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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1981)
Dump financing debated By LESLIE FARRIS Of the Emerald When it comes to financing garbage dumps, a user-fee sys tem is better than a tax-supported system, Lane County Commissioners agreed Wednesday. However, the board could not agree on whether the commis sioners or the public should decide how to finance the county’s solid-waste program. So after a two-hour public hear ing — and the testimony of 17 people in favor of user fees — the commissioners voted 3-2 to continue the discussion March 24. The public forum was called partly to review the user-fee system, which was instituted last July 1 after voters refused to continue property-tax support for the solid-waste program. The fees generated so much public protest that the commis sioners announced last fall they would schedule a vote in 1981. Commissioner Otto t’Hooft voted to postpone a decision even though he favors user fees because “a lot of people are under the impression we re go ing to have a vote on this issue. and that’s why they’re not here tonight. I think the public ought to be given a chance to vote, at least so they don’t see the county renege on a promise.’’ But commissioners Jerry Rust and Scott Lieuallen voted against postponing a decision because they feel the commis sion shouldn’t put a measure on the ballot it doesn’t support. They reminded the board of its “no new taxes" policy and ar gued that the fee system has gained wide support since its inception. “The situation has changed substantially since last fall,” Lieuallen said. “The fiscal posi tion of Lane County is demon strably worse. The fee system apparently has gained a lot of credibility — it’s cheaper, smarter and more efficient over the long run. “I think it’s important we not be sticking things on the ballot every time something comes up.” Commissioner Harold Ruth erford said he too supports user fees but observed that most of those who testified were either ‘‘professional’’ recyclers or commercial garbage haulers who make more money under a IFC gives drug center $4,000 emergency aid Despite some doubts, the In cidental Fee Committee granted an emergency increase of $4,000 to the Drug Information Center’s 1980-81 budget Wed nesday night The increase raised the DIC’s budget to $17,903. Center director Mark Miller said the IFC is providing only 25 percent of the DIC’s funding, but the center provides 40 per cent of its services to University students. However, some committee members voiced concerns that the IFC already gives too much to the center. ‘‘I don’t see the end of his budget requests,” committee member Richard Sontag said. Sontag is concerned that the IFC will be asked to pay more of the center’s bill as its sources of funding "dry up” in the future. After the heated discussion, Miller said, “They're tired of seeing us. This goes against the grain of everything they’re try ing to do." The IFC earlier approved a $5,000 increase for the DIC. The IFC also cut next year’s IFC’s budget by $4,000. However, concerned about the committee’s workload, the committee authorized the hiring of four administrative assistants to aid members while they review program budgets. Next year's IFC chairer’s stipend was increased to $1,512. Committee chairer Jon Neiderbach, who will leave of t. — fice after spring term, said the increase would make the chairer’s stipend commensur ate with the ASUO vice pres idents' stipends. In other business, the IFC granted the Chinese Student Association approximately $4,000 to the Drug Information ization provides orientation ac tivities and sponsors a statewide conference for Chin ese students. For the general student body, the group spon sors a Chinese New Year ban quet and a Chinese Cultural Week. The University Food Op received a $995 loan to pur chase an electronic digital read-out scale. The loan will be paid back over a 30-month per iod beginning in October. The inaccuracy of the scale cur rently used by the Food Op is the major reason the program’s operation costs exceed its receipts, program director Ken Packman said. Do you have trouble finding clothes that “REALLY FIT”? I can help with custom fitting, altering and sewing Melissa 683-2303 after 5:30 Dollar Rent-A-Car Systems Weekend Special! No need to stay at home when you don't have a car. With these special low rates you can afford to enjoy the weekend! We feature Fords and other fine cars. $14M per day weekends Free mileage in Oregon Savings is the key! 211 W. 6th, Eugene user-fee system. “If you want to know the true feeling of the fee system, go to the dumps and ask people,'.’ Rutherford said "I haven’t heard one of my constituents say ‘hey, I really appreciate this fee system.’ ” Those testifying argued that a user-fee system is more equita ble than a tax-supported system because it forces people to pay for their own waste. Nancy Quinn of Cottage Grove said people should pay for what they waste. “Up to 75 percent of that so called garbage isn’t garbage at all,” she said. “The user fee encourages recycling. It's time people realized we can no longer afford not to recycle.” Ken Sandusky, director of BRING recycling, said his or ganization has had a 43 percent increase in recyclables — large ly because of the user fees. He said that equals 1,080 tons of recyclables, which saves about 5 million gallons of gasoline. Bob Fenstermacher, general manager of Sani-Pac Oregon, Ltd. and chairman of the coun ty’s Resource Recovery Advi sory Committee, said his com mittee strongly recommends continuation of user fees. “It gives the public realization of the actual cost of disposal, it increases recycling, it promotes fuel conservation and it reduces garbage," Fenstermacher said He also recommended clos ing six of the county’s rural transfer sites, which would save the county approximately $100,000 annually. But t’Hooft said he fears that reducing transfer sites may en courage illegal dumping “I feel like I’m the dumping ground for Lane County, and I think a lot of other rural folks feel the same way." Roger Emmons, executive director of the Oregon Sanitary Service Institute, said illegal dumping is a problem in all counties, regardless of the number of dumps. r The Birkenstock Bargain. If you have been waiting to experience the ultimate comfort of the Birkenstock Footbed, or even if you already wear this tremendous product, now is your oppor tunity to get in on the unusually good bar gains at the Birkenstock Store in The Atri um. We have only one sale each year and this one ends Saturday, March 14—so don't miss out on these Birkenstock bargains! First, our most popular Birkenstock, the soft suede desert sand Arizona, is on sale at a very special price. Second, when you purchase a leather non-sale Birkenstock or Arizona you may choose a free pair of socks from our large selection of natural fiber blends. Third, many items on sale throughout the store, unavoidably good deals, plus free reflexology charts. Fourth, a drawing for footsie rollers, Birkenstock Noppy Foot Massagers, and a personalized foot massage by noted reflex ologist Helen Tolson. Fifth, reconditioning at a bargain price. An excellent opportunity to refurbish your Birkenstocks at incredible savings! The Birkenstock Bargain has two very comfortable features . . . you save money—and make your feet happy at the same time! Sale Ends March 14. Birkenstock 2nd Floor Atrium Mon.-Sat. 11-6 10th & Olive 687-0065 Planned bike path stirs controversy By RICHARD WAGONER Of the Emerald A controversial proposed bike path connecting Spyglass Drive and Greenview Street has drawn public criticism from local residents fearing increased bike and pedestrian traffic. To help sort out the complaints, the Eugene City Council decided Wednesday to hold a public hearing on the project at its April 27 meeting. The proposed 10-foot wide path would cross a 180-foot lot between the two streets. Until last summer, bicyclists and pedestrians could cross the then-vacant lot between the two streets, but a house was built on the lot several months ago — blocking the access. The path was added to the Eugene Bicycle Master Plan during the 1979 review, but money budgeted for its con struction this year was cut because of lack of funds. City officials told the council that two private citizens offered to donate $20,000 to help purchase the right of way and build the path — a project estimated at $37,500 The remaining costs would be included in the 1981-82 bicycle committee budget request. The council has received two petitions on the project — one containing 36 signatures and the $20,000 commitment supporting construction and another containing 452 signa tures condemning the connector. Some council members were concerned that a public hearing held before the city committed itself to the project would cause even more undue controversy. "If the project isn’t going to be funded then we don’t have a controversy,” said Councilor Brian Obie. ‘‘The logical place to determine (if the path will be built) is in the bikeways plan and that would be at the planning commission ” Obie recommended either delaying the decision until officials begin next year’s budget process or referring the matter to the planning commission. But City Manager Mike Gleason told the council that if it delayed the decision further, the $20,000 donation could be lost. In other business, the council agreed to discontinue downtown bus shuttle service at the end of March. The Downtown Development Board operates the shuttle service to help ease parking problems in the downtown area. The board earlier had said it would discontinue the service if daily ridership dropped below 100. Ridership for February averaged only 85. Gleason told the board that the shuttle brought in only $784 last month, while Dorsey Transportation charged $4,100 for the service. A new park-and-ride program implemented last month will provide a similar service for some riders using the shuttle, Gleason said. The program has designated 20 church parking lots around the city as park-and-ride lots where drivers can leave their cars and either carpool or catch a bus downtown 1
