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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 2011)
CORRECTIONS/ CLARIFICATIONS • Last week’s cover story “Carbon Nation” said Phase III of the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration project got $66.9 million from the DOE from carbon injection into sandstone rocks in Wyoming. While the grant was indeed awarded, a Big Sky spokesperson says the project never moved forward due to a lack of CO2 necessary for the research project. • Last week’s “Less Gas, More Ass” story on the Naked Bike Ride had an incorrect email for Ralph Forrest-Ball. He can be reached at tiedyeguy@hotmail.com NEWS BRIEFS CITY REVIEWS RENTAL RULES During its work session June 15, the Eugene City Council reviewed the city’s Rental Housing Program, a program that attempts to enforce standards and resolve landlord-tenant issues outside of the courtroom. The program is scheduled to sunset at the end of this year, and although the council made no decision whether or not to keep the program, several councilors expressed their support. “I think this is an important, effective and successful program,” said Councilor Alan Zelenka. “I think it’s very successful in the fact that it diverts people from going to the court system.” He added, “It facilitates communication.” The Rental Housing Program was created to ensure that landlords follow the requirements laid out in the city’s Rental Housing Code, which establishes minimum habitability requirements for the city’s approximately 29,800 rental units. If the landlord is not meeting the requirements, then the tenant can file a complaint with the city, allowing the city to resolve the situation without resorting to the courts, which can be an expensive and time- consuming process. The program is paid for by a $10 per unit tax, and has been somewhat controversial in the past due to the significant surplus the program accrued as a result of the disparity between the amount collected and what the program actually costs. “This is a very important program,” said Councilor Betty Taylor. “This is one of the strongest examples of citizen participation in government.” For more information on the Rental Housing Program and the Rental Housing Code, visit the program website at www. eugene-or.gov/rentalhousing — Nils Holst ACTIVIST ALERT • Basic Rights Oregon’s 12th annual Bites for Rights restaurant fundraising is Thursday, June 23, and several local eateries are participating this year by donating a percentage of Thursday’s gross to BRO. Participating in Eugene are Anatolia, Ratatouille and Sweet Life Patisserie. In Corvallis, Interzone Organic and Old World Deli. See www.bitesforrights.com • Moonshadow software, which may be used for redrawing of County Commission districts, will be explained and demonstrated in the county’s classroom below Harris Hall at 1:30 pm Friday, June 24. The software is controversial in that the vice president of Moonshadow is City Councilor Mike Clark, who is expected to run against County Commissioner Rob Handy in 2012. Handy won a narrow victory in 2008 against Bobby Green in the district that includes north Eugene. Redistricting could affect the outcome of the next election. Conservative Commissioner Jay Bozievich has advocated that the county use Moonshadow software rather than rely on Lane Council of Governments for redistricting data. • Reality Kitchen at 245 Van Buren in Eugene will be hosting an open house Sunday, June 26, during the KLCC Garden Tour, to introduce the Whiteaker neighborhood and larger Eugene community to the ongoing work the nonprofit will be doing to support local young adults with and without disabilities. Numerous activities, food, drink and music are planned. Contact Jim Evangelista at 337-1323. • The Lane County chapter of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters is planning its summer event, “Food for Thought — Celebrating What’s In Our Backyard,” from noon to 3 pm Sunday, June 26, at a private home in the River Road area. Contact Ashley@olcv.org or call 968-8269 to RSVP. • A free workshop on “Integrating Sustainability Into Your Business” with Regina Hauser, director of The Natural Step Network, will be from noon to 1 pm Tuesday, June 28, at the Eugene Public Library. RSVP to 682-5541 or email eugene@ cascadiagbc.org 10 JUNE 23, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY C elebrating our past, Creating our future Th Eugene The E W Water t & El Electric t i B Board d i is a l leader d i in utilizing tili i clean, l renewable energy, including wind power. And for decades, EWEB has promoted energy conservation by helping customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses. We do much more than provide water and electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information about EWEB and our first 100 years, visit www.eweb.org. WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
