Health Options Digest: February 22, 2004

Week in Review
    The big news this past week is that McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is considering locating to the EWEB property next to the planned new federal courthouse on Eugene's riverfront. We're waiting to see if this idea is a serious possibility or just a trial balloon.
    Springfield city councilor Tim Malloy announced his resignation because he is taking a position with PeaceHealth in Bellevue, Wash. Meanwhile, Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey has yet to announce if he plans to run for some elected office.
    Jack Roberts of the Lane Metro Partnership is pushing a study to inventory the available industrial and commercial land in the metropolitan area. (Top...)

Looking Ahead
We're still waiting to hear from the attorneys and judges. More next week. (Top...)

Rob Zako, Editor
343-5201
rzako@efn.org

Opportunities

Want to be a councilor?

By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard

February 21, 2004

Thurston area City Councilor Tim Malloy announced his resignation this week because he's moving to Bellevue, Wash. You can file for election in the May 18 primary election if you live in Ward 6, which is bounded by the city limits on the north, east and south, and on the west by 52nd Street north of High Banks Road, 56th Street north of Main Street and South 57th Street south of Main.
You'll need to submit a petition signed by at least 25 registered voters from within the ward. Pick up applications at the Springfield City Recorder's Office, Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield. (More...) (Top...)

PeaceHealth

Letter -- LCDC didn't reject LUBA

By John VanLandingham, Lane County Law & Advocacy Center, Eugene

February 19, 2004

    In a Jan. 31 article, The Register-Guard reported that the state Land Conservation and Development Commission had decided not to intervene in the land use litigation involving the siting of PeaceHealth's proposed new facility in Gateway. The litigation now consists of appeals of a decision by the state Land Use Board of Appeals. LUBA, among other things, interpreted the state transportation planning rule to find that the siting would violate the local transportation plan.
    The article also reported that PeaceHealth's attorney stated LCDC's decision not to intervene "resoundingly rejected" LUBA's interpretation of the planning rule.
    The PeaceHealth attorney's statement is wrong. I am one of four LCDC members who made the decision on this issue. LCDC did not endorse or reject LUBA's interpretation of the transportation planning rule. Our staff did not ask for an endorsement. The question was whether LCDC should intervene to help guide the court of appeals in interpreting the transportation planning rule, which LCDC previously adopted and is responsible for reviewing and revising when necessary. The question was not whether LCDC agreed with LUBA, Springfield, PeaceHealth or the opponents.
    My reason for deciding not to intervene was that rulemaking would be a better process for resolving questions about the transportation planning rule than would litigation. At any rate, LCDC's decision will play no part in the court's review of LUBA's decision. (More...) (Top...)

Letter -- Compact growth favors wealthy

By Stephen R. Smith, Eugene

February 22, 2004

    Tom Bowerman's Feb. 7 letter "Hospital project will fuel sprawl," analyzing metro-area development, sounds reasonable, if facile, only from an elitist point of view. In a nutshell, his argument was that cities have only two choices for a growth model -- compact and sprawl -- and that compacting wealth downtown will get us a "vibrant, human-friendly" city core.
    This will happen somehow without major traffic problems, even as we site a new hospital down in this cozy pocket of wealth.
    This pristine area would serve as sort of a Chamber of Commerce Potemkin Village, built with tax subsidies to increase property values -- and the cost of goods and services -- pricing most Eugene residents out of the market. Hence, it would be cleaner and more manageable.
    The unwanted average wage-earners would disappear into the suburban landscape, where property values diminish along with public services.
    I suggest a more effective way to bring about a healthy, human-friendly city is to create a leadership mindset that encourages a larger, nourishing, interdependent environment for all of us, instead of a place where citizens are herded around by the developers, insurers and bankers for the profits to be reaped by a false sense of downtown dynamism.
    The history of the closing and re-opening of Broadway should be an instructive example of this false dynamism, which creates decay and then sweeps in to clean it up like Mighty Mouse, using cozy business arrangements and tax subsidies to fuel the heroics. (Top...)

