Health Options Digest
February 13, 2005
Coalition for Health Options In Central Eugene-Springfield (CHOICES)
In This Issue
From the Editor
Week In Review
Last Tuesday, the Springfield Planning Commission recommended approval of PeaceHealth's master plan for the RiverBend site -- but only after losing patience with staff.
Also last Tuesday, the EWEB board approved purchase of a 46-acre site that could serve as their future site.
The UO is purchasing the Williams Bakery site for $22 million. As part of a 3-way deal, the bakery plans to move to a site in Glenwood owned by the Wildish companies. (In our spoof, we imagined a multi-party deal around the bakery site, but got the details mostly wrong.)
The LTD union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the state. Also, two new mediation dates have been set.
Our good friend California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has battled nuclear weapons in movies such as "True Lies," is facing the political equivalent of a nuclear arms race: a flood of ballot measures that will be fought over the air waves.
Lastly, here in Oregon we are beginning to see the effects of our own ballot initiative: Measure 37.
Rob Zako, Editor
343-5201
rzako@efn.org
Calendar
Monday, February 14 -- Springfield City Council
City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, Amy Sowa, (541) 726-3700
5:30 pm, Work Session, Jesse Maine Room
1. Historic Commission Application Interviews.
2. Level of Service Policy -- Gateway Intersections.
3. Public Contracting Procedures.
4. Standards for Outdoor Cafˇ Seating in the Downtown.
Tuesday, February 15 -- Joint LCDC/OTC TPR Subcommittee
1:00 pm, ODOT Human Resources Center, Suite C, 2775 19th Street SE, Salem
The Subcommittee will review and discuss proposed amendments to Section 0050 and 0070 of the Transportation Planning Rule (TPR), and may discuss other proposed rule amendments. These amendments were prompted by the Court of Appeals' ruling in the case of Jaqua v. City of Springfield (PeaceHealth). The public is invited to attend.
Questions about the Transportation Planning Rule Evaluation should be directed to Bob Cortright at 503-373-0050 x241, or via email at bob.cortright@state.or.us.
Monday, February 22 -- Springfield City Council
City Hall, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, Amy Sowa, (541) 726-3700
Public hearing on the PeaceHealth master plan.
Wednesday, March 16 -- Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC)
Agriculture Building, Basement Hearing Room, 635 Capitol St. NE, Suite 150, Salem, (503) 373-0050 ext. 271
Public Hearing on Proposed Administrative Rule Amendments -- OAR 660-012 (Transportation Planning Rule) -- Regarding Review of Plan and Land Use Regulation Amendments. For additional information, please contact Bob Cortright at 373-0050 ext. 241, or by email bob.cortright@state.or.us.
Opportunities
Recruitment efforts extended for Glenwood renewal committee
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | February 9, 2005 |
Those ready, able and willing to serve still have time.
Springfield Economic Development Agency board members opted to extend recruitment efforts for the Glenwood Urban Renewal Advisory Committee until Feb. 28. The decision came on the heels of news that despite some interest from the community; several positions remained unapplied for.
Solicitation for all positions will continue. (more...)
PeaceHealth
Letter -- RiverBend remains on budget
By Susan Ban and Tom Roe, Members, PeaceHealth Oregon Region Board of Directors, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 8, 2005 |
The article on the cost of a new Sacred Heart Medical Center (Register-Guard, Feb. 2) omitted some important facts and context.
The RiverBend hospital project remains within its budget, established in 2003 and projected through 2011. That budget sets aside funds for those expenses that inevitably occur but can't be predicted. One reason our payments to the Oregon Department of Transportation for the Interstate 5-Belt Line Road improvements don't begin until 2012 is to keep us within our current eight-year budget. When we establish a budget for 2012 and after, the ODOT payments will be factored in.
Our land acquisition costs now appear to be a bargain when we see what others have paid or are preparing to pay for land, whether it's at Gateway or in south Eugene at the Williams' Bakery or Eugene Water & Electric Board sites.
PeaceHealth is a fiscally sound, well-run organization. It manages its resources well so that it can provide good jobs and benefits to its valued employees and excellent care to its patients. Last year, PeaceHealth invested $34.5 million in the community for charity care, Ask-A-Nurse, the Prenatal Clinic, Volunteers in Medicine and much more. At the same time, Sacred Heart won two national awards for being among the top 100 hospitals in the country for low costs, low charges and affordability.
