11/20/1989 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Dan Stotter, 1490 High Street, testified against increasing the percentage of signatures required for the initiative petition. He noted that despite some sentiment, he feels the initiative process promotes healthy citizen participation in the political system. Mr. Stotter expressed concern specifically with Section 2.974 because he felt that the process of requiring a court procedure for changing of a ballot title is expensive and time- consuming; allowing the council the authority to change the ballot title can avert a court trial, thus sparing wasted money and time. Carole Bruhl, 708 West 4th Avenue, spoke against the proposed ordinance. She testified that the council no longer has the respect of Eugene citizens, who, in her opinion, would also not support this ordinance. Bob Fauvre, 2979 Marauta Street, agreed with those who spoke before him and noted that this ordinance is a threat to freedom in the city of Eugene. Merton Saling, 1510 Charnel ton Street, spoke against the ordinance. Mr. Saling testified that he felt the council should increase the time allowed to circulate petitions and decrease the number of signatures required for both the initiative and referendum petitions. Randy Prince, Box 927, submitted a letter to the council from Barbara Roberts which told why Oregonians take pride in the initiative and referendum processes and submitted an essay from Professor Bingham of the University of Oregon. Mr. Prince paralleled the mass movements for democracy taking place around the world with the timing of this ordinance. He noted that the e initiative and referendum process are a basic part of our democracy and urged the council to refer this decision to the voters. Brian Hoop, 1790 Alder Street, said that the decision to increase the number of signatures on the initiative petition is out of step with the wishes of the vast majority of Oregon community members. He concurred with concerns raised by Mr. Stotter that sending a ballot title to the court would be expensive and might, as a result of respective income levels, become a racial issue. He felt that the decision to increase signature percentages should come before Eugene citizens. Wes Bigelow, 572 West 12th #6, concurred with Mr. Saling that the number of signatures required to get a referendum or initiative petition on the ballot should be reduced. He felt that guaranteed involvement in the process of deCiSion-making is inherent in the definition of democracy; the referendum allows citizens to become involved in this decision-making process. Richard Gold, 907 River Road #58, indicated that he has been involved in the process of initiative petitioning and has experienced how enormously difficult it is to be able to put an initiative petition on the ballot. The initiative process is provided to allow citizens the authority to maintain the checks and balances within a representative democracy. He added that the percentage of signatures requirement should not be based on the total electors registered at the time a petition is filed. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 20, 19~9 Page 2