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<br />-<" <br /> <br />. . <br />I <br /> <br />Now I want to go back to the subject of trust and credibility. <br /> <br />This is the seventh and last year of the River Road/Santa Clara sewer project. For six <br />years the "Sewer Project Team" has identified properties to be assessed as "specifically <br />benefited" and exempted properties that are "non-benefited." These people are experienced <br />professionals. By now they know the code and how to apply it. <br /> <br />I believe that "Tom F." was doing his job and made the determination based on the <br />information he had at hand. <br /> <br />I believe that if "Tom F." had had similar information about taxlots 2000 and 1900 the <br />same determination 'would have been made. I also believe that He couldn't remember. <br />specifics about this action because it was routine and based on actual codes and policies. <br /> <br />I do not believe that "Tom F." made a mistake. <br /> <br />The mistake is being made by city employees who feel presured to implement <br />policies based on the "vision" of providing more housing for people who might want to move <br />to Eugene. These same employees must monitor revenue and be fiscally accountable for <br />implementing this vision. The policies and codes have been adopted to bring this vision to , <br />fruition. <br /> <br />Occasionally the policies and codes will back up a condition that the employees feel <br />will not bring about this city's vision. This has happened in the situation I have just <br />described. <br /> <br />The mistake is made when the city employees feel they must choose a "vision" over <br />the law. When critical elements of a law, such as "Specifically Benefited", are given no <br />definition. <br /> <br />It is this mindset and practise that I believe are contributing to the growing lack of trust <br />and respect for our city employees and elected officials. <br /> <br />I'm not trying to find "loop holes." I don't enjoy causing trouble for other people. My <br />comments are more "preachy" than lam comfortable with, but the ordeal of struggling to <br />meet the deadlines imposed by this process with information being given to me in little bits <br />and pieces as I tried to figure out the right questions to ask has really worn me down. <br /> <br />I hope that the findings of the hearings official are embedded in the policies and <br />codes that should be the structure for all our actions. The policies, codes, and definitions that <br />we all have been given and are trying to live by. <br /> <br />