Kevin Matthews (right) promises
a lawsuit if the MPC takes action.
MPC GIVES NOD
TO ROADWORK
The Metropolitan Policy Committee
(MPC) pushed through a list of amendments
to a regional transportation plan in an emer-
gency meeting Dec. 30 that was called “pro-
foundly unfair” and an “unfriendly public
process” by critics in the audience (see earlier
news story, “Shadow Government,” 12/16).
MPC chairwoman Bonny Bettman called
for additional time to allow the Eugene City
Council to review the amendments and the
meeting drew promises of lawsuits from
Kevin Matthews, president of Friends of
Eugene, a local land use watchdog group in-
volved in several successful challenges to
PeaceHealth’s land use plans.
Former Mayor Jim Torrey requested the
meeting in a last-minute attempt to promote
new road projects that compete with funds
for maintenance and preservation of existing
roads. The city currently has a $94 million
backlog in road repairs. The embattled $150
million-plus West Eugene Parkway (WEP),
opposed by new Mayor Kitty Piercy, was on
the list of Metropolitan Transportation
Improvement Program (MTIP) changes
made by the MPC in the emergency meeting.
Other approved projects included the I-
5/Beltline interchange and the extension
Airport Road.
“This mockery of public process is at the
least a slap in the face to the general public,
and at worst a misuse of authority by elected
officials,” said 1000 Friends of Oregon Lane
County Planning Advocate Lauri Segel. “It is
no secret that this meeting is unwarranted at
this time, considering that a five- or six-
month window is currently available for
adoption of the proposed 2005-07 MTIP. It is
also no secret that this meeting was initiated
by Mayor Torrey for the purpose of ensuring
that Mayor-elect Piercy and a new City
Council have no opportunity to put some
transparency into the process of planning for
future transportation facilities.”
Segel also voiced concern about “feet-
dragging” in the appointment of a Citizen
Advisory Committee and “little or no public
review period” regarding addition of multiple
changes to the proposed MTIP amendments.
“There is a lot wrong with this picture, and it
is time to put an end to long standing prac-
tices that are in clear violation of state and
federal transportation planning policies.”
In the final vote on the MTIP, Bettman’s
was the only hand raised in opposition.
Approval of the MTIP is not the last hur-
dle before construction of the WEP begins,
but it is considered a step in that direction.
ODOT has yet to sign off on the project, and
the WEP faces legal challenges if approved
by state and federal agencies. — TJT
JUNGLE JAMS
FOR TSUNAMI
Satin Love Orchestra, Whopner County
Country Allstars, J C Rico & Zulu Dragon, I-
Chele’ & The Circle of Light, and The Fuzz
are joining Lane County community mem-
bers in a benefit for tsunami victims at The
Jungle Sunday, Jan. 9.
The Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert begins
at 5 pm and is open to adults over 21.
Suggested minimum donation is $15. The
club’s employees will be working for free and
donating their tips so that 100 percent of the
evening’s proceeds will go to relief projects.
The Jungle is located at 23 W. 6th Ave.
For more information contact The Jungle at
338-9000 or Jaguar Productions at 747-6612.
MAKE YOUR
VOICE HEARD
Resolved to be more politically and envi-
ronmentally active in 2005? The Oregon
Conservation Network (OCN) is organizing a
series of free training sessions around the
state this month, including a “citizen lobby”
training” from 6:30 to 9 pm Thursday, Jan. 13
at EWEB in Eugene. Other sessions will be
held in Salem on Jan. 19 and Portland Jan. 26.
Participants will learn techniques for
communicating with lawmakers, writing ef-
fective letters to the editor and testifying at
public hearings.
“Many folks are looking for ways to make
a difference after the election and our citizen
lobby training is one direction that commu-
nity members can go with their work,” says
Jennifer DeMuth, field organizer of the
Oregon League of Conservation Voters, one
of the groups involved.
Space is limited. To register, contact
DeMuth at: (503) 227-8073 or e-mail jde-
muth@olcv.org
LONGHOUSE
OPENS JAN. 11
Nine federally recognized Native
American tribes will join with UO officials in
a public dedication and opening ceremony
for the UO Many Nations Longhouse at
11:30 am Tuesday, Jan. 11. The Longhouse
will be a gathering spot and welcoming space
for all Native Americans and the general pub-
lic. This free public event will take place at
1630 Columbia St. in the area behind the
Natural History Museum. The Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs will provide a
salmon feast after the ceremony.
CORRECTIONS/
CLARIFICATIONS
In our news story on biodiesel fuel Dec.
23, the name of the office manager quoted at
the end of the article was misspelled, due to a
reporter’s error. His name is Carl Burdick.
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