Health Options Digest
November 7, 2004
Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES)
In This Issue
From the Editor
Week In Review
We hear that someone dropped a "bombshell" on the Springfield City Council when they met last week in executive session, but we don't know the nature of the bombshell. Or we know but don't want to say. Or our lawyers won't let us say. We'll let you know as soon as we do... or can.
Skip Kriz, Chief Financial Officer for PeaceHealth wrote to thank those who have health insurance or who otherwise pay full health care costs for helping to cover the costs of those who are less fortunate.
Speaking of paying health care costs, Measure 35 was narrowly defeated by Oregonians at the ballot box. It would have capped awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice lawsuits. Health care providers and insurance companies argued that frivolous lawsuits and huge jury awards are driving up health care costs and causing physicians to leave the state. Trial attorneys and other opponents argued that malpractice premiums account for a small part of health care costs, that insurance companies wouldn't necessarily pass savings on to consumers, and that doctors aren't leaving Oregon. Nationally, the debate over medical malpractice is at a stalemate, but President Bush has indicated that tort reform is one of his priorities.
Springfield voters approved an urban renewal district for Glenwood. Does that mean that Glenwood will soon have the infrastructure to support a new hospital?
Springfield voters also approved a new jail, but Eugene voters rejected a new police station (for a third time). There's more to the difference than just the differences between Springfield and Eugene.
Faye Stewart ousted Don Hampton to complete the last two years of Tom Lininger's 4-year term. Kitty Piercy was confirmed as mayor by a wide margin. And... oh, you know all of this, and are probably sick of the election.
More to the point, Lane County swung right while Eugene swung left and Springfield pretty much stayed put. The county and two cities will likely find themselves talking about issues related to hospital siting in the coming years. We hope there's middle ground between left and right.
Probably the most significant outcome of the election is the passage of Measure 37, which requires state and local governments to pay property owners, or waive restrictions, when a land use regulation reduces the value of their property. Voters appear to be calling for greater fairness in how regulations affect individual property owners. As is often the case, Oregon is on the cutting edge (bleeding edge?) and it will be months or years before we see how this experiment in property rights turns out. In the short-term, governments may be reluctant to approve any new zonings or land use regulations -- even those for the health and safety of the public -- out of fear of their potential liability.
Clay Myers, who with Governor Tom McCall and others created Oregon's landmark land use planning program, passed away recently. As we move through the 21st century, we could use more of the qualities he embodied: optimism, pragmatism, independence, and public-spiritedness.
In other news, it seems that Eugene attracts a lot of attention from celebrities. Perhaps envious of our ties with Dave Barry and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bob Welch recently featured Senator John McCain in his Register-Guard column.
Former Springfield city councilor Stu Burge charged that Springfield employees are overpaid and wonders why no department head lives in Springfield.
The City of Coburg has been making the news much more than one would expect from a sleepy town of a thousand or so folks. What's with that?
Finally, media expert Russell Sadler offered Arlie and Company some free advice on their foray into the radio business.
Looking Ahead
After the election last week, it is a relief that there is little on the public calendar this week.
But tonight (Monday), the Eugene City Council will begin discussing how people can file claims under Measure 37. They're also holding a public hearing tonight, but final action won't occur for a couple weeks.
Looking ahead, Springfield is scheduled to hold the sole public hearing on the revised PeaceHealth plan amendments on Tuesday, November 16. As the materials for that public hearing still aren't available (as of Monday morning), we wouldn't be surprised if the hearing were postponed.
