Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the April 26, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, staff write:
Who doesn’t want genuine oversight of the doings of city government?
Well, the backers of Ballot Measure 20-287 don’t, for one. The measure is the Eugene City Council’s cynical response to a previously filed citizens’ initiative — Ballot Measure 20-283 — that would create an independent and separately elected city auditor. …
The Eugene Weekly publicized an event on April 21, 2018:
Neighborhood canvassing and lit drop for Ballot Measure 20-283 for an Elected Auditor: April 21, 10 am–noon Meeting at Theo’s Coffee House, 199 W 8th, Eugene. We’re gathering as many supporters as we can to walk some Eugene neighborhoods, distributing brochures and talking to neighbors about Ballot Measure 20-283 for an independent Elected Auditor for Eugene.
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 19, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, staff write:
The Friday the 13th auditor forum at the City Club of Eugene was not as civil as most City Club meetings. Bonnie Bettman McCornack spoke for the elected, independent auditor, and Josh Skov advocated for the City Council-appointed auditor before a full house. By the end of the forum, we harked back to an earlier City Club statement by Councilor Mike Clark. He said the council appointed measure, 20-287, is a “cynical measure” to kill the elected auditor, measure 20-283. We’ll see if it succeeds on May 15.
In the April 12, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Finn Po writes in a letter:
I strongly agree with Archie Herring in his letter regarding City Hall and its unanswered questions (4/5). I dread being reminded about the $7 million that was lost every time I pass by the depressing empty pit where our new City Hall was supposed to be. …
In the April 12, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Ruth Duemler writes in a letter:
Trade wars, stock market drops and more cost changes demand an independent elected auditor who understands city finances. We have experienced continuing financial losses with no City Hall and recognize the escalating cost of new construction.
This growing community needs an independent auditor elected to serve our part-time city counselors and make it the beautiful city we all want.
In the April 12, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, staff write:
City Club of Eugene hosts the debate, “Eugene City Auditor — Independent & Elected by the People or Appointed by the City Council?” noon Friday, April 13, at the UO Academic Extension at the Baker Center, 975 High Street. Speakers are former City Councilor Bonny Bettman McCornack of Elected Auditor 4 City Accountability, and former City Council candidate Joshua Skov of Citizens for Sensible Oversight.
In the April 12, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, staff write:
As the debate over electing or appointing a Eugene city auditor heats up, former government auditor Gary Blackmer will talk and answer questions on “Putting the GRIT in INTEGRITY” from 7 to 8:30 pm Wednesday, April 18, at Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Avenue. Blackmer, who worked most recently for the Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division, favors the original proposal, Ballot Measure 20-283, which calls for an elected auditor with sufficient budget to monitor City Hall.
In the April 5, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Archie Hering writes in a letter:
I read Bob Warren’s column (EW, 3/29) with great interest because I too am angry when I see the pit where City Hall stood Like a good Eugenean, he was lucid, reasonable and, most important, correct.
But I don’t feel that Warren was angry enough. Enough is enough, when it’s clear there is more going on than just an inactive city council. …
In the March 29, 2018, issue of the Eugene Weekly, retired Business Oregon regional business development officer Bob Warren writes in a guest viewpoint:
It’s been five years since the Eugene City Council tore down the Eugene City Hall for no apparent reason.
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