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it had been a contentious and less-than-civil discussion even though the vote was unanimous. <br />He also noted that former Councilor Bobby Lee had been elected to the council presidency even <br />though he had never served as council vice president nor was he the senior councilor at the <br />time. He also expressed his agreement with Councilor Poling's comments regarding the <br />important need for the ability to listen to all points of view and speak for the Council as it made its <br />decisions by majority vote. He expressed his confidence in Councilor Nathanson's ability to do <br />just that. <br /> <br />Councilor Solomon asserted leadership was an earned position and not a right. She said there <br />was no discrimination, uncivil behavior, or political motivation about the decision. She stressed <br />that it was her right to vote for who she wanted and added that she did not feel the need to vote <br />for who had been a councilor the longest. She said she would be looking to the council officers <br />to help her be an effective councilor for Ward 6. She said Councilor Nathanson was a proven <br />leader and said she was looking forward to working with her as a council officer. <br /> <br />Councilor Nathanson acknowledged that past council officers had been unanimously chosen but <br />only after several rounds of discussion had taken place. She noted that there was clear division <br />during those rounds of discussion. She said she appreciated the comments made on her behalf <br />but noted that she had not sought the position nor had she lobbied for it. <br /> <br />Regarding personal agendas, Councilor Nathanson said she had considered a position on the <br />State legislature as much as she had considered running for the office of mayor. She said each <br />time she had run for re-election it was because she felt committed to serving southwest and west <br />Eugene. She believed that being a council officer in a year when running for office would be a <br />disadvantage because it could put a person in awkward situations and placed increased <br />demands on a person's time but stressed that she could meet the commitments of being a <br />council officer. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly remarked that councilors were trying to rewrite history in that there had been no <br />dissensions in work session over council officers in 2000-2002. He acknowledged that 1999 had <br />been a challenging process with some discussion over officers. <br /> <br />Councilor Taylor suggested, as a compromise, that Councilor Nathanson be appointed president <br />and Councilor Bettman be appointed vice president. <br /> <br />On the original motion to elect Councilor Nathanson council vice president: <br /> <br /> Roll call vote; the motion passed, 5:3; councilors Kelly, Bettman, and Taylor <br /> voting in opposition. <br /> <br /> Councilor Meisner, seconded by Councilor Solomon, moved to appoint <br /> Councilor Pap~ as council president. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman said the council was not working in the interest of the community when it did <br />not move forward in a balanced manner and make sure that all constituencies had a fair <br />opportunity to participate in the process. She said she would vote against the motion because <br />there would be two people with politically consistent philosophies elected as council officers. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 13, 2003 Page 4 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br /> <br />