Tag: Register-Guard

Vote for the council’s ‘sensible’ alternative auditor plan

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In the May 5, 2018, online edition the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Jon Belcher writes in a letter:

As a member of the Citizen Charter Review Committee, which in 2002 unanimously recommended establishing a city performance auditor appointed by the Eugene City Council and overseen by a citizen audit committee, I thank the proponents of Measure 20-283 for reviving the discussion.

If only they had developed their proposal via an open inclusive process rather than behind closed doors. They could have avoided several flaws in Measure 20-283. It pays an excessive salary, provides for no ongoing citizen oversight and allows the first auditor to be elected by a minority of voters. Moreover, it creates an auditor so independent as to be ineffective — someone on the outside looking in. …

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Elected auditor won’t necessarily work for city’s good

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In the May 5, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Glenna Dunaway writes in a letter:

I keep reading comments regarding Eugene Measure 20-283 indicating there are people who think that the process of electing an official means necessarily that that public servant will act for the common good. You know that’s not true. I know that’s not true. We all know that’ not true. Please give some thought to other aspects of measures 283 and 287, and make your decision based, as much as possible, on reality as you understand it.

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Elected auditor will benefit city and taxpayers

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In the May 5, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Ralph McDonald writes in a letter:

Some opponents of Measure 20-283 claim an elected auditor would insult the accountability of city of Eugene employees.

Rank and file city employees see the problems with waste and mismanagement. They recognize them earliest, and are often the only witnesses. …

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Measure 20-283 is wishful thinking gone awry

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In the May 4, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident David R. Newman writes in a letter:

Despite many lawn signs urging a “yes” vote for an elected auditor, questions remain. For starters, the measure implies: “OK, Eugene City Council candidate, I’ll vote for you, but I don’t trust you to do an honest job, so we’ll also elect an auditor to look over your decision-making/implementation shoulder and report back to us.” …

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City Hall move cost even more

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In the May 1, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Ruth Duemler writes in a letter:

Thank you, Scott Bartlett, for discovering the $1.3 million annual cost of renting City Hall but that leaves out the cost of the move and remodeling plus transit and inconvenience of separate city facilities (“Gravel pit points to yes on 20-283”, April 27). We could also add the 10-year rental agreement locking in no city hall.

We need an honest and dedicated observer and that is exactly what 20-283 gives us.

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Wasted money suggests ‘Enough!’

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In the April 30, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Jayme Vasconcellos writes in a letter:

Here’s why you should vote yes on Ballot Measure 20-283:

City Hall’s original estimate: $11.5 million. Then, without notifying the council, City Manager Jon Ruiz blew it up to $18.8 million — and then to $27.85 million. Six million spent; nothing built. …

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City-hired auditor defeats purpose

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In the April 30, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Munir Katul writes in a letter:

As the first chair of the Eugene Police Commission and of the Police Civilian Review Board, I had the opportunity to interact with members of the Eugene city government and specifically the City Council members and the city manager’s office.

When the police auditor’s position was created, it was supposed to be “independent” while still reporting to the City Council.

Unfortunately, it did not turn out that way. …

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‘Elected’ not good use of money

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In the April 30, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene City Councilor for Ward 8 Chris Pryor writes in a letter:

Am I afraid of an elected auditor? Not really. It won’t affect me as an elected official.

The elected auditor has no authority over the Eugene City Council.

Actually, the auditor doesn’t really have the authority to make any changes.

Read the measure. …

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Choose ‘elected,’ not ‘appointed’

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In the April 30, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Christine L. Sundt writes in a letter:

If Measure 20-283 passes, Eugene’s voters would elect their auditor rather than having one appointed by the City Council. That means we, the people, decide who is best qualified (experience, residency, and success) from among candidates. …

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Summary of recommendations

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In the April 30, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, the editorial board writes:

Measure 20-283: No. The measure would create an elected city auditor’s office — a potentially fruitful idea, but the proposal goes too far in terms of expense and not far enough in terms of accountability,

Measure 20-287: No. The Eugene City Council’s alternative to Measure 20-283 would create an appointed auditor’s position. The council muddied the waters by placing this proposal on the ballot.

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