Barry-Lee Coyne

COMMUNITY SERVICE has long been my passion - it began at Jam High and has hijacked my inner soul - lol.

When they write by obit, it may include:

1. Lanched Brunchlovers League in 60's, a NYC singles group with arts-prone guest speakers;

2. Founded Sunshine Line, a health ed network of teleconferences for our homebound folks;

3. Developed Operation Green Thumb in Rochdale Village which converted a trash dump into nicely thriving urban garden;

4. Created Eldermentors Project in Metro DC in which retirees were paired up as role models with immigrant middle school children;

5. Named A-SPAN (Arl Street Peoples Assistance Network) and The PARISHSCOPE, newsletter of the Arlington Parish Council interfaith group;

6. Brought about the Salem Peace Mosaic for the wall of local YMCA which was designed by kids and mobilized 600 community volunteers, including some five area schools and a senior center;

7. Now working with Greyhound to refurbish its local terminal, consider recycling trash and maybe installing info racks, tourist info, local bus data.

Would welcome calls -- at 503-365-7533.

IN ORDER TO GRADUATE way back then, all of us were coerced to sign a loyalty pledge to support the US Constitution. Dr. Howard Hurtwitz proved adamant and tended to browbeat people, but I had the temerity to point out "free speech" and the right to dissent because I felt that women's rights were NOT properly dealt with.

Finally when I did sign, I wrote in (WR) after my name - a secret code for "WITH RESERVATIONS". Fellow Alumni, may I rest my case? (LOL)

IT ALL BEGAN with Mr. Kunit and the Problems of Democracy Club, and further morphed when we began the Jam High Debating Club. Not wanting merely to argue but to develop analytical skills which have served me well.

My Philosophy of Life article in our yearbook may have launched my love of maxims and proverbs. Later on I got to read Poor Richard's Almanac and spent half my life as a professional writer.

Although not ultra athletic, I took on joining the wrestling squad in college. These days I fervently fight for human rights for minorities and wake up my community to unfair treatment. With current recession impacting city budgets, I'm promoting a "Proportional Pain" Formula for needed cuts!