Dear CHOICES Subscribers, What a difference a week can make! The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) ruled that Springfield violated two Statewide Planning Goals when it approved plan amendments for PeaceHealth to build a new hospital in the Gateway area. On Goal 9 (Economic Development), LUBA ruled that Springfield can't designate additional land for commercial development if it already has a surplus of commercial land (for example, an empty Sony factory). On Goal 12, LUBA ruled that Springfield can't amend its plans to allow for new development if that development is likely or certain to overwhelm the transportation system, not merely at some time in the distant future but at any time. An ambulance can't wait 10-15 years for future roads to solve current traffic congestion problems. LUBA rejected arguments on other goals. But it is important to understand that land use law isn't a game in which the party who prevails on the most goals wins. The score isn't PeaceHealth 5, Appellants 2. Springfield is required to uphold all the Statewide Planning Goals, not just a majority of them. If it fails on any one goal, it fails. There's a good chance the LUBA decision will be appealed to the Court of Appeals, so a final decision on the appeal may not come until the middle of the year. In other news, it appears Triad is looking to site a new McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center hospital where the doctors want to go, i.e, close to the new PeaceHealth hospital. The top sites include one near Valley River Center, in Glenwood, and from what we hear a third site close to PeaceHealth. As a recent Register-Guard editorial noted, the three state of the cities and county addresses all highlighted the need repair existing roads and to build new ones -- and the great cost of doing so. We the public can hope that someone else picks up the tab for these roads, we can pay for the roads ourselves with higher taxes, or we can make the best use of existing roads. A good way to do so is to site essential services in central locations so that, on average, people don't have to travel as far and thus place less demand on our roads. Centrally located services. Coalition for Health Options In CENTRAL Eugene-Springfield. Now there's an idea! Chances are another week will make another difference. Until then... Rob Zako, Editor 343-5201 rzako@efn.org ================================================================================ Health Options Digest January 11, 2004 Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALENDAR Monday, January 12 -- Springfield City Council Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3700 5:30 p.m., Work Session, Library Meeting Room 1. Joint Meeting with the Springfield Arts Commission. (45 min.) 2. Contract for 3rd Party Plan Review and Inspection Services for PeaceHealth RiverBend Project. (15 min.) 3. Intergovernmental Agreements. (45 min.) Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/CMO/2004Council/010504%20Combined%20Agenda.pdf 7:30 p.m., Special Regular Meeting, Council Meeting Room 1. Joint Public Hearing with Willakenzie Rural Fire Protection District (WFD) Board Members Regarding Willakenzie Fire District Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). (45 min.) 8:15 p.m., Tentative Executive Session, Jesse Maine Room 1. Contract for 3rd Party Plan Review and Inspection Services for PeaceHealth RiverBend Project. (5 min.) Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/CMO/2004Council/2004%20January%2012%20agenda.pdf Tuesday, January 13 -- Springfield Planning Commission Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3753 6:00 p.m., Work Session, Jesse Maine Room 1. Discretionary Use/Site Plan Review -- Thurston Community Baptist Church. (15 min.) 2. PeaceHealth Master Plan and Zone Change Deliberation. (45 min.) Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/dsd/Planning/PC%20Agenda%20&%20Minutes/2004/Work%20Agenda/January%206,%202004.pdf 7:00 p.m., Regular Session, Council Meeting Room * Discretionary Use/Site Plan Review -- Thurston Community Baptist Church. (20 min.) * Continuation from 12/16/2003: PeaceHealth Master Plan and Zone Change Deliberation. (30 min.) Agenda: http://www.ci.springfield.or.us/dsd/Planning/PC%20Agenda%20&%20Minutes/2004/Regular%20Agenda/January%206%202004.pdf January 23-24 -- Visions of Eugene Center: A Public Design Charette Sponsored by the City of Eugene An exploration of ideas for a civic center encompassing a new city hall, police services building, and other local government facilities. Issues include: * expression of our community's artistic, cultural, social and governmental values; * the creation of civic open spaces; * enhancement of great streets; * sustainability; and * contributing to the variety of downtown. Invited Participants: Southwest Oregon Chapter of the AIA Willamette Valley Section of the ASLA Downtown Eugene Incorporated Downtown Neighborhood Association Eugene in Common The Eugene Planning Commission The Citizens of Eugene Time and Place: Kick-Off Meeting: Date: Friday, January 23, 2004 Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Place: Eugene Public Library, Bascom/Tykeson Room Agenda: Presentation of background information, program, orientation, sites, general discussion Design Charrette: Date: Saturday, January 24, 2004 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Place: Atrium Building, Sloat Room Agenda: General discussion, establish work groups, develop concepts, reviews Please mark your calendars for this important event. The City has retained the services of WBGS Architecture & Planning PC to assist with assembling information in advance of the Charrette and in