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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2005)
• Lane County, for better or worse, has gotten state approval for another enter- prise zone. We think EZs are a bad idea for a number of reasons we’ve outlined over the years. Bolstering education and livability is a much better economic strat- egy than giving away bags of corporate candy. At least the Eugene City Council has managed to craft a standard for EZs that tax breaks cannot exceed $30,000 for each new job created. It’s a logical requirement. The whole purpose of EZs is to create local manufacturing jobs, so it makes no sense to give $100,000 in tax breaks for creating one $25,000-a- year job. But the majority on the Lane County Board of Commissioners is now refusing to sign off on this simple stan- dard that they have already approved, and it looks like the city is looking to just shrug and abandon the standard. What’s going on here? It’s time for our city attorney, city manager and mayor to stand up and hold the county account- able for its earlier commitment. Hats off to Commissioners Sorenson and Dwyer for supporting Eugene. • Goal 5 is a 30-year-old state planning guideline that directs local governments to inventory their natural resources and preserve spaces with high natural, his- toric and scenic values. Sounds clear enough, right? But in Eugene, the Goal 5 process has been riddled with delays, deceptions and political wrangling for more than a decade. Three times since 1993, developers have pressured local councils to reject scientifically sound inventories. In 2003, south hills landown- ers convinced the City Council to adopt a “safe harbor” loophole to drop upland wildlife habitat from the inventory. But last fall, Friends of Eugene vigilantes dis- covered that the city is still required to include sensitive species’ habitat — including the pileated woodpeckers’ south hills terrain — in its inventory. Hopefully, the long and tortuous invento- ry process is finally coming to an end. On June 27, the council re-affirmed its June 8 vote to include almost 1,900 acres of upland wildlife habitat in the city’s Goal 5 inventory, a move that could protect the area from extensive development. But disturbing questions remain about the city planning staff’s treatment of the Goal 5 inventory. As Friends of Eugene president Kevin Matthews asked, how can the city do sustainable development if it’s not honest about the resources it’s supposed to sustain? close encounters with blackberries and garden tools? Bruised from unwield- ing river rocks? Did you fall in love at Art and the Vineyard? Can’t wait to lust again at the Oregon Country Fair? It must be summer, that primal time of the year when even the most reserved among us gets a little giddy. All that sun. All that color. All that skin. Art and the Vineyard was fantasmic. Loved the outdoor and garden art displays. But four days was too much, frying the Sandra vendors. Heard grumbles about slow sales and too many booths. Crowds were sketchy in the early days, but the afternoon and evening of July 4th were stunning. Some were wondering if the DeFazio footbridge could handle the exo- dus of humanity following the fireworks. What’s next? The Country Fair this weekend is a source of rejuvenation for people who yearn for an island of sanity on an insane planet. It’s odd that not everyone sees it that way. We’ll be there with bells on, and not much else. • Everybody and his/her blog is weighing in on the Art and the Vineyard this past weekend retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice • Anybody sunburned? Shredded from Sandra Day O’Connor. She’s been a mixed bag on the court (pardon the not very respectful analogy) considering her disgraceful voting to select Bush in 2000, and her graceful sup- port of women’s right to choose in matters of abor- tion. O’Connor and Kennedy have been swing votes on cases that would have weak- ened abortion rights in the past, and similar Day O’Connor cases are expected in the future. If Bush appoints two anti-abortion justices, Roe v. Wade could be overturned. We hear the local Planned Parenthood organization is sounding a call to arms in defense of reproductive rights. Environmental groups in the region are also rallying in hopes of supporting an environmentally friendly high court nominee. This is democracy in action and an opportunity to sway an important decision. We expect Bush to blindly push another radical conservative, but senators might be pressured to back a more moderate nominee in light of Bush’s failing popularity and the upcoming mid- term elections. Either way, mobilizing for the nomination is a good way for progres- sives to both educate the public on the issues, and build a support base for future campaigns. 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, editor@eugeneweekly.com Summer Health Clinic at South Eugene High School for Lane County Children, Youth & Families July 6 – August 17 Mon. & Wed. • 8am – 4pm 687-3209 CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT OR WITH QUESTIONS! (Hablamos Español) Located at South Eugene High School Health Center - 400 East 19th Ave, Eugene (Enter on the side of the building near the Amazon Parkway) • Comprehensive, quality healthcare services including immunizations, physical exams, treatment for acute/chronic illnesses and injuries, reproductive health, etc. • OHP, private insurance and uninsured patients welcome • Sliding scale and payment plans for services are available Community Health Centers of Lane County provides healthcare services at two other sites located in Springfield: Springfield School Based Health Center 1050 Tenth Ave 744-4130 Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm RiverStone Health Center 1640 G Street 682-3550 HOURS: Mon, Wed, Fri: 8 am-5 p.m.; Tu & Th 10 – 7 THE WAIT IS OVER! JULY 21 ... CHOW! Eugene Weekly's Restaurant Guide Ad reservation deadline is Friday, Jan. 15th by 5pm. Contact Mark Frisbee 484-0519 ext. 12 JULY 7, 2005 9
