THE NEW OREGON STATE BAR CENTER
The issue of a New Bar Center came up recently by Karen Garst, Executive Director. She appropriately recommended that the Board of Governors begin to explore future facility needs in a report to the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors in 2003. But there was a hidden agenda. Ms. Garst's church where she was a congregant owed her $22,000. This church, The Living Enrichment Center (LEC), headed by Mary Morrissey had other problems. The church and the Morrisseys were insolvent, owed their congregants over $10 million and were about to lose their property in Tualitan where the church was located. But this church had further problems. Mr. Morrissey had further problems. Numerous laws were violated in how the church went about securing these loans from their congregants and he eventually pled guilty to a money laundering from 1996 to 2004 in Oregon federal district court (See Case # 05-CR-132). Ms. Garst had a plan. She convinced several members of the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors to explore purchasing this LEC white elephant in 2004.
The only problem was the PLF had left the current Oregon Bar Center leaving thirteen (13) vacant offices as of 2002. Moreover, by 2004 the Oregon State Bar had less employees than in 2002 partly because the new Client Assistance Office had reduced the number of employees needed in the Disciplinary Counsels office. The disciplinary counsel's office workload went from 400 pending cases down to 200 pending cases in the interim.
The New Bar Center is an unnecessary boondoggle.
LAUREN PAULSON
in NEW OREGON STATE BAR CENTER -- UPDATES
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2 Comments
Reader Comments (2)
Wake up Oregon, can't you read what is happening to our state as well as the nation. As it stands now we really don't need anymore elections; just let the bushies and their multibuillion slush fund take care of us.
By the way, if you get the chance why don't you and all your friends stop by the Veterans, hospital on the hill. If you want to see what is really going on, arrive unannounced---Have you ever talked with a quadruple amputee asking for a "light"? The next day you may be fortunate enough to talk with a full quad. By the way, both of these folks will be outside of the building in the rail--remember, you can't smoke in any public buildings...Do you think I'm making this up? Stop by for a refresher course on humanity 1 0 1.
I don't know why you would bring George Bush into this. I am fairly certain that those running the OSB hate him as much as it sounds like you do.
This isn't about liberal or conservative, it's about the elites telling us what is good for us. And for an elite there is only one solution - consolidation of power and self-service.