PeaceHealth is respected as an excellent steward of its resources. The Feb. 2 article did it a grave disservice.
Gateway's capacity for parking still a top concern
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | February 11, 2005 |
The Springfield Planning Commission voted to recommend proposed RiverBend Master Plan and zone change requests to the Springfield City Council with only two alterations.
Planning commissioners met Tuesday night to deliberate on the requests and, after an hour and a half of deliberations, the commission recommended eliminating the hospital's ability to use offsite parking to substitute for a parking structure. Commissioners also wanted language added to reflect the recent agreement made between Robin and John Jaqua and PeaceHealth limiting the building height for the hospital.
Concern was on the Gateway area's capacity for parking. (more...)
McKenzie-Willamette/Triad
Letter -- Keep our hospital right where it is
By Trilby Norman, Springfield
The Springfield News | February 9, 2005 |
It has been my concern for some time now -- what are they going to do with McKenzie-Willamette Hospital?
Springfield needs this little hospital. It's easier to get to, and parking has got to be better than the proposed Eugene location would be, I am sure.
I recently lost my son to cancer, but no fault of those caring nurses, doctors and the administration of McKenzie-Willamette Hospital. We are lucky to have this little hospital. The emergency room is right on the ball and that nice modern birthing center is just great. Both of my great-grandsons were born there.
Maybe nobody is interested in my opinion either, but here it is anyway: Please keep our McKenzie-Willamette Hospital right where it is.
Utility to weigh relocation options
By Joe Harwood
The Register-Guard | February 7, 2005 |
The Eugene Water & Electric Board for more than five years has thought about moving some of its operations away from the downtown riverfront.
But until Triad Hospitals Inc. came knocking on EWEB's Fourth Avenue door last spring, talk of a relocation focused on some fuzzy future date. (more...)
Letter -- EWEB site wrong for a hospital
By Page Houchens, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 8, 2005 |
I am a Eugene Water & Electric Board customer opposed to the sale of EWEB property to Triad Hospitals, Inc.
Eugene's riverfront is not the place for a hospital. The negatives are many. One concern is that an increase in traffic will bring congestion and noise to what is now a peaceful area enjoyed by the public for its park-like nature. Bicyclists frequently access the river path at the EWEB entrance. Currently, the access streets are quiet and have low traffic volume.
The presence of a hospital and the traffic it generates would change that. I am also concerned about future utility rate increases resulting from a financially unwise EWEB property sale.
The development proposal made by Arlie & Co. deserves consideration, as would any other proposal that might have fewer negatives attached than the one by Triad. If property development is inevitable, wouldn't one involving less financial impact on ratepayers, less city money spent on road changes and use of riverfront by local business -- instead of a for-profit, Texas-based corporation -- be preferable?
Because of the important location of this property, whoever develops it should seek to keep traffic volume low and to contribute beauty and a sense of community to our city.
A Triad hospital complex will not achieve this. Other much more appropriate sites exist for a new hospital in Eugene.
Board Votes to Buy 46 Acre Lot
The EWEB Board took two key votes Tuesday night. As expected, in the first vote, boardmembers agreed to purchase 46 acres of land off Roosevelt and Beltline for $1.6 million dollars. The board is investing in the land with the hope of eventually moving part or all of its operations there. (more...)
Purchase of new EWEB site wins board approval
By Joe Harwood
The Register-Guard | February 9, 2005 |
The Eugene Water & Electric Board on Tuesday night approved the $1.6 million purchase of a 46-acre parcel that someday may become the utility's new home.
But buying the vacant land, at the southeast corner of Belt Line Road and Roosevelt Boulevard in west Eugene, doesn't mean EWEB will be moving anytime soon.
The acquisition simply puts to an end the utility's five-year search for property that eventually could house a relocated operations division, and potentially, administrative offices. (more...)
EWEB to purchase parcel in west Eugene: Big purchase doesn't guarantee a move
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | February 11, 2005 |
The Eugene Water & Electric Board has agreed to purchase land in west Eugene that could one day host all or part of the utility's operations.
The approval to purchase the 46-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Beltline Road and Roosevelt Boulevard for $1.6 million, a decision reached unanimously by EWEB's Board of Commissioners Tuesday night, does not cement the utility's relocation. (more...)
