Tag Archive for 'headlines'

SCAM ALERT: Deceptive Business Mailing

Published on February 7, 2013 in business fraud, business scam, Corporation, Headlines, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 7, 2013

SALEM – Secretary of State Kate Brown is warning Oregon companies to be on the alert for a mailing that deceptively looks like it is from the Oregon Corporation Division.

A number of businesses have reported receiving an official-looking invoice entitled, “Compliance Filings Center – Annual Minutes Compliance Notice.” The mailing requests detailed information about the business and a $150 “Certificate of Minutes” preparation fee. The invoice lists a return address of 4676 Commercial Street SE, #169, Salem, OR 97302.

An example of the scam is posted on the Secretary of State website.

Despite its appearance, this invoice was NOT sent by the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division and is not authorized by the State of Oregon. While the invoice contains references to Oregon business law, businesses receiving this mailing are advised that they can prepare annual minutes and corporate records themselves without paying this fee.

Secretary of State Brown recommends carefully reading solicitations to determine if they are actually from a government agency and require a response. Some deceptive solicitations from private organizations are difficult to distinguish from government correspondence at first glance. Only a careful reading reveals a disclaimer noting that the organization is not government affiliated.

The Oregon Business Corporations Act requirements for Annual Meetings and Corporate Records are available on the Corporation Division’s website at: www.FilingInOregon.com. Corporations needing legal advice on corporate records requirements should contact a licensed attorney.

For more information, contact:

Tony Green
Director of Communications
Oregon Secretary of State
503-507-0082
tony.green@state.or.us

Oregon Governor Sustainability Winners Honored at Northwest Environmental Conference

Published on December 4, 2012 in Corporation, Headlines, Press Releases, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

PORTLAND – Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and the Oregon Sustainability Board will honor five Oregon companies for their commitment to sustainable business practices at the NEBC/AOI Northwest Environmental Conference & Tradeshow on December 4.

This year’s winners of the Governor’s Sustainability Awards are: Grand Champions – Mountain Rose Herbs and Hopworks Urban Brewery; Technology Award – EasyStreet Online Services; Manufacturing Award – Oregon Iron Works; and Rising Star – Bridgetown Natural Foods.

“The winners truly represent the best Oregon has to offer in sustainable business practices,” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “We can all learn so much from these companies, as we continue to rebuild Oregon’s economy.”

The 24th NEBC/AOI annual conference is the Northwest’s largest and most comprehensive environmentally focused conference and trade show and will highlight such issues as: environmental protection and compliance; resource and operational efficiencies; health and safety practices; sustainability programs; product standards; and environmental economics.

In 2006, then Governor Ted Kulongoski issued an Executive Order directed the then Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) [now known as Business Oregon] to establish an awards program to promote and advance the inclusion of sustainable practices in government and the private sector.

More on the 2012 Oregon Sustainability Award Winners:

Mountain Rose Herbs

Mountain Rose Herbs has been known for its uncompromising commitment to organic agriculture, sustainable business practices, and a steadfast focus on the pure aesthetics and freshness of botanical products. Their wide range of certified organic product offerings includes bulk herbs and spices, aromatherapy and essential oils, tea and tea supplies, and natural health and body care. Every aspect of product creation is carried out in accordance with strict quality control and organic handling procedures by employees who care. The company employs numerous energy efficiency measures including a lighting program that has reduced electricity usage for lighting by more than 40%. It is also enrolled in EWEB’s Greenpower program to cover all electricity use, and purchases carbon offsets for all aspects of company operations including shipping, travel and operations.

Hopworks Urban Brewery

Hopworks Urban Brewery and Hopworks BikeBar are Portland’s first Eco-Brewpubs. Its stated mission is to “produce world-class beer and food as sustainably as possible. The brewery offers handcrafted organic beers and fresh, local ingredients, all served in sustainably-built and operated buildings with a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Hopworks incorporates many aspects of sustainability: from composting to rain barrels, and from pervious pavers to hand dryers. Hopworks brewery is 100% renewably powered and “cradle to gate” carbon neutral. The company has purchased BEF Water Restoration Credits for more water than their facilities use and is working towards a zero landfill goal. Currently, less than 10% of waste is sent to landfills.

EasyStreet Online Services

EasyStreet is Oregon’s locally-headquartered enterprise-class IT Services provider. EasyStreet helps its customers integrate Cloud, colocation, Internet connectivity and related services to create the flexible computing infrastructure that meets their needs. The company buys offsets for 100% of the electricity, water and natural gas it consumes in its data centers — resulting in zero carbon footprint operations. Its innovative cooling systems that significantly reduce energy consumption that allow data center to save over 1.5 million kWh per year.

Oregon Iron Works

Oregon Iron Works, Inc. (OIW) is a world-class metal fabricator headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon with factories in Oregon and Washington. Founded in 1944, we have an exceptional history and success in both commercial and government contract work. OIW specializes in mechanical and electrical integration and complex fabrication across diverse industries. The company implemented significant energy efficiency upgrades to lighting, HVAC and process machinery. EE upgrades have saved them over 1.6 million kWh and over $100,000 per year. It also installed a 30.8 kWh solar PV array and is planning to add 300% more solar within the next year.

