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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2004)
• Despite scanty coverage in local media this week, it was huge news that PeaceHealth and the city of Springfield lost major issues in a Land Use Board of Appeals decision regarding the RiverBend project (see Alan Pittman’s news story on page 8). The appeal was filed by the Jaqua family, 1000 Friends of Oregon, CHOICES and Lane County. The 58-page ruling clear- ly indicates that PeaceHealth and Springfield did not do adequate transporta- tion planning in light of the massive impact of this medical center on the region. Will the sprawling hospital still be built as planned? The LUBA decision sets major hurdles for hospital backers to over- come. And the ruling validates concerns by citizens and land-use groups that the project is both out of scale and poorly sited. We applaud the excellent work that went into this appeal. • Mayor Torrey is scheduled to deliver his 2004 State of the City Address as we go to press Wednesday noon and we hope he talks about some issues of sub- stance. Eugene faces chronic problems that call for decisive action that we have not yet seen under Torrey’s tenure. A logical new year’s resolution for the mayor would be rededication to the council’s Growth Management Policies, but that’s not likely. His votes and statements have often been con- trary to the council’s 1998 stated goals of reducing sprawl, preserving our urban growth boundary and protecting our city’s few remaining natural areas. Our mayor has been a vocal advocate for youth and education in Oregon. We hope he uses his bully pulpit to urge Eugeneans to vote for Measure 30 in February. The annual State of the County Address is also scheduled the morning of Jan. 7 with Commissioner Pete Sorenson honoring former Congressmen Charlie Porter and Jim Weaver, along with Councilor Bonny Bettman (that’s right) and other local powerhouses for positive change. • County Commissioner Anna Morrison gets roasted a lot in this column. It’s nothing personal. She just keeps doing absurd things. The latest is her hit list in late December in response to the need to cut an additional $4 million in county expenses. Rather than suggest across-the-board cuts in programs — cuts that can be restored when the economy and county revenues pick up — she called for the complete elimina- tion of funding for 18 programs. Here’s a partial list: teen pregnancy/family planning, high-risk pregnancy and infant care, victim services, HIV preven- tion, animal control enforcement, Lane County Extension Service, county archives, Boundary Commission, Document Resource Center, Metro Television, electronic supervision of offenders, treatment of adult sex offenders, and the public information officer position. Budget cutting is a dif- ficult and painful process, but other commissioners made more reasonable suggestions, such as asking depart- ment heads to come back with informa- tion on how an 8 percent cut will affect their operations. If Measure 30 fails, the county will face even bigger cuts in the future. • We were sorry to hear this week that Rich Cunningham will not be challenging Bobby Green in the 2004 County Commission races. Rich has been battling coronary heart disease and is facing major surgery. He says he might run for the LCC Board after he recovers. • The new year brings some internal changes at EW. John Herron of the man- agement team is leaving EW to pursue other opportunities and his responsibilities have been divided between Editor Ted Taylor and Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Shreve. News Editor Aria Seligmann will be taking on additional duties, including coordinating letters and guest commen- taries. Staff Writer Bobbie Willis will also be editing special publications and food columns. Some of these changes will affect phone extension numbers. Questions? Call 484-0519 or see an updated staff list with job titles and e-mail addresses at www.eugeneweekly.com under “Contacts.” CORRECTIONS/ CLARIFICATIONS In our New Year’s Eve music roundup in our Dec. 24 issue, the per- formance group Wongai was incor- rectly identified as being from Guinea. Wongai is actually a Eugene collection of local West African drummers and dancers. Winter Sale 75 Save up to % on a wide selection of living, dining and bedroom furniture Accent tables in 3 sizes, each was $269, Sale $69. Club chair, leather was $499, Sale $399. Club chair, micro-fiber was $349, Sale $249. What great value! 5 seat sectional sofa group, with bumper in durable, stain resistant micro-fiber. Check store for color selection. Sectional was $1599, Sale $1299. "Butler's tray" table, cherry, 48 x 35 x 22"h, was $899, Sale $199. Ottoman was $249, Sale $199. EUGENE • 856 Willamette Street • 541-342-5000 Open Mon. - Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-6 • www.scan-design.com Other Oregon locations: MEDFORD, BEAVERTON, PORTLAND We validate parking at Overpark, Parcade, and U.S. Bank JANUARY 8, 2004 9