Ron Farmer -- EWEB has good reasons to move
By Ron Farmer
The Register-Guard | February 9, 2005 |
The Eugene Water & Electric Board has faced a number of tough challenges over the past few years. Most were the result of the 2001 energy crisis and five consecutive years of below-normal precipitation that forced EWEB to raise rates and cut budgets.
Currently, the question of whether EWEB should sell most of its 27-acre headquarters site, and to whom, is receiving almost as much local attention as those energy crisis rate increases of 2001.
The land sale is both perplexing and complex. At its crux, however, the issue is not whether we should sell to Triad Hospitals Inc., nor is it whether our headquarters is a wonderful building in a great location. The issue is: How does EWEB fund the necessary building improvements needed for its ongoing operations? (more...)
Letter -- Arlie site plan creates winners
By Henry Masterson, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 12, 2005 |
Arlie & Co.'s proposal provides a vehicle for all to be winners.
Eugene Water & Electric Board can move without adverse impact on the ratepayers.
Arlie wins another opportunity to enhance the Eugene landscape and quality of life.
The environmental community wins the preservation of the river's riparian edge.
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy wins the opportunity to do something for the Santa Clara area, i.e., propose the abandoned Santa Clara Elementary School site to Triad and utilize an otherwise dormant eyesore for a higher needed use.
This is not far-fetched. Look at Portland, San Francisco, Denver and Pueblo as examples of where major medical facilities are outside the central downtown area. The Eugene citizens win the visionary land use they deserve. Everybody wins!
Now it is incumbent upon EWEB and the city of Eugene to act in favor of the winners.
Slant -- Competition good for the heart?
| Eugene Weekly | February 10, 2005 |
A little competition might be good for the heart. We hear from McKenzie-Willamette who heard from cardiologist Dr. Jay Chappell that history was made in Lane County Jan. 23. McKenzie-Willamette performed more coronary angiograms than Sacred Heart that day.
Health Care
Health care bills land in Senate
Democrats propose a package for reform that may not prosper in the GOP-controlled House
By Michelle Cole
The Oregonian | February 9, 2005 |
SALEM -- Senate Democrats unveiled a package of health care reform bills Tuesday aimed at capping rising hospital, insurance and prescription drug costs.
The proposals, however, face an uncertain political future in the Republican-controlled House. (more...)
Editorial -- Wyden comes through: His bill would help lower Medicare drug costs
| The Register-Guard | February 7, 2005 |
Unlike the well-spun hullabaloo over Social Security, Medicare's financial problems are real and were made much worse in 2003 with the adoption of a new prescription drug benefit. Comptroller General David Walker called the drug plan "one of the largest unfunded liabilities ever undertaken by the U.S. government.''
One reason the drug benefit is so expensive is that pharmaceutical industry lobbyists lined up enough Republican muscle to make sure the law expressly prohibited the government from using its bargaining power to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., strongly objected to the costly giveaway at the time, but he voted for the bill, which had other provisions he supported. He immediately followed through on his pledge to sponsor legislation to correct the bill's worst problems. Last week, he reintroduced that legislation with co-author Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and co-sponsors Sens. Russell Feingold, D-Wisc.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and John McCain, R-Ariz.
The Wyden-Snowe measure is a common-sense course correction that ought to be enacted immediately. It gives Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt authority to negotiate lower prices for drug purchases through Medicare, and requires his department to provide the public with information about savings in plans available to seniors. (more...)
Editorial -- Refine the reforms: Tort system proposal favors special interests
| The Register-Guard | February 7, 2005 |
President Bush has decided to spend a substantial amount of his political capital on an ambitious effort to reform the civil tort system. The unpredictable and horribly wasteful tort system is a worthy target, but the president needs to take better aim at some of its problems. (more...)
Letter -- Health care costs out of control
By Cindy Clarke, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 11, 2005 |
Health care is a national crisis that needs to be resolved at a national level, not on the backs of working families.
The United States is one of the richest nations in the world, yet 45 million are without health insurance. A Harvard University study indicates that half of all bankruptcies were triggered by illness or medical costs (Register-Guard, Feb. 2) and of those medical bankruptcies filed, 68 percent of the debtors had medical insurance at the time of filing!
Clearly, this indicates that in addition to the 45 million without health insurance, millions more are underinsured. And those few of us with adequate health insurance are under siege, much like those workers at Lane Transit District, fighting to maintain adequate health care for our families.