Bridgetown Natural Foods

Bridgetown Natural Foods is an emerging, fast-growing contract manufacturer of all-natural, organic, kosher and gluten-free healthy snack products. The company has an 110,000-square-foot facility in Portland’s Lents neighborhood. Bridgetown currently is working toward becoming a zero-waste-to-landfill operation. The company sells unusable food product/waste to local hog farmers, refurbishes used equipment in-house and has implemented energy efficiency measures in lighting, process machinery and facility cooling.

For more information, please refer to http://www.sustainableoregon.net or contact Andrea Cantu-Schomus (503) 986-2368 or Mark Brady (503) 689-5638.

 

Secretary Brown Statement on the Status of Clackamas County Ballot Fraud Investigation

Published on November 6, 2012 in Elections, general election, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

Salem, Ore – Secretary of State Kate Brown today issued the statement below to provide an update of the investigation in Clackamas County and to correct information that reportedly was shared at yesterday’s emergency commission meeting in Clackamas County.

“To date, Clackamas County, under supervision of my elections monitors, has identified six ballots that were potentially altered by the accused temporary county elections employee.   The total number of ballots potentially affected is still under investigation by the Department of Justice.

“For all potentially altered ballots, Clackamas County elections officials will determine whether or not the original voter intent can be established.  If the original voter intent can be established, the ballot will be counted to reflect what the original voter marked.

“Voter intent will be determined by Clackamas County officials, but will be overseen by my two elections monitors, Brenda Bayes and Fred Neal who bring a combined 30 years of election experience.

“This is different information than was reported in the media yesterday.  Media reported that Clackamas County officials shared that all potentially altered ballots would not be counted.  This was inaccurate.”

Secretary Brown Statement on the Investigation of the Clackamas County Elections Office

Published on November 3, 2012 in Elections, Headlines, Press Releases and Secretary Brown. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Salem, Ore  – Secretary of State Kate Brown today issued the statement below following her request that the Oregon Department of Justice investigate allegations of ballot fraud at the Clackamas County Elections Office.

“We are taking the situation in Clackamas County very seriously.  It is extremely troubling that they have a county election employee accused of ballot fraud.

“Following the report of ballot fraud, I personally spoke with the Attorney General to emphasize the seriousness of the offense and my desire to see that this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“While it is Clackamas County’s job to run the elections, it is my responsibility to ensure the integrity, transparency and accountability of the election.  I have assigned an elections monitor to oversee ballot processing.  This includes a review of every one of the ballots the accused had access to.

“We will be keeping a close eye on the county in how it is conducting the election and commit to sharing information with the public as we are legally able to share it.”

Tell your friends every vote counts with this Oregon “i voted” sticker

Published on October 28, 2012 in Elections, general election, HAVA, Headlines, Social Media and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Because your vote is your voice and every voice matters…

Here in Oregon we vote by mail, but that doesn’t mean you can’t proudly wear an “i voted” sticker. Check out this custom digital sticker. It lasts longer than the one-use stickers of times past and won’t clash with your outfit, at least not if you use it as your social media profile photo.Post this "i voted" sticker as your social media profile photo!

Here is how it works. After you vote, post this free digital sticker as your profile photo on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your blog, and LinkedIn – wherever you spend time or have connections. Use this sticker to let people know you’ve voted. Poke friends and family and remind them to vote too!

Visit Every Vote Counts for complete instructions and to download the “i voted” sticker. And please spread the word!

Oregon is a leader in voter turnout and is consistently in the top 10 nationally. Our vote-by-mail system is unlike any other system in the nation. It is cost effective, secure and accessible to everyone from downtown Portland to the rural routes of Malheur County.

Remember, voters have until November 6 at 8 p.m. to get their ballots turned in. Ballots must arrive in the mail by 11/6, or else be deposited in a secure drop box. Locate a drop site near you.

Nearly 20,000 Oregonians registered to vote online yesterday

Published on October 17, 2012 in Elections, general election, Headlines and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

SALEM – As the October 16 deadline neared, Oregon’s online voter registration system experienced unusually high volume. More than 8,500 Oregonians used the system on Monday and nearly 20,000 on Tuesday’s deadline. The busiest time period was just hours before the deadline, Tuesday evening between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. when more than 2,000 Oregonians visited www.oregonvotes.gov to register.

“We live in an online world, that is precisely why we brought online voter registration to Oregon nearly 3 years ago” said Secretary of State Kate Brown. “County clerks praise the system because it saves time and money and most importantly, it makes it easier for eligible Oregonians to participate in the democratic process.”

Since online voter registration was implemented in March 2010, more than 240,000 Oregonians have used the online system. The site also offers many additional tools including the ability to update voter information, such as an address or change political affiliation. Oregonians can also find the nearest official drop box, track their ballot ensuring it is received by their county elections office and look at a personalized voter’s pamphlet.

