CC Minutes - 01/26/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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said she believed a city manager should have the authority to create a compatible management staff. Nich Antone, Jr, 512 Honeysuckle Lane, said that he was a 32-year resident of Eugene and that he had worked with City staff for years until the "abatement" of his home the previous week. He said the action was unfair and should not have happened. Milt Davis, 25259 Lamb Road, Elmira, stated that the influence of Police Chief Leonard Cooke had reached into the rural areas of the county. He said that he was dismayed that the City Manager had not realized the impact the resignation of the chief would have on the communities of people of color. He said he believed the City Council was responsible for the power struggle underway within City government. He said he did not believe the presence of Chief Cooke could be replaced throughout the community. Gene Parro, 3475 Kincaid, spoke about the efforts of Jeanne Seward-Wallberg and the assistance she had been to all who participated in programs of the Campbell Community Center. Guadalupe Quinn, 3820 Greenwood, stated that she spoke for the Latino community of Eugene and that she was dismayed at the resignation of Police Chief Leonard Cooke. She said she did not understand the politics involved, but that she believed it would be the biggest mistake made in the City in 20 years. She said Chief Cooke had been a key bridge to the minority communities in the City and that his leaving would have a significant effect. Lynn Burditt, 89066 Bridge Street, Springfield, stated that she had been a resident of the Leaburg area for nine years and had experienced the effects of events in Eugene on rural areas of the county. She said she admired Police Chief Leonard Cooke and was aware that he had built important relationships throughout the area. She said she believed his resignation would be a loss to the entire community. Michael McCarthy, 1416 Blair Boulevard, reported that Police Chief Leonard Cooke had sent cards to activists in the community. He said he appreciated the openness of Chief Cooke, although he disagreed with department policies regarding the use of pepper spray. He said he also did not appreciate the process followed by City Manager Vicki Elmer in the resignation of the chief. Brett Cole, 1877 Orchard #403, urged the City Council to stop the Moon Mountain subdivision in the City because it would deteriorate the neighborhood. He said he was sad about the cuts in senior services in the face of tax rebates given to Hyundai Corporation. He urged the City Council to force Hyundai and Sony Corporation to provide child care programs for their employees. Martin Champion, 1430 Willamette #597, said he believed a reporter from The Register-Guard had left the meeting when mention of a business cabal in Eugene had been raised. He said that those who relied on that newspaper would be upset at the City Manager because divergent opinions were seldom reported. He said he did not believe the minority community of the area was easily manipulated, but that most residents were ignorant about issues related to race and were easily manipulated. He said he believed that Police Lieutenant Becky Hanson should be relieved of her command, not Chief Cooke. Minutes--Eugene City Council January 26, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m.