12/16/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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YOUTH COMMISSION: e As Members: Sarah Dougher, 2840 Alta Vista, Eugene, Oregon 97403, to term expiring January 1, 1985; Terry Haines, 2112 West 16th, Eugene, Oregon 97402, reappointed to term expiring January 1, 1985; John McArdle, 1858 High Street, Eugene, Oregon 97401, to term expiring January 1, 1985. As Alternates: (For 1 year only) Stacey Connelly, 2350 Harris Street, Eugene, Oregon 97405. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. 1. Presentation by Councilor Haws Councilor Haws read the following: liTo the City Council and the Voters of the Bethel Ward: liThe Reg i ster-Guard recently suggested that you, members of the City Council, confront me and request my resignation. I am sorry that the paper has put you in this rather embarrassing position, which implies that you have not been doing your civic duty. For a number of reasons, however, it will be unnecessary for you to consider the matter. "In the first place, the issue here is political. I have supported 1 i beral social causes and opposed those economic plans and policies that favor the rich e in the community and those who have inherited their wealth and power, such as the Register-Guard. In the past I have refused to energetically carry out policies that favor these groups, and I will not change now. I wi 11 not, however, be an obstructionist on the council. "When I miss meetings due to work obligations, the Register-Guard attacks because it is part of the closely knit political group that tries to control City Hall. Remember that when Mayor Keller missed 16 council meetings, the Register-Guard ran an article which was nothing more than a thinly disguised solicitation to obtain business for him. When Brian Obie was publicly scourged by citizens who thought he placed business before City Council duties, the Register-Guard ran an editorial defending him. "I refuse to be controlled by the Register-Guard or anyone else. All of us know that the Register-Guard's coverage is political, and I have been in politics long enough to know that you can never have the last word against a newspaper. II I have al so been around long enough to know that a newspaper cannot vote. Spring elections are approaching, and candidates are preparing for them. If the voters of the Bethel Ward wish to replace me with someone more conservative, they have that right. liTo the Register-Guard, however, I say, 'Don't try to force your political and economic viewpoints on me, nor on the citizens of the Bethel Ward. Desp ite the political pressures brought to bear by you and your followers, I will not quit. e Please note that the voters in my ward have not responded to your editorial.' MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 16, 1981 Page 3