10/23/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

.- Mrs. Bealmoved seconded by Mr. Williams to adopt the resolution. Rollcall vote. Motion carried, all councilmen present voting aye. . Resolution No. 2229 - Authorizing payment of bills and claims for period October 8 through October 23, 1973 was submitted and read by number and title. Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams to adopt the resolution. Rollcall vote. Motion carried, all councilmen present voting aye. 'Meeting ~i th EWEB ----- Manager':-:r~rriinded Council of meeting with EWER Directors ~scheduled for Monday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Library. It was under,.. stood an agenda would be mailed to Council members. There being no further business, Mayor Anderson declared the meeting adjourned to Monday, November 5, 1973. Council Statement re: National Situation - Mayor Anderson said the sequence of events over the weekend (President Nixon's dismissal of ' the special prosecutor' investigating the Water- gate breakin) led to suggestion that a statement should be forthcoming from the Council. . He said his personal feeling was that to debate a statement would be inappropriate. He _- suggested that 'Councilwoman Beal prepare a statement which Council members could sign for transmittal to the Oregon Congressional delegation. He added that he himself had serious concerns over the events and had already expressed himself publicly and to members of the Congressional delegation. But he felt Council memb~rs who would want to express similar feeling should have the opportunity, particularly as it would come from a unit of local government upon which the events would reflect as well as upon the Federal government. Councilwoman Beal read the statement: "Believing in a government of law and with deep faith in the constitution of the United States, the Eugene City Council urges the Congress of the United States, , arid e~p~cially the Oregon ~elegation, to exert their constitutional powers and assert their leadership in this time of national crisis." Councilman McDonald said he didn't feel he could sign as a representative of-the citizens of Eugene. Mayor Anderson explained that signing the statement would be a matter of personal preference. He noted the Council was not in session so that signing would not necessarily mean the Council itself subscribed to the statement. Councilwoman Beal thought the Council was in session and that the statement should be a resolution of the Council. She thought the statement a very weak and inadequate expression . of reaction to the past week's events. She felt a statement of concerns was the only way to convince Washington and the White House that the people will not stand for anything which is not direct and honest and according to law, and that making that statement was part of the Council's job as the representative government of the city of Eugene. I Councilman McDonald did not agree. Councilman Wood supported Mrs. Beal's position, saying he thought as elected representative he should have the responsibility for speaking to the social concerns of his ward. Councilman Murray said he was not accustomed to bringing his views on national politics to the Council, but this instance was of great concern and representatives at any level of government should express themselves. Councilwoman Campbell also supported making the statement. Councilman Williams said he would not argue that the Council should not make its views known in what could be a national crisis, if a statement were made that would truly be in the best interests of the community. He felt the statement read was weak and did not convey an~thing. He wondered if other Council members were aware that the President had decided to release the tapes (made of White House conversations which the prosecutor was attempting to obtain), and he commented on the incredible rate of change in the situation. Mr. Williams added that if at some point in time impeachment is considered it might be legitimate to discuss -~ that, but to say this statement should be in the form of a resolution didn't seem to strengthen it. Councilman Hershner agreed with Mr. Williams' viewpoint. Mrs. Beal agreed on the rapid "footwork" in Washington and felt the Congressional delegation should know that the people are aware of that. She felt any member of Congress receiving a message asking to "exert their constitutional powers and assert their leadership" would realize they had the support of their constituency; that the constituency was looking to Congress for action be- cause faith in the White House was lost. Councilman Hershner said he did not intend to criticize the statement itself, only that it was his hope that members of Congress would always assert their leadership. '3i..Co 10/23/73 - 17