10A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL September 28, 2016
F ORUM
Continued from page 1A
then, there have been a lot of
changes — some good, some not
so good, but it’s changed none-
theless. I feel I have a lifetime of
vested interest in this communi-
ty, and when I make decisions, I
talk to other people.”
Meanwhile, Fleck positioned
himself as a consensus-build-
er on the Council and said he
would bring an effort at cooper-
ation to the mayor’s seat, while
Boone often spoke philosophi-
cally about choosing the City’s
“least worst option.”
Here’s how the candidates
approached some of the issues
raised at Thursday’s forum:
Regarding the measure to
raise the gas tax to fund street
repairs and the possibility of
a bond to fi x Cottage Grove’s
streets:
Boone: “I do support the fuels
tax increase, but I would have
gone higher on the number. The
money isn’t covering what it
costs to keep our streets in de-
cent condition. I don’t see us
having a lot of choice. We need
to increase the tax and go out for
a bond.”
Gowing: “As much as I hate
taxes, I do support the idea of the
gas tax because it’s the fairest
way to distribute the cost. Peo-
ple complain to me about South
Sixth (Street), and they live out
London. I don’t drive that street,
but if you put a bond out, it’s
paid for with my property tax,
not theirs. The bond I am not in
favor of because it only affects
people in the community. The
tax is the fairest way.”
Fleck: “I support the gas tax,
because the increase is the same
amount as Springfi eld, but the
tax is a short-term fi x… it’s a
dying funding mechanism. I ab-
solutely support bonds because
our other problem is our water,
waste and stormwater systems,
and with a bond we can replace
all of those.”
Regarding steps to curb
vandalism and theft:
Gowing: “Councilor Slay had
started a neighborhood watch
type thing, and pursuing more
of that is a good thing. We need
to get more people out in the
late-night hours, get more eyes
out there. We’re growing in size
here, pushing 10,000 popula-
tion. Maybe don’t have enough
police offi cers and we need to
look at increasing our num-
bers.”
Fleck: “I agree that Councilor
Slay and Chief Shepherd did an
excellent job, and perhaps we
can help by giving out some
brochures that help people pro-
tect their homes.”
Boone: “One thing I’d add is
that we need to enlist the support
of the populace. We need more
help in law enforcement…there
are a lot of things uniformed of-
fi cers do that could be done by
non-uniformed employees or
volunteers. We’re going to need
to do a lot more. I would love to
South Lane Physical Therapy LLC
Did you know?
W. STU HOGG
PT, OCS, COMT
We have a rapid access
program and can see new
patients within 2 business
days for an acute injury.
hire more police, but we don’t
have that much money.”
we don’t always agree but want
to hear your concerns.”
Regarding the need to in-
clude citizens in the workings
of government:
Regarding steps to improve
the housing and rental mar-
kets:
Boone: “The way we do
things at the City Council now
is very formal, very stilted…We
could be more explicit up here.
There are people here that do
want to talk. We’re used to it,
we know the procedures, but
we can’t expect the audience to
know that. It would make things
friendlier. I would also like to at
least quarterly have a town hall
meeting to give access and have
chat back and forth rather than
‘you say your piece, then you sit
down.’”
Gowing: “When people come
and talk about items that are not
on the agenda, we can’t respond.
We need to give more clarifi ca-
tion to them that we can’t re-
spond. I’d encourage them to
get with their ward councilors
and follow up. I hate emails,
but I always answer my phone
messages. Our phone numbers
should be on there. Mine is 942-
1900, call me.”
Fleck: “When we adopted new
council rules, we changed our
whole procedure. Now, we have
the opportunity for all citizens
to speak after they’ve heard us
talk about it. It’s a much better
process. But I have to agree with
Jeff. My phone number is also
in the book — it’s 942-7302.
The best thing to do is to call us.
We always want to hear about it;
Fleck: “This is one of the core
pieces of why I wanted to run
for mayor. I’m very concerned
about the cost of our SDC (Sys-
tems Development Charges)
fees and permits. I work with
Community Sharing, and we
provide housing assistance.
There have been clients we’ve
been able to help that couldn’t
fi nd a rental. It’s a huge prob-
lem. People need to be building
investment properties. I’m hear-
ing from builders that our fees
are too high. I would propose
reducing them 10-25 percent.”
Boone: “I disagree the most.
We as a city don’t have the
power to fi x an economy, but
we have a lot of power to make
it worse. We can remove regu-
lations that get in the way, but
our only other option is subsidy.
Our SDC fees are as high as
they are because that’s what it
actually costs to attach another
building onto our systems. If we
don’t charge the developers, the
money has to come from some-
where.”
Gowing: “I’m not convinced
that our fees are keeping build-
ings from going up. Our city
limits a two-mile by two-mile
footprint — show me some
property where we could build
more houses. We might have a
lot or two here or there. Why
builders are not building, it’s
not making sense. Maybe we’re
at max capacity, and we have to
live with the amount of citizens
we have now.”
Regarding their views on
the job of the Mayor:
Gowing: Regarding the Mayor
and Council – if you’re running
an organization in the private
sector, the City Manager is the
CEO. The Council is the board
of directors, and the mayor is
chairman of the board. The City
Manager answers to the Council
and Mayor.”
Fleck: “I see the mayor’s po-
sition as a consensus builder.
The Mayor works to create the
agenda and makes sure it fi ts
what the Council is looking for.
The Mayor is the facilitator.”
Boone: “When I came on the
Council, Gary (Williams) was
Mayor, and he explained his job
as that of a traffi c cop. He has
to make sure everybody is heard
and keep the meeting moving.