Workers across the United States are continually forced to forfeit wages in order to obtain health care coverage, required to share in the rising cost of an out-of-control industry.
These working families are being forced to bear the brunt of an industry that was created to benefit society yet now gluttonously profits at society's expense.
Let's make the industry account- able.
Let's place caps on the profits and premiums from the insurance industry. Let's eliminate the millions spent by the pharmaceutical industry on advertising (more is spent on marketing than on research and development). And let's make hospitals truly nonprofit agencies.
Our elected officials need to hear from us now -- before it's too late!
Nearby Developments
Gateway's appeal driving development: Builders are getting in on the action now
By Ben Raymond Lode
The Springfield News | February 11, 2005 |
Positioning himself to capitalize on an expected increase in business activity, David Deins of Eugene is putting up two buildings on Harlow Road in Springfield.
The largest will house a car wash, while the smaller, 2,000 square-feet building is up for lease, according to Chuck Guy, Deins' broker at Commercial Group Northwest.
The two new buildings, which are only a few of many developments popping up in different parts of Springfield these days, are scheduled to be completed by March 1. (more...)
Development Report: New Oregon Medical Group clinic under way
By Joe Harwood
The Register-Guard | February 8, 2005 |
Eugene developer Wally Graff is quickly emerging as quite the powerhouse when it comes to new medical office space in Eugene.
Graff recently launched construction on a 17,000-square-foot building at Barger Drive and Altimont Street in northwest Eugene. Graff plans to complete the building before the end of the year and then lease it to Oregon Medical Group. (more...)
Incoming call center joins crowd: Royal Caribbean will change trade's employment picture
By Sherri Buri McDonald
The Register-Guard | February 9, 2005 |
When Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., based in Miami, plunges into Springfield with the opening of its massive customer service center later this year, it will send ripples through the local call center industry. (more...)
UO Purchases Williams Bakery Site
The deal is final. The University of Oregon is the new owner of the Williams' Bakery site off Franklin Boulevard in Eugene. (more...)
UO to pay $22 million for bakery
By Greg Bolt
The Register-Guard | February 10, 2005 |
The University of Oregon and United States Bakery have completed a deal to sell the company's Williams' Bakery property to the UO, creating a home for a new basketball arena if the university decides to build one.
The deal calls for the university to pay $22.2 million for the 7-acre site on the eastern edge of campus. The bakery will build a new plant on a 14-acre site in Glenwood just off Franklin Boulevard near the United Parcel Service shipping center.
The Glenwood site fronts both 19th Avenue and Nugget Way and is owned by the Wildish companies, which are donating a financial interest in the property to the university. The UO will transfer that interest to the bakery as part of the deal, which helped lower the sale price. (more...)
University finalizes bakery site purchase
By Meghann Cuniff, Senior News Reporter
Oregon Daily Emerald | February 10, 2005 |
The University has one more piece of property to add to its inventory -- the Williams' Bakery site.
Allan Price, vice president for University Advancement, announced that the University had finalized the site's purchase Wednesday afternoon. (more...)
Williams' Bakery headed for Glenwood
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | February 11, 2005 |
Williams' Bakery has found its new home in Glenwood.
A deal struck between the University of Oregon and United States Bakery will transfer ownership of the Williams' Bakery site on east 13th Street to the university, relocating bakery operations to a new facility in Glenwood.
Under the agreement, announced Wednesday afternoon, the university will acquire the bakery for roughly $22.2 million, as well as an interest in the piece of property that will serve as the site of the new bakery. (more...)
Editorial -- Arena closer to reality: UO closes pivotal deal for Williams' Bakery site
| The Register-Guard | February 11, 2005 |
University of Oregon officials don't have all their Ducks lined up in a neat row yet, but the completion of a deal to acquire the Williams' Bakery property represents a critical step toward making a new basketball arena a reality. (more...)
Charles Tilt -- City ought to consider all options for Eighth
By Charles Tilt
The Register-Guard | |
Some decisions are permanent. You get only one chance to do the right thing.
Eugene decision-makers face that crossroads on West Eighth Avenue between Lincoln and Charnelton streets, where the city proposes a five-story apartment complex just 13 feet from the Community Center for the Performing Arts' Woodmen of the World Hall. (more...)
Council approves property appraisal
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | February 10, 2005 |
The Eugene City Council on Wednesday signaled that it might move in a more forceful direction in the controversial deal for a Santa Clara park and housing development.
