• Police Chief Robert Lehner will be talk-
ing to Eugene City Club at 11:50 am
Friday at the Hilton and his topic will be
community policing. What’s going to be
on everyone’s mind is the Roger Magaña
case, but don’t expect the chief to talk
about specifics since civil litigation is
pending. Lehner has walked into a rat’s
nest of police misconduct and unac-
countability that likely exceeds anything
exposed in the Magaña trial. Lehner is
fortunate that the scandals have not
happened on his watch, and he appears
to have the skills and sensitivity to
reform the department and foster better
relations with the community. But talk-
ing nice isn’t enough.
Our mayor needs
to call for a
blue ribbon
committee to
investigate
police abuse
to prevent it
from happening
again — not to mention
saving the city many millions in
future lawsuit settlements. Our City
Council needs to refer to the voters
an independent police review board.
(It will pass this time.) And we all
need to recognize the Lara/Magaña
cases as compelling arguments for an
independent city auditor. All the argu-
ments that the city is running just
fine have flown out the window.
folks, including Nader,
were pushing the idea
that Bush and Gore
were indistin-
guishable. But
this election,
Bush has a
distinct — and
downright dis-
turbing —
track record
that provides
clear choices to
anyone who’s pay-
ing attention. We
love Nader and his
ideals, but he’s dead wrong
to continue lumping Bush,
Gore and now Kerry in
the same camp. Stop
jerking our shorts,
Ralph.
• If you want to
stay at one of
the comfiest and
most scenic
hotels on the
Oregon Coast,
you better not own
a Hummer! Ocean
Haven, located south
of Yachats on Hwy. 101,
says no to these oversized
gas-guzzlers in their parking lot. They’ve
already turned away one guest since
they put the rule into effect this year,
stating that some money just isn’t worth
taking; you have to care about the world
if you wanna enjoy their luscious digs. To
enjoy Ocean Haven’s scenic overlook,
call (541) 547-3583 or go to www.ocean-
haven.com Any suggestions for other
businesses that are taking a stand for
the environment or social justice? Call
Ben at 484-0519 or e-mail cal@eugene-
weekly.com
SLANT includes short opinion pieces, observations
and rumor-chasing notes compiled by the EW staff.
Heard any good rumors lately? Contact Ted Taylor
at 484-0519, or email editor@eugeneweekly.com
• The end of June brings regime
change in Iraq, sort of, but since the
U.S. is building extensive permanent
military bases in Iraq we can expect
insurgency and deaths to continue
until we no longer occupy the coun-
try. Meanwhile, what’s happening at
home the end of June has much
more significance to us, and it’s get-
ting few headlines. The financially
strapped Oregon Health Plan is clos-
ing to new adult enrollments as of
July 1, which means we will see thou-
sands more Oregonians not getting
early intervention health care, and
turning to expensive emergency
rooms for delayed treatment of ill-
nesses and injuries. The public pays,
one way or another. But slashing
funding for basic public health pro-
grams is both socially and financially
irresponsible. It’s easy to blame tax-
weary voters for this tragedy, but
where do voters get their informa-
tion? From the mainstream media
who give us huge headlines about
“Iraqi sovereignty,” from conservative
talk show hosts who endlessly exag-
gerate “welfare abuse,” and from our
legislative leadership in both Salem
and Washington who choose to
ignore the basic needs of the popu-
lace.
• Looks like Nader’s giving everybody
a wedgie. Dems are squirming in
anticipation of a 2000 redux, and
GOPers are chaffing over the idea
that Nader won’t get on the ballot to
steal votes from Kerry (Rs in Oregon
are signing Nader petitions hoping to
divide and conquer). What’s different
this time around? In 2000 a lot of
JULY 1, 2004 7