen percent identifies as Hispanic or Latino, with three-quarters of that group Mexican.

http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2010/09/beaverton-sponsored_celebration_for_mexicos_independence_blasted_by_fox_news.html

[WinkyDink]

6. Yeah, and? Aren't the Poles, Russians, Italians (no, CC Day doesn't count), and French welcome?

I've always liked a good Bastille Day celebration, myself.

[ThomasQED]

28. There's a Bastille Day celebration in Portland every year

just a few miles away. And festivals for Italy, Greece, etc. Lots of that stuff.

[WinkyDink]

50. "Festivals" for heritage are not the equivalent. But if Portland pays for a Bastille Day event, well

bully for it.

[Luminous Animal]

53. Huh?

[kcks]

4. Then

let the Mexican Consulate pay the bill.

[WinkyDink]

5. Okay, this is just bizarre and wrong. At least the Mex. consulate can pay!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. I wonder if they've had to lay-off any city workers or teachers or cutback services

just sayin'

I don't want to sound nativist here but if it came down to a US teacher's salary or a daycare subsidy vs. a Mexican Independence Day celebration I'm going for the red, white and blue.

Besides, the next centennial celebration can't be too far off, can it? :+

[LWolf]

8. Schools aren't funded out of city coffers.

Those funds come from the state.

[Obamanaut]

10. Odd. I'm pretty sure some of my property tax adjustment is suggested

by the local school board.

[LWolf]

19. A percentage of property tax goes to fund education.

I don't think the city gets to raid that amount for Mexican Independence Day.

[Obamanaut]

22. My response was to this: "Schools aren't funded out of

of city coffers. Those funds come from the state."

I just got bills for proposed taxes on two properties. They are local. They both have an amount for schools.

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. And those tax dollars go to the state

I pay my property taxes to the county where I live and a portion goes to the state. The state then uses some of that money to support our local schools.

[Obamanaut]

60. And if the local school board makes a special assessment for one

reason or another of a small millage amount, does not that small millage special assessment stay in the county - or is it seized and redistributed throughout the state?

Is the system the same for all states, or are there differences? If there are differences, could this be why some of the school districts (counties) in Florida have different salary schedules, better/worse physical plants, etc? Some school districts (counties) are wealthier than others, and there are differences in the systems. Not everyone is under the same umbrella when the money rains down from the capital.

[LWolf]

64. You are correct, of course.

It's state law that determines what amounts come from local taxes, which puts the state in charge of those funds. But that smaller percent IS generated locally.

The mayor, or city council, isn't in charge of the education budget. They can't decide to send more local money to schools, which I think was the point I was responding to.

[WinkyDink]

14. Wrong. Local property taxes fund schools. THAT is why the US has run-down schools and Taj Mahals.

[LWolf]

20. .

Oregon public school finance is unique and very complicated for several reasons. Money to support public education in grades K–12 comes from the state income tax and lottery fund; local revenues, primarily property tax; and federal funds. In 1990, voters passed Measure 5, which amended the Oregon Constitution to place a limit of $5 per every $1,000 of a property’s assessed real market value on revenue for public education. In 1997, voters passed Measure 50, which assigned each taxing district its own permanent tax rate, and cannot be increased. Each property has an assessed value, which cannot increase more than 3 percent unless some new activity occurs on the property.

The effect of these property tax measures has been to shift the bulk of public school funding from local property taxes to Oregon’s general fund, which comes from the state income tax. In 1991, in response to Measure 5, the Legislature passed a permanent K–12 equalization formula, which determines how much money each school district will get from the State School Fund to fill the gap between the district’s local revenue and its equalization target.

[WinkyDink]

66. Fine. We BOTH were incorrect (you just said "schools", not "Oregon's schools").

[LWolf]

69. That's the consequence

of being in a hurry, on my part. Saying I need more specifics, and not being clear myself. :blush:

[dsc]

55. it actually depends upon the state

In my state (NC) teachers are largely funded by the state with a local (county) suppliment provided by wealthier districts to attract teachers to them. Our school buildings are provided by county governments or in the rare case of a city school district, by the city government. Our schools desegrated by becoming county wide school districts in nearly every county. So here, city taxes would be, with the exception of a very few districts, irrelevent to teacher salaries or school buildings. I still disagree with what Beaverton did though.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

15. but you se my general point though, right?

