Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the April 24, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Nicole Leseney in a letter:
Do you want to get paid almost $170,000 a year, work from wherever you want (Hawaii? Aspen?), get a raise whenever other officials do — even if you haven’t done anything to earn it, and have a nice staff that answers only to you? If so, run for the Eugene elected auditor position under Measure 20-283 and win the job. …
In the April 24, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Julie Daniel in a letter:
A Eugene city auditor is a good idea too long in coming, but Measure 20-283 is just too flawed to support.
Regrettably, 20-283 petitioners avoided public scrutiny by developing their measure behind closed doors. Major changes to the City Charter should be carefully evaluated in public before going before voters to avoid such problems. …
In the April 24, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Rosemary Mulligan in a letter:
Voting no on both Eugene city auditor proposals would be a good choice in my opinion. The two choices both seem to have flaws. They sell the idea that the auditor could have prevented the City Hall muddle. Auditors are hired only to make sure the city is spending the money on the earmarked city projects wisely and efficiently. The expense is considerable. A better proposal could be presented at a later date if it is deemed necessary. The money would be better spent on more police protection, after school programs, etc.
In the April 24, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Margie James in a letter:
I find it interesting that Citizens for Sensible Auditing, the group supporting the Eugene City Council’s auditor measure, doesn’t even pretend to be making a case for the city’s proposal. The group seems to be focusing all its efforts on defeating Measure 20-283, the citizens’ initiative, though limiting that to a few yard signs that say “No Overpriced City Auditor.” …
In the April 23, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Richard Young writes in a letter:
Let’s sort this out. First, the claim that Eugene Measure 20-283 is people power. So was the election of President Trump. Sometimes people don’t know who they are giving power to. …
In the April 23, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Wendy J. Cook writes in a letter:
On whether we should elect or appoint a Eugene city auditor, I ask myself: Can either type eliminate enough government waste to handily exceed their six-figure salary plus benefits (including pension) without sacrificing valuable services? Can either type accomplish this feat year after year — not just the first few years when there’s low-hanging fruit to be found and voters are keeping a closer eye on the outcomes?
If they can no longer sustain sufficient value-added input, will either type judiciously recommend that their own position be reduced or eliminated to save on unnecessary cost? Because I believe the answer is “no,” that’s how I intend to vote on both city auditor measures.
In the April 19, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Ed Maye writes in a letter:
Someone pointed out to me that they hadn’t seen anything from the supporters of the City Council’s so-called “auditor lite” initiative. I couldn’t help but agree. …
In the April 18, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Bob Cassidy writes in a letter:
The president of the League of Woman Voters claims in an April 14 letter that the city of Eugene already has an auditor. And that’s true, but that’s a financial auditor. And it’s required of a city to have one. The numbers balance, and money is spent legally. …
In the April 17, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Laura Stasack writes in a letter:
There’s an old quote about two types of people: Those who do the work, and those happy to let them. Anyone who’s ever done a group project knows the dynamic. …
In the April 15, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Judith Schoap writes in a letter:
There is a scary rumor going around that under Ballot Measure 20-283 (for an elected Eugene city auditor) the auditor’s office will have the power to reach out and audit anybody’s business. In reality, the auditor is guaranteed the ability to audit only contracts and agreements for goods or services “purchased in whole or in part with public funds.” If you accept public money, that exchange can be audited. Contracts with the city will include a “right to audit” clause. Why would that be frightening?