Councilors voted to get a property appraisal of 40 acres just outside the northern city limits, near Northwest Expressway and Irvington Drive. Councilors said they want the information to see how much it might cost to buy the property.
Until now, city staff have been working to consummate a land swap -- not a purchase -- with developers Melvin and Norman McDougal. The McDougal brothers have agreed to give the city 77 acres for a large park in exchange for city approval to put houses and businesses on 120 acres of adjacent farmland that is now off-limits to development.
The council's decision on Wednesday to seek the appraisal raises the possibility that the city eventually may try to buy the property from the McDougals or, in case a deal cannot be reached, use its powers of eminent domain to acquire the property through condemnation. (more...)
Neighbors press park purchase plan
By Edward Russo
The Register-Guard | February 8, 2005 |
Towering Douglas firs and craggy, moss-covered maples stand on the steep slopes of the second-largest privately owned, undeveloped parcel in south Eugene.
At almost 40 acres, the land has a running stream and wetlands. It is close to where Amazon Creek runs down from its headwaters in the south hills and empties into the narrow channel hemmed in by East and West Amazon drives.
Local residents want that 40 acres to remain in its present natural condition. Many of them walk the property, enjoying its tranquillity. (more...)
Building fee gets no protest in Veneta
By Karen McCowan
The Register-Guard | February 8, 2005 |
VENETA -- No developers turned out Monday night to testify before the planning commission about a proposed 21 percent increase in fees charged to build a house in Lane County's fastest-growing city. (more...)
Transportation
Letter -- LTD loses millions each year
By Dick Walker, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 7, 2005 |
In reading the guest viewpoint from Susan Ban (Register-Guard, Jan. 27), a member of Lane Transit District Board: If it weren't so tragic, it would be funny.
She writes that the board is concerned about a $200 a month increase in each employee's medical costs. Let's put that in perspective.
Here is a company that has a $38 million yearly operating budget. It generates in actual earned revenue (fares) $4.5 million a year. This was reported in last week's newspaper. So on a yearly basis, LTD loses $33.5 million each and every year. This year they are adding $27 million in new purchases, for a total operating expense of $65 million, minus income of $4.5 million, for a total loss this year of $60.5 million.
So where does the rest of the money come from? You, the taxpayer. LTD will say, "That's not true. It comes from the payroll tax," as if the business does not pass that on to you. And the rest comes from the state of Oregon, like that money, too, does not come from the taxpayers.
My point: If you're losing $33.5 million every year, what difference is another million here or there? Just give the employees the raise, add it on to the money you're already losing and move on. We can just raise the tax rate and take care of it. There, problem solved.
Letter -- Where is LTD accountability?
By Chuck Wallace, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 7, 2005 |
Has anyone noticed that you never get to vote on the Lane Transit District board of directors?
Who are the directors accountable to? Whenever a vacancy occurs, the LTD general manager sends a list of possible appointees to the governor and one is selected.
LTD board members are appointed by the governor? Where is the public input process and accountability?
LTD bus riders turn out to protest proposed cutbacks of some routes
By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard | February 8, 2005 |
The Lane Transit District changed gears Monday, temporarily putting aside labor problems with its unionized employees to take public testimony on proposed annual service changes to bus routes throughout the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area.
Most of the proposed changes involve routes that don't carry sufficient passengers to warrant continuing them, at least with the frequency they've had in the past, LTD planner Stefano Viggiano told the transit district board.
A dozen bus users turned out to protest changes to the routes they use to get to work, school or shopping. (more...)
LTD route changes cause for concern: Proposed 'fixes' have elderly and disabled riders speaking up
By Amber Fossen
The Springfield News | February 9, 2005 |
Proposed changes to Lane Transit District service routes have some Springfield residents concerned.
As part of an annual route review, district staff has proposed changes that include the elimination of service in some areas due to low ridership, the addition of other bus routes and operational fixes on a number of other routes to address scheduling problems.
The possible elimination of Fairview Loop from routes 18 and 19 will prevent having to add additional hours each week to correct timing problems, according to district officials. But for those that depend on that service, it's more than just a route change. (more...)
LTD board sidesteps group's questions
By Randi Bjornstad
The Register-Guard | February 9, 2005 |
Members of a citizen committee formed to try to help resolve a labor dispute between the Lane Transit District and its union workers went away frustrated Tuesday night after LTD board members refused to discuss what they see as obstacles to forging a new contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757. (more...)
