CC Minutes - 01/09/02 SOC - Laserfiche WebLink

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IV. MUSIC Jessica Rasmussen of Monroe Middle School performed a musical selection entitled Don't Laugh atMe. V. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS Mayor Torrey presented community service awards to Nora Cary, project leader, 8th grade class, O'Hara Catholic School, for her efforts in the Teddy Bear Drive for young victims of the September 8 terrorist attacks, and to Paul Peschiera and Jan Gilhousen for their efforts in the Owen Memorial Rose Garden project. VI.SPECIAL PRESENTATION Mayor Torrey asked all the elected officials present to stand and be recognized. Mayor Torrey also asked family members and friends of City Councilors to stand and be recognized for their support of the City Council. Mayor Torrey made a special presentation of flowers to his wife, Kathy Torrey. Mayor Torrey made special presentations to outgoing City Manager Jim Johnson and outgoing Chief of Police Jim Hill in recognition of their long-time service to the community. Mayor Torrey asked that all former mayors and City Councilors stand to be recognized. VII.STATE OF THE CITY Mayor Torrey quoted from Abraham Lincoln: In a democratic society, you must run &e country as you would steer a river boat. You don tjust set your compass and head sou&, or you wi//quickly run aground. Instead, you steer from point to point, according to how &e river is running, and &e obstacles &at appear in your pa&. Mayor Torrey said that some of the obstacles were challenges to be dealt with; others were opportunities from which one should not fail to create a positive result. Mayor Torrey highlighted community events and accomplishments over the past year, specifically noting the success of the Ducks football team, the completed renovation of the Council Chamber, the voters' approval of the West Eugene Parkway, the approval of the first phases of Bus Rapid Transit, the inception of after-school youth programs, the completion of ward redistricting, the voters' approval of the reopening of West Broadway, and the federal government's selection of a new federal courthouse site in Eugene. Speaking to the parkway issue, he expressed hope that intergovernmental cooperation made the parkway a national role model in matching the needs of the environment with the transportation needs of the community. Mayor Torrey noted that a highly debated issue in Eugene in 1902 was whether councilors should be elected citywide or by ward. He anticipated another community discussion on the topic. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 9, 2002 Page 2 State of the City