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Leading Oregon activists for marijuana legalization met in Lincoln City last weekend following the defeat of Measure 80. They discussed the future of marijuana politics in the state of Oregon and the impact that election victories legalizing marijuana for adults in Washington and Colorado would have on their next move. Here is an edited version of their press release, sent to EWby Jim Greig of Eugene: Continue reading
What's happening with the Courthouse Garden property? Just added today to the Eugene City Council work session agenda for noon Wednesday, Oct. 31, is a an "Urban Renewal Agency Work Session: Disposition of Real Property," and we hear from a city planner that's it's about the Courthouse Garden site. We have not been able to confirm whether or not Northwest Community Credit Union will be asking for a waiver of system development charges on what could be a $10 million project. NCCU wants to buy the 1.8 acres for a new headquarters building and bank. Continue reading
Regarding last night’s presidential candidates debate, Daphne Wysham, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and co-director of the Sustainable Energy and Economy Network, said today: "The Arctic is melting to record lows, extreme weather is increasing, grain reserves are at record lows threatening millions with hunger should there be another bad grain harvest next year, but there was NO mention of climate change in the presidential debates. Continue reading
This evening after the presidential debates, Ramon Ramirez of PCUN, Oregon's Farmworker Union, will speak on the topic of “Worker Justice and Wage Theft in Oregon.” Ramirez will speak at a free bilingual event from 7:30 to 9 pm Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Temple Beth Israel, corner of University Street and East 29th Avenue in Eugene. Event sponsors are Temple Beth Israel, Beyond Toxics, ESSN, Lane County Immigration Integration Network, Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics and the UO Labor Education Research Center. Continue reading
Hundreds of patients who rely on medical marijuana, and their supporters, will hold rallies today (Sept. 20) at Obama campaign offices and elsewhere in at least 15 cities in eight states across the country. In Eugene the rally will be at noon in front of the U.S. Courthouse at 405 E. 8th Ave. Continue reading
Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury has officially endorsed Measure 80 on the November ballot that would replace Oregon’s system of marijuana prohibition with a taxation-and-regulation model that would allow adults 21 and older to purchase cannabis at state-licensed stores only. Continue reading
EDITOR'S NOTE: Looks like there have been some delays. He is expected to hold a press conference at 9 am Wednesday at the Lane County Elections Office, 275 W. 10th Ave. in Eugene. Not sure about his Corvallis plans at this point. Call (916) 320-6430 for updates. Seth Woolley of Portland is in Newport today and will be making a Corvallis stop in his statewide campaign bike tour at about noon Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Pacific Green Party’s campaign office at SE 3rd St. and Bridgeway Avenue. The public is invited to attend. Continue reading
(This information provided by Chris Crabb, crabbsoup@comcast.net) Obo Addy — master drummer, award-winning composer, brilliant musician, and skilled teacher — passed away peacefully at 4 pm Sept. 13 surrounded by family and friends. He had been battling liver cancer since 2007. Addy was 76 years old. Continue reading
A commentary by Edward Hershey in the Blue Oregon blog this week notes that The Oregonian will not be endorsing a presidential candidate this election for the first time, maybe ever. Why? Hershey writes: “This is about pragmatism, not philosophy. What is most likely at play here is that the two men now driving editorial policy at the O — publisher Chris Anderson and editorial page editor Erik Lukens — understand it would be bad business to endorse Romney. But both would just about die rather die than endorse Obama.” Continue reading