Committee asks LTD Board for straight answers
The committee voiced concerns after the meeting, saying LTD did not provide concrete information
By Meghann Cuniff, Senior News Reporter
Oregon Daily Emerald | February 9, 2005 |
The LTD/ATU Community Committee got its first chance to question the Lane Transit District Board about the ongoing controversial contract negotiations between LTD and the Amalgamated Transit Union at a meeting at the Woodleaf Village Community Center on Tuesday night.
The LTD Board agreed to the meeting out of its concern for the community and desire to avert a driver strike, board member Gerry Gaydos said. (more...)
Citizen's committee hits roadblock : Bus riders left with frustration after talks with LTD
By Stacy D. Stumbo
The Springfield News | February 11, 2005 |
A citizens' committee hoping to ease tensions between the Lane Transit District and its union were sorely disappointed after a Tuesday night meeting yielded frustration instead of results.
About 40 people attended the meeting, which was held in the Woodleaf Village Community Center in Eugene. Observers of the often stilted conversation between board members and the committee covered the full spectrum of LTD bus riders.
People of different races, children, elderly and disabled bus riders listened and waited for news that a compromise had been reached between the board and the 230 LTD employees who are members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757.
They were disappointed. (more...)
Letter -- Let LTD workers go on strike
By Lynn Carrancho, Eugene
The Register-Guard | February 9, 2005 |
I am sick to death already of hearing about the woes of the Lane Transit District's bus drivers.
It's unbelievable how they take for granted the great wages and insurance, not to mention the extra benefits. I say let them go on strike! For every disgruntled driver there are dozens of people who would gladly take over their jobs.
There are many, many people trying to survive on half the LTD workers' average wage. And when was the last time one of these drivers had to look for a job or stand in the unemployment line?
There are people everywhere with insurance deductibles in the $1,000 or $2,000 range and even higher. Still others long to be accepted on the Oregon Health Plan. And how cushy can one get, staying warm and dry and sitting all day as opposed to physically working their bodies to death?
Again, let them strike. In fact, let them go. And then they can sit at the bus stop while new, thankful drivers pick them up and take them to their new job with low pay and bad benefits -- if they're lucky enough to find one out there.
Letter -- Must be nice to work at LTD
By Carmen Getz, Junction City
The Register-Guard | February 10, 2005 |
Last year, my college-educated husband took a job with a $10,000 pay cut after the company he had been working for moved out of state. In addition to our $250 per month insurance premiums, we now pay for his new employer's health insurance plan. We now have a $4,000 deductible before we receive any health coverage.
This plan offers no coverage for preventive care such as routine physicals, well-baby visits, routine vaccinations, prescription drugs or vision care. He took this job and is grateful to have it to keep his family in this job-forsaken state, where both our families live.
In hindsight, I think we had the wrong plan. He should have joined a union, perhaps become a Lane Transit District union worker. How nice it must be to be able to demand your salary and benefit package and make the public suffer when you don't get your way. Certainly, we all think we're overworked and underpaid, but these are not exactly high-rolling times for Oregon.
I say, let the LTD workers strike and offer the jobs to some of the thousands of educated, loyal and hardworking Oregonians who would jump at a chance to just work and feed their families.
Excellent?
By Valerie Harris, Springfield
Eugene Weekly | February 10, 2005 |
I have a few concerns regarding Lane Transit District. How can a bus strike be providing "excellent services" which is a quote from Ken Hamm from the "Rider's Digest" of Sept. 19, 2004? Mr. Hamm's "promise." What does that really mean?
What type of management would not negotiate a respectable contract for its employees, thus causing added stress for bus patrons in the middle of winter? No other relief is provided for the 10,000-plus individuals who depend on LTD, implying that LTD would rather save money for its new Bus Rapid System, which has a higher priority over maintaining current bus schedules and meeting the needs of the public.
Is LTD a public-oriented service? If current services are not adequately funded, how can there be long-term funding for a "new" bus system? This implies that regular bus service will continually be cut in order to bring in a new bus rapid system. How can this be "excellent" service?
Or is this new bus rapid system like the electric buses? How many times have the electric buses been painted? Twice! Where are the electric buses today?
Bus patrons need actual physical, reliable transportation, not buses that sit in the bus yard collecting dust. (more...)