Lastly in the aftermath of the election, people are variously anticipating the Second Coming, fearing that the world is coming to an end, making plans to move to Canada, or otherwise rejoicing, despairing or reflecting. We merely offer that change is part of life. The Chinese Book of Changes or I Ching may provide guidance in such times. Ko is the hexagram for revolution. The Chinese character for this hexagram means in its original sense an animal's pelt, which is changed in the course of the year by molting. From this word is carried over to apply to the "moltings" in political life, the great revolutions connected with changes of governments. The image of Ko is fire in the lake. Fire below and the lake above combat and destroy each other. So too in the course of the year a combat takes place between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, eventuating in the revolution of the seasons. Man masters these changes in nature by noting their regularity and marking off the passage of time accordingly. In this way order and clarity appear in the apparently chaotic changes of the seasons, and man is able to adjust himself in advance to the demands of the different times: http://afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Yijing&no=49
Rob Zako, Editor
343-5201
rzako@efn.org
Calendar
Monday, November 8 -- Eugene City Council
City Hall, 777 Pearl St., Eugene
Contact: Lynda Rose, 682-5017, lynda.l.rose@ci.eugene.or.us
5:30 pm, Work Session, McNutt Room
3. Measure 37: An Ordinance Concerning Real Property Compensation; Adding Sections 2.070, 2.075, 2.080, 2.085, 2.090, and 2.095 to the Eugene Code, 1971; Declaring an Emergency; and Providing an Immediate Effective Date
7:30 pm, Public Hearing, Council Chamber
6. Measure 37: An Ordinance Concerning Real Property Compensation; Adding Sections 2.070, 2.075, 2.080, 2.085, 2.090, and 2.095 to the Eugene Code, 1971; Declaring an Emergency; and Providing an Immediate Effective Date
Tuesday, November 16 -- Springfield City Council & Planning Commission
City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
Contact: Amy Sowa, City Manager's Office, 726-3700
Public Hearing
A. PeaceHealth Plan Amendments
Thursday, November 18 -- Metropolitan Policy Committee
11:30 am, Public Hearing
The Metropolitan Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on the update to the regional transportation plan, a.k.a., TransPlan. A second public hearing and adoption is scheduled for December 9.
Thursday, November 18 -- Joint OTC/LCDC TPR Subcommittee
Morning, Work Session, Salem
A joint subcommittee of the Oregon Transportation Commission and the Land Conservation and Development Commission will continue reviewing options for improving how transportation and land use planning are coordinated. Their effort is a response to the court decisions in the case of Jaqua v. City of Springfield.
Contact: Bob Cortright, DLCD, (503) 373-0050 x241, bob.cortright@state.or.us
Thursday, December 9 -- Springfield Planning Commission
City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, 726-3753
Regular Meeting
A. PeaceHealth Plan Amendments
Monday, January 10 -- Springfield City Council
City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield
Contact: Amy Sowa, City Manager's Office, 726-3700
Regular Meeting
A. PeaceHealth Plan Amendments
Opportunities
Budget Committee seats -- Ward 1, Ward 2 -- to open
By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard | October 30, 2004 |
The city will have two openings next year on the Budget Committee, which reviews the city's financial plans and policies and helps work out the annual budget.
One position is for Ward 1 residents and one is for Ward 2. Ward 1 includes the northwest corner of the city from Interstate 5 to Debra Drive and north of Highway 126; Ward 2 is in southwest Springfield, bounded roughly by 6th and 7th streets on the east, Highway 126 to the north and I-5 on the west.
Budget Committee members Donald Manning, from Ward 1, and Hilary Larsen-Wylie, from Ward 2, are both eligible for second terms and may re-apply.
Other interested applicants should pick up forms at the City Manager's Office, City Hall, 225 Fifth St., and return them filled out by 5 p.m. Nov. 23.
The Budget Committee mostly meets between April and June to prepare the annual budget.
Positions open on Historic Commission
| The Springfield News | October 20, 2004 |
The City of Springfield is accepting applications to fill two positions on its seven-member historic commission. The two appointees will assume the duties of terms that expire March 2006.
Preference will be given to applicants with technical expertise and backgrounds in historic preservation, local history, architecture, construction, archaeology, or preservation-related disciplines. Applicants do not necessarily need to be residents or property owners in Springfield; however, they must meet State Historic Preservation Office guidelines.
The historic commission promotes stewardship for historic preservation through education and participation. The commission conducts tours of historic sites; organizes historical programs to help the community develop an appreciation of its historic heritage; reviews development and restoration requests in the Washburne Historic District; and, reviews any proposals that affect Springfield's historic resources.
Historic commission meetings are held the first Monday of every month, at 5: 30 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room at city hall. The next scheduled public meeting of the historic commission is Monday, Nov. 1. Interested candidates are asked to attend this meeting in order to familiarize themselves with the duties of the commission. Candidate interviews will take place at the Dec. 6 meeting and then candidate interviews before the Springfield City Council shall be held Jan. 10. Appointments will be made Jan. 18 at the regular city council public meeting.