organizing and refining the results. Concepts for the Civic Center will be presented to the Eugene City Council in February. Please RSVP to Tricia Berg by Wednesday, January 14th. tberg@wbgs.com or 541-342-7291. For additional information please contact Tricia Berg or Eric Gunderson at WBGS Architecture & Planning PC, phone 541-342-7291 or Michael Penwell, City of Eugene Facility Management Division, phone 541-682-5547 or by email at . January 28 -- Ideas sought on parks and recreation plan 4:00-7:00 p.m., Memorial Building Community Center, 765 A St., Springfield On the parks side of the Willamalane Park & Recreation District, planners are looking for opinions on a draft document intended to help identify future needs for parks, open space, recreation facilities and related services in Springfield. Draft copies of the district's Park and Recreation Comprehensive Plan -- in the works since January 2002 -- are available for review at the Willamalane Administration Center and the Springfield Library. Copies can be purchased for $15.82 apiece at Willamalane, or may be downloaded from the district's Web page at www.willamalane.org. An open house for discussion and explanation of the plan will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Memorial Building Community Center, 765 A St. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2003/12/20/b2.cr.spfldcitybeat.1220.html January 29 -- A new view on toxic chemicals: how they impact our health 6:00-8:00 p.m., Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St., Eugene It has been a long-held truth that the "dose makes the poison" when it comes to toxic chemicals and their impact on our health. However, recent science indicates that even low-level exposure, particularly at the wrong time in the development of a fetus or small child, can cause subtle yet serious health impacts. John Peterson Myers, Ph.D., will highlight cutting-edge science, the conceptual shifts that are occurring as a result, implications for clinical practice and opportunities for health professionals to advance public understanding of the emerging evidence. Dr. Myers is co-author of Our Stolen Future, CEO of Environmental Health Sciences, which publishes , a daily collection of links to press articles on environmental health, and Senior Advisor to the United Nations Foundation and Commonwealth. The Healthy Environment Forum series is intended to bring health professionals, environmentalists and engaged community members together to learn about emerging issues and being to forge consensus about linkages between some of Oregon's most difficult environmental and health challenges. The series is designed for physicians and other health care providers, especially those in Family Medicine and Pediatrics, and for interested citizens. *** CME, CNE and Naturopathic credits are available. To register online, visit . Tickets are $25 ($20 for OEC members and employees of nonprofit or governmental agencies) or $75 for the series. Heavy hors d'oeurves will be provided. To register by mail, please send checks to Oregon Environmental Council, 520 SW Sixth Ave., Suite 940, Portland, OR 97204-1535. Register by phone with Visa or MasterCard by contacting Cheryl Bristah at (503) 222-1963 x100 or cheryl@orcouncil.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPPORTUNITIES Building appeals panel seeks five volunteers SPRINGFIELD -- The city has openings for all five positions on the Building Board of Appeals. The board determines suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction, gives reasonable interpretations of building safety codes, and hears various building and sign code appeals. The positions will expire at the end of 2004 and 2006. You must have training or expertise in building design or construction, or be a property owner in the city. Applications are available at City Hall, 225 Fifth St., and the deadline to apply is Jan. 23. For more information, call Lisa Hopper at 726-3753. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/04/c2.cr.rg.briefs.0104.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PEACEHEALTH Land board cites concerns over hospital SPRINGFIELD -- The state Land Use Board of Appeals said Monday the city must address concerns about transportation and economic development tied to PeaceHealth's planned $400 million hospital project. The City Council hopes to take the final vote on the RiverBend project next month, but it's unknown whether the board's decision will derail that schedule. In its lengthy response to appeals of the project, the board said PeaceHealth's plan to rezone 33 acres for offices and stores near the hospital violates the city's plan for commercial land. The board also said the project is at odds with state rules that require governments to plan their transportation systems. Jan Wilson, coordinator of a community group opposed to the hospital's Gateway-area site, said the city can't move forward until it decides whether to fight the board's decision or comply with its recommendations. But Philip Farrington, PeaceHealth development director, said the council's February vote on the hospital's 160-acre development plan can be held with the condition that the board's concerns are resolved. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/06/d1.cr.luba.0106.html LUBA rules; city, hospital, opponents all claim victory A recent ruling by the state Land Use Board Board of Appeals on PeaceHealth's proposed development in Springfield is being hailed a victory by city leaders, hospital officials and even project opponents. The board ruled Monday that City Council correctly followed state and local laws when rezoning property between the McKenzie River and Game Farm Road, but board members asked the city to clarify compliance to state land use goals relating to economic development and transportation. The Coalition for Health Options in Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES), one of the groups to originally appeal the city's land use decision, is pleased the city and PeaceHealth must conduct additional studies, according to Jan Wilson, the groups coordinator. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/07/local/news03.txt RiverBend Can't Snarl Traffic LUBA decision could cost PeaceHealth millions. PeaceHealth may have to pay millions of dollars more to improve roads to build its huge new hospital complex on the banks of the McKenzie River, according to a decision Jan. 5 by the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). PeaceHealth has argued that it doesn't need to pay for most new road infrastructure to serve its hospital because congestion would be at acceptable levels by 2018, when Springfield planned to build new roads to serve the area. But critics charged that would leave people struggling with traffic snarl for more than a decade and said the hospital was legally required to address traffic concerns now. "Real compliance would require almost $100 million in new roads on or before the date the hospital and associated commercial facilities become operational," Jan Wilson of CHOICES commented on the RiverBend proposal. (more...) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#1 http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_08_04/news.html#1 City still to move forward with vote on hospital plan SPRINGFIELD -- The state said the city's approval of the PeaceHealth hospital project is flawed, but the city still will push toward a final vote on the development plan. The planning commission on Tuesday will recommend to the City Council whether to approve or deny the 160-acre plan for Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, a mix of offices, stores and housing surrounding a regional medical center in the Gateway area. The council then will take the matter up and could decide it Feb. 9, said Meg Kieran, a city attorney. That's despite a state Land Use Board of Appeals decision Monday that the council neglected concerns about traffic and land when it said last March that PeaceHealth could build the complex. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/07/a1.peacehealthfolo.0107.html The issue is traffic: PeaceHealth project requires more planning Register-Guard Editorial Observers of complex land-use disputes learn to be wary of definitive claims of victory or nonchalant dismissals of adverse rulings as "minor setbacks." Accordingly, people following the PeaceHealth controversy should take with a grain of salt any sweeping assertions about the ultimate meaning of last Monday's complex ruling by the state Land Use Board of Appeals. The Byzantine process still has a long way to go. (more....) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/11/ed.edit.luba.0111.html Slant Despite scanty coverage in local media this week, it was huge news that PeaceHealth and the city of Springfield lost major issues in a Land Use Board of Appeals decision regarding the RiverBend project (see Alan Pittman's news story on page 8). The appeal was filed by the Jaqua family, 1000 Friends of Oregon, CHOICES and Lane County. The 58-page ruling clearly indicates that PeaceHealth and Springfield did not do adequate transportation planning in light of the massive impact of this medical center on the region. Will the sprawling hospital still be built as planned? The LUBA decision sets major hurdles for hospital backers to overcome. And the ruling validates concerns by citizens and land-use groups that the project is both out of scale and poorly sited. We applaud the excellent work that went into this appeal. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#slant http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_08_04/news.html#slant Keep physicians independent Letter by Karla Saladay, RN, and Maura Egan, RN, Springfield Regarding "Miracles happen at PeaceHealth" (letters, Dec. 24). Good physicians stuck in a bad system! PeaceHealth is an ill-conceived attempt by Sacred Heart Medical Center to compete in the medical care market. The doctors' employer, Sacred Heart Medical Center, has been convicted of major illegal, unfair business practices against our community. The net result: 100 percent of our local hospitals are controlled by distant outsiders -- PeaceHealth from Washington state and Triad from Texas. We do not want our physicians controlled by outsiders as well. We want the checks and balances provided by physicians who are independent of the hospitals at which they practice. We want physicians responsible only to us, the community. The physicians are all that remain to us now. We object to Sacred Heart Medical Center spending millions yearly to subsidize this expensive, inefficient system known as PeaceHealth. Community physicians are not subsidized, yet do well. We demand that Sacred Heart quit discriminating against the efficient community physicians. Sacred Heart Medical Center is of such monumental importance to the community and so rich and powerful that when it makes mistakes, the community suffers greatly. PeaceHealth needs to put the community first, purge itself of its obsession to control and refocus on its mission to provide a first-rate hospital for the community -- something that Sacred Heart does brilliantly -- and get rid of its physician business, something it has failed at badly twice. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/08/ed.letters.0108.html Runoff reminds river residents of '96 As the snow and ice melted midweek, residents along the Mohawk River reminisced about the disastrous flood of 1996. They remembered the raging water, which rose eight feet above flood stage, and they speculated on whether the thawing of this year's big storm would summon similar misfortune. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/09/local/news02.txt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MCKENZIE-WILLAMETTE/TRIAD Negotiations over land for hospital heating up Negotiations over land to build a new private hospital near Valley River Center are near a make-or-break point. The talks intensified this week as a target date for disclosing intentions -- set by the real-estate broker representing McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center -- came and went. McKenzie-Willamette announced last spring that it was looking for 25 easily developed acres to build an $80 million hospital after it merged with Texas-based, for-profit Triad Hospitals. The Valley River site -- between Willagillespie Road and Delta Highway -- is one of a dozen that hospital and public officials have so far discussed -- but for now it appears to be in the hospital's bull's-eye. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/10/a1.newhospital.0110.html City woos hospital, eyes Glenwood The courtship of a Springfield hospital continues. McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center officials have yet to publicly narrow the list of potential sites for a new hospital in the metropolitan area, but the city of Springfield is casually formulating a plan to keep the hospital in its jurisdiction. City development staff have approached property owners north of Franklin Boulevard in Glenwood, asking them if they would agree to sell their land for a new Triad-funded hospital or other large development. McKenzie-Willamette still has Glenwood on its list of potential building sites, though a shorter list to be created mid-month could eliminate Glenwood as an option. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/07/local/news02.txt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COST OF HEALTH CARE Fire district Look for the City Council to complete a deal Monday to turn the fire department over to the Willakenzie Fire District. The city could save money and raise taxes by shifting fire to a special taxing district, but it needs to act fast to win Feb. 5 approval from the Lane County Boundary Commission. That doesn't mean the district is a done deal, however. City Manager Mike Kelly said this week there is "a good chance" either the City Council or the citizens will put the issue up to a vote. People might not be swayed by a move that eventually means higher taxes, but Kelly said some will feel better about a fire district once they see the cuts the city must adopt without one. Those numbers are due later this month. Monday's hearing and vote starts at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall, 225 Fifth St. Call 726-3700 for information. (end) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/10/b1.cr.spcitybeat.0110.html Agencies list possible cuts, system losses SALEM -- Measure 30's failure next month could translate into 27 fewer school days, the elimination of drug coverage and medical treatment for tens of thousands of low-income families, layoffs for 60 crime-lab specialists and another round of university tuition increases, according to a series of documents made public Wednesday. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/08/a1.cutslist.0108.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEARBY DEVELOPMENTS Mediation eases east campus planning A broad plan to rezone a dozen blocks east of the University of Oregon appears on its way to the City Council after a novel mediation approach that gave neighbors, university officials and city planners a chance to work out differences together. At a work session Monday, Eugene planning commissioners asked for a few minor adjustments to the plan, but appeared ready to send it on with a positive recommendation when they meet again Jan. 12. The City Council would hold further hearings before making a final decision on the zone changes and Metro Area Plan amendments. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/06/d1.cr.eastcampus.0106.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION I-5 bridge work mindful of wildlife It looks like any other muddy puddle, but to Pacific tree frogs it's a nursery. And to David Sonnichsen, the fenced-in mud hole in the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park is one small example of the many measures taken to protect the park and its critters from harm during construction of the nearby Interstate 5 detour bridge over the Willamette River. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/05/a1.bridges.0105.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATES OF THE CITIES, COUNTY Mayor gives vision for Springfield SPRINGFIELD -- In his annual state of the city address Monday, Mayor Sid Leiken pinned Springfield's future to success with partnerships, new business, road funding and quality of life. People are moving to Springfield at a greater rate than ever, Leiken said, and homeowners continue to outnumber renters, a positive trend realized in 2002 for the first time in 30 years. On the other hand, Leiken said downtown has struggled and the city must find a way to support itself without relying on taxpayers. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/06/d2.cr.stateofspring.0106.html State of the City: poised for development The mayor has his eye on the future. Mayor Sid Leiken delivered his fourth State of the City address Monday before a standing room only crowd of nearly 200 city staff, community members and local politicians. His speech, entitled "Framing the Future," identified the need in 2004 to strengthen public and private partnerships, boost economic development, find funding for road maintenance and market Springfield's quality of life. