CC Minutes - 03/07/05 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Jack Radabaugh, 1361 Luella Street, chair of the Harlow Neighbors Node Committee, said the neighborhood had been trying to get a grocery store in the area for a long time. He recalled his participation in the nodal planning process several years earlier. He reiterated the neighborhood's objection to the medical complex. He underscored that a grocery store would improve the living conditions for all of the area residents, who now drove four miles for services. He conveyed the committee's recommendation that the council at least consider a compromise on the conflicting proposals. John Saemann, 1775 Adkins Street, provided testimony from Ray Wolfe. He said Mr. Wolfe lived at 1473 Luella Street. He explained that Mr. Wolfe had served on the City Council Advisory Committee on the West Eugene Enterprise Zone in 1997 and had written the minority report. He felt that many of the problems from 1997 still existed. He relayed Mr. Wolfe's assertion that the cost effectiveness of an Enterprise Zone was still questionable. He urged the council to study the review document he had submitted on Mr. Wolfe's behalf. He related that Ed Whitlaw of Eco Northwest had stated that Eugene's problems were due more to growth than from a lack of it. He asked that Dr. Whitlaw be consulted again. He submitted Mr. Wolfe's testimony in writing. Kate Perle, 4740 Wendover Street, spoke on behalf of the Santa Clara Community Organization Executive Board. She shared a letter from the Santa Clara Community Organization (SCCO) that registered the organization's opposition to "what has come to be called the McDougal Land Swap." She reported that two meetings with alleged attendance of nearly 100 people had resulted in a motion to oppose the land swap. This motion was passed. Jake Pippin, 88465 Periwinkle Road, Springfield, thanked the council for listening. He said he wished to bring teen suicides to the attention of the community. He explained that Thurston High School had mounted a play called Sleepwalk by William Mastrosimone, who also wrote Bang Bang You're Dead, in which he played the lead. He thanked Mayor Piercy in particular for attending the opening night. He stated that the play sought to get the word out that suicide was an emerging issue and that suicide took more teen lives than any natural causes. He called this a staggering figure, noting that the goal of the play was to raise awareness. He shared that the school production had been invited to perform at the Washington Thespian Festival, the Oregon State Festival, and to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nathan Miller, 4565 Holly Street, Springfield, said the effect the play Sleepwalk had on audience members was profound. He noted that a special performance had been put on for the students of Thurston High School and kept the audience spellbound for the entire show. He shared his excitement in being able to go to Scotland and participate in the Fringe Festival. He said a benefit concert featuring Paul Biondi was being held on March 10, to help the students get to Scotland. He hoped to get the word out to everyone. Paul J. Biondi, PO Box 609, Veneta, shared his enthusiasm for the Thurston High School students' production of Sleepwalk. He explained that he had put together the March 10 benefit, featuring two bands. Local television station KVAL helped with publicity. He related that other fundraising events were being planned, including a dinner event with a silent auction planned for April. He stated that students had raised $20,000, but needed to raise $60,000. He conveyed his deep pride in this "little school from Oregon" that would be representing the United States in Scotland and in the students for taking on an issue that needed attention. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 7, 2005 Page 2 Regular Session