Applications are available at the city manager's office in city hall, at Fifth and A streets. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Thursday Nov. 18.
For more information contact Kitti Gale at 726-3632.
PeaceHealth
Council taking testimony on hospital
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | November 3, 2004 |
Needing more time for review, the Springfield Planning Commission and the Springfield City Council will continue the public hearing to accept testimony on the topic of PeaceHealth's plan to put a new hospital in town.
Written testimony will continue to be accepted and oral comments will be welcomed at a joint public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 16.
City staff members recommended the council continue the public hearing to allow them more time to prepare a report on the merits of the proposals, according to Council President Tammy Fitch. (more...)
Letter -- Those who can pay help others
By Skip Kriz, Chief Financial Officer, PeaceHealth, Eugene
The Register-Guard | November 6, 2004 |
Serving the needs of those in our community who need health care but can't afford it is a great challenge. Over the past few months, a number of pieces have appeared in The Register-Guard underscoring this challenge. An Aug. 29 article by reporter Tim Christie highlighted efforts caregivers at PeaceHealth are providing to people without insurance. But, part of the story has gone untold. Two points:
1) Those who can't afford their care make up only a small part of the payment shortfall all health care providers face. A larger issue is payments by governmental programs (Medicare and Medicaid) that do not fully cover the cost of providing care to their beneficiaries.
2) More importantly, the real heroes are the people who do have health insurance or otherwise cover the cost of their care and the employers who provide coverage for their employees. Their payments make up a major portion of the difference for those who can't, and for the shortfalls in Medicare and Medicaid.
They, and the many who contribute to our many great community not-for-profit providers, make it possible for us all to provide care to the whole community. For PeaceHealth, this partnership with the community started in 1936 when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace were asked to rescue the failing Pacific Christian Hospital.
It is an honor to be your partners. Too often, we fail to convey our appreciation. We owe our thanks to all of you who make it possible.
Health Care
Oregon Measure 35 Defeated Narrowly
| The Associated Press | November 3, 2004 |
PORTLAND -- Voters narrowly defeated a proposal to cap jury malpractice awards for non-economic damages.
But a rural health group favoring a cap said the issues raised in Measure 35 will likely be revisited by the Legislature.
Opponents said solving the problem of doctors' soaring insurance premiums should not limit patients' rights to damages.
With 95 percent of the votes counted, 838-thousand people had voted no and 819-thousand had voted for the cap.
The measure would have amended the Oregon Constitution to limit awards for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to 500-thousand dollars, but would not have affected medical expenses or lost wages.
The multimillion-dollar campaign, which generally pitted doctors against trial lawyers, was dubbed "The Battle of the BMWs."
Malpractice measure goes down
Oregon initiatives on Saif Corp., medical marijuana and state forests all are soundly turned down
By James Mayer
The Oregonian | November 3, 2004 |
Oregon voters have turned down a measure to cap jury awards in medical malpractice cases. (more...)
Medical malpractice initiative on losing pace
Measure 35, which would have imposed a cap on jury awards, fails by less than a percentage point
By James Mayer
The Oregonian | November 4, 2004 |
Oregon voters narrowly rejected a measure to cap jury awards in medical malpractice cases, but the highly emotional battle between trial lawyers and doctors shows no sign of easing -- whether in this state or around the country. (more...)
Medical malpractice cap fails by a narrow margin
By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard | November 4, 2004 |
Barely a percentage point separates the yes vote from the no, but opponents of a constitutional amendment to cap noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases appear to have prevailed in Tuesday's general election. (more...)
Medical liability battle at stalemate
By David Crary
The Associated Press | November 5, 2004 |
Doctors and trial lawyers spent millions of dollars in an unprecedented, four-state election battle over limiting damage awards and attorney fees in malpractice cases. The voters' verdict: a virtual stalemate reflecting deeply divided public opinion.
Doctors vowed to keep pressing their cause, hoping President Bush's re-election and Republican gains in Congress might weaken Democratic opposition to federal legislation capping malpractice awards. (more...)
