CC Minutes - 01/05/06 State of the City

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sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well-enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over its government.” Ms. Bettman said whether or not one approved of the policies of Mayor Piercy, she thought all could agree that the mayor deserved respect for the many qualities she brought to office, including her exuberance. She congratulated the mayor, Mr. Pryor, and Ms. Ortiz on their first year in office. Ms. Taylor thanked Mayor Piercy for the opportunity to speak. She said the state of the city was somewhat diminished by the loss of long-time resident Charles Porter, deemed by some to be an authentic American hero who did not place re-election above principle. Ms. Taylor also thanked those who spoke the truth and worked for the long-term good of the community, including Nancy Stapp of KOPT for providing a radio voice to individuals like Jim Weaver, George Beres, and Hart Williams. She thanked the Eugene Weekly for offering a forum for what she termed diverse views and the “courageous” writing of Alan Pittman, Kera Abraham, and Ted Taylor. Ms. Taylor said the community was enriched by many neighborhood groups that had the courage to see, the commitment to speak the truth, and the desire to work for the common good. She cited the Chambers Area Families for Health Neighborhood (CAFHN) effort as an example of that. Ms. Taylor hoped for similar success for other neighborhoods groups in their efforts to preserve or improve their areas, such as the Crest Drive, Nectar Way, Santa Clara, and College Hill neighborhoods. Ms. Taylor wished continued success to the Oregon Research Institute in its efforts to build in downtown and called on the City to lend the organization the money it needed to do so. Ms. Taylor wished that rather than “submitting blindly” to growth predictions, the community would work toward Robert Emmons’ alternative 2050 vision as outlined in a recent guest commentary in The Register- Guard, in which the environment was healthy and there were far fewer residents living in Lane County. She considered it a daring vision, and hoped that all residents would dare to dream of what was best for the community. Mr. Kelly thanked Mayor Piercy for her good and hard work in her first year as mayor. He noted that this was his last year attending the State of the City event as a sitting councilor, and thanked those present, the voters in his ward, and countless other Eugene residents for their encouragement, support, and critical feedback he had received over the years. He thanked the community for being allowed to serve it, as his council service was the most fulfilling experience of his life. Mr. Kelly said he would continue to serve in the remaining months of his term. Mr. Kelly said Eugene had stunning assets in the form of its people, institutions, and natural resources. The community had the tools to accomplish a great deal but it will require the assistance of residents. Mr. Kelly said that Eugene was sometimes described as the City of Endless Process. While he believed process was important, he suggested there could be truth to the reputation. There was a time to set specific, measurable goals and act to accomplish them. Mr. Kelly asked those present to take the “long view” and talk with each other about what they could agree on. He asked them to stretch beyond their comfort zones and easy answers. He quoted H. L. Mencken: “Every problem has a solution that is easy, obvious, and wrong.” Mr. Kelly cited sustainability and growth as examples of issues facing the community that would require resolution. He said the City’s Growth Management Study polices established a blueprint for the future in those regards, and he urged the MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 5, 2006 Page 2 State of the City