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BY TOM LININGER
WELCOMES
Gang of Nein
Do progressives say no to everything?
I
t’s only been a few weeks since city government
took a progressive turn in the May elections,
but the alarmist predictions have already
begun. In a letter to The Register-Guard on
Friday, May 28, Steve Hawke warned that the
left-leaning council majority will nix proposals
for economic development: “The liberal group
will chase away any prospective businesses,”
claimed Hawke.
Hawke predicted an exodus of businesses across
the river. “Any business that saw the election results
knows that Springfield is now its new ZIP code.” (When you’re
bawling out progressives, you have to give Springfield its props as the model of no-
nonsense government. Springfield hasn’t been this hot since the premier of The
Simpsons.)
Hawke’s letter harkened back to the tirades of the “Gang of 9.” This conserva-
tive group, which formed in 2001, published political cartoons that excoriated pro-
gressive councilors. Who can forget the image of Mayor Torrey pushing a boulder
labeled “economic prosperity” up a hillside, while progressive city councilors
pushed the other direction? Or the cartoon featuring the “no-growth enforcement
unit” — clad in trench coats and dark glasses — forcing children out of a ramshackle
treehouse labeled “Eugene Chamber of Commerce”? Or the cartoon portraying
city councilors as pirates attacking boats labeled “jobs” and “corporations”?
My favorite cartoon by the Gang of Nine showed a trembling child in his bed, too
scared to sleep. Under the bed were devilish-looking city councilors, one bearing an
ax and another carrying a chainsaw. As the boys’ parents left the room, his mother
reasssured him. “Oh Honey! It was just a bad dream! Ain’t no City Council hiding
under the bed waiting to kill our economy with non-development!”
The authors of these cartoons weren’t great wordsmiths, and their caricatures
were pretty sophomoric, but the Gang of 9 achieved great success. The Gang
helped to elect a more conservative council in 2002, including one of the Gang’s
own members, Jennifer Solomon.
MY GIRL
JUST MY IMAGINATION
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG
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T H E
N
ow the pendulum is swinging again. After years in the minority, the pro-
gressives may be able to muster a majority on some issues. Those who
have lambasted progressives in the past are worried. To quote Bugs
Bunny, “It ain’t so funny when the rabbit has the gun.”
The conservatives’ alarm is unwarranted. I think the next few years will show
that the critics of progressives have mischaracterized them unfairly. The progres-
sive group doesn’t oppose every proposal for economic development. To the con-
trary, the progressives have advanced several proposals that would foster the
growth of our local economy.
Consider the economic plan that Mayor-elect Kitty Piercy circulated in April
2004. This plan calls for greater attention to Eugene’s economic infrastructure,
from airport services to telecommunications to train service to auto and alterna-
tive transportation systems. Piercy’s plan includes an initiative to nurture sustain-
able businesses in Eugene. With careful use of enterprise zones, Piercy’s plan
would seek to revitalize the urban core. Redevelopment of brownfields would be a
high priority.
Piercy is also committed to streamlining the permit process and working to im-
prove Eugene’s business climate. I guess that means that the city will mothball its
pirate ships.
Hopefully the acrimony will subside. Eugene doesn’t need a Gang of 9 or a Gang
of Nein. The only group of nine that we need is a City Council working harmo-
niously with our new mayor.
Tom Lininger is a law professor and former Lane County commissioner.
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