CC Minutes - 11/12/02 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

the US was not a target of hatred because of its wealth but because its wealth had been gained at the expense of other nations. She urged the council to pass a resolution opposing a war with Iraq. Levi Straum, 948 East 21st Avenue, said that student governments across the nation were in opposition against a war with Iraq including the University of Austin, Texas, the home state of the President. He noted that many critics had said that by taking a stance on a contentious issue like an invasion of Iraq, all of the diverse opinions in the community could not be represented. He quoted a Nobel Peace Prize winner who had stated that indifference was the epitome of evil. He said not taking a stance was taking a stance. He said it was the responsibility of local community leaders to make ethical decisions for their communities and urged the council to pass a resolution opposing a possible war in Iraq. Moshe Immerman, 1290 McClain Boulevard, raised concern over the level of electronic surveillance he had been seeing in the community. Bob Gordon, 24241 Vaughn Road, Veneta, said freedom could not exist in a society without morality. He urged the mayor to veto the domestic partner registry and gender identity portions of the Human Rights Code amendments. He said they were diabolical and against God-fearing sense. Councilor Nathanson noted that there had been a public hearing on the proposed Human Rights Code amendments on October 14, and the council would therefore not repeat any of the discussion on the issue that had already taken place. Councilor Bettman thanked everyone who testified at the forum. She said it was important for community leaders to speak out early against an unjustifiable war. In response to a question from Councilor Bettman regarding the process of passing an anti-war resolution, City Manager Jim Carlson said the process would go through a standard work session process. Councilor Kelly thanked those who testified in support of an anti-war resolution and said he would support it. He expressed a hope that it would not take a work session to do a resolution. Councilor Taylor said she was in favor of a anti-war resolution. She was against the idea of having a work session and opined that a motion could be made without a work session first. Councilor Taylor said she was disturbed that people would think that ensuring rights for a small portion of the population could be determined as an attack on the family. Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Bettman, moved that the City Manager return to the council with a resolution opposing a war in Iraq. Councilor Farr commented that a letter to legislators would carry far more weight than a resolution. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 12, 2002 Page 4 Regular Meeting