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WHAT'S IN A
NAME? The memorial to Bill Robertson easily meets this standard. In life, Bill Robertson would have been the first to shy away from public acclaim. His modesty is why Willamette Week editors and readers are probably unaware of his amazing contributions to our community. Bill wore many hats, and he wore them all exceptionally well. He was a moving force as a businessman, as an intellectual and strategic force on the Tri-Met Board for over a decade, as chief of staff to Rep. Al Ullman and as a journalist back when Portland had two daily newspapers. Naming the tunnel for Bill also meets the test of time as it was not a spontaneous expression of grief and tribute. Not only has it been more than a year since Bill's death, but in the midst of a five-year struggle with painful and debilitating illness, everyone privileged to work with him had an opportunity to watch him continue his amazing public and private contributions as he struggled. Indeed, in his final days, he continued to touch lives while making Portland a better place to live, dealing in areas as diverse as transportation, revenue policy, health care and the process of dying. The Tri-Met Board is to be commended for dedicating the Robertson Tunnel. The tunnel itself is a significant engineering feat as well as a powerful symbol for uniting our community, tying the region together. Bill Robertson's life exemplified these attributes. His name on the tunnel and the informal plaque at the station that carries a simple statement capturing Bill's best characteristics will inspire generations: "The capacity to think At a time when the various news media are struggling to find various ways to engage the public audience, Willamette Week could perform a tremendous service by regularly featuring private citizens, unsung heroes and driving forces like Bill Robertson so people will better understand how our communities progress and perhaps be inspired themselves to make their unique contribution. Earl Blumenauer A TRUE BELIEVER Clyde and Jerri Doctor WW responds: Our questioning of the naming of the tunnel under the zoo was not intended as a slam against Bill Robertson, who was indeed a civic treasure. Rather, it was a criticism of Tri-Met going overboard in naming light-rail stations, plazas and tunnels. VITAL STATISTICS Thank you Willamette Week for using your space in this way. One question for Measure 58 opponent Mr. Warren Deras. He writes: "Anyone could say, 'gee, I've got my 12 dollars. I want my birth certificate.'" (Yes, ANYONE, Mr. Deras, not just those allowed the "privilege" by virtue of legitimate birth.) Perhaps Mr. Deras would consider a reasonable compromise, say, a waiting period, like that imposed upon a person attempting to buy a deadly weapon. And for those dangerous adopted adults hellbent on obtaining the true facts of their birth, perhaps a thorough background check should be made before this sort of crazy social chaos is allowed to run rampant in the halls of the Bureau of Vital Statistics. (They don't call them "vital statistics" for nothing.) Helen Hill ONE SIDE OF
THE STORY But let me explain my side of the story. As an adoptive parent I was assured that the files would be sealed forever--or until there was a medical emergency that would require an official entry into the file for medical background assistance. I cannot live with the notion that my safety and peace of mind can be interrupted by alleged do-gooders trying to protect someone's, not theirs, usually, constitutional rights. In my mind there has to be a limit on how much anyone, anywhere, can invade my space in the name of constitutional rights. Do I have none because I am an adoptive parent? There are a myriad reasons why a child is given up for adoption. The first and foremost is for the love and protection of the child. And to a family that has an abundance of love and an adequate incentive to raise a child not their own, those folks need to have their rights of anonymity protected and praised. For years I have lived with the fear that through some bureaucratic slip my space might be invaded by an unwanted guest--the biological parent of my child. That biological parent has not or could not provide the child with care, protection, education and, above all, love. For whatever reason, the most that the biological parent could provide was an act of love by giving that child (now my child) the opportunity to have the "good things in life"--not necessarily money or prestige, but opportunity. Ms. Wentz also comments about open adoption. As a parent raising a child, it is often difficult to raise your own child without a committee being involved with suggestions and counter-suggestions--on everything from Pablum to diapers to education to.... I have seen open adoption, and by and large it becomes a disaster. I do not wish open adoption on any child any more than I would approve of a joint custody arrangement. The concept is tainted and will forever remain tainted. While I don't approve of the registration procedure for adoption participants (child and biological parents), it is an avenue that can be explored, and it may even assist those unfortunate folks who have this insatiable desire to know things that need not be known. If I were to give Ms. Wentz any advice, I would suggest that she love her real parents, i.e. those who raised her, loved her, provided a home for her, educated her, gave her a family to love and to be loved by--even though in her new-found wisdom she feels she has been misled. If the truth be known, she was being protected--and that should be sufficient for her. Thomas P. Joseph
originally published September 30, 1998
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