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DEC. -OW 96(FRI) 15:48 JEAN TATE REAL ESTAT TEL:541 465 8169 P.002 <br /> 4 <br /> December 6, 1996 <br /> 3025 Neslo Lane <br /> Eugene, OR 97405 <br /> Ms. Christine Anderson Mr. Bob Hammitt <br /> Director - Public Works Maintenance Director <br /> City of Eugene City of Eugene <br /> FAX 682 -6826 FAX 682 -6883 <br /> Dear Ms. Anderson & Mr. Hammitt: <br /> I am writing on behalf of the Eugene Rose Society. We have become <br /> aware that the City may be considering (1) potential personnel <br /> actions related to several employees, including Paul Heard and Dee <br /> Grissell, and (2) significant organizatiodal /operational changes <br /> relating to care and maintenance of the Owen municipal rose garden. <br /> We ask that you incorporate the following into your considerations_ <br /> - Messrs. Grissell and Heard have been instrumental in vastly <br /> increasing citizen involvement with the rose ggarden that was past <br /> several years. They have fostered an openness <br /> previously present and which has encouraged a substantial increase <br /> in citizen interest and volunteer contributions. Mr. Grissell's <br /> contributions in this regard go beyond the Owen garden, having <br /> impacted both Hendricks and Alton Baker parks, <br /> - Both Grissell and Heard have become knowledgeable plantsmen, <br /> skillful in the appropriate usage and care of the grounds and plant <br /> materials suitable to the Owens garden. Owens is a unique municipal <br /> asset, with the potential to be a major civic "drawing card ". Our <br /> organization has been heavily involved over the past two years in <br /> stimulating and supporting a redesign of the old rose section of <br /> the garden, which process is currently completing Willamette <br /> Greenway review. <br /> We are concerned that. whatever the outcome of specific personnel <br /> actions, the city provide staff with expertise and experience <br /> appropriate to the maintenance and further development of the <br /> garden. Owens is a special collection of unusual and rare plants, <br /> displayed in an extraordinary setting. We have been building <br /> community support for this special place and are concerned that - <br /> in the name of efficiency or expediency - the city not squander <br /> this support through inappropriate staff selection or operational <br /> choices which neglect the garden's true needs. <br />