Letter -- PeaceHealth's generosity vital

By Rick Schaufler, President, and Rick Friedrich, M.D., Board of Directors, Center for Community Counseling, Eugene

February 22, 2004

    In the midst of major and often controversial issues, such as where to site the new PeaceHealth regional medical center, smaller but equally important stories may be missed.
    PeaceHealth has traditionally been a leader in providing quality mental health services in this community. With the impending closure of Lane County Psychiatric Hospital at the end of March, the Johnson Unit at Sacred Heart Medical Center will be the only psychiatric hospital in the county.
    Even less publicized is PeaceHealth's crucial support of our agency, the Center for Community Counseling. For the past 25 years, we have provided counseling, parenting classes and anger management groups for adults who lack the financial resources to access other mental health treatment.
    We depend on the commitment of our volunteer counselors and the generosity of individual donors, local businesses and foundations.
    PeaceHealth has provided direct financial support, printing services, space for conferences and advisory support to us.
    Two years ago, PeaceHealth made a $25,000 matching grant available that enabled us to raise the funds necessary to keep our doors open at a time of financial crisis. PeaceHealth hase continued to be a major sponsor for our annual golf marathon fund-raising event.
    The staff and board of directors of the Center for Community Counseling gratefully acknowledge PeaceHealth for its ongoing generosity and sustained commitment to our agency, as well as other mental health services in this community. (More...) (Top...)

McKenzie-Willamette/Triad

Triad eyes EWEB site for hospital

By Scott Maben
The Register-Guard

February 20, 2004

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is considering a prominent piece of riverfront land in Eugene -- the home of the Eugene Water & Electric Board -- as a possible spot to build its new hospital.
The site would give McKenzie-Willamette a central location next-door to the new federal courthouse to be built in the next few years. It's also an area that the city wants to redevelop and connect to downtown. (More...) (Top...)

Site problematic for hospital, EWEB

By Scott Maben
The Register-Guard

February 21, 2004

    The thought of a new hospital rising from an old utility yard between downtown Eugene and the Willamette River may appeal to community visionaries keen on revitalizing the heart of the city.
    But the prospect also raises a tangle of financial questions and other considerations for the Eugene Water & Electric Board as the would-be seller and McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center as the would-be buyer.
    After considering a variety of sites near the city's core, the Springfield hospital said this week that it's thinking about EWEB's riverfront land as a potential spot for the $85 million hospital project.
    For McKenzie-Willamette and its partner, Triad Hospitals, three key questions emerge: How soon would the site be available? Is it big enough? How much would it cost?
    That first one alone could prove a deal-breaker if EWEB couldn't move out fast enough. (More...) (Top...)

Council pledges to back project

By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard

February 21, 2004

    Everyone seems to like this deal -- so far, at least.
    If McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center and the Eugene Water & Electric Board reach a tentative agreement to put a new hospital at EWEB's headquarters site, the city will stand ready to solve problems and try to help deliver the new medical facility on the south bank of the Willamette River, Eugene city councilors said Friday.
    All eight city councilors and Mayor Jim Torrey want to attract a hospital south of the river and near the city center. The EWEB acreage fits the bill.
    A day after McKenzie-Willamette confirmed that it is looking at the EWEB site, elected Eugene officials said they don't foresee insurmountable problems.
    A hospital on EWEB's property near the planned federal courthouse would be a major boost to downtown redevelopment and help the city achieve its goal of linking downtown with the Willamette River. (More...) (Top...)

Editorial -- Exciting siting: Triad considers EWEB property for hospital

The Register-Guard

February 22, 2004

    The upside potential is enough to set an urban planner's heart racing: An $85 million hospital emerges on the Eugene Water & Electric Board's riverfront property to complement the adjacent $70 million federal courthouse project.
    The air is filled with words such as "synergy," "rebirth" and "transformation." All of a sudden it seems as if visions of a vibrant new district along the city's vastly underutilized waterfront might not be out of reach after all. Wouldn't it be great?
    Sure it would, which is why McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, EWEB and the city of Eugene should bring their best thinking to the task of figuring out if it's feasible.
    But their thinking needs to be realistic. Finding the Springfield hospital a new home along the banks of the Willamette is not a slam dunk. Right now, there are more questions than answers. (More...) (Top...)