Health care issues may not spark voters' passion
By Andrew Kramer
The Associated Press | November 1, 2004 |
PORTLAND -- Karen DeMarr lives without health insurance because she earns a sliver above the limits set by the Oregon Health Plan, the state's version of Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance.
DeMarr made $68 a month too much to qualify when she applied last year. Saying she did not want to pay out of pocket, DeMarr skipped a mammogram this spring. (more...)
Letter -- Learn about health care options
By Harvey Ginsburg, Eugene
The Register-Guard | November 3, 2004 |
A Nov. 1 Register-Guard article regarding health care issues describes the situation of Karen DeMarr of Portland, who lives without health insurance and skipped her mammogram because she earns $68 a month too much to qualify for the Oregon Health Plan.
Based on her income, and assuming she has less than $10,000 in assets in the bank or in stocks, she would qualify for the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP), which could pay up to 95 percent of her insurance premium. She would have very good first-dollar coverage on annual exams and doctor visits.
That our health care system is unfair for many is undeniable. But to overlook the opportunities that do exist is foolish. She should contact an agent about FHIAP.
Wal-Mart health benefits under scrutiny
By Reed Abelson
The New York Times | November 1, 2004 |
In the national debate over what to do about the growing number of working people with little or no health insurance, no company may be taking more heat than the United States' largest employer, Wal-Mart Stores.
The company, despite its popularity with consumers, has grown accustomed to being accused of crushing Main Street merchants with its sprawling stores and low prices, and of driving down wages for workers across the retail industry. And more than a million former and current female Wal-Mart employees are part of a sex discrimination lawsuit that the company is fighting.
Now, Wal-Mart finds itself under attack for its approach to employee health care, which critics say is forcing too many of its workers and their families into state insurance programs or making them rely on charity care by hospitals.
Wal-Mart vigorously defends its health care policies, saying it offers affordable coverage for all employees. (more...)
Study: Fruits, vegetables good for heart health
By Randolph Schmid
The Associated Press | November 3, 2004 |
WASHINGTON -- A multiyear study involving more than 100,000 participants provides added support that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is good for the heart.
But the analysis failed to show similar benefits for cancer, a result that prompted the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which published the study Tuesday, to raise questions about its findings. (more...)
Nearby Developments
ORI delays downtown building
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | November 2, 2004 |
A financial setback has delayed Oregon Research Institute's much-anticipated downtown Eugene redevelopment project.
But officials insist that the firm remains committed to putting up a six-story office building across the street from the Eugene Public Library -- although now they're not sure when that will happen.
In a decision that stunned ORI officials, the behavioral research firm late this summer failed to win a $4 million federal grant that would have helped it construct a $20 million building on the site of the former Sears building, at West 10th Avenue and Charnelton Street.
That has sent ORI executives scrambling for other money, causing a delay in the proposed sale of the city-owned former Sears building. (more...)
Transportation
Letter -- Use LTD money to fund jail
By Michael J. Barker, Eugene
The Register-Guard | November 6, 2004 |
We're hearing a lot lately about the constant and long-running problem Lane County is having with the revolving door on the jail. This dilemma affects us all, and there is absolutely no reason that it should be happening.
How on earth is it that county officials can turn all kinds of criminals and other deadbeats back out on the streets to continue their assault on the public and claim to the populace they can't afford to remedy the situation?
What if one were to take a portion of the millions being squandered on buying and running Lane Transit District buses around empty and more millions for fancy "transient" stations for said deadbeats to hang out in?
I notice that LTD wasn't happy with its normal buses going around empty, so they bought some bigger buses to drive around empty. This is such a slap in the face to the public. I can't for the life of me understand how LTD is getting away with it.
Lane County and city businesses that fund this pork should be screaming mad, but you never hear a word.
Editorial -- Reconsider freight route: Designation makes little sense for highway
| The Register-Guard | November 1, 2004 |
If the Oregon Department of Transportation ever wants to figure out why it's one of the state's least popular and understood agencies, it should do a case study of its plan to designate the McKenzie Highway a "freight route." (more...)