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/07/local/news05.txt A look at the future must include school funding Springfield News Editorial Mayor Sid Leiken's State of the City address, dubbed "Framing the Future," was fine -- as far as it went. In a year when the mayor will be seeking reelection to a second term, he strolled carefully through the future landscape, being careful not to step into any minefields. It is difficult to take offense to his vision: strengthening public and private partnerships, boosting economic development, finding funds for road maintenance and marketing Springfield's quality of life. But that last one -- our quality of life -- gives us pause. Any discussion of Springfield's future, tied to its quality of life, must include a vision that addresses the future, and quality, of our schools. Our students are our future, and their quality is tied directly to school funding. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/09/opinion/news01.txt County address looks back, ahead Given last year's massive budget cuts and the possibility of more slashing this year, Wednesday's State of the County Address sounded a little like the old joke: Why do you keep hitting yourself? Because it feels so good when I stop. In fact, some of the problems facing the county sounded a lot like its accomplishments, as Lane County Commissioner Peter Sorenson, the outgoing chairman of the board, delivered a mixed message. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/08/c2.cr.countyspeech.0108.html State of County: Staying cautious Lane County's severe budget cuts and staff layoffs of last year will only be repeated in 2004 if voters don't approve a temporary income tax surcharge, Commissioner Peter Sorenson cautioned as he delivered the annual State of the County address. The county is forecasting a $4.6 million deficit for fiscal year 2004-05 -- a necessary 9 percent budget reduction -- if voters don't approve Measure 30 next month. Sorenson, the Lane County Board of Commissioners outgoing chair, urged voters on Wednesday to support the tax increase, which will also bump up corporate taxes. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/09/local/news03.txt Giving thanks can be a window to politician's soul For a glimpse into the psyche -- or at least the political philosophy -- of a county commissioner, look no further than the list of people that outgoing board Chairman Peter Sorenson chose to honor at the end of his one-year term wielding the gavel. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/09/d1.cr.countybeat.0109.html Transportation tops Torrey's 2004 goals Not to take anything away from 2003, but Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey is hoping for a little better track record in 2004. Torrey used his State of the City address on Wednesday at the Hilton to lay out three goals for himself and Eugene in the coming year: begin improving the metropolitan area's transportation infrastructure, develop an economic development strategy for the city and envision a downtown civic center that will include a new city hall and police station. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/08/c2.cr.stateofeugene.0108.html Slant Mayor Torrey is scheduled to deliver his 2004 State of the City Address as we go to press Wednesday noon and we hope he talks about some issues of substance. Eugene faces chronic problems that call for decisive action that we have not yet seen under Torrey's tenure. A logical new year's resolution for the mayor would be rededication to the council's Growth Management Policies, but that's not likely. His votes and statements have often been contrary to the council's 1998 stated goals of reducing sprawl, preserving our urban growth boundary and protecting our city's few remaining natural areas. Our mayor has been a vocal advocate for youth and education in Oregon. We hope he uses his bully pulpit to urge Eugeneans to vote for Measure 30 in February. The annual State of the County Address is also scheduled the morning of Jan. 7 with Commissioner Pete Sorenson honoring former Congressmen Charlie Porter and Jim Weaver, along with Councilor Bonny Bettman (that's right) and other local powerhouses for positive change. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#slant http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_08_04/news.html#slant State of everything: Common themes include transportation needs Register-Guard Editorial The start-of-the-year "state of" speeches delivered by Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey, Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken and outgoing Lane County Board of Commissioners Chairman Peter Sorenson may not rank with William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" oration, but each nonetheless included noteworthy reflections and common themes. All three mentioned a pressing need to address the metropolitan area's outdated and deteriorating transportation system. The word "infrastructure" doesn't typically bring audiences to their feet. But the three were on target in identifying the region's crumbling streets, roads and bridges as a top priority -- one that will require a joint effort in lobbying Congress and the state government for money to pay for critical improvements. