Mayor Les Anderson rides his bicycle to work daily.
Photo by Phil Waldstein
Mayor,
city
manager
head
Eugene
Les Anderson is an easy person to talk to. He greets you with a
wide smile and a firm handshake, inspiring confidence with a friendly
welcome.
Anderson is in his fifth year as Eugene’s mayor and he is en
thusiastic about his rede in city government and about the community
he lives in.
“I’m confident we’re by far the most progressive city in the state
— in so far as realizing what our urban problems are and attempting
to meet those problems.
“Eugene is a meld of good things: it has a good environment and a
good economy. We have been able to combine industry, commerce and
environmental education in a pretty good balance.”
In the corner of Anderson’s office at Random Lengths
Publications where he is president, stands a mode of transportation
familiar to most students — a ten-speed bicycle. Anderson, who has
been referred to as Eugene’s bike-riding mayor, laughingly refuses to
be a symbol of inspiration. “I ride a bike because I enjoy it,” he said,
“I’m a follower rather than a leader — the University has led the
community in inspiring interest in bicycling and jogging.”
Eugene has a weak mayor system as opposed to a “strong mayor
system.” A strong mayor is elected as an administrator, whereas in
Eugene the role of administrator is filled by a professional city
manager.
Anderson is sold on the system.
He thinks that it is important for people to understand the role of
the mayor. “Some people think I am a ‘boss’ meaning that I have a
free rein to do what I want. I represent the executive branch of
government. My legislative powers are limited. As the presiding of
ficer of the council my job is to keep things moving, to provide
diversity in reaching answers to city problems.
“I have no vote except in case of a tie, although I do have the
power of veto,” explained Anderson, “I take it to be my duty to explain
and articulate the problems of the city and to open up issues that face
the city and at the same time inject my own beliefs.
“The mayor also has an external role...he represents the city of
Eugene to other units of government and to other entities outside the
city — the governor, the state legislature, L-COG, and the League of
Oregon Cities.
“The charter is not too specific as to the role of mayor...I preside
at council meetings as the ‘official representative’ of the city, I ap
point boards and commissions — beyond that it is pretty much an
individual interpretation of the role.”
Anderson defines his role as “an advisor, a mediator, and an
articulator.”
“To put all the nuts and bolts together in regards to city govern
ment, you get an educated, skilled professional — he knows how to
develop a tax program, how to run a public works program ef
ficiently, he’s been trained to do these things.
‘ ‘From an administrative viewpoint it’s especially good and it is
also good from a political viewpoint,” said Anderson. “There is a
definite point at which a councilman or mayor will not go any fur
ther... his role is a political policy role.
“I think also you get a more neutral viewpoint in terms of
problems and issues that face the city. A professional is inclined to
look at the urban situation more objectively than a political person —
who may see his own interests being affected.”
Anderson views the Univarsity as an integral part of the Eugene
community. He worked for the University for 10 years in the alumni
office and as assistant to the president.
“When the University was founded it brought out people of the
‘Greek scholar type’. They plunged into developing the University and
they had a great influence on the entire community — as they were
very active in civic enterprises. This set the foundation for a tie bet
ween the two that many cities don’t have. It goes back historically.
“The contributions from the University in city government by
University people has been tremendous. They have a great influence
on the community in many other ways.
“The university has opened up unique opportunities in cultural
and recreational pursuits,” asserted Anderson.
“The University and the community have grown together,” ex
plained Anderson, “unlike Corvallis, for example, the University is
not the dominant force in the community. This is an advantage for
both groups.
“I think it’s greatest influence is its innovative aspects,” said
Anderson. It’s there to develop new ideas and these ideas extend into
the community.
“We get accused lots of times of bong unresponsive,” said An
derson, “usually because we don’t respond in the way a certain group
wants us to respond.
“We make a real attempt to serve as an open public forum for all
segments of the community. We have a lot of diverse factions here and
opposing viewpoints — this is healthy, not wrong.
“Although we don’t always come up with the right answer all the
time, we utilize all the techniques at our disposal to find it.”
Kathleen Glanville
Hugh McKinley, with over 20 years experience in the management
of cities, is Eugene’s “professional administrator.” He has held this
position for the last 13 years and is a seasoned veteran, experienced in
the workings of Eugene’s city government.
“I am the chief executive responsible for the operation of and the
providing of services,” explains McKinley, “I’m employed by the
council and given the responsibility of carrying out their decisions.”
Eugene’s city-manager form of government places complete
power of administration in the hands of the city manager.
“My job is to apply the resources,” said McKinley. “Although I
am active in policy forming, I am not a voting member of the council.
They decide what is to be done, the level of service, the priorities, and
the amount of money to be spent.”
McKinley is also budget officer for the city. He is responsible for
city funds, collection and expenditures and both the safekeeping and
accounting thereof. He is the man who does the hiring and firing of the
administrative staff.
“All the operating heads report to me. I prepare the council’s
agenda and reports. I gather data — and provide them with alter
natives and recommendations.”
McKinley views the University as a vital force in the community
as well as a potential resource.
“There’s a lot of interaction between city government and the
University...I’m afraid we don’t take advantage of it like we should.
“We’ve tried to get good representative spokesmen from ASUO
organizations to speak on student concerns — they appoint people to
this representative-liaison responsibility but they often get so wrapped
up in academics and other activities that their interest wanes.”
“We are open and receptive to that type of participation, if the
student organization is willing to maintain it, ” said McKinley.
“Occasionally we will get an ASUO president who is a live wire —
then there is a flurry of interest in city government, but it doesn’t last
too long.”
Greg Leo, newly elected ASUO president, said that his ad
ministration is “very interested in this sort of relationship with the
city government.”
“Right now we have a job description in the planning stages which
would provide for an ‘ASUO-City liaison’,” said Leo. “This person
would be the official ASUO spokesman at City Council meetings.”
McKinley also recognizes the value of the University in terms of
individuals. In many ways the city government in Eugene serves as an
unofficial classroom — providing a learning experience for students
interested in fields related to local government. Working closely with
the University, McKinley has co-operated with career guidance,
CSPA, political science, journalism, urban planning, and the law
school.
“We use interns from the CSPA school considerably,” said
McKinley. “We did have a work study program at one time, but the
funding is not assured this year.”
“Urban planning and the Parks and Recreation Department use
many people. We are kind of a training ground, which is as much for
our benefit as theirs — many people come out of school and work for us
a while before moving on. It is a great asset for us,” asserted
McKinley.
The city also encourages its employees to continue their
education.
“We have a lot of employees who are taking University courses.”
said McKinley. “We provide academic assistance to employees if they
are taking courses related to their job.”
Kathleen Glanville
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