Letter -- Protect the McKenzie Highway
By Dixie Monkhouse, Blue River
The Register-Guard | November 2, 2004 |
I raise my voice in protest with other residents along our so-called scenic Highway 126, the beautiful McKenzie Highway, in strongly opposing it being designated an expanded trucking route.
Having been a property owner for more than 50 years, I have seen what has happened to the traffic on the route, with more and more trucks coming and exceeding the speed limits as more and more improvements have encouraged them.
I have always thought of the McKenzie Highway as a beautiful drive along the McKenzie River, with many small communities, resorts and other attractions for all those who seek escape from so-called commercialism.
I can only hope that the powers that be will protect what is a true Oregon treasure before it is too late.
No More Trucks!
EAST OF SPRINGFIELD -- Residents along Highway 126 are upset O-DOT wants to make it a designated freight route.
Some have banded together as S.M.A.S.H, the Scenic McKenzie Association for Safe Highway and started a petition against the recommendation.
"We already have route 58 as a designated freight route and also route 22 so it just doesn't seem to be necessary. Here we have a scenic biway, wild and scenic river, endangered species in that river," Jim King of SMASH.
But Oregon Department of Transportation Officials say the petitioners misunderstand what the designation would mean.
Officials say it would give the highway priority for more funding because of the amount of trucks that already use it.
S.M.A.S.H. is holding a Community meeting about the issue Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00pm at Walter Elementary School.
Street classification postponed
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | November 7, 2004 |
The City Council was scheduled to take up the controversial topic of classifying Crest Drive-area streets on Monday, but the discussion has been pushed back until early next year.
How to designate the pothole-riddled streets in the hillside neighborhood south of 28th Avenue, between Willamette and Chambers streets, has been the source of friction between residents and city engineers for several years.
What to classify streets is important because the classification determines how the streets are repaired and the cost to adjoining landowners. (more...)
Elections
New jail measure in lead
| The Springfield News | November 3, 2004 |
Tuesday's election brought record numbers of voters to the polls to cast their ballots and mark their choices.
Initial results available at 8 p.m. Tuesday night showed 107,208 ballots or 51.94 percent of the 206,394 Lane County voters had been accounted for. (more...)
Jail bond passes in Springfield
By Bob Keefer and Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | November 3, 2004 |
Fed up with petty crime in their city and frustrated with the Lane County Jail's revolving door, Springfield voters were headed for building their own city jail in early returns Tuesday. They overwhelmingly approved an urban renewal district in Glenwood but turned down a bond measure to build a park district community center.
Meanwhile, Eugene voters passed a school levy but rejected a bond measure for police station construction. (more...)
Willamalane wonders where it went wrong
By Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard | November 4, 2004 |
SPRINGFIELD -- City voters said yes on Tuesday to the $28.7 million jail and police station bond. They approved creating an urban renewal district in Glenwood.
So why did the Willamalane Park & Recreation District's little $4.5 million bond measure, to build a new community center next to the Willamalane Swim Center, go down to an unexpected defeat -- 52 percent said no -- in the Tuesday election?
Perhaps, observers say, because the park district didn't do a great job in getting the word out about the proposed community center, which would have replaced the half-century-old Memorial Building at 765 A St. (more...)
Two local measures get green light
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | November 5, 2004 |
Springfield nearly had an election sweep as two of three measures brought to citizens passed muster.
Tuesday's election marks the beginning of change. Springfield police will have new quarters that will include a jail once operational funding is secured; and Glenwood will develop and redevelop as taxes are used to fund projects within the proposed urban renewal district.
However, Willamalane Park and Recreation District's general obligation bond for a proposed community recreation center failed with 52 percent of voters voicing opposition. (more...)
Editorial -- Springfield's bold move: County should now address jail-bed shortage
| The Register-Guard | November 7, 2004 |
Lane County officials may not like Springfield's decision to take corrections matters into the city's own hands -- and out of the county's -- but they have to admire the forceful, innovative leadership that pulled it off. (more...)