Union Complaint
EUGENE -- Lane Transit District bus drivers are taking their battle with their employer to the state. On Thursday, the Amalgamated Transit Union filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the Oregon Employment Relations Board. It alleges violations of state labor laws, primarily with the way LTD bargained with the union. The workers want LTD to rescind its final contract offer, bargain in good faith, and pay both a civil penalty and union attorney fees. The two sides have been at a negotiation impasse since the beginning of February. The union could go on strike on March 7th.
New Mediation Dates
GLENWOOD -- Two new mediated contract negotiation sessions have been scheduled between the Lane Transit District and Amalgamated Transit Union. (more...)
Other
Slant -- AVA Oregon!
| Eugene Weekly | February 10, 2005 |
A couple of weeks ago we asked AVA Oregon! publisher Bruce Anderson about rumors that he's returning to California, and he denied it. Turns out we asked the wrong question. He's staying in town, but his newspaper is going away, unless of course he finds someone to bankroll future issues. The R-G gave AVA's demise about 200 words Saturday, buried on D3, getting less attention than the Springfield mayor's plans to go on TV for five minutes each week to answer questions. Back in November, the R-G gave Anderson's arrival in town two prominent stories, a photo and a total of 2,000 words. The Oregonian weighed in with a big story, The New York Times gave Anderson's move to Eugene 1,200 words, and the February Editor & Publisher devoted four full pages to Anderson, "the Jeffrey Dahmer of journalism." Hype generates hype, and it turns to whimpers.
Slant -- R-G
| Eugene Weekly | February 10, 2005 |
Speaking of the daily rag, up until now the R-G's long-term, full-text archives have only been accessible on a fee basis. But if you have a Eugene Public Library card, you can gain access to the paper's full-text archives for free, along with other newspapers and magazines. Thanks to the library and R-G for making this possible. Try it at http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/Library and click on the Magazines link. EW's long-term, full-text archives are also free at http://www.eugeneweekly.com
Editorial -- Going nuclear
In arms race to the ballot, everyone loses
| The Sacramento Bee | February 10, 2005 |
A cold war mentality has settled over the Capitol as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his adversaries gear up for a ballot-box arms race.
Both sides are deploying the "nuclear option" -- launching numerous ballot measures with the hope of intimidating the other. In January, combatants filed a record 63 ballot proposals. Now they are out raising tens of millions of dollars, which means we can look forward to an onslaught of television ads.
It is all very MAD, this philosophy of Mutually Assured Destruction. Instead of making even the feeblest attempt to negotiate on pension reform, legislative districts and other matters, both sides are launching preemptive strikes and hiding in the bunkers of the initiative process.
In recent weeks, Schwarzenegger has told reporters he plans to raise $50 million by tapping donors in various states. He also is sidestepping limits on individual contributions by having an independent committee raise the funds for him.
Democratic operatives, meanwhile, are threatening to push ballot proposals to reform Proposition 13, raise the minimum wage and end corporate tax breaks. Some of these have little chance of passing, but it ups the ante for business groups that support the governor's agenda.
It may seem na•ve to suggest that the governor and Democratic lawmakers could work together to solve the state's problems. Such a notion may seem reminiscent of the line in the movie "Dr. Strangelove," where President Merkin Muffley scolds the Soviet ambassador and a group of generals, saying: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room!"
The trouble is, the political art of saber rattling often escalates into full-scale war -- in this case an air war. Regardless how they feel about the initiative process, Californians need to ask themselves: Do they want special elections every year? With dozens of poorly vetted ballot propositions? Does anyone win in this arms war, other than the arm-chair generals known as political consultants?
Measure 37: Views
Letter -- House needs to act before Measure 37 creates 'bumps'
By Jonathan Evans, Eugene
Oregon Daily Emerald | February 11, 2005 |
Last Thursday, Yamhill County approved the first claims under Measure 37. If our neighbors to the north are any indication, the next few years will be a bumpy road. County commissioners voted to shut the public out of the process by not requiring public hearings or notice for claims filed under Measure 37. This is wrong. State and local governments must provide notice to neighbors and the community.
Constitutional "due process" requires notice if your neighbor's land use change devalues your property.
Oregonians voted for fairness in our land use laws. Instead, Measure 37 will allow senior land owner protections that the rest of us do not have. It will be implemented unevenly throughout the state as owners in similar circumstances, but different counties, receive unequal benefits.
