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Today at about 4:20 Secretary of State Kate Brown announced that her office has issued a $65,000 fine against an initiative petition campaign for repeated violation of Oregon’s constitutional ban on payment per signature. The penalty, leveled against the Initiative Petition 24 (marijuana decriminalization), is the largest fine ever brought against a signature gathering campaign. Continue reading
Community Alliance of Lane County is mobilizing with both Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect (SAfER, a CALC program) and Back to Back: Allies for Human Dignity (B2B), to counter recent hate activity and support neighbors along Centennial Boulevard in Springfield. From 4:30 to 6:30 pm Wednesday, April 18, activists will engage in counter-leafleting and distributing information about how to report and get involved in combating hate activity. Continue reading
Local tax resister, former prisoner of conscience, and long-time Latin America solidarity activist Peg Morton was arrested at a direct action on Monday afternoon, April 16, in front of the congressional offices in Washington, D.C. Continue reading
The Oregon State Marine Board voted 3-2 last night (April 10) to maintain the ban on gas-powered motorboats on Waldo Lake, but declined to continue the ban on floatplanes, saying the OSMB does not have the authority to ban the planes. Read the OSMB staff report and recommendations at http://wkly.ws/190 which includes an analysis of the 4,000 public comments. The issue of gas motors on Waldo is not over. A challenge to the 2010 rule is still pending in the Oregon Court of Appeals. And the lifted ban on floatplanes is also subject to litigation or legislation. Continue reading
Lane County Commissioner Rob Handy’s re-election campaign got the attention of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters this week as one of Oregon’s “critical” races. http://wkly.ws/18j Continue reading
Oregon Wild is putting on “an evening celebrating everything you love about Waldo Lake” from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday, April 4, at Agate Alley Laboratory restaurant, 2645 Willamette St. in Eugene. The event is leading up to a public meeting by the Oregon State Marine Board at 6 pm Tuesday, April 10, at the Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd St. in Springfield. Written comments can be emailed to osmb.rulemaking@state.or.us or by snail mail to June LeTarte, Rules Coordinator, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, Salem 97309. Continue reading
City Club of Eugene’s program this week will be “Unfinished Business: The EmX in West Eugene,” and will begin at 11:50 am Friday, March 30, at the Hilton, 12th floor. A final decision is nearing this summer on whether or not the EmX bus rapid transit line should be extended through west Eugene. A moderated discussion will include those in support and those opposed. Members may attend the meeting at no charge; guests and non-members pay $5. Lunch is $16 for non-members. Continue reading
Occupy Eugene and other local groups are planning a protest gathering from 4 to 6 pm today, March 26, in front of the old Federal Building at 7th and Pearl, in honor of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black youth who was killed in Florida recently by a neighborhood watch volunteer. Martin was wearing a hoodie at the time. “Wear your hoodie, bring a sign, come stand together in solidarity for true justice,” says one organizer. Continue reading
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters released its preliminary endorsements March 11 on selected state and county races in the May primary. More endorsements from the OLCV are expected. OLCV bases its endorsements on questionnaires sent to candidates and also on candidates’ voting records on contested environmental issues. In state legislative races, OLCV has endorsed Reps. Paul Holvey, Phil Barnhart, John Lively, Nancy Nathanson and Val Hoyle. In Lane County Commission races, OLCV has endorsed Pete Sorenson and Rob Handy. Continue reading
Kieran Walsh, a candidate for Lane County commissioner running against incumbent Pete Sorenson, has announced a news conference for 10 am Thursday at the Lane County Elections office, 275 W. 10th Ave. in Eugene. He says he will have “an announcement concerning his campaign.” Joining Walsh will join with another candidate in the same race, Andy Stahl, along with a number of local legislators to discuss the importance of the county commission race. Continue reading