Author: EW Staff

Slant 5-21-2015

Slant

• Predictable results in the May Special Election. Disappointing turnout of only 35 percent. We didn’t expect the vehicle registration fee to pass, but we did expect the results to be closer. Lane County voters haven’t figured out that we are undertaxed compared to counties that haven’t relied heavily on federal timber payments. Measure 5 and other tax limits put us in a bind when timber payments dried up. How are we going to catch up now? Nobody loves new taxes and fees, especially ones that affect low-income residents, but the options are very limited. Continue reading →

Biz Beat 5-21-2015

Biz Beat

Falafel of Eugene is planning to join Wrap City at Kesey Square, says Kim Still of Saturday Market. Saturday Market contracts with the city to administer the food cart program at Kesey Square and on the Park Blocks. “We are actively seeking a couple more carts to add back in to the plaza food pod,” Still says. “Unfortunately we are not able to permit food trucks in that area, just carts.” Contact the market office at 686-8885, ext. 102. Continue reading →

Activist Alert 5-21-2015

Activist Alert

• Community Rights Lane County will host a free workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Friday, May 22, at the LCC Downtown campus, Room 105. The workshop will “explore provocative issues around democracy, the power of the corporate state and communities’ rightful role in local decision-making.” Speakers include advocates Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin from Washington, Cliff Willmeng from Colorado and Ann Kneeland, a local attorney working to get community rights initiatives onto the ballot in Oregon. Continue reading →

Slant 5-15-2015

Slant

• As of May 12, only about 15 percent of voters have turned in ballots for the May 19 Special Election, which is surprising. We figured the Lane County vehicle registration fee and recent controversies on the 4J School Board would crank up interest in this election. But it’s not too late to get those ballots dropped off at one of those handy white ballot boxes around town. Procrastination appears to be an exclusively human frailty. Continue reading →

Biz Beat 5-14-2015

Biz Beat

We’re hearing some grumbles about the Glenwood Refinement Project and some residents and businesses that might be affected or even displaced. One drawing of the new Franklin Boulevard Project through Glenwood shows four roundabouts within 1 mile, requiring widening in several places that would take out entire buildings and business frontage. The new Planned Parenthood building could lose part of its setback from the street. Continue reading →

Slant 5-7-2015

Slant

• May special elections tend to have low turnouts, meaning everyone who does vote has a bigger impact than in general elections. Your ballot has superpowers! Lane County’s Vehicle Registration Fee may have trouble passing this time around, but it has people thinking about how we pay (or don’t pay) for street, road and bridge maintenance, not only in the county but also in our cities and small towns. Is there any town in Lane County not struggling to fund street repairs? Continue reading →

Endorsements

News

Ballots arrived in Lane County mailboxes this week for the May 19 special elections. If you didn’t get your ballot, call Lane County Elections at 682-4234 or visit lanecounty.org/elections. Completed ballots need to be at the elections office or in white ballot boxes around town and campus by 8 pm Tuesday, May 19. Below are our endorsements in selected races and money measures. Find additional information in your Voters’ Pamphlet.   Lane ESD Director Position 7 (at large)  — Linda Hamilton Continue reading →

Activist Alert 5-7-2015

Activist Alert

• School board candidates from Bethel and Eugene 4J will participate in a candidates forum at City Club of Eugene noon Friday, May 8, at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St. $5 for non-members. See cityclubofeuegene.org for details. • Revisions to Eugene’s Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) program are on the agenda of the Eugene City Council at 7:30 pm Monday, May 11, at Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Ave. The meeting begins with a public forum. Continue reading →