05/01/08 City Council Newsletter

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United Airlines planners recently made the decision to substantially reduce capacity due to high fuel prices and a softening economy. This includes the sale of 30 mainline aircraft. “This decision is very disappointing,” said Eugene Airport Director Tim Doll, “but it’s not surprising given the extreme stress of the airline industry as a whole.” One Horizon Air flight to Seattle will also be dropped in late June. No other reductions in air service are known at this time. Airport officials will continue to work to sustain air service on routes supported by consumer demand. For more information contact Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Cathryn Stephens, at 682-5430, or via email cathryn.e.stephens@ci.eugene.or.us. Students Receive Serious Prom Night Warning Prom season is here, and with it comes the temptation for high schoolers to give in to peer pressure and engage in unsafe behavior -- in particular drinking and driving. Eugene Fire & EMS personnel teamed with other emergency response agencies last week to provide a demonstration of what the consequences might be to the assembled student body at Churchill High School. Called "Operation Prom Night," the demonstration involved a simulated motor vehicle accident with severe injuries and at least one fatality, the result of distracted and alcohol-impaired teen driving.As students stared at the realistic wreck, firefighters used the "Jaws of Life" to extricate victims and tended to the injured. A Life Flight rescue helicopter circled above. A real-life accident victim, Churchill student Brooke Frank, was brought forward in her wheelchair as a close-to-home example of what the warning was all about. Media coverage of the demonstration helped broadcast the message to the rest of the community. Eugene's firefighters and medics hope that, because of this warning and any others that can be given, lives will be saved between now and summer. For more information, please contact District Chief Scott Bishop at 682-7100. "Protect Yourself from Identity Theft" Talk at Eugene Public Library Concerned by recent news about online phishing and other scams? Knowledge is power! Get informed at a free presentation, "Protect Yourself From Identity Theft," Saturday, May 10, 3:00 p.m., at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. Frances Powell of the City of Eugene Police Department will explain what identify theft is and the practical steps to take to prevent it. She will also provide information about how to respond to identify theft or consumer fraud, including how to clear financial records and where to go for help. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library, 682-5450. Police and Fire Host 60 Kids for Kids-to-Work Day The Eugene Police Department and Eugene Fire & EMS Department take a special approach to the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, which was observed nationwide last Thursday. Because emergency response personnel cannot be accompanied by children while on the job, the two departments organize job-related activities, demonstrations, and tours for the childrenof employees. This year, a record 60 kids registered and were shown through the Whiteaker Fire Station, 9-1-1 Center, City Hall, police forensics lab, property control unit, and other Fire and Police workplaces. They saw demonstrations of the police K-9 unit, police defensive tactics, a fire ladder truck, and, with careful supervision, they were allowed to douse a real fire with a real fire hose and check out some SWAT team equipment. At midday there was a barbecue lunch prepared by high-ranking police and fire officials. Many staff members in both departments -- some on their own time -- went above and beyond to help make the day's activities positive, educational, and enjoyable. The departments are pleased to have had the opportunity to provide these young people with a window into our working lives, and look forward to EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 May 1, 2008