The Mayor doesn’t have a lot of
extra power. They still only have
one vote, and it’s still a council
of seven. The Mayor’s job is
also to act as sort of ambassador
for Cottage Grove.”
Regarding growth in Cot-
tage Grove and an ideal popu-
lation:
Fleck: “Having no growth
is problematic, but extreme
growth is also problematic. Our
population is going to grow. It’s
MARIE WILLIAMSON
Call Paul to
help simplify
the complicated.
PTA
Safety tips for cyclists:
Bicycle riding is fun, healthy, and a great way to be independent.
But it is important to remember that a bicycle is not a toy;
it’s a vehicle!
Be cool – follow some basic safety tips when you ride.
$ PUUBHF ( SPWF
4 FOUJOFM
Our Community Newspaper
since 1889
541-517-7362
Paul Henrichs ~ Independent Agent
coverage4oregon@gmail.com
Cottage Grove’s seven candi-
dates for three open City Coun-
cil positions were scheduled to
offer their views at a similar fo-
rum on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Patton’s Country Gardens
Affordable Care Act
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Starts November 1st
Don't forget about our Floral Department
Local Delivery Available
Orthopedic • Sport • Spine
303 Main Street, Cottage Grove OR
Phone: 541.942.6482
Fax: 541.942.6483
inevitable. The proper method
is to plan for growth and keep
going.”
Boone: “The ideal size isn’t
up to me. I don’t think there is
such a thing, because everybody
has a different idea of what it
would be. We have a hard limit
because we will run out of space.
When Lane County is full, Cot-
tage Grove will be its second-
smallest city. The way to man-
age growth is a tough question
because I don’t think we can.
The only way to decide the size
is to watch it become whatever
size it becomes.”’
Gowing: “I grew up in the
60s, and I liked 5000. That was
a really good number. It was
fun, but that’s not realistic any-
more. You need a way to sustain
it. Go eight miles up and look
at Creswell. In 1990, the popu-
lation was around 2000. They
had the Bald Knob facility that
they chose not to rebuild, so
they have no industry. You need
to have business to complement
the population. It has to be a
good balance.”
541-942-7672
PLOHQRUWKRI'HOLJKW9DOOH\6FKRRO'HOLJKW9DOOH\6FKRRO5G
Many bicycle-related crashes resulting in injury or death are associated with the bicyclist’s behavior, including such
things as not wearing a bicycle helmet, riding into a street without stopping, turning left or swerving into traffic that
is coming from behind, running a stop sign, and riding the wrong way in traffic. To maximize your safety, always
wear a helmet AND follow the rules of the road.
Rules of the Road – Bicycling on the Road
Bicycles in many States are considered vehicles, and cyclists have the same rights and the same
responsibilities to follow the rules of the road as motorists. When riding, always:
Go With the Traffic Flow. Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow
– not against it.
Obey All Traffic Laws. A bicycle is a vehicle and you’re a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all
traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
Safe Riding Tips
Before using your bicycle, make sure it is ready to ride. You should always
inspect your bike to make sure all parts are secure and working properly.
Remember to:
Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet. Protect your brain, save your life. For more information see
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication “Easy Steps to Properly Fit a Bicycle Helmet.”
Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit. Stand over your bicycle. There should be 1 to 2 inches between you and the
top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. The seat should be level front to
back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The
handlebar height should be at the same level with the seat.
Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work.
See and Be Seen. Whether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night, you need to be seen by others.
Wearing white has not been shown to make you more visible. Rather, always wear neon, fluorescent, or other
bright colors when riding day or night. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or
markings, or flashing lights. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.
Control Your Bicycle. Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. Carry books and other items
in a bicycle carrier or backpack.
Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass,
gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs. All these hazards can cause a crash. If you are riding with friends and you
are in the lead, yell out and point to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.
Avoid Riding at Night. It is far more dangerous to ride at night than during the day because you are
harder for others to see. If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more easily seen by
others. Make sure you have reflectors on the front and rear of your bicycle (white lights on the front and
red rear reflectors are required by law in many States), in addition to reflectors on your tires, so others
can see you.
Yield to Traffic When Appropriate. Almost always, drivers on a smaller road must yield (wait) for
traffic on a major or larger road. If there is no stop sign or traffic signal and you are coming from a smaller
roadway (out of a driveway, from a sidewalk, a bike path, etc.), you must slow down and look to see if the way
is clear before proceeding. This also means yielding to pedestrians who have already entered a crosswalk.
Be Predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars. Signal your moves to others.
Stay Alert at All Times. Use your eyes AND ears. Watch out for potholes, cracks, wet leaves, storm
grates, railroad tracks, or anything that could make you lose control of your bike. You need your ears to hear
traffic and avoid dangerous situations; don’t wear a headset when you ride.
Look Before Turning. When turning left or right, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then
signal before making the turn. Watch for left- or right-turning traffic.
Watch for Parked Cars. Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars
(like doors opening, or cars pulling out).
Sidewalk versus Street Riding
The safest place for bicycle riding is on the street, where bicycles are expected to follow the same rules of the road as
motorists and ride in the same direction.
Children less than 10 years old, however, are not mature enough to make the decisions necessary to safely ride
in the street.
Children less than 10 years old are better off riding on the sidewalk.
For anyone riding on a sidewalk:
Check the law in your State or jurisdiction to make sure sidewalk riding is allowed.
Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways.
Stop at corners of sidewalks and streets to look for cars and to make sure the drivers
see you before crossing.
Enter a street at a corner and not between parked cars. Alert pedestrians that you are near by saying,
“Excuse me,” or, “Passing on your left,” or use a bell or horn.