Eugene weekly., April 28, 2016, Page 16, Image 16

Lane County
Sheriff
BYRON TRAPP unopposed
Judge of Supreme Court,
Judge of Court of Appeals,
Judge of the Circuit Court
All positions are unopposed
North Eugene Commissioner
Tony McCown vs. PAT FARR
The Lane County Commission voted 4-1,
with Pete Sorenson as the lone “No” vote.
That’s the refrain time and time again when it
comes to the environment, land use and issues
progressives care about in Lane County. The
Board of Commissioners has control over key
issues: how gravel mines operate, rural land
use, the county jail, clean water and more. If you
care about the environment, small business and
those in need like we do, then you want more
candidates who care about those issues, too.
The County Commission tends to lean to the
right, like other county commissions nation-
wide, and Farr has not impressed us with his
votes during his tenure. We are going to go with
McCown as a strong choice to join Sorenson
on votes on issues that can affect urban sprawl,
land use and how this county spends its limited
funds.
South Eugene Commissioner
PETE SORENSON unopposed
Justice of the Peace
Rick Brissenden vs. Guy Rosenbaum vs.
Woody Woodbury vs. Joshua Rogers
Springfield Mayor
Christine Lundberg vs. ROBERT DRAKE
Springfield City Council Ward 3
Sheri Moore vs. SEAN DUNN vs. KRIS
MCALISTER
We liked Sheri Moore when she ran for
County Commission in 2014, and we still like
her. Her opposition has said they provide a
younger voice. We are all for younger voices,
but we like the wisdom of age, too.
Springfield City Council Ward 4
Leonard Stoehr vs. DAVE RALSTON
Dave Ralston has insulted minorities and
gotten in hot water for drunk driving and wild-
life violations. Leonard Stoehr is new to politics,
but we like his strong labor credentials.
Springfield City Council Ward 6
JOE PISHIONERI unopposed
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A pril 28, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com
Eugene Mayor
Lucy Vinis vs. BOB CASSIDY vs. MIKE CLARK vs. SCOTT LANDFIELD vs. STEFAN STREK
Mayor Kitty Piercy’s 12 years in office have come to an end. Of the five candidates for mayor, the best match for
Eugene and its left-leaning ideals is Lucy Vinis. Of the other candidates, we have Stefan Strek, whose enthusiasm is
enjoyable, but his campaign seems disjointed and inconsistent. We like Bob Cassidy’s message of social and economic
equality, as well as Scott Landfield’s outsider campaign (for which he is accepting no money) calling attention to issues
such as the future of Kesey Square.
But among those four candidates, all with limited political experience, Vinis and her background in environmental and
social causes would serve Eugene the best. Having worked for ShelterCare, a nonprofit that assists individuals and fami-
lies in crisis, Vinis understands the complexities surrounding homelessness. Eugene needs informed leadership and a
voice of advocacy to tackle this important and multifaceted issue as we move forward.
Vinis also takes a strong stance on preserving and protecting the environment, which is another point in her favor.
Eugeneans love their lands and wildlife, and we want to see the natural world prioritized. As climate change threatens to
drastically alter and harm our planet, we need a mayor who not only acknowledges its existence (imagine that) but does
whatever possible to mitigate and reduce the city’s emissions.
The last candidate, Eugene City Councilor Mike Clark, has nearly 10 years of political experience, but we find his
record troubling. He has repeatedly voted against policies that we support: helping homeless communities, acting to re-
duce the impacts of climate change and instating socially progressive policies like Eugene’s sick leave ordinance. We’re
confident that Eugene would see more of the same conservative, backwards-thinking if Clark is elected.
The city also needs a mayor who will lead, not one who simply follows the directions of the city manager. If Eugene
wants its values respected and represented, Vinis is the right choice for mayor.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD COOPER