I mean, if a city had essential services to provide and it couldn't fund those services dispensing with a 4th of July fireworks display would be part of an overall solution reasonably worth considering.

Wouldn't it be ironic if they laid-off firefighters but then held a fireworks display that went awry and set the mayor's house on fire?

[LWolf]

17. Is that why they didn't have a 4th celebration?

They put flags up. Does not having a celebration mean they didn't have a parade, or fireworks, or?

And, if not, was budget the reason?

What, exactly, is the city doing for the Mexican Independence day celebration? What are they spending $$ on, how much is it costing?

Give me the specifics, and I'll know if your general point holds water. The article linked was short on specifics.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

21. Very short on specs

But if the 4th is no big deal to spend $$$ on then why should ANY independence day be a big deal?

Mexico ain't really a bastion of social justice with a history of tolerance and acceptance.

[LWolf]

63. I'd need the specs to judge, but I think that

funding it without city council approval IS obviously wrong. With the public attention it's getting, I'm betting that the city council will address the problem, one way or another.

[Rage for Order]

27. They only fly American flags on July 4? No other day? That's odd

The city hall in my town (and every other town I've been to) has the US flag up every day, so flying the flag on July 4 is nothing special.

There's also this from the article linked in the OP:

"Some city council members might be reluctant to talk about plans for the event because it apparently was funded without City Council approval."

[LWolf]

62. I assumed that "flags up"

meant flying, not just on poles at public buildings, but along main street/s. I could be wrong; the article doesn't clarify. I'm just visualizing the norm in my town. My Oregon town built places to place flags along the sidewalks on both sides of our two main streets; when there is an event, there are flags flying for about a mile and a half on both the east/west and north/south roads.

I didn't catch the last sentence in the article. There's obviously an issue in funding without City Council approval. They SHOULD be talking about that and taking some kind of action in response.

[LWolf]

9. Based on the responses so far, shall I assume that DU

disapproves of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Chinese New Year celebrations, etc.?

[Obamanaut]

12. Those are good also, especially when funded by the group involved. nt

[WinkyDink]

16. To the exclusion of AMERICAN Independence Day celebrations? Yes, I DO object.

[gratuitous]

13. If Lars Larson and Bill O'Reilly are upset about this

They can pungle up $5,000 (Five thousand dollars? Really? Are they getting bent out of shape over five thousand dollars, which is less than Joe Arpaio makes a month?) out of their own overstuffed pockets so Beaverton can host a July 4th celebration, which, as we all know, is a sadly neglected holiday in the United States.

Or, they could move to Beaverton and pay some local taxes so they actually have some skin in the game.

[depakid]

18. Oh boy- more race baiting and xenophobic responses to local events people know nothing about

I expect very little from local media in Oregon other than drumming up irrational anti-Hispanic sentiment, but I might have hoped DU'rs would have been smarter than to fall into the same pattern and trap.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

29. Where's the anti-Hispanic sentiment?

People are just wondering why any foreign national celebration is trumping the American Independence Day.

I'm willing to guess if Oxnard, SD celebrated Lithuanian Rubber Tree Week to the exclusion of the 4th of July people might be just as perplexed.

DU is not a haven of racism so why would this be a reflex accusation?

[Luminous Animal]

30. Did some people also wonder about the city's funding of a St. Pat's day event?

Most likely, Beaverton does not host 4th of July events because they are right next to Portland which has several.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

31. A fair response to fair questions

I'm satisfied.

But people do have the right to ask and asking is not racism.

[depakid]

36. If you'd ever lived in or near the community, you would know the nature of the media

AND you (and others chiming in) would also realize that there are a plethora of 4th of July events around the area.

Whether or not DU has Hispanic phobia isn't really the issue- though it's obvious (even in your nationalistic response).

The issue (to me at least) is how easily some people react and are manipulated by AM hate radio and local "news" outlets without even giving the matter a second thought.