Editorial -- Urgency was the key: Voters will pay if they see a real need
| The Register-Guard | November 3, 2004 |
Tuesday's voting on local money measures reveals a curious pattern. Voters were ready to buy a big-ticket item -- a new jail and justice center in Springfield -- and approve an ambitious urban renewal district for Glenwood. But they rejected some smaller and seemingly less controversial expenditures, such as bonds for a new community center for the Willamalane Park & Recreation District and a victims' services center for a new Eugene police station. Urgency was the key: If voters saw a pressing problem, they voted to fix it. (more...)
Police station battle not over yet
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | November 4, 2004 |
Opponents of a proposed new home for the Eugene Police Department liked what they saw Tuesday: a resounding defeat of a related bond issue.
Now, they hope they can derail the idea of building a police station. (more...)
Editorial -- Pause on police station: City Council needs to gather more public input
| The Register-Guard | November 5, 2004 |
Before Eugene city councilors determine how to proceed in the wake of the decisive defeat of Measure 20-88, they should pause to ponder a couple of questions:
First, what typically happens after three strikes?
Second, what part of the crystal-clear "no" Eugene voters have said to a new police station -- on three separate occasions -- do city officials not understand? (more...)
In East Lane, Stewart leads county race
By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard | November 3, 2004 |
CORRECTION (ran 11/04/04): Faye Stewart, who won election Tuesday to the East Lane County commissioner's seat, will serve two years because he will be filling the remainder of a previously vacant seat. A story on Page D1 Wednesday misstated the length of his term.
Voters in East Lane County appeared to be casting their lot with a political newcomer in Tuesday's election, choosing Cottage Grove businessman Faye Stewart to represent them for the next four years as county commissioner from the predominantly rural district that runs from Eugene to Cottage Grove to Oakridge.
Stewart appeared headed decisively for victory late Tuesday, with 53 percent of the vote to 47 percent for incumbent Commissioner Don Hampton, who won the vacant seat by appointment just over a year ago.
However, Hampton said he wouldn't concede the race yet. (more...)
Piercy formally wins mayoral seat
By Edward Russo and Bob Keefer
The Register-Guard | November 3, 2004 |
Eugene voters on Tuesday put the stamp of approval on the election of Kitty Piercy as mayor, and added new and familiar faces to the City Council. Springfield voters elected political newcomer Joe Pishioneri to the City Council to represent the Thurston area.
After eliminating opponents in the May primary, the general election victories of Piercy, new city councilor Andrea Ortiz and incumbents Betty Taylor and Bonny Bettman were formalities. The other new councilor, Chris Pryor, ran unopposed in May. (more...)
'Run Jim Run' effort ran up tab
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | November 7, 2004 |
In spite of a developer's hefty donation, the political action committee that tried to recruit Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey as a write-in candidate remains in the red.
Write-In Jim Torrey, the PAC behind the short-lived "Run Jim Run" effort to recruit Torrey to run again for mayor, showed a deficit of $7,848, according to a campaign report filed late last month.
The Oct. 21 campaign report also showed that Write-In Jim Torrey spent $35,833 from August until Oct. 21, an eye-opening sum for a brief effort that failed to achieve its goal.
Jeff Miller -- a former Eugene mayor and key organizer of the PAC -- and other Torrey supporters attempted to persuade the two-term mayor to enter the Nov. 2 race as a write-in against mayoral nominee Kitty Piercy. Torrey opted not to run, however. (more...)
Measure 37
Gay marriage, land use top Oregon issues
By Charles Beggs
The Associated Press | November 2, 2004 |
SALEM -- Of the eight state measures on Oregon's Tuesday ballot, two would make the most dramatic changes in Oregon law: Measure 36, which would ban gay marriage, and Measure 37, which would require governments to pay landowners for value lost to development restrictions.
Polls slightly indicate that most voters favor the two measures, but the results are so close that the outcomes can't be predicted. (more...)
Measure 37 Passes, Now What?
Will apartments be built on city lots zoned for single-unit housing? Will neighbors add-on garages they once couldn't? Will property owners do whatever they want with their land?
"That is the big fear," Peter Sorenson, Lane County Commissioner said. But, Sorenson isn't completely sure what will happen now that Measure 37 has passed.
But, he knows this: "We don't have any money to pay. And we don't have any money to pay a claims process," he said.
Under Measure 37, state and local governments will either have to pay property owners the difference (when land-use laws de-value their property), or waive their own law.
