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41 °F 5 Day Forecast Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2003 Moran recalls drive to lower drinking age By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune In the three decades since Mike Moran spearheaded efforts to lower Oregon’s drinking age to 18 from 21, the father of two, police lieutenant and school board member has revamped his opinion on teen drinking. However, he’s still a strong supporter of being politically active. "That was my first political adventure," Moran said of the statewide initiative drive he kicked off in November 1973 to drop the state’s drinking age. Then a sophomore at Southern Oregon College, he and a couple of high school buddies, all 19, formed a group to take the issue to voters on the November 1974 general election ballot. The 26th Amendment had extended the right to vote to 18 year olds in 1971 and the 1973 Oregon Legislature had lowered the age of majority to 18 in all cases except alcohol use. Other western states, including Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Arizona, allowed 18 year olds to drink. Advertisement "Eighteen year olds could vote, pay taxes and be sent to Vietnam, but they couldn’t buy a legal drink in the state of Oregon," he said. The movement garnered "very limited support," and never got on the ballot, Moran said. It did earn Moran his first piece of hate mail, an angry letter from a woman in Pendleton who did not approve of his idea. He wouldn’t support a lower drinking age now either. "To paraphrase the Judy Collins’ song, you could say I’ve looked at liquor from both sides now," he quipped. "I’m proof that views do change." Still, Moran said he came away from the campaign with a growing interest in the political process and lessons that continue to serve him well — get involved and don’t give up. Moran recalls that his interest in the political arena was first piqued when he was just 6 and his grandpa in Butte, Mont., ran for county constable. Later, John and Bobby Kennedy were his role models and he still devours books about them. The drinking-age initiative really "put the civics lessons to the test" he said. "I came away thinking that was really neat." A few years later at age 21, he ran unsuccessfully for Medford City Council. In 1977, when he was 22, he served on the Rogue Valley Transportation District board and he was elected again in 1985 and served for two years. This year he was re-elected to the Medford school board for a second term. From his first foray in 1973 to his current position on the school board, some things — and not just the hate mail — remain the same. "If you are willing to step up and serve, you will be busier than you thought," he said. "There are a lot of sacrifices that go with politics. It’s not about ego; it’s about a lot of thankless hours." "I still encourage kids to work through the system when they have an idea or want to see a change," he said. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times