CC Minutes - 06/01/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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should be put to a vote of the citizens of Eugene. He said he favored the proposal because the flag could be used to teach children about patriotism. Larry Brink, 2242 Riverview Street, said that he did not have a problem with the American flag. He said he objected to its use on Skinner Butte because he felt it was proposed to be the main attraction of a memorial to veterans. He suggested that the Vietnam War memorial was a better model to follow and proposed that a garden be created on Skinner Butte as a memorial to area veterans. Sandra Bristow, 85007 Kensington Drive, Pleasant Hill, said she represented the Oregon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She said the goals of her organization included honoring heritage and patriotism. She said she believed the United States needed a spiritual rebirth on the base of the beliefs of the founders of the country. She suggested that flying the American flag was a way to engender patriotism. Nick Antone, Jr., 512 Honeysuckle Lane, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak. He said he was not feeling well but had written letters to the council about Skinner Butte. He said that he had restored the "E" in Skinner Butte as an Eagle Scout. He thanked the Rotary Club. He presented a list of suggestions for Skinner Butte, as follows: (1) Place binoculars on the summit. (2) Put Christmas Tree lights on the tree next to where the flag would go. (3) Improve the road to the summit. (4) Improve the historical preservation of the area. (5) Remove the radio tower from the butte. Michael Lewis, 2765 Agate Street, said that he believed the issues of a new library for Eugene and the proposed flag on Skinner Butte were intertwined. He said he had represented many clients in defense of constitutional rights as a lawyer. He said he supported a flag on the butte, since it had been considered a war memorial for 60 years. He suggested that a study be made of the issue. He pointed out that the size of a flag used would determine whether it would be required to be lit and if it could be displayed according to regulations automatically. Elizabeth Hat'field, 221 West Centennial Boulevard, Springfield, stated that she was commander of the Willamette Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and had written to the council regarding construction of a flag for a memorial on Skinner Butte. She said that when the cross was removed from the butte, assurance was given that it was not intended as disrespect for veterans. She said that placing a flag on the butte would be proof of that statements. She said she believed the flag should fly from the highest point in a town to be visible for children to learn its values. She said no veteran wanted to glorify war, but that the flag represented all that is good in the United States and should be given honor. Stub Stewart, Post Office Box 10293, stated that he was responsible for the offer to construct a flag memorial on Skinner Butte. He said he regretted the inconvenience it had caused to the council, but that he had a difficult time understanding opposition to his proposal. He said he believed it was good that Eugene residents loved to engage in debate, but that it made him uncomfortable. He said many believed fighting in World War II and opposition to the Vietnam War were the most patriotic action they had ever taken. He said the flag could be a symbol all of the diverse elements of the City. Bob Potter, 209 East Rosewood Avenue, stated that he was a lifelong resident of Eugene and vice commander of American Legion Post #3. He said he favored having a flag fly on Skinner MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 6 7:30 p.m.