"Things that we're currently able to regulate and prevent, will now be allowed to happen," Tony Bieda, Lane County Lobbyist said. (more...)
Editorial -- The Measure 37 bomb: Legislature should make some major changes
Oregon voters cast a dark cloud over the state's nationally recognized land use system Tuesday by approving Measure 37.
| The Register-Guard | November 3, 2004 |
By an wide margin, Oregonians said yes to a measure that requires state and local governments to either compensate landowners when land use or environmental regulations reduce property values or to waive those same restrictions.
Since this measure provides no revenues, strapped cities and counties will struggle to pay the hefty costs of processing claims -- not to mention the billions of dollars it will take to pay actual claims. Barring legislative intervention, local governments will have no choice but to waive a broad array of land use and environmental regulations.
The result will be a steady incursion of development into Oregon's farmlands and forests and the haphazard creep of sprawl around its cities. Surely, that's not what Oregonians had in mind when they voted for a measure that supporters deceptively touted as being all about fairness and protecting the rights of property owners.
Lawmakers will need to make major changes in this measure to render it workable, including a limit on payouts to landowners and elimination of a retroactivity clause that would allow some property owners to file claims for regulations enacted over the course of decades. (more...)
Measure 37 could change state's landscape
| The Springfield News | November 3, 2004 |
SALEM -- Ten years from now, Oregon could be a different place.
The headlines leading to Election Day have buzzed about the high-profile choices on the ballot, from the tight presidential race, to the battle for control of the state assembly, and to well-financed initiatives to cap medical malpractice awards, to shutter the state's workers' compensation insurer and to outlaw same-sex marriages.
Depending who you ask, any of those individual issues is the most significant on the ballot.
From a symbolic standpoint, the passage or failure of the Measure 36 gay-marriage ban would show how socially tolerant the state is. The presidential race in all likelihood will be decided elsewhere.
But voters could make a lasting impact on Oregon government -- and literally to the state's landscape itself -- with a proposal that's flown under the radar for much of the fall: Measure 37.
The measure would require the state, counties and cities to compensate landowners if regulations limit how they can develop or utilize their land. Otherwise, government must exempt those landowners from those regulations.
Sounds simple, and sponsors argue their idea is. (more...)
New Land Rights Law Requires Unraveling
By Joe Harwood
The Register-Guard | November 4, 2004 |
Government officials started their scramble Wednesday to come to grips with the passage of a ballot measure that requires compensation for landowners when zoning or other regulations restrict development and lower property values.
Voters approved Measure 37 by 60 percent to 40 percent, sending a clear signal to state lawmakers that Oregon's unique land use system should not trump private property rights.
The new law, which goes into effect Dec. 2, will shake up three decades of land use planning that sought to prevent farm and forestland from being paved over, and sought to limit sprawl and focus growth in urban areas.
Under the measure, if a land use regulation such as zoning reduces the sale value of property, and if that regulation was adopted during the time the current owner held title to the land, then that person can demand compensation. (more...)
Letter -- Measure 37 voters aren't dupes
By Tawfik Ahdab, Eugene
The Register-Guard | November 6, 2004 |
I quote The Register-Guard's editors on Nov. 3 regarding the passage of Measure 37: "The result will be a steady incursion of development into Oregon's farmlands and forests and the haphazard creep of sprawl around its cities. Surely, that's not what Oregonians had in mind when they voted for a measure that supporters deceptively touted as being all about fairness and protecting the rights of property owners."
Surely, the editors are not saying that the majority of voters are dupes. Surely, they're not suggesting that supporters are either being deceived or are deceiving themselves. Or are they? If they are, then it is the editors who are deceiving themselves by denying reality with a capital R. It is a classic example of the elitism that so many accuse the press of exhibiting.
According to that supercilious mindset, the masses don't know what they want or what's good for them. Thanks to the press guiding the citizens by recommending how and for whom to vote, the lot of the unthinking hoi polloi will be improved.
I think paying closer attention to what the voters think will not only help the editors improve their performance on the job, but also may even expand this newspaper's market share.
Right or wrong, Measure 37 was passed by popular vote. As a citizen of its community, The Register-Guard should treat its fellow citizens with greater respect.
