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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 2005)
news for pre-kindergarten by 3.5 percent, increas- ing funding for K-12 schools by 8 percent, in- creasing opportunity grants by 71 percent, se- curing $38 million for community college bricks and mortar, $410 million for university construction and maintenance, $7 million for nanotechnology research, expansion of in- dustrial lands, protecting watersheds and salmon, combating global warming, updat- ing Oregon’s land-use system, fighting meth, improving mental health systems, etc. But Sorenson says the governor’s accom- plishments are minimal concessions and Oregon continues to slip “further and further Gov. Ted Kulongoski last week an- behind” in key areas of the environment, nounced his intention to seek reelection in economy and tax equity. 2006 and says he will run on his record of ac- “The governor may be putting a Band- complishments. But his only announced op- Aid on a problem or two,” says Sorenson, ponent in the May Democratic primary says “but the bottom line is there’s such a gulf, the governor is simply taking such a chasm, between what we need credit for the Republican to be doing and what he’s saying. agenda, and even bor- Basically, he’s taking credit for rowing Republican the Republican Legislature, propaganda. and he’s spinning it almost “This governor is exactly the same way they running on his are. We balanced the budget record, and I’m run- and we didn’t raise taxes at ning against his all.” record,” says Lane Sorenson says Kulongoski County Commissioner has shown no leadership on tax Pete Sorenson. “He has reform. “Two-thirds of the largest been a disappointment. His corporations doing business in the state leadership is nonexistent. Pete Sorenson paid no income taxes. The remaining The Democrats of Oregon one-third paid 5 percent of the income taxes, deserve a choice.” and the other 95 percent was paid by individ- Sorenson filed for the gubernatorial race uals and small businesses.” back in January and says he’s looking for- “We are now dead last, number 50, of the ward to a lively primary campaign. But he’s states in corporate income tax as a percentage irked that the governor’s campaign has so far of our state budget,” he says. ignored his requests for a debate at the A new Riley Research poll shows support Oregon Summit in October. for Sorenson at only 2 percent. Sorenson says He says the governor has “flip-flopped” he’s a loyal Democrat and has pledged to sup- on whether he will run, and his indecision port the party’s choice, “even if it’s not me.” “serves as a clear reminder to Oregonians More on Sorenson’s campaign can be of this governor’s flawed idea of leader- found at www.petesorenson.com and more ship.” on Kulongoski’s campaign can be found soon Kulongoski is claiming leadership in a at www.kulongoskiforgovernor.com string of recent victories. His list of “legisla- — Ted Taylor tive highlights” includes expanding funding briefs SORENSON RESPONDS Photo from Danielle’s eBay auction, 8/19 BY PAUL NEEVEL JOANIE CYPRESS Nashville native Joanie Cypress first visited Oregon on a summer motorcycle trip with her high-school sweetheart Marv Cypress. “Life was simple, a backpack and a sleeping bag,” she notes. Following their wedding the next year, the couple returned and lived for seven years in Five Rivers, 60 miles from Waldport. “I ground wheat berries and cooked on a wood stove,” she recalls. After several years in Walport and Yachats with their two young children, they moved to Eugene in 1983. “I was over at Taylor’s, starving for music,” she recalls. “One of the women asked, ‘Would you like to be a Radar Angel?’” And when the Radar Angels took first prize in the Eugene Celebration Parade that year, Cypress began a 20-year career with the street-theater troupe, singing and dancing at the Celebration, the Oregon Country Fair and other community events. “I love to perform,” she says. Last fall, Cypress let her Southern roots show — her character Scarlett O’Slimera was selected as the 22nd Slug Queen. A year filled with royal appearances was capped by the Queen’s Ball in April, a benefit event that brought in 1,000 pounds of food to benefit FOOD for Lane County. 8 AUGUST 25, 2005 (LITTLE) BODY BILLBOARD EBay’s not just for selling digital geek gear and autographed posters of Kevin Bacon anymore. Oh no. The online auction site has moved on, and now its sellers hawk Costa Rican real estate, cemetery plots, dark magic revenge spells — and advertising space on children. Danielle, a third-grader who attends a public elementary school in Eugene, is auc- tioning off ad space on her backpack, school supplies and clothing for the entire school year. The little girl is pictured grinning on her eBay auction site, long brown hair cascading down one shoulder and a backpack slung over the other, with “YOUR AD HERE” written on the strap. “You are bidding on a rare ad space opportunity on a GORGEOUS, very popular, outgoing and active 8-year- old,” the auction reads. “Every time Danielle gets on the school bus, walks down the hall, your company name will be seen EVERY- WHERE!” Danielle’s mom, Tamina, hopes that the auction will bring in at least $1,300 so that Danielle can be a cheerleader next year. The family can’t afford to pay for another sport because they are upgrading their house. “I just want her to learn the value of earning money for something she wants to do,” Tamina says. Danielle’s auction is the kiddie-est incar- nation of a new trend in advertising: body billboards. At first it was just a trickle — a pregnant woman auctioning space on her belly, a student offering up his forehead. But the movement picked up steam in May when New Jersey college student Courtney Van Dunk posted a bikini-clad photo of herself on eBay and auctioned off one month of ad space on her body. The auction drew wide- spread media attention, and a wine retailer won the bid for $11,300. Three months later it seems that Van Dunk is still raking it in, with her own website and several new commis- sions. According to Danielle’s auction, the little girl was inspired by the big girl. “[Danielle] is a HUGE Courtney Van Dunk fan (as you can see, she even resembles a young Courtney),” the auction reads. Danielle plans to donate 10 percent of her winning bid to the charity of the bidder’s choice, just like Van Dunk did. Is it appropriate to compare a third-grader raising money for cheerleading to a busty young woman selling her sex appeal? Tamina seems flustered by the very notion. “I just like [Van Dunk’s] goal of trying to earn money for college,” she says. “I know there are girls out there who do questionable things, and I don’t want things like that to be associated with my daughter’s auction. Of course we wouldn’t endorse anything that’s questionable for her age group. “We’re not selling her,” she adds. The auction starts at $999 and will run from Aug. 17-27. It has drawn more than 45,000 hits, but as of Aug. 22, there were no bidders. — Kera Abraham
