slant
• The court decision this week against Commissioners Rob Handy and Pete
Sorenson was based on the judge’s highly technical and subjective 44-page
analysis of the county board’s very complex decision-making process, and we hope
the ruling is tossed out on appeal. The judge admitted that quorum rules were
never violated, but then went way beyond Oregon law to speculate on how decisions
were made. His ruling sets a precedent that will make local government
deliberations much more cumbersome. The Legislature tried to bring clarity to this
process in 1991 with HB 2461 that, had it passed, would have made it a violation for
elected officials to talk to each other about practically any business coming before
the group. The Register-Guard editorialized against it Feb. 5, 1991 saying the bill
would impose “extreme requirements,” and quoted commission chairman Jack
Roberts saying, “If we can’t talk to each other the rest of the time, we can’t do
anything.” Former commissioner Bill Dwyer was in the Legislature at the time and
co-sponsored the bill. Ironically, the R-G is now editorializing against these one-on-
one discussions. And let’s not forget that the purpose of these “violations of the
public trust” was to improve the public’s access to county services. So much for
good intentions.
But a bigger issue than public process is involved here. Do Seneca and other
timber industries really care about our open meetings law? Or is this purely a
business move, investing big bucks to bankrupt their political enemies and keep
them from getting reelected? Here’s one business scenario to ponder: The Lane
County Commission becomes even more conservative and anti-government and
votes to support the Association of O&C Counties’ proposal to sell off millions of
acres of public land to private timber companies for a pittance. Oregon counties are
desperate for cash. Lane County has the most O&C lands and therefore the most
clout in Congress to make it happen. Wait 10 years until the market improves and
literally billions in profits can be made through clear-cutting. Spending a few
hundred thousand now to trash environment-minded commissioners is a solid
investment, and if the timber barons can get their legal fees back in a lawsuit, all
the better.
This
Now tta See!
o
You G
• The Register-Guard is wasting no time in going after Pete Sorenson and Rob
Handy on all fronts now that the post-Tea Party election season Board of Lane
County Commissioners has gotten a little more conservative. In an editorial Jan.
15 that read just like a recent news story (or wait, did the news story read like an
editorial?) the R-G tweaked Handy and Sorenson for, gasp, wanting to delay a vote
on appointing Undersheriff Tom Turner as the interim replacement for departing
Sheriff Russ Burger. The sheriff is one of the most powerful elected officials in Lane
County and the two commissioners wanted more public notice and a review of
applications. Handy and Sorenson just can’t win when it comes to the R-G. When
the daily rag was creating a stink over the recent attempt to protect drinking water,
it criticized the commissioners for not having enough public input. What gives,
R-G? Now that the commission’s gone a little more conservative, you guys don’t
believe in public input any more?
it’s fresh
& fun!
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• Martin Luther King Jr. Day has gotten more attention locally and nationally than
we can recall in recent years. The turnout was strong at MLK events around Lane
County and MLK observances continue this week with the Women of Color
Conference at UO and other events (see News Briefs). King’s legacy is particularly
poignant this year in part because of the dramatic and tragic bloodshed in Tucson,
Ariz. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is a bright light shining in a dark and
tumultuous time, as was King. Both serve as reminders of what can be accomplished
with courage and dedication, and how far we still have to go in the pursuit of peace
and justice. Peace and justice require that we stop turning to violence to solve
conflicts, both around the world and here at home.
King ended his “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” speech April 3, 1968, the day
before he was assassinated, with, I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me
to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I
may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people,
will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about
anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of
the Lord.
250
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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
J ANUARY
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