Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Additionally, Ms. M. Hajek expressed unhappiness with the judicial system. She related that the young man who killed her son was being treated as a victim. She felt he was suffering the consequences of his action, noting that he had tried to commit suicide. She underscored that her son’s life had been taken away on the day he died, but the child who killed him still had a life to live. She averred that by not giving him the proper punishment for making the wrong decision to accelerate on a city street to a speed of 65 miles per hour at a place where children frequently crossed, he had not been able to learn from it. She did not believe he had paid his debt to society and she thought the judicial system should work on this. She said the young man had served four weekends in jail and was prohibited from driving for eight years. She thought he should do more community work that would put him in contact with people. Mayor Piercy closed the Public Forum. She thanked the young girls for making the effort to help pay for road repairs to Bailey Hill Road. She commended them for their work. Councilor Pryor expressed appreciation to the girls for coming. He called their efforts a “wonderful gesture from the heart.” He noted that he had bought some of the beverages and eaten their cookies and thought it had been very nice. He was committed to making improvements to Bailey Hill Road so something like the tragedy that had occurred would not happen again. He said the City’s Intergovernmental Committee (CCIGR) might want to bring something forward to Salem to try to make driving regulations a little better. He said the Hajeks had been an inspiration in their effort to be positive and productive in the face of the tragedy that had occurred to them. He thanked them for being an example for what could be good in the community. Councilor Bettman thanked everyone for coming, and especially the young girls. She called it a caring and resourceful action on their part. She added that she had always considered the Public Forum to be the “richest part” of the council meetings. She appreciated all of the people who took the time to come before their elected representatives. She also thanked the people who had given her their support during her terms. Councilor Clark remarked that his son was nearly 9-years-old and he had a little daughter as well. He said he could not imagine what the Hajeks had gone through. He echoed Councilor Pryor’s admiration for the Hajek’s strength to turn the tragedy they had experienced into something that would help others. He said he tried to teach his children how powerful they could be. He told the girls that they had just shown everyone that someone could make a difference to the world if they tried. Councilor Zelenka thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. He thanked the three young girls for coming and for the work they had done. He encouraged them to keep it up and told them what they had started would “come to fruition.” He also wished to add his gratitude for Councilor Bettman’s service. Councilor Poling said he would break council rules and led everyone in a round of applause for the girls for their efforts. Everyone applauded. Councilor Taylor thanked everyone for coming. She said they would make sure something happened to improve Bailey Hill Road. She agreed that the Public Forum was the best part of the meeting. She added her appreciation for Councilor Bettman. Mayor Piercy thanked Councilor Bettman for her service. She observed that eight years was a long time. She said Councilor Bettman was very resourceful and dedicated. Councilor Bettman received a round of applause. Mayor Piercy announced that the following people would be appointed to the Police Auditor Ordinance Review Committee: herself, councilors Pryor and Zelenka, current Police Auditor Dawn Reynolds, Police Chief Pete Kerns, Eugene Police Employees Association (EPEA) representatives Erik Humphrey and Willy MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 8, 2008 Page 5 Regular Meeting