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

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Butte day and night to remind residents of those who had fought in wars and not returned. He said it would stand for the ultimate sacrifice made in service of the country. Ray Wiley, Post Office Box 5594, stated that he was manager of the Eugene Rotary Club's Skinner Butte maintenance program. He reported on details of available flag pole, flags, automatic lighting and display mechanisms, and ways to reduce future vandalism and maintenance problems. Tristin Klappauf, 2012 Lemuria Street, stated that she was Senior Class Vice President at Willamette High School. She said she and other students believed displaying the American flag would make Eugene residents aware that they were part of a bigger picture and would remind them of their protected rights (especially of free speech) and the diversity of the country. She said the flag reminded her of the past and represented all of those who served the country in time of war. Bob Poppin, 1645 Copping Street, stated that he was an employee of the Boy Scouts of America. He said his organization sought to foster duty to one's country and respect for the flag. He said he believed the proposed flag on Skinner Butte would be an opportunity to further the education of the youth of the community. Alan Thayer, Post Office Box 468, stated that he was not called to serve his country when he was of draftable age, but that he supported honoring veterans. Audrey Erickson, 2555 Agate, stated that she commended those who had spoken in opposition to the proposed flag on Skinner Butte and did not believe they were unpatriotic or opposed to honoring military veterans. She said that she did not believe a flag would aesthetically improve the butte or that it was incomplete without a flag. Ruthanne Carosio, 1462 West Broadway, stated that she believed the proposed flag on Skinner Butte was intended as a blatant symbol of nationalism and that she was opposed it being approved. She said she believed it was time to promote peace and global unity. Carl Petersen, 2715 Emerald Street, stated that he honored veterans for their commitment to winning freedoms for America in war. He suggested that diplomacy also was a way freedoms were won. He said he did not believe the council could make a decision about the proposed memorial that would satisfy all elements of the community and that it was comparable to a decision made by the biblical character Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son. Misha Seymour, 1313 Lincoln Street #306, stated that he believed the biggest current need in the nation was peace and that he believed patriotism was akin to racism. He said he did not believe displaying the flag was helpful in achieving peace, and suggested that a peace park be created in the community. He said he favored keeping the beauty of Skinner Butte in its natural state. Joe Vlasek, 2580 Chula Vista Drive, stated that he had not attended a university or college after high school, but had spent 12 years living and studying in different countries and areas of the United States. He said he had never experienced a community as divided as Eugene and was worried that creation of a flag memorial on Skinner Butte would bring it further division. He said MINUTES--City Council June 1, 1998 Page 7 7:30 p.m.