Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the February 5, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Susan Brenner writes in a letter:
It is my understanding that the Eugene City Council is considering adding an alternative auditor measure for the May ballot, to join the original measure which garnered 10,000 signatures (including, to be transparent, mine) and met all city requirements for the process. This was not an easy or quick process. …
In the February 5, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Rich Locke writes in a letter:
My business and 50 others are being unfairly assessed a fee from the Eugene Toxic Right to Know program. …
In the January 29, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Corvallis resident Charle Lee Crawford Jr. writes in a letter:
In his Jan, 24 guest viewpoint, “Police auditor department has distinct function,” Mark Gissiner goes to great lengths, I assume, to explain how effective the Eugene Independent Police Auditor’s office and staff are. He attempts to make it sound as if that model would be acceptable instead of a totally autonomous auditor’s office and staff for the spending of taxpayer dollars. …
In the January 27, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident James McGean writes in a letter:
Is an independent city performance auditor truly needed?
The proponents of the proposal for creation of an independent performance auditor seem to believe the question no longer remains if an independent auditor is needed, and have shifted their focus to urging voters to approve their measure that will appear on the May ballot. …
In the January 27, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Mark Weintraub writes in a letter:
Regarding Measure 20-283 and opposition to the charter amendment proposed by Citizens for Sensible Oversight:
The Eugene City Council’s recent vote to direct city staff to draft a proposed charter amendment to compete with Measure 20-283 on the May 2018 ballot was disappointing and troubling. The measure qualified for the ballot because of the efforts of Eugene residents who believe it is necessary to ensure that the city spends taxpayer dollars efficiently and honestly. The petitioners’ hard work deserves our city leaders’ respect. …
In the January 27, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Laura A. Hammond, who the community relations director for the City of Eugene, writes in a letter:
Some have asked about a recent notice seeking volunteers to write an argument in opposition to an upcoming ballot measure. The city is legally required by Eugene code to post this notice. The purpose is to ensure both sides of a proposed measure have an equal opportunity to be represented in the Voters’ Pamphlet. …
In the January 25, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Richard A. Sundt writes in a letter:
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” said Abraham Lincoln in 1863. But thanks to our mayor and city staff, democratic government has, 155 years later, perished in Eugene.
It should outrage all Eugeneans, no matter their views regarding the independent-auditor ballot measure. A notice placed by the city in a recent Register-Guard is requesting volunteers “to write an argument in opposition” to this citizen initiative for the Voters’ Pamphlet. …
In the January 19, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Brian Wanty writes in a letter:
Creating an equitable and sustainable society is the central problem of the 21st century.
We need to check the extremes of poverty and wealth to ensure that everyone’s basic needs are met and society isn’t biased toward the interests of the affluent. Consumption and pollution must be substantially reduced to secure a healthy planet for young people today and future generations. …
In the January 19, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Carol Lavery McCornack writes in a letter:
It seems that the vigor with which the City Council resists an independent voter-approved auditor suggests that is precisely the solution that Eugene needs.
In the January 17, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Ruth Duemler McCornack writes in a letter:
So some Eugene City Council members want to choose their city auditor.
Don’t they understand that what is urgently needed is a city auditor with no ties to city administration or the council? …