[ORDagnabbit]

33. I dont understand your response. Are you happy a city wont fund a celebration of our own

independence but will fund another countries?

I dont see this as irrational... can you explain why you do?

[Luminous Animal]

52. I don't give a shit. The residents of Beaverton can access 3 celebrations within

a few miles of their town and they promote those in their media and on the city website. Daly City, next to San Francisco doesn't have 4th of July celebrations, and they promote San Francisco's waterfront festivities.

[ORDagnabbit]

57. I live up here so I dont know daly city. Does daly city promote and throw a party for another

country's Independence day with tax payer money at the same time?

[Luminous Animal]

58. Mexican-Americans are taxpayers.

[ORDagnabbit]

70. and so does every other legal american hence you pay for our independence day celebrations before

you pay for another country's!

[dembotoz]

23. just could it be that traditionally someone else funds the 4th of july

in my town the yaycees? do the forth--anyway who ever does it makes kind of a deal that no civic money is involved.

5 grand don't buy much....

[Luminous Animal]

24. Beaverton is 7 miles from Portland which has several 4th of July events.

Similarly, Daly City, which is next to San Francisco, does not host its own 4th of July celebrations.

[Luminous Animal]

25. Oh no! The city of Beaverton also kicked in for a St. Patrick's Day celebration!

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:t4k1EiOAGN8J:www.beavertonoregon.gov/government/press2010/PoochesRelease_03-02-2010.pdf+beaverton+st.+patrick%27s+day&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESivIeUY-qjjjHLIYwYjMwK4fv6j8expUjxdWV3aFRuI2eChMrgDZRYg27WLXcmR4zdfPHHtJW9XrZyhOmEUuKrgyQJcyHsTlCbCVF9dHvNIDNbiAL5vUVYq5Q-yis4YRVTxxXDU&sig=AHIEtbQu2wqQiMmVIz6kqYns19uYVAzEUQ

[kctim]

37. Fair enough, I guess

Seems weird that a city such as Portland wouldn't have several Mexican Independence Day celebrations though. Figured it was a little more diverse and would have at least some Americans of Mexican background living there.

[DeschutesRiver]

54. There used to be quite a few in Portland

I don't know if that has changed.

[fishwax]

26. Sounds like a fun event. Way to go, Beaverton.

I hope that lots of people show up (to party or to protest ;)), giving local businesses a boost.

[bullwinkle428]

32. Word - I'm sure the food will kick ass, compared to the lame stuff

that would most likely get served at a July 4th event!

[ORDagnabbit]

35. Being from a military family my first response is to tell you to suck it. But thats just my emotions

talking...

can you tell me why you're happy a city wont fund a celebration of our own independence day brought to us by the sacrifice and continual sacrifice of our own citizens but they will fund another country's?

[fishwax]

39. You want to tell me to suck it because I think the event sounds fun? Weird.

"can you tell me why you're happy a city wont fund a celebration of our own independence day brought to us by the sacrifice and continual sacrifice of our own citizens but they will fund another country's?"

Where did I say I was happy they won't fund a celebration of July 4th? I said the Mexican Independence Day event sounds like fun. Chicago is having a parade too, incidentally, and I'm sure there will be other cities that celebrate it as well. Hooray!

As for the issue of paying for the 4th--if it's true that the city puts no money towards any 4th of July festivities (and the two stories I've read have been sketchy on that), I'm curious to know more details and what the reasons for that may be (other cities nearby have large festivities, municipal organizations sponsor local celebrations, etc.).

[Luminous Animal]

42. There are 3 large events in the area on the 4th. One bills itself as the largest

west of the Mississippi.

Many of the towns that are near San Francisco and Berkeley do not put on 4th of July events because they don't have to.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

34. Only $5000 for Cinco de Mayo, vs. how much for 4th of July?

A 4th of July celebration would likely cost far more, furthermore, Beaverton's a suburb of Portland, which certainly has large celebrations on the 4th by itself.