Cost of Health

Federal fight brewing over Medicaid

By Robert Pear
The New York Times

February 16, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is headed for a confrontation with states over the financing of Medicaid, the nation's largest health program, as federal officials crack down on arrangements used by many states to shift costs to the federal government. (More...) (Top...)

Fire District Merger

Editorial -- What are cities for? General-purpose governments vs. special districts

The Register-Guard

February 18, 2004

The Lane County Local Government Boundary Commission did everyone a favor when it turned down a plan to annex Springfield's fire department to the Willakenzie Rural Fire Protection District. It may make sense for Springfield to spin off its emergency-services responsibilities, but the annexation raises questions about the structure, purpose, governance and financing of local government. Springfield should not proceed until those questions have been examined. (More...) (Top...)

Nearby Developments

Parts of Springfield Considered Slums

By Andrea Ash
KEZI

February 19, 2004, 6:20 PM

    Plenty of trucks pass through downtown Springfield every day; but, look for foot traffic, and you won't find much. Sarah Garrelts has lived here for 40 years. She says, "It wasn't always like this, it was a place where you could come down and shop and spend all day bring your children."
    These days, many of the buildings are old and cracked, so the City of Springfield applied to use Federal HUD grants to spruce up downtown. This week, HUD gave the ok, due to what it considered the slum-like appearance of some areas. John Tamulonis with the City of Springfield explains, "There were slum and blighted conditions. That doesn't mean that the whole area is a slum or every business casts a blight on downtown, it means there's some selected areas within this area that have some problems."
    The area is from Mill Street to 10th Street, and South A to North A. The city will get around $200,000 to make improvements. Just one of the projects using the money is the Emerald Art Center. Part of the grant will pay to finish the buildings facade. Dottie Chase, with the Art Center, says, "I think it's a pristine area, it's an area that people are finding that they can come over here and really make something happen, make a difference."
    Money will also go to the Wildish Theatre, and to new lighting in downtown. With any luck, a newer, brighter, cleaner area will encourage businesses and people to come back to downtown Springfield. (Top...)

Roberts urges land survey -- fast

By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard

February 17, 2004

    Lane County says it will pony up $12,500 in video lottery proceeds to help pay for a new survey of industrial and commercial properties in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area, but only if the cities of Eugene and Springfield -- and the private sector -- each commit to chipping in the same amount.
    Jack Roberts, executive director of the Lane Metro Partnership, told the commissioners earlier this month that recovery from the recession of the past several years -- statewide and locally -- depends in part on keeping a sufficient amount of high-quality "shovel-ready" industrial land to accommodate firms looking for places to start up or move to.
    Roberts argues there isn't enough industrial land in Lane County, and his first step in getting more designated is to have a thorough study. (More...) (Top...)

Editorial: Survey industrial lands: New inventory would resolve debate over supply

The Register-Guard

February 21, 2004

    The director of Lane County's primary business recruitment agency says there's not enough industrial land in Lane County, and he wants local governments to bankroll a study to prove his point.
    An updated formal inventory of industrial, as well as commercial, lands is a good idea. More than a decade has passed since Eugene and Springfield completed their last formal study, which concluded that the two cities had, at the minimum, a 20-year supply of industrial land.
    However, it's disconcerting to hear Jack Roberts, executive director of the Lane Metro Partnership, declare in advance that he's confident that a new survey will show a severe shortage of "shovel-ready" sites for businesses seeking to start up or relocate. (More...) (Top...)