While the deadline to register to vote has expired, Oregonians can still make address changes either online or with your county elections official up until the General Election on November 6, 2012.

Oregonians statewide receiving robocalls regarding their voter registration

Published on October 6, 2012 in Elections, Headlines and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2012

Salem – The Secretary of State’s office has learned that Oregonians statewide are receiving robocalls saying the voter registration of someone in their household may be inactive. These calls are not from county elections officials or the Secretary of State’s election division. County elections officials say in most cases, the registration of voters in the household are found to be up to date. Anyone with concerns can check or update their voter registration status online at www.oregonvotes.gov. The deadline to register to vote is October 16.

The Oregon Attorney General’s office also reports receiving complaints and is addressing the legality of whether robocalls are being made to those on the Do Not Call List.

For more information, contact

Andrea Cantu-Schomus
503-986-2368

Secretary Brown to announce legislation creating a new corporate entity for sustainable businesses

Published on September 28, 2012 in Headlines, Press Releases, Road Trips and Secretary Brown. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , .

SALEM – On Monday, October 1, Secretary of State Kate Brown will be at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland to discuss Benefit Company legislation, at the first annual Oregon Social Business Challenge sponsored by the Oregon University System.

“Together with a group of Oregon Business Leaders we have created legislation that gives Oregon businesses the freedom and legal protection to pursue more than just profit,” said Secretary Brown. “We hope to join the 11 other states that have already passed similar laws meeting the growing needs of entrepreneurs and investors who want to use their business as a tool to solve social and environmental problems.”

Secretary Brown will join more than 1,000 Oregonians at the sell-out event next Monday featuring Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leading thinker on micro-lending, in a bid to show average Oregonians that state higher education is making the world a better place.

Secretary Brown will be available to media after the opening ceremony.

When:              Monday, October 1st, at 12:00 PM

Where:             Oregon Convention Center

777 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Portland, OR 97232

Secretary of State Kate Brown Announces Measure Numbers for 2012 General Election

Published on July 31, 2012 in Ballot Initiatives, Elections, general election, Headlines, Secretary Brown and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

SALEM – Measure numbers have been assigned to the two legislative referrals from the 76th Legislative Assembly and the initiative petitions that have qualified for the November 6, 2012 General Election ballot. They are the following:

Measure #77 Amends Constitution: Governor may declare “catastrophic disaster” (defined); requires legislative session; authorizes suspending specified constitutional spending restrictions

Measure #78 Amends Constitution: Changes constitutional language describing governmental system of separation of powers; makes grammatical and spelling changes

Measure #79 Amends Constitution: Prohibits real estate transfer taxes, fees, other assessments, except those operative on December 31, 2009

Measure #80 Allows personal marijuana, hemp cultivation/use without license; commission to regulate commercial marijuana cultivation/sale

Measure #81 Prohibits commercial non-tribal fishing with gillnets in Oregon “inland waters,” allows use of seine nets

Measure #82 Amends Constitution: Authorizes Establishment of Privately-Owned Casinos; Mandates Percentage Of Revenues Payable To Dedicated State Fund

Measure #83 Authorizes Privately-Owned Wood Village Casino; Mandates Percentage Of Revenues Payable To Dedicated State Fund

Measure #84 Phases out existing inheritance taxes on large estates, and all taxes on intra-family property transfers

Measure #85 Amends Constitution: Allocates Corporate Income/Excise Tax “Kicker” Refund To Additionally Fund K Through 12 Public Education

For additional information, please visit our website at www.oregonvotes.gov or follow Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown on Twitter or Facebook.

For more information, please contact

Andrea Cantu-Schomus
Communications Director
Oregon Secretary of State
503-986-2368
503-507-0082

Oregon’s “one stop” business portal is up and running

Published on July 24, 2012 in Corporation, Headlines and Press Releases. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

We are so pleased to announce that Business Xpress, Oregon’s “one stop” business portal is now available at business.oregon.gov/ or oregon.gov/business. This project has been a very collaborative effort among nine state agencies, many Oregon business associations and dozens of Oregonians who provided invaluable feedback throughout the process. The end result is a usable and easy to understand website built specifically for business.

The goal of Business Xpress is to help entrepreneurs and business owners quickly find the information and services they need and complete tasks online without having to understand state agency jargon. Reducing red tape and the time it takes to get answers will ultimately serve Oregon business better than ever before. The business portal is one of many ways we are using technology to connect Oregonians with their government.

As we continue to introduce the website to the public we are careful to gather feedback. On Wednesday, July 25 at 10 am I will be visiting with a great, small business right in my neighborhood of southeast Portland. The Joinery, locally owned, custom handcrafted solid wood furniture shop and retail store is opening its doors to us and offering some expertise on what small businesses in Oregon need. The owner and the employees have established a business that is committed to quality jobs, environmentally sensitive materials and practices and community outreach. I want to thank everyone at The Joinery for having us and I look forward to getting your ideas on Business Xpress. Thanks to everyone that made this extraordinary tool possible.