We've got issues.
The crux of the City Hall debate appears to be what makes sense economically: tear down or rebuild? And appearance: Can we sustain the function of this building and upgrade its tattered look? That’s what the Eugene City Council will be considering when it meets for a work session and regular meeting Sept. 22 and additional work session Sept. 24. Does our City Council know: Continue reading
Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain sent out this statement today on the 2015 minimum wage: “Today's announcement that the 2015 minimum wage will be $9.25 is welcome news. Oregon has long been ahead of most states by ensuring our lowest-paid neighbors aren't falling even further behind. But in reality that amounts to $19,240 a year, or $1,603.33 a month, to help families make ends meet. More and more new jobs pay minimum wage or close to it. It's time for us to do more. Continue reading
Former Eugenean Mare Wakefield and her husband, Nomad, are back in town this weekend and will be performing at 7 pm Saturday, Sept. 15, Out On a Limb Gallery, 191 E. Broadway. Mare and Nomad have a new video out, recorded in their studio in Nashville. Find more videos, including some from their earlier tours through Eugene, on YouTube. Continue reading
Tonight's (9/8) Eugene City Council meeting at 7:30 at Harris Hall does not have a public forum on the tear-down of City Hall on the agenda, but we hear a group of local architects will be speaking during the public forum session near the beginning of the meeting. They will likely question the information and assumptions that were the basis of the council decision to tear down City Hall. We hear some on the council might be rethinking their decision based on new information provided by the architects and engineers. But is it too late? Continue reading
Do you know the three reasons Eugene City Hall should not be torn down? 1) It will cost taxpayers many millions more than other options. 2) The plan calls for a “ceremonial” City Hall to house only the council chambers, mayor’s office and city administration. 3) The plan violates the city’s commitment to sustainability. Here’s a pop quiz to see how well you understand the issues. What will the city lose in tearing down City Hall? Continue reading
We just heard that Tom Peter, noted journalist, author and foreign correspondent, will be speaking at noon Sunday, Aug. 31, at First Church-Christ Scientist, 13th and Pearl in Eugene. Peter has most recently been covering Syria, and before that Afghanistan and Iraq. See http://www.tomapeter.com/ Continue reading
The 2014-2015 school year marks the first year that students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment, a standardized test aligned with the new Common Core State Standards. Continue reading
Dr. Samuel Metz explains how single payer health insurance could work in Oregon. Continue reading
This coming weekend will be a time to celebrate Eugene even if some of the names, venues and entertainment are not quite what we have been accustomed to in past decades. But Eugeneans are flexible, right? Familiar will be the Eugene Celebration Parade and Pet Parade Saturday, Aug. 23, followed by something new, a gathering outside Civic Stadium at the end of the parade for a rally. And Festival of Eugene is still happening as we go to press despite some moments of uncertainty as the new festival came together. Here’s what we know to help you plan your weekend: Continue reading