Lee resigns early, Bettman steps right in
■ Many consider City
Councilor Bobby Lee as an
outspoken advocate for
young people, himself the
youngest councilor in Eugene
By Rebecca Newell
Oregon Daily Emerald
The University lost an invaluable
voice in city
politics on
Sept. 10 when
Ward 3 City
Councilor Bob
by Lee official
ly resigned
from his posi
tion. Lee, 31,
cut short his
second two
year city coun
cil career by
Lee
four months, opting for a career
move and change of scenery.
“Students have been very good to
me,” Lee said. “I like the energy they
bring into our community. I’ll miss
being part of the university culture. ”
Lee, Eugene’s youngest council
Fired deputy
accused of
more abuse
SEATTLE (AP) — A King County
sheriff’s deputy fired for using un
necessary force during last year’s
World Trade Organization riots has
been accused by fellow officers of
three other incidents involving
questionable use of pepper spray
during the disturbances.
John Vanderwalker, a sheriff’s
patrol officer for 19 years, was fired
in April by Sheriff Dave Reichert.
At the time, Reichert said that
during a protest on Seattle’s Capitol
Hill last Dec. 1, Vanderwalker used
pepper spray on three people in a
car, and earlier had kicked a first
aid worker wearing a red-and
white cross.
Two of the people in the car,
Melissa Benton and Shauna Pulas
ki, videotaped the incident and the
tape was widely played on local
television. They have sued Vander
walker and King County in federal
court, with trial set for December.
In court documents filed this
week in the lawsuit, two deputies
say the saw Vanderwalker involved
in other questionable incidents
Dec. 1.
One deputy said he saw Vander
walker pepper-spray a young man
who was on his hands and knees.
The incident seemed to be puni
tive, rather than for law-enforce
ment purpose, the deputy said.
Another deputy said he saw Van
derwalker pepper-spray a woman
carrying a bag a groceries, and with
other officers, spray several people
standing on an apartment balcony.
Vanderwalker’s attorney, Bob
Christie, called those allegations
“innuendo and rumor” and said no
other citizens had stepped forward
to complain. He said Vanderwalker
was not out of control with his pep
per spray and was only following
the orders to clear the streets.
Christie also disputed Benton
and Pulaski’s accounts, saying the
two had disobeyed police orders
and that Vanderwalker saw their
car as a threat.
Vanderwalker has challenged his
dismissal from the sheriff’s office.
The WTO meetings last year
were marked by widespread
demonstrations and rioting, which
led to the shutdown of Seattle’s
downtown business district and
rtiillions of dollars in damages.
member, left Eugene to fill the posi
tion of director of youth services
and governmental affairs at
Worksystems Inc., another step in
his continuing efforts to improve
the lives of Oregon youth.
“I’ve always felt bad for the
staff,” Lee said, “because it’s hard to
have someone my age telling them
what to do.”
Though his own youth was a fac
tor in his council position, he was
able to dive right into city business.
“I came to this community 12
years ago and this community wel
comed and embraced me,” Lee
said. “Four years ago this commu
nity gave me the ultimate gift, a
chance to make a difference.”
When asked what decision dur
ing his time on council stands out
in his mind the most, Lee replied,
“When we passed the camping ban
ordinance that prevented people
from sleeping anywhere in the city.
We changed that law to allow
church parking lots to be used for
camping and provided porti-pots.
Also, we changed the law so people
could offer their property as shelter
for homeless.”
Despite such achievements,
there is still a great deal to be done
in Eugene, according to Lee.
“The financial health part of the
city is a big concern for me,” Lee
said. “Over the last four years, we
have bandaged the problem. We are
too dependent on property taxes.”
Even while important city busi
ness will be left to his successor,
Bonnie Bettman, Lee will be re
membered by his colleagues and
constituents alike as a dedicated
civil servant who found popularity
during his two terms. In fact, when
Mayor Jim Torrey discussed with
his staff “who are the people who
could run for mayor who would be
the toughest to beat", he concluded
“at the top of the list is Bobby Lee.”
While many are remembering
Lee’s service to the community,
Bettman is focused on her upcom
ing role as city councilwoman.
“I think I’ve been preparing for
this role for the past 10 years,”
Bettman said. “I’ve done a lot of
volunteering on city committees
and work in the community.”
Bettman is continuing a tradition
Lee established, while he carries on
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his work in Portland.
“I will be working with at-risk
and homeless youth helping them
develop skills to get jobs,” Lee said
of his position at the work force
agency for Portland and Multnom
ah, Washington and Tillamook
counties. “I’ll also be working with
governmental affairs working on
states education reformat.”
“It is amazing, his energy level,”
said State Sen.
Susan Castillo.
“It is our loss
and Portland's
great gain.”
While Lee
has no current
aspirations to
seek elected of
fice in Port
land, he says
1
there is always
the opportuni
Bettman
ty
“I’m still getting to know the
Portland community,” he said.
“Maybe years from now, if I felt
there was something out there I felt
strongly enough about, I would run
for office.”
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