Our elected officials in Salem need to step up to the challenge and act on this issue. The legislature needs to include fairness and equality in Measure 37. SB 406 is a step in the right direction. It establishes a fair funding mechanism so Oregon taxpayers are not left holding the bag. It also creates a uniform system to process claims so that landowners are treated equally. Eugene House member Robert Ackerman should support similar legislation to provide fair, equal compensation in Oregon. The Senate started the discussion. It is time for House of Representatives to act.
Letter -- Measure 37 foe doesn't get it
By Larry M. Chase, Springfield
The Register-Guard | February 12, 2005 |
Interesting guest viewpoint from Liam Sherlock (Register-Guard, Feb. 3). "I and my friends don't like this, so we won't participate." Sour grapes, anyone?
The really interesting thing here is the philosophy involved. He basically says that as long as one group agrees, it's all right for government agencies to cheat Oregon citizens. He says most towns and counties can't afford to pay the potential claims. This gives us a good idea of how badly the landowners of Oregon have been ripped off over the last 30 or so years.
The thing that seems to completely escape Sherlock and others is that it is exactly this "Let them eat cake" attitude that led to Measure 37's passage by such a wide margin.
Letter -- Land use laws hurt Oregonians
By Donald Schindler, Springfield
The Register-Guard | February 12, 2005 |
In Liam Sherlock's guest viewpoint "Oregonians will regret Measure 37" (Register-Guard, Feb. 3), he conveniently ignores not only the constitutional rights of individuals to profit from what they have worked for but also how the people of Oregon have been badly hurt by overly restrictive land use laws and other similar laws.
With little or no available land for housing, prices have skyrocketed, putting home ownership out of reach for the average Oregonian. In the Eugene-Springfield area, 50 percent of housing is rental while nationwide, the figure is 30 percent. Sherlock lauds virtues such as fairness and high quality of life, but for who? The wealthy few who can afford the ever-diminishing, higher-priced land and housing?
It is very easy to embrace the green beauty of Oregon and this state has more than its fair share, but affordable, buildable land is desperately needed for Oregonians. When I see a bumper sticker that says "Native Oregonian," I always wonder whether the person owns a piece of it.
Measure 37: News
Lawmakers tackle Measure 37 details
By David Steves
The Register-Guard | February 9, 2005 |
SALEM -- After a month of warming up to the task, the Legislature today takes up its first bill spelling out how it wants the voter-passed property rights law to work.
The afternoon hearing represents the first public airing of legislation to implement the Measure 37 compensation initiative for landowners whose development rights have been infringed upon by laws or regulations. (more...)
Crook County Asks Circuit Court To Clarify Measure 37
| Crook County Adminstration | February 4, 2005 |
Crook County today filed a lawsuit against itself in the circuit court of Crook County asking local courts to determine whether its ordinance implementing Measure 37 passed by voters in November is lawful. Measure 37 provides that local governments which reduce property values through land use regulations must either pay compensation or reinstate those rights.
The county filed suit under a little-known and little-used provision of Oregon law which allows local governments to seek advance rulings from circuit courts as to the "regularity, legality and correctness" of local ordinances.
County waives first Measure 37 claims
By Carl Mickelson, Staff Writer
The Worldlink.com | February 7, 2005 |
The first three Measure 37 claims brought before the Coos County Board of Commissioners have been waived, giving two claimants clearance to develop their property -- and preventing the county from paying out $2.15 million in compensation claims. (more...)
Measure 37 developers move cautiously
By Jeff Barnard
The Associated Press | February 11, 2005 |
GRANTS PASS -- As a growing number of counties approve Measure 37 claims to develop property rather than pay budget-busting damage claims, backers of the new property rights law are still advising people to seek approval from the state before breaking ground.
The authors of the ballot measure approved last November say counties have the power to waive even state regulations governing land use.
But they are advising claimants to go to state authorities for approval, according to Ross Day, director of legal affairs for Oregonians in Action, which drafted Measure 37. (more...)
Richardson bill would speed up Measure 37 claims
By Don Jepsen
The (Medford) Mail Tribune | February 11, 2005 |
SALEM -- A Central Point legislator has introduced a bill to speed Measure 37 claims for landowners who want to build single-family homes on their property.
House Bill 2549, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Richardson, will get its first reading today.
Richardson, a Republican, said he was introducing the measure to get simple land-use claims processed without delay. (more...)