Slant -- Urban Renewal Fund

Eugene Weekly

February 19, 2004

The City Council is expected to give final approval Feb. 23 to a plan to divert $40 million in tax revenues over the next 20 years into an urban renewal fund to benefit the riverfront area, new federal building area and part of downtown. One big problem (in addition to sucking money out of city and state coffers) is that we don't know how the millions will be spent. State law requires urban renewal projects be identified before the money is collected, but the proposed Eugene plan is so vague that the City Council could decide to use the money for another high-rise parking atrocity, subsidize a basketball stadium for UO (we're not kidding), or even a state highway project. The council seems dead-set on passing this plan, even though it's likely to be referred to the voters. Let's tidy up the project language first so we have a clearer idea of what we will be voting on. (Top...)

Slant -- Economic Development Task Force

Eugene Weekly

February 19, 2004

The mayor's new task force to study economic development in Eugene is already in trouble with councilors at odds over whether or not the committee's recommendations should be by consensus or by majority vote. Sound silly? Not at all. Just as our nation is angrily divided and polarized over White House policies, Eugene is similarly polarized regarding growth and sprawl. The only way for our town to become less divided on these issues is to find common ground, and that won't happen on split votes. Councilor Bettman has advocated for "consensus minus one," recognizing that consensus can break down if even one person dissents. Councilor Solomon prefers majority rule, probably because the mayor's new committee already appears to be stacked with pro-growth, pro-sprawl members. Will this new 16-member committee accomplish anything useful? Not if it's just a rubber stamp for unfettered development. (Top...)

Commentary -- Coburg power plant will be a clean, valuable asset

By Gary Marcus

February 22, 2004

I recently filed permit applications to locate a 900 megawatt natural-gas-fired power plant on a site north of Coburg, near Weyerhaeuser's veneer mill. I have worked long and hard with my partners at Black Hills Generation to design a facility that will provide reliable electricity, at the least cost, from one of the cleanest plants in the United States, with nominal environmental impact.
I'm confident that once Lane County residents understand the details of my plan, they will agree that the West Cascade Energy Facility will be an asset to our community and our economy. Consider the following: (More...) (Top...)

City sets groundbreaking for new fire station

The Register Guard

February 22, 2004

    A ceremonial groundbreaking to celebrate the construction of the new downtown fire station at 13th Avenue and Willamette St. will take place at 11:30 a.m. Monday.
    City officials will be there, along with representatives from the general contractor, Chambers Construction, and WBGS Architecture & Planning.
    The $8 million station will house a crew of six firefighters, plus the east side district chief and the fire marshal's office. Five fire equipment bays are to be built in the 28,000-square-foot building.
    More information about the project is available on the Web at http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/asd/facilities/Projects/FS_1/index.htm. (Top...)

Development Report: Multifamily rental housing project proceeds

By Joe Mosley
The Register-Guard

February 17, 2004

The long lull in the Eugene apartment construction market may be about over, with tentative plans now on the table for a 306-unit, moderate-to-high-end development south of Royal Avenue at Candlelight Drive.
Local demand for apartments has been down in recent years as low interest rates have attracted a flock of first-time home buyers. But developers of the west Eugene project see the housing pendulum swinging back toward apartments with talk of mortgage rates inching upwards. (More...) (Top...)

Flooding and Rivers

Commentary -- We need tougher rules on riverside development

By Robert Emmons

February 17, 2004

The plight of Randy and Cindy Matthews' house, which is about to become flotsam in the McKenzie River (Register-Guard, Feb. 3), raises seminal questions about the plight of our waterways and how to keep them natural and healthy.
While the Matthews' house clings to a bank that once was 110 feet away, its impending collapse underscores the need for riparian buffers that accommodate wayward rivers and streams and ensure that houses stay high and dry. (More...) (Top...)

