November 2003 News Coverage - Laserfiche WebLink

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In assuming the Hult Center leadership role, Hankins follows in the footsteps of Rich Scheeland, who is retiring after more than 20 years working with the City of Eugene. Scheeland has served as Cultural Services Director since June 2001. For further information, please contact Carol Philips Brubaker at the Hult Center, 682-8380. City of Eugene Recognized for Smokefree Law The City of Eugene is being presented with the Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights 100% Smokefree Award of Excellence in recognition of its law that brings smokefree air to the city's enclosed workplaces, restaurants, and bars. The award honors communities that have shown leadership by implementing strong, 100% smokefree indoor air laws that protect workers and patrons from exposure to secondhand smoke. "The City of Eugene achieved a significant victory by bringing smokefree indoor air to enclosed workplaces, restaurants and bars without allowing for exemptions that would still expose employees and the public to secondhand smoke," said Cynthia Hallett, executive director of Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights. "We are pleased that our community is being recognized for its smokefree workplaces, restaurants, and bars," said City Council Vice President Nancy Nathanson. "The law is working and has accomplished the primary goal of protecting workers and the public from secondhand smoke. There were some initial issues and apprehensions while businesses put in the money and the time to comply with the new rules, but since then things have gone smoothly. The immediate benefit is a more pleasant indoor environment throughout the city, but the long-term cumulative health benefits are even better." Tobacco Free Lane County will present the 100% Smokefree Award of Excellence to the City of Eugene at the November 10 City Council meeting on behalf of Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights. For more information contact Jan Bohman, City Manager's Office, 682-5587. West University Neighborhood Association Revitalized Residents of the West University Neighborhood met on Wednesday, November 5, and revitalized their neighborhood association. Approximately thirty-five neighbors nominated and elected a diverse, full slate of four officers and five board members. The neighborhood association is a forum for citizens who wish to encourage community building and get involved in neighborhood improvements. Projects already being discussed are improved lighting, charter amendments, alley improvements and community relations. The West University Neighborhood Association was first recognized in 1974 and had been active until disbanding in the mid-1990s. Revitalizing the neighborhood association to help promote stability in the neighborhood was one of the many recommendations of the West University Neighborhood Task Force. For more information about neighborhood associations, contact Steve Norris, Neighborhood Services, Planning and Development Department, 682-5009, or via e-mail at steve.d.norris(a.ci,eugene.or.us. City and Local Community Help Cultivate New Community Gardens at Skinner Butte Park A community gardens manager has been selected to manage the new community gardens in the previously undeveloped west end of Skinner Butte Park. Skinner City Farm, a local grassroots organization based in the nearby Whiteaker neighborhood, was awarded the contract, following a community-wide request for proposals from qualified, not-for-profit organizations. Stephen Moore, teacher at the new Network Charter School that Skinner City Farm and other , ti* local groups founded, is heading the effort to manage, cultivate and create educational programming at the gardens. His first outreach was to his students, and the entire class is currently working alongside Parks staff to — install irrigation and prepare garden plots. Administered by the City of Eugene Community Gardens Program, the one- t year contract provides Moore and his students with access to selected plots in . the gardens for educational purposes in return for garden management ` `z;`� • services. These services include site maintenance, providing information to gardeners, safety inspections and reporting, and organizing on-site community education and events around the themes of agriculture and local history. "The students will learn about the day-to-day management of the site—everything from composting and weeding to helping resolve conflicts between people renting plots," says Moore. "Many students like the openness of this approach and get the idea that school and learning is more than just reading from a text book." EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 November 6,2003