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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (July 14, 1977)
Lane plan re-divides boundaries Archie Weinstein Bob Wood Jerry Rust By GREG HOWARD Of the Emerald The Board of Commissioners has adopted a boundaries plan which divides Lane County into five districts, each to be represented on an expanded board begin ning in January, 1979. Three new commissioners will be elected next year from Springfield, East Lane and West Lane districts. One present seat will be vacated by Commissioner Bob Wood who plans to run for governor when his term ends in 1978. Commissioners Archie Weinstein and Jerry Rust will represent the North (which includes the University) and South Eugene districts, respectively. Rust, recalling that he was elected to an at-large position, said he plans to serve in that capacity until his term expires in 1980. “I don't know if I wish to run for a single district position. I am representing the peo ple in South Eugene now as I represent everybody in the county," he said. Although adoption of the boundaries plan was unanimous, Rust said he basically dis agrees with that division. “Problems such as land-use planning and solid-waste dis posal are affecting the whole county." The commissioner explained that divid ing the county into districts may create addi tional barriers to the solution of those prob lems. “If we start thinking in terms of parochial representation — with each dis trict fighting against the other — then the county is in trouble.” Rust expressed hope that the Board will adopt a plan (similar to that used in Spring field city council elections) which will make commissioners accountable to the entire county electorate rather than the voters in a single district. Under such a plan, voters would choose two candidates from their dis tnct by plurality during the primary election Then, in the general election, voters throughout the county would select one of the two candidates in each of the five dis tricts. As adopted by the Board, Eugene is di vided into two districts with 18th Avenue serving as the Mason-Dixon line. The North District extends to several precincts in the River Road and Santa Clara area. While the Board was deliberating the proposed boundary plan, a group of citi zens representing this area tried unsuc cessfully to convince the commissioners to adopt an alternative proposal establishing a Northeast Lane District. These proponents sought to merge their district with several other outlying areas and break away from the city. However, the commissioners abided by the plan developed and presented by a special county committee. Rust commented that the ballot measure (passed last November) expanding the Board to five members was heavily favored throughout the rural areas. He said many voters saw a chance to have their special interests voiced with additional commis sioners. Rust added that because each distnct contains at least a part of the Eugene Springfield urban area — with 80 per cent of the county population — city voters may still elect all of the commissioners. The South Eugene District, where Rust currently lives, contains the rest of Eugene south of 18th Avenue. Springfield s district includes all of that city and branches out into parts of Eugene in the Coburg Road area The West Lane District consists of the area from the northern fringes of Eugene and Santa Clara to the coast. East Lane picks up the rest of the county including Glenwood, Creswell and Cottage Grove Local ‘Town Hall’ meetings to discuss welfare reform By LAURENCE MAGDER Of the Emerald Tonight, citizens of Oregon will have a unique opportunity to ex press their political opinions. In 33 communities throughout Oregon, and in five different locations in Eugene, “Town Hall" meetings will be held to inspire public dis cussion and solicit public opinion concerning welfare reform. A special PBS television prog ram will be shown at each meet ing. This will be followed by one and-one half to two hours of r well-moderated discussion. Then, participants will have a chance to express themselves in writing on a prepared survey form. The results of the survey will be sent to the Oregon Legislature and Governor; the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health, Edu cation, and Welfare; Congress; and the President of the United States. Thet.v. program, which starts at 7 p.m. records the highlights of a conference held in April in Port land entitled “Wages, Welfare, or What?” At that conference, four basic issues were deliniated. These will serve as the focal points of discussion at the ‘Town Hall” meetings. These are: • Entitlement to Economic Security: Should entitlement be considered a Right or a Privilege? • Eligibility for Economic Sec urity: Should eligibility be open to all citizens as in universal ap proaches or only to the poor as in selective approaches? 1 MEXICAN FOOD FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW MEXICAN FOOD Let’s face it. Most folks are either big on Burritos, tickled over Tacos or excited about Enchiladas. At El Comedor, we think variety is the spice of life. You get to choose from a big selection of tasty Mexican dishes! Chili Rellenos. Quesadillas. Tamales. Tostados. Guacamole. Tacos, Burritos and Enchiladas, too, because we know you love 'em. Mexican food at its best. Combination dinners at prices that make eating out affordable again. EL COMEDOR MEXICAN RESTAURANT on Oakway Road just behind the Oakway Mall. Eugene. Phone 343-1788. Open Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays noon to 8 p.m. Combination Plates from $1.35. Mexican Beer. Bud. Michelob. • Responsibility for Economic Security: Should the responsibility rest with the public sector or the private sector of society? • Form of Economic Security: Should benefits and services take the form of Employment or In come Maintenance? A fifth issue has been added for the “Town Hall meetings: Adequacy: How much income security is enough? Each issue will be discussed for approximately 20 minutes follow ing the show and each issue will be a subject of the survey. The meetings are being spon sored by 23 diverse organizations under the leadership of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of Univer sity Women Peg Emery, president of the American Association of Univer sity Women, believes that the meetings have value as educa tional tools and as public input into governmental decision. ‘‘For once, public opinion will be ex pressed while a new program is being drawn up, rather than after it is enacted she said The meetings will start at 6:30 p m at the following locations in the Eugene area: Edison Community School, 1328 E 22nd, Eugene, Laurel Hill Community School, 2621 Augusta. Eugene, Patterson Community School, 1510 W. 15th, Eugene, Springfield School Administration, 525 Mill, Springfield, City Council Chambers, Eugene City Hall, 777 Pearl, Eugene Child care will be provided Transportation can be arranged by Mike Shelly of Family Shelter House (686-2654 or 484-1570) For further information call 343-8059, 345-1493, or 686-9250 the. If, HsurLofc for* Men ami tybtmm '// /{ ' ; /T ' ✓ '■ * \\ '• - Keep a cool head this summer! Let the Hair Loft give you an easy-to-care-for, breezy „ summer cut. ..nj _ 3 locations - relaxing atmosphere WLwalk in or call:v^v 606-14 % 465-1202 464-Z&3 2033 Willamette l£50 Alder* 1461 E. 19* X'iuuoH hom the {'Atrcb'j from (next d'wr ft? Hie Miamfcitefla/a) £acn&4 Heart; <5iant -Grinder)