[WinkyDink]

47. Way to miss the point.

[Luminous Animal]

51. No. That is precisely the point. Nationwide there is only 14,000 local displays...

according to the American Pyrotechnic Association. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38004858/ns/business-forbescom/

Why? Because they are expensive. Also, Beaverton's population has access to well-funded spectacular 4th of July celebrations. Similarly, many towns near San Francisco do not host 4th of July celebrations but rather, advertise and promote San Francisco's.

So, Beaverton rides on the civic largess of Portland and Oak Hills and Portland and Oak Hills benefit from dollars spent from out of towners attending the events.

[WinkyDink]

65. Well, hey: Hang a Guy Fawkes effigy on 11/05 and it'll be cheaper yet!

Or aren't there any descendants of the (Anglican) English in Beaverton?

[Arugula Latte]

38. It's for Mexico's BICENTENNIAL. That happens, let's see, uhh, ONCE.

It's a special one-time celebration...Jesus. This is totally idiotic.

[Obamanaut]

40. Mexico should by all means celebrate. It's like the old (bad) joke "Do they

have a fourth of July in Russia?" Yes, there is a fourth of July everywhere, but not celebrated everywhere.

If the local community has enough of any group, that group should celebrate whatever they want to, but not a the expense of the local goverhment.

[depakid]

45. Wow- hard to believe I'm on a progressive site sometimes

Another FYI (not that it matters to America über alles types who are easy prey to AM radio).

Junction City (about 80 miles down the road) has a popular Scandinavian Festival ever year:

http://www.scandinavianfestival.com/

and Mt. Angel (about 40 miles away) has an Octoberfest celebrating German Heritage:

http://www.oktoberfest.org/

North Plains 10 miles away has a Garlic festival!

All funded in part by local government (which also gets plenty of receipts from licenses for booths, etc. and tax receipts from local businesses that profit from the increase in profits that the festivals bring in.

[WinkyDink]

48. Do these places also NOT celebrate 7/04?

[depakid]

dupe

[depakid]

67. Have you not gotten a clue and been embarrassed enough yet?

Since apparently you haven't- please do yourself and everyone else a favor and help your own community out instead of sticking your AM hate radio poor reading comprehension nose into places you know nothing at all about.

[Obamanaut]

56. On the one hand we read that a community will not fund a July 4th

celebration but will a Mexican Independence Day celebration.

This is countered with a Scandinavian Festival, but this does not appear to be funded by the local government, but rather is promoted locally as a means to make money. From the link provided in the response we find:

"Fees: Entry Fee as seen on your contract. Festival will provide electrical for those who own a booth, depending on the need. Vendors must provide their own extension cords to hook to the festival provided power panals(sic). Inside spaces are a flat fee of $180 and are very limited. A full refund is available only if written cancellation is received prior to July 1st, 2010. After said date, it will be up to the committee’s discretion if money is refunded.

12% of gross sales (10% for approved Junction City non-profit organizations) must be paid to the Scandinavian Festival Association within seven days after the completion of the 2010 Festival."

It appears that this festival is organized by a community in part to celebrate, but with a view toward not losing money in the process.

Are these festivals in lieu of any other celebrations, or are they in addition to them? It certainly looks like apples and oranges.

[depakid]

68. So in your world, public agencies should have no role in cultural events

in their communities unless they're "Amrican?"

Sounds like what you're saying (correct me if I'm wrong).

[Obamanaut]

71. A role in hosting, organizing. Not funding. If a group (any group)

wants an activity, that group should be allowed to use whatever facilities are available, but reimburse the community coffers for that use.

They can pay a fee upfront for the use of the facilities, they can pay a portion of the proceeds (as in the percentage paid by vendors in the above octoberest), etc.

[SoCalDem]

41. Beaverton HAS a Mexican Consulate?

Who-da-thunk-it?

Right wingers get their panties in a wad over almost anything, don't they?

[proud2BlibKansan]

43. Right wingers as well as plenty of DUers

[Quantess]

46. True, that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. I'll be down there for that

no, not Beaverton, Mexico City.

[Swamp Rat]

59. Yo quisiera ir también, pero no puedo.

Espero que tengas un buen viaje. :hi:

[Regret My New Name]

61. Weird to see Beaverton in the national spotlight

I went to middle and high school there. :P