Other
Editorial-- Clay Myers, Oregonian: Can we recapture his optimism?
| The Register-Guard | November 4, 2004 |
There was a time not long ago when Oregon was a national model of innovation, self-confidence and good government. The state still cherishes the embers of that time, attempting to cradle them against the chill of cynicism. Fanning those embers to life should be the dream of every Oregonian. What's required is a cast of mind: optimistic, pragmatic, independent, public-spirited. No one exhibited those traits more openly and consistently than Clay Myers, who died last week at the age of 77. (more...)
Bob Welch: Unnerved by change, uncertainty
By Bob Welch, Columnist
The Register-Guard | November 2, 2004 |
The phone rang Friday night at my house. Given the historic day approaching, a day for two battle-weary opponents to finally settle things once and for all, there was only one way I could answer it.
"Go Ducks," I said. "Beat the Huskies."
It was, I quickly realized, Sen. John McCain. I'm not sure exactly what he wanted, but he charged ahead with the determination of a Sherman tank.
"John, John, slow down, pal," I said. "Are you rooting for Oregon or Washington?"
He wouldn't stop, so intent was he on scoring points for Team Republican. Finally, I'd had enough -- he wasn't listening to a word I was saying, not even acknowledging my Kenny Wheaton reference -- and hung up. (more...)
Letter -- Springfield employees overpaid
By Stu Burge, Springfield
The Register-Guard | November 5, 2004 |
At a time when property owners are reviewing their annual property tax statements, I feel it might also be an appropriate time to give some attention and thought to why our local property tax-supported city and county governments and school districts continue to be plagued with financial shortfalls.
Having served three recent terms on the Springfield City Council, and consequently on the city Budget Committee as well, I continue to be appalled at the salaries and benefits afforded our 402 city employees.
Effective July 1, 2004, the average city employee receives $76,635 in annual salary and benefits ($38.30 average per hour), plus an average of $3,559 per year in overtime pay.
While I would be the first to agree that qualified and productive employees (and the city of Springfield has many) deserve appropriate salaries and benefits, I also believe there should be some relevancy to the salaries and benefits of the citizens they serve and those same citizens' financial ability to pay the civil servants' compensation.
In Springfield, the average annual household income is less than $30,000 and the average assessed home value is about $100,000.
The officials we elect to public office to represent our best interests are obviously not getting the job done.
Another question might be why not a single city of Springfield department head lives within the city limits. You might want to turn off the TV and get involved; after all, it's your city and your money.
Coburg waits for green light to ticket speeders along I-5
By Karen McCowan
The Register-Guard | October 30, 2004 |
COBURG -- Thousands of dollars of Interstate 5 speeding-ticket fines may soon begin flowing once again into the city's coffers.
The city's annexation of 60 acres east of I-5 becomes final Wednesday, placing a stretch of the interstate inside city limits and allowing the city to cite freeway speeders into its municipal court.
The money will help the city cover an unexpected shortfall of $230,000 or more. (more...)
Allegations fly as Coburg fights budget hole
By Karen McCowan
The Register-Guard | October 30, 2004 |
COBURG -- The big financial hits just keep on coming for this small city. So far this year, the City Council has discovered a budget shortfall of at least $230,000, fired its city recorder and accepted police Chief Mike Hudson's resignation from his parallel job as city administrator.
Now, fired City Recorder Peggy de Montmorency has announced plans to sue, charging she was singled out for scrutiny and held to a different standard than other employees because she knew that Hudson was using "certain city funds or property as his own."
Coburg also has been named in a defamation lawsuit filed Oct. 22 by a former police reserve officer, who is seeking $11 million in damages. (more...)
Letter -- Arlie radio venture problematic
By Russell Sadler, Eugene
The Register-Guard | November 6, 2004 |
Question: How do you make a small fortune in the broadcast business?
Answer: Start with a large fortune.
John Musumeci and the other executives at Arlie & Co. need to sit down and have a quiet talk with Brian Obie and Jim Torrey about the risk of diversifying into the broadcast business. Obie and Torrey know the territory from painful experience with KUGN-AM/FM.
There is little likelihood Arlie will make money or gain an effective political pulpit with just one AM radio station.