Transportation

Letter -- Roundabouts reduce accidents

By Norm Waddell, Eugene

February 16, 2004

    It is not surprising that the only Springfield city councilor with actual experience of roundabouts is the one who would "stick them everywhere in the city" (Register-Guard, Feb. 7). Tim Malloy is to be commended for his foresight. The construction of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway presents an excellent opportunity for the city to move to the leading edge of urban transportation design and leave Eugene and Lane County breathing fumes.
    As they continue to gain acceptance throughout the United States, modern roundabouts (not to be confused with traffic "calming" circles) have been shown to reduce injury accidents by 50 to 60 percent and fatalities by 80 percent or more. As well as saving lives, they move traffic more efficiently than signals, save money on maintenance costs, reduce pollution and conserve fuel by eliminating idling time spent waiting for lights to change. Wherever they have been installed, roundabouts have been met with initial skepticism but ultimately have proven extremely popular.
    For a good example of how well roundabouts can work, travelers on Interstate 5 can take Exit 111 in Lacey, Wash., turn north and encounter three new roundabouts on the road to Tolmie State Park.
    I would also respectfully suggest that the city of Springfield open a dialogue with Lacey, Vail, Colo., or any number of other communities where roundabouts have recently been installed. (Top...)

Letter -- Roundabouts can save gas

By Jim Riggs, Eugene

February 17, 2004

    I think people in this city and the United States should take a more open-minded approach to a new type of traffic control in this country. I feel people don't really think about the benefits of having roundabouts instead of signal-controlled intersections or four-way stops.
    I have spent a year driving through roundabout intersections in major cities overseas and believe me, they are much more efficient than stop signals. For example, you can drive completely across a major city without even having to stop, and that makes drive time much quicker and saves on fuel efficiency.
    Roundabouts also increase traffic flow, resulting in fewer traffic jams. Once people look at the positive effects of this new type of traffic control and get used to driving in them, they will understand the benefits of roundabouts and will appreciate them. (Top...)

Eugene City Beat -- Sound barrier draws mixed reviews

By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard

February 22, 2004

    Is it a sound wall or just a tall wall?
    Three years ago, the Oregon Department of Transportation built a nearly one-mile long, concrete-block wall to lessen the assault on residents' ears from the roar of traffic along Interstate 105, from Interstate 5 almost to Coburg Road.
    ODOT officials consider the $2 million project a success because it measurably reduced the traffic din. But a walk around the Harlow Road area neighborhood shows that residents have mixed opinions about the wall's effectiveness.
    Their views depend on their proximity to the interstate and to the wall, which varies in height from a towering 16 feet to 19 feet. (More...) (Top...)

City signals lane change for Willamette

By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard

February 17, 2004

A few blocks at a time, Eugene's labyrinth of one-way streets is easing its grip on motorists.
This summer, the city will convert Willamette Street, between 13th and 18th avenues, from one-way to two-way traffic. The busy five-block stretch of Eugene's signature north-south street is home to some of the city's best known retailers, including Newman's Fish Co., Dot Dotson's and Euphoria Chocolate Co. (More...) (Top...)

Elections

Springfield councilor quits for job

By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard

February 18, 2004

CORRECTION (ran 2/19/04): Springfield City Councilor Tim Malloy announced his resignation from the council at a meeting Tuesday night. A story on Page D1 on Wednesday had the wrong day of the announcement.
Springfield's Ward 6 City Councilor Tim Malloy on Monday night resigned his post effective March 5 in order to take a job as a contract manager with PeaceHealth in Bellevue, Wash. (More...) (Top...)

Speculation on Torrey abounds

By David Steves
The Register-Guard

February 17, 2004

    SALEM -- Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey may not be done with politics after all.
    Torrey, who is stepping down at year's end as mayor, apparently is on the verge of announcing new political plans. What they entail, however, will have to wait. Torrey had scheduled a news conference today at the Capitol, but canceled the event Monday afternoon, saying his wife was seriously ill and that he planned to postpone the announcement to an as-yet-unscheduled date after his wife is better.
    In the meantime, Torrey's impending announcement has prompted speculation ranging from a bid for statewide office to pursuit of a school funding proposal for this year's ballot.
    Torrey, a moderate Republican, has expressed interest in state politics and policy issues -- particularly education -- in the past. In 2002, he considered running for the state Senate. He has contemplated running for secretary of state in the past. Although the Senate seat in the district in which Torrey resides is not on this year's ballot, the secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general offices are. (More...) (Top...)