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/10/ed.edit.statecity.phn.0110.html People offer different take on state of city In response to Mayor Torrey's annual State of the City Address Jan. 7, local progressive groups are joining forces once again for the Third Annual Citizens' State of the City Address from noon to 1:30 pm Monday, Jan. 12 at Harris Hall at 8th and Oak. The event, organized by Citizens for Public Accountability and Friends of Eugene, is billed as "the people's companion" to the mayor's perspectives, and will include several speakers: Cara Stevensen will speak on creating networks, empowerment and community at the neighborhood level. Gary Gillespie will speak for the Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network on jobs, justice and the local economy. Lauri Segel of 1000 Friends of Oregon will speak on key Eugene land use issues. A speaker from Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC) will talk on human rights issues affecting transgender people and immigrants. And Becky Reilly will speak on the environment and public health. The mayor's State of the City Address Jan. 7 will be recorded by Metro Television for broadcast at 9 am and 4:30 pm Jan. 8; 9 and 10:30 am Jan. 9; and 10:30 am and 12:30 and 3 pm Jan. 10 on Comcast Channel 21. (end) http://www.eugeneweekly.com/news.html#3 http://www.eugeneweekly.com/archive/01_08_04/news.html#3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER NEWS Green to chair county commissioners Unlike last year's contentious first order of business, when three commissioners -- Bill Dwyer, Peter Sorenson and Bobby Green -- contended for the post, choosing this year's chairman of the Lane Board of County Commissioners went as smooth as silk Wednesday afternoon, with Green getting the unanimous nod. (more...) http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/01/08/c2.cr.newchairman.0108.html Green tapped for county commission position Lane County Board of Commissioners has a new leader. Commissioners unanimously agreed Wednesday afternoon that Bobby Green, who has been on the board since January 1995, should be chair for 2004. He takes over from Commissioner Peter Sorenson, who led the five-member board during 2003. (more...) http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2004/01/09/local/news06.txt Roses and raspberries ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation. RASPBERRY (raz'ber'e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer. We hereby deliver: (snip) RASPBERRIES to plagiarist Rob Zako of Eugene, who is just plain lucky that columnist Dave Barry has a sense of humor and a forgiving nature. Zako passed off a column written by Barry as his own. It appeared in a newsletter for the organization to which Zako belongs that is opposing PeaceHealth's plans to build a $400 million hospital in Springfield. Barry demanded an apology, and Zako gave him one. Good plan, since Barry could just as easily could have sued him. The instant-accessibility of the Internet and a general feeling of entitlement have enabled pirating and plagiarism to flourish. Identifying those people who claim work they had no part in producing will send the message that we still see this as plain old theft. (end) http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2003/12/06/news/opinion/1rsrz5.txt Roses and raspberries ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation. RASPBERRY (raz'ber'e) n. A sharp, scornful comment, criticism or rebuke; a derisive, splatting noise, often called the Bronx cheer. We hereby deliver: (snip) RASPBERRIES REDUX to Rob Zako of Eugene, who took us to task for calling him a plagiarist. In fact, he had a point. We took Zako to task for allegedly putting his name on a column written by Miami-based columnist Dave Barry. The column appeared locally in a newsletter for an organization to which Zako belongs that opposes construction of the $400 million PeaceHealth hospital building. Well, in fact, Zako wrote the column himself. He then put Dave Barry's name on it. Zako said that he assumed people would know it wasn't Barry who wrote it, but apparently there was some confusion (what with the by-line reading "Dave Barry" and all) so he apologized after Barry protested. In a letter to the Gazette-Times, Zako explained: "I didn't claim work I had no part in producing. That would be plagiarism: plain old theft É I took great effort to produce a work in the style of Dave Barry, indeed, in admiration of his work, which poked fun at a serious issue É I then gave Dave Barry credit for the work he didn't produce. What I did was parody É" Hmm. Too bad Barry didn't quite see it that way. He should have been flattered that a guy in Eugene was using his name in a newsletter, but actually wasn't too excited. Go figure. This is a simple concept, really: People should sign their own writing with their own name, and stay away from using either the name or the work of another author without attribution. (end) http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2004/01/09/news/opinion/1rsrz9.txt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS "Health Options Digest" is published once every week or so by the Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES) as a service to the community. It is intended as an unbiased digest of news and opinion related to proposed changes in health care options for the community. The purpose of "Health Options Digest" is to inform, not editorialize. Please forward your copy of "Health Options Digest" to a friend. If you know of someone who should be on the CHOICES email list, or for questions about your subscription, send email to: rzako@efn.org Please visit our web site for info about how you can contact us, the local papers, elected officials, PeaceHealth and McKenzie-Willamette: http://www.efn.org/~choices