>>> CONTINUED FROM P. 8
makes the zone an even more ridiculous idea. “If they’re tak-
ing people who they would otherwise put in jail, which is
what they’re saying, and excluding them, they’re taking them
out of a highly policed area and putting them into relatively
unpoliced areas,” she says. “That’s where I get the idea that
[downtown is] a very exclusive club.”
David Fidanque, executive director of the ACLU of Or-
egon, says that he thinks that even without litigation, the situ-
ation downtown has changed, and the amended zone will re-
sult in fewer pre-trial exclusions. “It’s an end run around the
criminal justice process,” Fidanque says. “It gives the illu-
sion that the city is doing something when other things are re-
ally making the difference downtown.” — Shannon Finnell
COUNTY COAL VOTE
CONTROVERSY
Despite the controversy surrounding coal trains run-
ning through Eugene and Lane County, the Board of Lane
County Commissioners had scheduled a vote in support
of coal trains and the Coos Bay Bulk Terminal for Oct. 3
with no public input. After outcry against the resolution
arose, Commission Chair Sid Leiken suggested the vote be
moved to Oct. 17. The commission will take public com-
ments at that time, and also at its Oct. 16 vote in Florence.
Listed on the agenda under the heading “County Ad-
ministration” was an item called “Port of Coos Bay Bulk
Terminal Support,” to be brought up by Intergovernmental
Relations Manager Alex Cuyler, who says on his Twitter
feed that he is, in simpler terms, a lobbyist. Because the
materials associated with the Coos Bay vote were not post-
ed until the morning of Oct. 2 it was unclear what the vote
would be on. The materials consisted of a “white paper”
giving background on the issue and a resolution drawn up
in favor of supporting the Coos Bay terminal and its as-
sociated coal trains.
Cuyler told EW in an email that the vote was not made
public and the agenda item did not specifi cally say the vote
would concern coal because “The Lane County Board of
Commissioners routinely considers controversial issues at
its regular, publicly noticed meetings. The issue at hand is
the bulk handling terminal. The white paper and resolution
reference the materials to be handled, including coal.”
During the commissioners’ meeting, it was announced
the materials were not posted in time for the public to be
fully aware of the vote because of an ill staffer. But Leiken
also told the R-G that budget cuts are what delayed the in-
formation. Commissioner Rob Handy has complained that
county agendas and associated materials are posted late,
leaving him and fellow progressive Commissioner Pete
Sorenson out of the loop on votes such as this. Both Handy
and Sorenson called for a public hearing on the coal issue.
Commissioner Jay Bozievich said at the meeting that he
felt enough information was out there already.
A resolution expresses the county’s opinion on an issue
such as coal but does not determine whether coal can be
shipped through Lane County. An anti-coal train resolution
that has garnered a great deal of public attention was pro-
posed by Alan Zelenka on the Eugene City Council agen-
da. It was hotly debated on Oct. 8. That resolution would
have city attorneys research if Eugene could use state and
federal public health and safety laws to stop coal from be-
ing transported through it. A council vote is scheduled
for Oct. 22. — Camilla Mortensen
Write in
Judge Jay McAlpin
for Circuit Court Judge District 2 Position 7
We Endorse Judge McAlpin
Judge David Brewer, Oregon Court of Appeals
Presiding Circuit Court Judge Karsten Rasmussen
Circuit Court Judge Maurice Merten
Circuit Court Judge Lauren Holland
Circuit Court Judge Eveleen Henry
Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Carlson
Circuit Court Judge Debra Vogt
Circuit Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai
Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Chanti
Circuit Court Judge Ilisa Rooke-Ley
Circuit Court Judge Jodie Mooney
Circuit Court Judge Curt Conover
Circuit Court Judge Valerie Love
District Attorney Alex Gardner
Lane County Sheriff Tom Turner
Senior Circuit Court Judge Mary Ann Bearden
Senior Circuit Court Judge Kip Leonard
Derek Johnson, Trial Attorney
Don Corson, Trial Attorney
Ross Shepard, Defense Attorney
Lindsay Fowler, Defense Attorney
Dana Weinstein, Family Law Attorney
And many more...
How do you write in
Judge Jay McAlpin’s name?
1. Go to Circuit Court Judge Position 7
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fill in bubble with pen
Write in “Jay McAlpin” on the line
Send in your ballot
Tell others to do the same!
Keep Judge Jay McAlpin
Paid for by Keep Judge Jay McAlpin
eugeneweekly.com • October 11, 2012
9