Improving the accountability & transparency of city government
In the July 6, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, reporter Ted Taylor writes:
Voters will see more precise and inclusive language in the initiative petition, Voters Pamphlet and ballot measure to create an Office of Independent City Auditor for Eugene, thanks to a July 3 court decision. …
In the July 6, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Dawn Lesley writes in a letter:
Kudos to Mayor Lucy Vinis for proposing a rational, fact-based approach to improving city transparency by creating an independent performance auditor [Viewpoint, June 22]. As she points out, other communities have performance auditors in place—I wonder how much they cost and what are the best ways for Eugene to implement an auditor’s office. …
In the July 6, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident David Funk writes in a letter:
As far as I can tell, Bonny Bettman McCornack (Viewpoint, 6/29) is offering a solution to a problem we don’t appear to have. She claims that there is escalating community distrust of city government, a claim backed up by nothing. This is the opposite of what I hear. In my experience most everyone I know is proud that our city government is so untainted by the kind of corruption that plagues other cities in our country. …
In the July 6, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Bob Cassidy writes in a letter:
We are getting wonderful news about the proposed civic performance auditor. The proposed initiative plans have undoubtedly caused this. …
In the June 29, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, chief petitioner and former Eugene City Councilor Bonny Bettman McCornack writes in a guest viewpoint:
Readers of Lucy Vinis’s June 22 viewpoint may have thought the mayor was voicing support for the citizens’ initiative petition, filed in May, that would amend the Eugene City Charter to establish an Office of an Independent elected city auditor. But the mayor’s intent, in sync with city officials, is to undermine the citizens’ effort with their own self-serving version of an audit function.
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In the June 29, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Brian Weaver letter:
I was quite surprised yet baffled to read Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis’ guest viewpoint (“Do More,” June 22). …
In the June 29, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident Lisa-Marie DiVincent letter:
As someone who has long seen the need for an elected city auditor, I was disappointed by Mayor Lucy Vinis’ June 22 column. She mentions the trend towards electing auditors as a way of ensuring their independence, but fails to inform readers of the recently filed citizen-led initiative to create an elected independent auditor in Eugene. …
In the June 29, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene resident C. L. Veal letter:
The timing of the mayor’s interest in a dormant 2002 report regarding an auditor seems suspicious. Comparable cities have found the position meritorious and compellingly cost effective, but the rationale for a mayor’s listening tour, i.e. “the community demands that we do better,” is underwhelming. …
In the June 22, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis writes in a guest viewpoint:
Accountability and transparency are essential to democracy. As Eugene’s mayor, I invite you to explore with me the potential benefits of a performance auditor to improve the effectiveness of city government and build the community’s trust in our public process. …
In the June 22, 2017, issue of the Eugene Weekly, staff write:
An initiative petition has been submitted to the city of Eugene that would amend the City Charter to establish an office of an independent elected city auditor. Volunteers are needed to gather signatures to place the measure on the May 2018 ballot. The petitioners say, “This is an opportunity for area residents to help reform our city government.” A training for volunteer signature gatherers is scheduled for 5 pm, June 28, at the AFSCME offices at 688 Charnelton in downtown Eugene. This all-volunteer effort is open to all those interested in helping in whatever way they can. For more information or to contact the chief petitioners go to CityAccountability.org or call 541-520-9572.