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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />D. Political Contributions to City Council Elections <br /> <br />Councilor Holmer made reference to a newspaper article of the previous week <br />which reported the contribution by a political party.s central committee to <br />the election campaign of two City Council candidates. Reviewing his May 15, <br />1984, memorandum to the City Council, he stated that the City Charter provided <br />for the non-partisan election of the Mayor and the councilors, this option <br />being a response to the assertion that the public safety, works, and other <br />City functions were not the logical subject of debate by local units of <br />national political parties. Feeling that non-partisan elections better served <br />the ends of City government, Mr. Holmer stated that he had resigned from the <br />County Central Committee of his political party prior to running for the City <br />Council, an action not taken by other members of the council. He said the <br />subject of a political party supporting a council candidate was worthy of <br />public debate and that support would probably be shown for both sides of the <br />question. He suggested that the council ask the Lane County Democratic <br />Central Committee if it intended to continue making partisan financial contri- <br />butions to non-partisan political candidates. If the committee responded in <br />the affirmative, Mr. Holmer urged that the council develop a charter amendment <br />and corresponding ordinances that would allow partisan elections, the amendment <br />and ordinance then to be submitted to a vote by the public. <br /> <br />In response to Councilor Holmer's statement on affirmative action, Councilor <br />Wooten said she preferred that this issue be presented to the presidents of the <br />Human Rights commissions for their response to the recommendation and input on <br />how the council should proceed. In response to his statement on the financial <br />support of non-partisan elections, Ms. Wooten said it was an irrelevant issue to <br />bring before the council and a waste of the council's time. She believed that <br />the Democratic Party would be unable to provide an answer to Mr. Holmer.s <br />question regarding continued financial support. Councilor Schue, stating that <br />she did not conceal her membership in the Democratic Party Central Committee, <br />said she did not think it was a relevant discussion. She stated that the <br />councilors should be legal and up front about what each does in regard to his or <br />her constituencies, but then it was up to the public to decide. She did not <br />think the council needed to be concerned about the actions of any individual <br />political party. She added that contributions could be made through the party <br />or through individual donations. Councilor Obie.said he found himself in <br />middle ground on the issue, stating that the council should be concerned if <br />there was any deterioration of the non-partisan system. He said that the <br />process had served the community well in providing integrity in City issues <br />and concerns. He said he would have difficulty in any increasing activity to <br />create a partisan environment and would have Mr. Holmer pursue his suggestion <br />if any jeopardy of the non-partisan system were observed. <br /> <br />E. Future Plans Regarding Mayoral/Councilor Positions <br /> <br />Councilor Obie thanked Mr. Holmer for his congratulatory comments and expressed <br />his thanks for the support provided by other individuals. In response to <br />requests made by the press and others, Mr. Obie outlined his concerns with the <br />issue of economic development and the planning of future council goals. He <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />May 16, 1984 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br />