Erv Portman for NC

06/21/2023

Word World Refugee Day Reception at our home , thanks to all who contributed and attending the event tonight. Together we talk and combined our efforts to help new families feel safe and welcomed. It was time well spent.

If you were unable to attend its not too late to be a part of the solution by contributing at the link below.

You're invited to join me and learn about the incredible refugee resettlement work happening in Wake County!  I am hosting this World Refugee Day Garden Party to raise awareness and provide refugees in our community with the digital assets they need to find self-sufficency.    ...

06/19/2023

Not to late to RSVP for World Refufee Day reception at our home in Cary Tuesday June 20th, 5:30, rain or shine. It will be time we’ll spent…

Rsvp your space at this link.

https://www.classy.org/event/portman-refugee-day-garden-party/e491940

06/17/2023

Tuesday June 20 5:30 in Cary

Reception for World Refugee day… we can become part of the solution…

If you have ever wondered … what’s the difference between an immigrant and a refugee… watch these two shows streaming now.

The Swimmer’s on Netflix’s tells the story of two sisters who risked everything to find saftey in Europe when thier homeland Syria was no longer safe.

One Small Light, by National Geographic, reminds us of the need to never forget… how 80 years ago life in Amsterdam changed for Anne Frank and her family… we all know that story… this show reveals the defining choices everyone made at the time. To either conform and help the N**i occupiers, or risk everything to resist and protect life. It’s the story of those choices, we need to remember.

Both shows underscore refugees don’t leave unless they have to leave. Both shows help us understand why America and Americans have always welcomed refugees from across the globe… since our earliest days.

Next Tuesday June 20 is World Refugee Day.

Susan Portman and I invite you to a reception at our home to discuss how we can help refugees find saftey and a welcome here in our community.

There are many ways to help, money is only one way, but so many ways we can use a bit of our time to become part of the solution.

I hope you will set aside a hour or two to join us Tuesday at 5:30 - 101 Fern Bluff Way in Cary.

Enjoy a glass of wine or lemonade, see old friends and make some new. It will be time we’ll spent.

Rsvp in the link below so we know your coming. No cost to attend.

https://www.classy.org/event/portman-refugee-day-garden-party/e491940

06/12/2023

Next Tuesday June 20th is World Refugee Day.

It’s a big issue that sometimes feels too big to address, yet we can become part of the solution.

Join us at our home in Cary for wine and conversation about the issue with a focus on how we can become a part of the solution right here in Wake County.

https://www.classy.org/event/portman-refugee-day-garden-party/e491940

03/04/2022

Germany welcomes war refugees with arms and homes and hearts wide open! In a perfect example of a return to fundamental principals individual Germans welcome individual Ukrainian fleeing war and seeking safety.

Can you imagine any more beautiful way to live one’s principles, one’s faith than this. Leadership can unite and bring out the best in us, or cause us to be fearful and bring out the worst.

In the midst of brutal aggression by Russia to The people of Ukraine it is poetic that Germans show us their best.

Amen to this living prayer.

As Ukrainians fleeing war pour into Berlin, they find families waiting to offer them shelter.

02/24/2022

Update on the Election. - Yesterday the Courts approved NC House and NC Senate maps for the Statehouse, and today the Board of Elections notified me they have cancelled my candidacy as I am no longer eligible to run, as I don't live in the new District 21.

But as the saying goes when one door closes another opens,

I do live in another Open seat for the US House of Representatives District 13. This is a tossup seat with has elected other Democrats and Republicans in recent elections.
This is very unusual to have the opportunity to run for Congress in a open competitive seat. Susan and I are considering the race carefully, prayerfully. It is a costly undertaking to run for Congress and the ability to raise funds quickly would be key to my decision.
I so appreciate the support from so many as I consider this decision. Filing closes next week so I must decide in the coming days.
What would you do?
I welcome your thoughts and advice.

02/23/2022

Why was the 1965 Civil rights bill passed,
why the voting rights act,
why the fair housing act?

Our constitution has an often overlooked clause calling for a frequent return to fundamental principals, a fancy way of saying don’t forget why we did things and don’t forget what’s important.

When enough time has passed it’s easy to forget why we did what we did , polio and vaccines, discrimination and laws to prevent it…

In todays 20 second social media culture it’s easy to forget. But if you have 30 minutes of quiet time I think you will be touched and inspired to hear President Johnsons last speech, it’s powerful, eloquent and touching, and it reflects the answers to the whys?

I hope you will see 50 years after the period, much has been accomplished, his words remind us the work is not finished.

02/22/2022

Tonight’s Spectrum News story on the DEQ permit denial of the RDU Quarry, protecting the park from the significant adverse effects of the quarry expansion .

https://fb.watch/bjXjJh_feu/

02/17/2022

Great NEWS!

DEQ Denied The RDU QUARRY EXPANSION PERMIT!

I have worked for years, with many others to be sure William B Umstead State Park is protected from the impacts of this expansion of this Crushed Rock Quarry next to the park for years!!! I cant describe how excited I am knowing DEQ denied the permit and we may have saved over 105 Acres of Forest land forever...

The DEQ announcement can be found here with a link to the denial letter.

https://deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2022/02/17/state-issues-denial-wake-stone-quarry-modification

I expect the Quarry will appeal but the conditions for denial are strong, but expect this to stay in the news. If they do appeal. they must sue the State, and now the State of North Carolina stands with those of us who sought to protect the park. That's a strong place to be.

There are still unanswered questions regarding “Shenanigians” in 2018 with the gutting of the 50 Year Sunset clause, and the buffers, that DEQ did not address in this announcement. Stay tuned for more news.