Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 1987)
Inside: •Save Olum, Page 2 •Jack Anderson, Page 6 • Pete Nelson, Page 8 —^.Oregon Dailyw _ Emerald Friday. November 13, 1987 Eugene. Oregon Volume 89. Number 52 Agate parking study group gives findings to committee By Paula Green Emerald Reporter Project staff members of the 19th and Agate Special Area Study presented a compilation of their findings to the city's Citizen Involvement Committee on Thursday for approval. According to Pat Decker, pro ject staff member, the study earned an audience with the C1C because of the "approach we've used in terms of citizen involvement” with the Univer sity’s Community Workshop, which drafted the proposal. “In a response to a complaint by businesses in the area, the workshop group came up with the south lot of the Condon School site (for conversion into a parking lot for nearby businesses)," Decker said. The proposed parking lot conversion of the playground located on the south side of Condon School is an issue that has upset residents in the area Other issues include the lack of representation in developing the study, and the traffic pro blem which would result from the one-way conversion of the alley between 17th and 19th Avenues. C1C member Ken Tollenaar appeared to sympathize with the views expressed by the residents in the neighborhood, by asking whether the neighborhood shouldn't play a larger role in developing the study. “This is both a community issue and a technical and economic issue, so I don't think it's appropriate to turn it over to just the neighborhood," Decker responded. Another project staff member, Teresa Bishow, stressed that citizens have been and will be provided oppor tunities to be involved in various stages of the project. A public information meeting involving presentation of the proposal by its proponents and residents in the area was held last Thursday at the Condon School. Project staff members have compiled concerns presented at that meeting for another community-wide meeting on Nov. 21. "On the 21st, we ll begin with a general introduction and discussion. Then we'll discuss the problems associated with the study and rank them and compile them," Bishow said, adding, "we need to narrow alternatives and define problems " Bishow also noted that she would like the study to garner a more positive view with the community. "On Nov. 21. we are going to ask, What would you like to see?' or ‘What would you like it to become?' — more positive questions to center around," Turn to Parking, Page 4 Photo kv Hobbir In Slate System of Wither Education Chancellor William "Hud" Davis is confronted by students and the media Thursday durin/t a rally to support President Paul Olum. Students rally to keep Olum By Kathy Proffit Emerald Contributor Carrying signs reading. "Dump Hud not Paul," and wearing yellow buttons that said. "Hell No. Paul won't go," more than 150 students rallied Thursday afternoon against the early retirement of University President Paul Olum. Student representative ttrvan Moore opened the rally by stating that those students who came out m support demonstrated a unity in con fronting this serious crisis, which occurred because of a "behind-the-door” decision. Representatives from Univer sity, state and community organizations wore also pre sent to express their full fledged support of Olum. Lane County Commissioner Jerry Kust said the University is the county's largest Turn to Rally, Page 3 Tree-house builder still living it up in Eugene By Stephen Maher Emerald Associate Editor Tom Dumas first came to the public's attention In 1983 when Eiugene police dismantled his elaborate tree house in Washburne Park Police were said to be amazed at the quality of the tree house's construction. And small wonder They needed bolt cutters to enter the padlocked structure and a chainsaw to tear it down. In subsequent years. Dumas continued to live in non-traditiona! settings. Short ly after his eviction from the park, he took over an abandoned garage and went to work, repairing the door and leaky roof and making the place habitable. He called the garage home for two years un til an eviction notice sent him on his way. Next came the Willamette River green way and its well-secluded areas Using discarded materials. Dumas constructed a hut and lived in it for more than a year. But University officials eventually came calling and asked him to move on. He did, but only a short distance: an A frame tent soon was home All the while, newspaper accounts chronicled Dumas’ exploits, and he became a folk hero to some, a curiosity to others. Today, Dumas still lives in the area and has relocated once again. But this time the locale of his ingenious work comes with the owner's permission. Photo bv Stephen Maher Tom Dumas' true house in West Eugene offers him a view of Spencer Hutte. The shelter was constructed with wood the property owner bought from local mills. Located in west Eugene. Dumas’ cur rent home is 20 feet off the ground and wedged between two evergreens. It has four inches of insulation in the roof, a sliding door for a front entrance and a large picture window that looks out at Spencer Butte. The entire structure took him two weeks to build. Dumas said During a recent early-morning visit to the tree house, a reporter found Dumas neatly organizing his living quarters. A green sleeping bag took up most of the cozy house, but on one side were plastic containers full of pencils and pens and a wall that held a pinned yellow flower, rulers and a variety of lists. On the wall opposite the front door, a telephone hung attached as well as a digital clock. When someone calls, the telephone rings in I>oth Dumas' tree house and the property owner's residence. If the phone call is for Dumas, the property owner pulls a cord from inside the residence. The cord tugs on a metal bar which then rubs against a spring outside the tree house. The resulting squeak vibrates in side the house, alerting Dumas the call is for him. Other anemities include an electric heater and a television set on loan from a friend. In early September. Dumas posted handbills around the city alerting readers that "Eugene’s locally famous, greenway tree house builder, Tom Dumas, is looking to build a winter home before the wet and cold arrives this winter. I will build on the location you legally provide for me. in exchange for the use of the structure during the winter until the dryer and warmer weather of mid-summer." Response to the flyer was quick Dumas saiil he received offers from four different parties within a week-and-a half. It was the first time he had ever advertised in order to find a place to build. Dumas said he chose to advertise because he wanted to lit; legal for a change and wanted some anemities. such as electricity, which weren’t possi ble in a secluded area The 35-year-old Dumas said he came to Eugene about 10 years ago. although he isn't quite sure of the exact date. "I'm not a calendar watcher." he said. "I take each day as it comes." Horn and raised in Alabama. Dumas arrived in Oregon in the early 1970s while stationed in Astoria with the Coast Guard, he said. At the conclusion of his duty at sea. Dumas lived in a shelter for four or five months near Astoria. He described the shelter as a tree house-like structure set halfway up a hill that was "pretty sturdy." He moved to Eugene sometime after Turn to Dumas, Page 4
