SLANT
• Tax breaks for developers have persisted for decades as a major economic
development strategy, and for decades we at EW and progressives in local government
have insisted they do more harm than good. The New York Times has investigated
these billions of dollars in tax incentives nationwide and published a story Dec. 1
saying “The giveaways are adding up to a gigantic bill for taxpayers,” and the results
are tenuous at best. Meanwhile, taxes are diverted away from education, public safety,
infrastructure and other government functions that are key to economic health, and
yes, jobs.
Eugene’s city government lured Hyundai/Hynix to build a highly polluting
semiconductor plant in west Eugene in the 1990s. Millions in property tax breaks,
subsidized wastewater facility expansion and other incentives were negotiated in
secret. When Hynix shut down, more than 1,000 people joined Lane County’s
unemployment lines, and EWEB lost its biggest customer. Today, more millions in tax
breaks and lease guarantees are going to private developers to revitalize a downtown
that was sucked dry by poor city planning that encouraged big box stores on the
outskirts and a sprawling Valley River Center. When will we pull the plug on unnecessary
tax giveaways and focus on more enlightened planning? Find the NYT story at http://
wkly.ws/1e9
Factory Showroom
BLOWOUT
Big savings on custom
bicycles hand-built in
Eugene, and known
around the world for
their quality and
performance!
Save $400 on this Demo
Today
through
SATURDAY!
Ask about our Oregon
Friends & Neighbors Discount December 5 through 8
on Custom Orders
starting at $395
Custom folding and travel bicycles
BIKE FRIDAY
SPECIAL HOURS
M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
hand-crafted in Oregon SINCE 1992
541-687-0487 // BikeFriday.com
3364 W. 11th Ave., Eugene, OR
• What could keep Duck football head coach Chip Kelly in Eugene? Nobody seems
to be talking about the lavish 6,281 sq. ft. home he had built in 2010 in a quiet
neighborhood in far north Eugene. But we’re not sure he actually lives there; his big tax
bills go to a different address. The two-story home looks like a mountain resort lodge
— without the mountains. It has lots of stonework and wood, a big swimming pool, a
massive garage and a market value pushing $1 million, according to county records. Is
there really a basketball court in there? We also hear rumors that Kelly built his mom
a house next door for when she comes to visit. We’re happy to see he’s investing at
least some of his $3.5 million a year here, boosting the local economy. But if he goes,
he can’t take it with him. Any other bachelor need a mansion?
• Eugene architect Mark Gillem wrote about School District 4J facilities in an EW
cover story July 19, arguing against consolidating neighborhood elementary schools
and for renovating rather than replacing old schools. He made his case again at City
Club of Eugene last Friday as part of a panel discussion, and his arguments make
sense. Consolidation appears to be off the table, for now, but 4J is looking at bonds to
build new schools despite serious budget problems and struggling taxpayers. As he
says, it doesn’t make sense to teach kids to recycle bits of paper while the adults throw
away entire buildings. What does make sense economically is to renovate, upgrade
and reinforce as many of Eugene’s old neighborhood schools as possible, and
meanwhile not let them deteriorate through neglect. Architecture is important in
creating a positive and flexible learning environment, but great teachers and
appropriate class sizes have much more impact.
• Our Most Valuable Player in Eugene has nothing to do with football. He’s Bill
Hulings, dancer, singer, actor, playing his way through Singin’ in the Rain until Dec. 16
at the Shedd. Not easy to fill Gene Kelly’s tap shoes, but Hulings with Evynne Hollens
and a sparkling cast do light up the stage in that great old downtown Baptist church in
these wet December days. An Actors’ Equity actor, Hulings has appeared in 10 Shedd
shows, plus performances with the Eugene Ballet, Opera, Symphony, Concert Choir,
the Lord Leebrick and the Willamette Rep. Lucky for us that the UO attracted his spouse
and Hulings to Eugene more than a dozen years ago.
S L A N T IN C LU D E S S H O R T O P INI O N P IE C E S , O B S E R VAT I O N S A N D R U M O R- C H A S IN G N OT E S
C O M P IL E D B Y T H E E W S TA F F. H E A R D A N Y G O O D R U M O R S L AT E LY ? C O N TA C T T E D TAY LO R AT 4 8 4 -
0 519 , E D I TO R @ E U GE N E W E E K LY. C O M
eugeneweekly.com • December 6, 2012
9