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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2018)
Amends Charter: establishes office, duties of independent elected city auditor YES one. The measure is the Eugene City Council’s cynical response to a previously filed citizens’ initiative — Ballot Measure 20-283 — that would create an independent and separately elected city auditor. The backers of the city-approved auditor proposal would have you believe otherwise, but the timing of their ballot measure makes it clear that 20-287 is nothing but a poison pill — a tried-and-true tactic in Oregon and elsewhere in which established interests try to undermine a reform proposal by offering a watered-down version of the original idea on the same ballot. The goal is to muddy the issue and split the vote so that neither measure passes. The original measure in this case — 20-283 — would create an independent elected performance auditor to oversee city programs. The auditor would not be appointed by the city council but would be elected directly by the citizens. The measure also establishes a budget for the auditor’s office of 0.1 percent of the city budget, a reasonable sum. The council’s watered-down version would have the council appoint its own auditor and give the office about a third of the originally proposed budget to work with. Both ideas weaken the auditor so much that the office would become just one more drag on the city’s budget without providing a clear benefit. Vote for a real auditor with a “yes” on 20-283 and a “no” on 20-287. Ballot Measure 20-287 Ballot Measure 20-288 MAKE AUDITING GREAT AGAIN! Who doesn’t want genuine oversight of the doings of city government? Well, the backers of Ballot Measure 20-287 don’t, for Bonds to fund parks and recreation facility projects YES day after passing his citizenship test. Dean says, as a part of being an American citizen, he wants to be able to give back to his community. A broker and Realtor for his company, Bennett & Dean Real Estate, Dean says, among other issues, he’s focused on bringing more affordable housing to Eugene and says his experience working with builders and contractors gives him the knowledge to be able to realistically do that. He says he’s also frustrated with the way projects like Capstone were handled by the city. Dean thinks he has the skills to be a consensus builder for the council. In an endorsement interview with EW, he said that he would work to bring the council together on issues, if elected. He says he could do a better job of this than current Ward 5 councilor, his competitor, Mike Clark. Though we don’t agree with a lot of Clark's opinions and votes on the council, like casting a “no” vote on issues to help the environment and our homeless population, Clark isn’t a terrible option. We do admire his ability to speak his mind — like his thoughts on the issue of the upcoming city auditor vote. We also appreciate that he has a different point of view from the other councilors, and we honestly considered endorsing him. We even reached out to him a number of times to schedule an endorsement interview and got absolutely no response back. Hopefully he communicates better with his constituents. Taking this all into account, we think that Dean is the best candidate for the job. Eugene Water & Electric Board WARD 6 GREG EVANS UNOPPOSED Amends Charter: establishes council-appointed perfor- mance auditor, audit review board NO WARDS 4 AND 5 JOHN BROWN UNOPPOSED AT-LARGE VICTOR ODLIVAK V. ZACH MULHOLLAND V. MINDY SCHL OSSBERG THE MINDY PROJECT Zach Mulholland and Mindy Schlossberg are both strong candidates and regardless of the outcome, we hope they stay in the public arena. Mindy Schlossberg has shown leader- ship qualities, understands budgets and balance sheets, and seems better qualified to represent all 88,000 rate payers at this time. We agree with one of the current board members who says a woman is needed for the EWEB board. “For too long it has been dominated by middle-aged males.” Ballot Measure 20-283 YOUR SECOND NIGHT IS FREE! There’s never been a better time to stay at the Inn At Spanish Head. I t’s the most beautiful coast in the world. F ace it. Five-year parks and recreation operations and mainte- nance local option levy YES Ballot Measure 20-289 “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Common Decency, Common Sense, Common Ground, Common Good. "The people in Lane County deserve more. Our seniors should feel secure in their homes. Our children should be safe at school and our families should have decent opportunities for a hopeful tomorrow." ~ Tim Laue Tim has BOLD IDEAS for Lane County’s communities. • Increase public safety patrols on our highways and in our neighborhoods. • Hire coordinators in East Lane watersheds to improve rural services. • Demand a fair share because while you pay more and get less every year, out of state corporations get millions in benefits and tax breaks. • Provide for affordable healthcare & housing. Tim has served and delivered in Lane County for twenty-five years. • New public safety facilities for fire, ambulance and youth services. Through June 30, 2018 experience exceptional lodging at Oregon’s only resort hotel built right on the beach, and take advantage of our “Second Night Free” discount on stays Sunday through Thursday. All guest rooms are oceanfront with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame glorious sunsets, spectacular cloud formations and the ocean waves. And, some say you can actually see the curve of the earth as you enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink at Fathoms, our penthouse restaurant and bar. For more information or to make your reservation phone 800-452-8127. Some restrictions apply. • A new library, improved parks and open spaces and better neighborhoods. • Keeping government accountable by protecting vulnerable people and our environment. • Balancing services during deep cuts including public safety, public health, mental health, human services, youth services, economic development and jobs. ELECT TIM LAUE FOR LANE COUNTY COMMISSIONER 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 800-452-8127 SpanishHead.com timlaue.com (541) 600-9722 • votetim@timlaue.com Paid for and authorized by Tim Laue for Commissioner, Lee Gire, Treasurer eugeneweekly.com • A pril 26, 2018 9
