ENDORSEMENTS AT A GLANCE
commission dismiss the ethics complaint. The commission
didn’t move on the complaint and the case expired.
Handy alleges in his case that the county locked him out
of his office, restricted him in his ability to access the coun-
ty building and kept him from accessing his email account,
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that for-
not only during a state investigation into a misconduct
mer Lane County Commissioner Rob Handy’s complaint
complaint but also after the state investigators said there
against the county and against former administrator Liane
was no need to do so. This caused Handy “great difficulties
Richardson (now Inkster) and Commissioners Sid Leiken,
in carrying out his job as an elected official, which also im-
Faye Stewart and Jay Bozievich for undermining “his abil-
pacted his constituents,” according to a press release sent
ity to do his elected job” can be amended and move for-
out after the circuit court gave its judgment Oct. 23.
ward for a decision.
Attorney Stephen Dingle argued on behalf of the coun-
U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled in March
ty. Judge Morgan Christen said to Dingle, “It is really hard
2013 that Handy and fellow plaintiff, constituent Brian
for a lot of us to imagine walking into a room with a blank
McCall, did not establish a case under federal law, and she
computer without our stored email and not think our ability
declined to take jurisdiction under state law, so Handy’s at-
to do our job would be hindered.”
torneys filed a motion for permission to amend and clarify
Dingle said, “I have
the federal complaint.
never understood that al-
The circuit court ruled
legation,” and argued that
that while Aiken didn’t “spe-
Handy did not need email
cifically address whether
access to do his job.
amendment would be al-
Dugan says, “Now we
lowed,” she “entered judg-
just have to go back and
ment soon after dismissal,”
start over, add to the com-
which effectively did not al-
plaint and proceed for-
low Handy and his attorney,
ward.” She says, “We are
Marianne Dugan, to amend
still waiting for a decision
the complaint. “In general,
in the state appeal,” which
leave to amend should be
— R O B H A N D Y, F O R M E R L A N E C O U N T Y C O M M I S S I O N E R
was argued Aug. 13 in Sa-
freely granted,” the judges
lem. That case had to do
write.
with Handy’s complaint
Dugan said in her argu-
that a last-minute “emer-
ments before the court that
gency” meeting called to
her motion to amend was
discuss the complaints
“very specific about what
against him violated public
facts we would add to the
meetings law.
allegations to clarify some
Handy said in a state-
issues the judge was clearly
ment, “We filed this suit to
confused about.”
bring attention to the politi-
Handy’s case began
cization of the offices of the
when Eugene businessman
Lane County commission-
Alan Thayer and EWEB
ers, and how those in power
Commissioner John Brown
misused that power to fur-
alleged that Handy improp-
ther a political agenda.” He
erly solicited money to pay
adds, “The three commis-
down a debt to the county
sioners named in the law-
from a Seneca timber-
suit are still in office and
funded lawsuit against the
the concerns remain valid.”
progressive commissioners.
Inkster was fired in Au-
The allegations arose while
gust 2013 after altering her
Handy was running for re-
pay. The Oregon State Bar
election, which he lost.
began an ethics investiga-
The Oregon Department
tion into her in March 2014.
of Justice later dismissed the
Lane County has no
complaint against Handy,
comment at this time.
and an Oregon Government
— Camilla Mortensen
Ethics Commission inves-
tigator recommended the
COURT RULES ROB HANDY’S
CASE CAN MOVE FOWARD
‘We filed this suit to bring
attention to the politicization of
the offices of the Lane County
commissioners and how those
in power misused that power to
further a political agenda.’
The deadline for ballots to arrive at Lane County Elec-
tions is 8 pm Tuesday, Nov. 4. The last day to mail ballots
and assure their arrival is Thursday, Oct. 30. Ballots can
also be dropped off 24/7 at any of the white ballot boxes
around town or on campus. Here are our endorsements
in selected contested races and ballot measures. See last
week’s paper or go online to read our full endorsements.
NATIONAL & STATE CANDIDATES:
• U.S. Senate: Jeff Merkley
• U.S. House, District 4: Peter DeFazio
• U.S. House, District 5: Kurt Schrader
• Governor: John Kitzhaber
• Senate District 4 — Floyd Prozanski (D)
• Senate District 7 — Lee Beyer (D)
• Senate District 8 — Sara A. Gelser (D)
• House District 7 — No endorsement
• House District 9 — Caddy McKeown (D)
• House District 11 — Phil Barnhart (D)
• House District 12 — John Lively (D)
• House District 13 — Nancy Nathanson (D)
• House District 14 — Val Hoyle (D)
STATE ISSUES:
• Measure 86 — YES
Fund for student financial aid
• Measure 87 — YES
Allows judges to teach or join National Guard
• Measure 88 — YES
Driver cards for undocumented residents
• Measure 89 — YES
ERA for Oregon
• Measure 90 — NO
Top-two primary
• Measure 91 — YES
Legalizes pot for adults
• Measure 92 — YES
Label GMO foods
LOCAL CANDIDATES & ISSUES:
• East Lane commissioner — Write-in Kevin Matthews
• West Lane — No endorsement
• Springfield City Council — Denise Bean
• EPUD board Subdistrict 2 — Lee R. Kelley
• Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation Dist. Zone 1
— Jeffrey Luers
• Eugene District 4J Measure 20-222 — YES
— Local option levy
• Springfield Measure 20-223 — YES
— Pay for council & mayor
• Springfield School District Measure 20-226 — YES
— Bonds for school district
• Santa Clara RFPD Measure 20-228
— Five-year local option levy
Order a Taxi at the Push of a Button
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eugeneweekly.com • October 30, 2014
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