Speculation Over Mayor Torrey's Future

The Associated Press

February 17, 2004, 08:40 AM

    EUGENE -- Speculation is rising in Eugene over Mayor Jim Torrey's political future.
    Torrey, a moderate Republican, is stepping down at year's end as mayor, but has not ruled out running for another office. He had planned a news conference in Salem Tuesday, but canceled the event at the last minute after his wife got sick.
    Torrey watchers in Eugene said he could be planning anything from a run for statewide office to pursuit of a school funding proposal for this year's ballot.
    In 2002, Torrey considered running for the state Senate. He has also contemplated a run for secretary of state in the past.
    The secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general's office are all on this ballot this year. But with the March 9 filing deadline fast approaching, Republicans are still without candidates for all three statewide seats.
    Eugene Democratic campaign consultant Chris Matson said a moderate like Torrey, who might otherwise have trouble in a primary against a well-funded rival, may see the vacant GOP field for secretary of state as an opportunity that is too good to pass up. Democratic incumbent Bill Bradbury is expected to seek re-election. (Top...)

Slant -- Araminta Hawkins

Eugene Weekly

February 19, 2004

Araminta Hawkins tells us she won't be pursuing Pat Farr's soon-to-be-vacant House District 14 seat. She's too busy with a full-time job at PeaceHealth, serving on the board of HIV Alliance and her work with various other political and social activism groups. Who else might run against Farr's wife, Debi? Rich Cunningham would probably jump at the chance but he's facing heart surgery and will be out of commission for awhile. John Bullock's name has popped up as someone worth recruiting. He's a principal in the Bethel School District and a good, eloquent Democrat. (Top...)

Other News

Pols line up, one steps down

By Jaime Sherman
The Springfield News

February 18, 2004

Thurston is losing its city councilor.
Tim Malloy resigned from council Tuesday night to take a job as corporate contract manager for PeaceHealth in Bellevue, Wash. Malloy's resignation comes less than a year after being appointed to represent Ward 6 and only days before he would have announced a run for a full four-year term. (More...) (Top...)

Slant -- City Auditor

Eugene Weekly

February 19, 2004

Eugene city councilors are meeting at the Hilton Friday for their annual retreat and goal-setting sessions and coincidentally they will be having lunch downstairs the same time City Club is dining upstairs with Gary Blackmer, an independent city auditor from Portland. A couple of councilors suggested the council move upstairs to join the party, but we hear Councilor Pap� and perhaps another councilor or the mayor got together with the city manager and nixed the idea. Blackmer will be talking about how independent auditors can save cities millions through boosting efficiencies and avoiding lawsuits, an idea championed by the Charter Review Committee in 2002 but kept off the ballot by conservative councilors. We can understand why city managers and even city attorneys might resist the idea of someone looking over their shoulders, but it's puzzling why fiscal conservatives wouldn't love the idea. We predict some councilors will bail on their private lunch and join the City Club crowd for this lively presentation. But will some choose ignorance instead? (Top...)

Bob Welch: I'm adrift in a newsroom of change

By Bob Welch, Columnist
The Register-Guard

February 17, 2004

    I finished this column in a place I did not start it. Such a statement exudes a certain touch of transcendental philosophy with a sort of Kant-meets-Dilbert spin.
    I'll get to that spin in a moment. For now, suffice it to say that I moved to a new cubicle Monday at The Register-Guard as part of a physical and systematic restructuring of the newsroom.
    For the past few weeks, the newsroom has been the journalistic equivalent of "Trading Spaces." It is an interesting transition, one that makes you search for the deeper meaning of change in our lives -- and search, too, for your garbage can, which has mysteriously disappeared in the bustle. (More...) (Top...)