Oregon daily emerald., November 16, 1973, Page 7, Image 7

Law professor tells how to avoid an Oregon Watergate
By KARMA ADKINS
Of the Emerald
Hans Linde, professor of law at
the University, was the guest
speaker at a banquet held
Thursday evening, as members
of the Eugene-Springfield Metro
Civic Club met to honor Betty
Nivin. retiring member of the
Eugene Planning Commission.
Nivin was active on the
Commission for 14 years prior to
her retirement. She is presently
active on the Eugene Joint
Housing Committee. Several
members of the Metro Club spoke
on her behalf, among them
Mayor Les Anderson who said, “I
think of Betty not only as a leader
but as a counselor.”
* Linde’s topic was the govern
mental conflict of interests. He
feels that the problem of conflict
of interests can best be taken
care of by paying governmental
officials who are presently
donating their services. This
policy would also include total
financial disclosure, thereby
avoiding the appointment of
officials who have financial
conflicts of interest.
For the proper appointment of
New removal fill permits
proposed for waterways
By SCOTT SPITTAL
Of the Emerald
SALEM (SPECIAL)—It’s quite a simple change in the laws
concerning removal and fill permits. Nothing complicated.
But the net effect of making waterway fill and removal contingent
on having a water use permit may make the guarding of public in
terest by self-appointed watchdogs like OSPIRG a little easier.
University student Bob Stacy, a former OSPIRG intern, testified
here Thursday before a public hearing of the Division of State Lands
on proposed regulations to govern the granting of removal and fill
permits on waterways.
Stacy contended that present regulation was insufficient. He
backed a new set of regulations partially inspired by OSPIRG
proposals.
At present, a developer is not required to cite purpose in ap
plication for waterway removal and fill projects permits. The state
itself must investigate to determine if the project is harmful.
Stacy feels that the proposed regulations are almost certain to be
adopted. The regulations would:
—make developers responsible for proving to the state that their
fill or removal is related to a water activity (“They won’t be able to fill
in salt marshes for parking lots any more,” Stacy said.)
—bring salt marshes under the protection of the state’s permit
powers (previously the state had no jurisdiction over permits for the
marshes.)
—make more information on developer’s intentions easily
available to the general public and watchdog organizations such as
OSPIRG.
—give OSPIRG and other concerned citizens groups a “more
regulated" procedure and help guarantee against permit slip-ups if a
project might cause environmental harm. -
“It’s a system instead of an informal process subject to abuse,”
Stacy said. “The chief effect is people with bad cases aren’t going to
get their permits.”
“The developer under these proposed regulations would have to
demonstrate that he has a water related activity, and has to make a
statement justifying the activity on the basis of public rights.”
The emphasis for protecting public rights are intended to
minimize any infringement of public fishing, hunting and recreational
use of the waterways.
“It used to be up to the division of state land to press these cases,”
Stacy said. “Frankly, we want to keep an eye on them.”
TEA AND
OREGON DAILY
EMERALD
VWA'mV.V.'.V.VAVi'. ’«
governmental positions, Linde
proposed that one unbiased,
unaffected official be made
responsible for appointments.
This one official would in
vestigate conflicts of interests in
each candidate, and avoid
placing the individual in a
position which might tempt
corruption or dishonesty.
Linde feels that a code of ethics
needs to be made and followed to
effectively avoid governmental
conflict of interests. He said, “We
cannot deal with these problems
intelligently unless we pick them
out individually.”
Oregon’s governmental
problems are small compared to
other states’ said Linde. His
proposal is more of a preventive
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measure rather than a solution to
a problem.
“Conflicts of interest law
should reach all officials,” said
Linde. If dishonesty takes place
within the government and one
official is caught he said, not only
should he be punished but any
others wno profitted from the act
equally reprimanded.
Professional boards are needed
to determine the decision making
for various agencies, according
to Linde. Each board would be
headed by a paid, unbiased,
professional in the field. The
other members would act as
consultants to the professional.
However, the licensing authority
would rest entirely on the
professional.
Gov. Tom McCall vetoed HB
2529, which tried to control
conflict of interests in Oregon.
Linde stated McCall’s main
reason resulted from many
people saying they would not
serve unpaid on boards if all of
the proposed disclosure took
place. Linde responded,
“...financial disclosure is a
means to the end and not the end
itself.’’
Another element of corruption
which falls under the conflict of
interests category is campaign
gifts. “Political contributions
turn out to be the big swamp,”
according to Linde. He further
asserted that accepting these
gifts is the worst evil in financial
aspects of government.
Box Office now open
The Andersonville Trial
by Sam Levitt
VERY LITTLE THEATER
November 14-17; 20-24
Curtain time 8:15 p.m.
Adults 2.00 15 & under 1.50
2350 Hilyard 344-7751
Box Office open daily, 2 to 5 p.m., except Sunday
m Un/€RSITV RLM SoCKTY
presents
THE CHAPLIN REVUE
a selection of three previously unavailable shorts
The Pilgrim Shoulder Arms
LA Dog’s Life
written, directed and scored by Charles Chaplin
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Friday, November 16 ONLY
7 & 9:30 p.m. 150 Science
General $1.25, Students $1, Children 50c