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MAJOR THEMES 1 <br /> <br /> VOICE AND REPRESENTATION ` ' <br /> by Robert Batchelor ~ <br /> One of the themes that the committee has elucidated is that of representation and the people's voice: <br /> being heard by the elected officials and effective representation by the officials. <br /> The committee has heard the theme from River Road and Santa Clara residents that they are neither <br /> heard nor effectively represented. Many changes to the neighborhoods have happened in the past, such <br /> as housing development (particularly in-fill), road improvement (leading to tree removal) and sewer _ <br /> installation, without effective neighborhood input. Residents living outside the city particularly feel that <br /> Eugene has implemented rules that affect them without their say. For example, one of my neighbors <br /> who lives outside the city recently wanted to do some work on his property that would impact some <br /> wetlands. He was informed by the City of Eugene that he couldn't do the work because it would violate <br /> Eugene ordinances. Since he lives outside the city, he has little or no say in those rules. County <br /> residents also feel the county has abandoned them to the city, essentially leaving them without effective <br /> representation from either the city or the county. <br /> On the other hand, the residents within the city feel ignored as well. The perception is that the needs of ~ . <br /> the city residents in River Road and Santa, especially those in Santa Clara, take a back seat to those of <br /> other Eugene neighborhoods. For example, many residents in Santa Clara complain about the lack of <br /> park and recreation opportunities in the neighborhood compared to other areas of Eugene. Also, city <br /> residents in both areas lack convenient access to library services. The city residents feel that the lack of <br /> these services in River Road and Santa Clara is a reflection of the residents' lack of voice and effective <br /> representation. <br /> In the short term, the committee and the residents of River Road and Santa Clara desire a voice in the <br /> shaping of our community's future. Some possible methods of increasing representation are: River <br /> Road and Santa Clara residents could be encouraged to serve on city and county committees/commis- ~ <br /> sions. Other possibilities include anon-voting seat on the City Council or geographical representation <br /> on the Planning Commission. Alternatively, a poll of the community, or perhaps a series of public input <br /> sessions to the City Council and the County Commissioners would give the general public a voice. ' Y ' <br /> These methods would allow the residents immediate venues in which to be heard by their elected <br /> officials. <br /> ~_,I <br /> In the long term, we want to be a part of determining the course of eventual annexation to Eugene. <br /> Some members of the committee suggest a `double-majority' vote in order to clear the way for annex- ~ <br /> ation: a majority in both Eugene as a whole and the River Road/Santa Clara area. These members feel <br /> the `double-majority' rule would give these neighborhoods a voice on this significant topic. City <br /> residents desire an increase in those services deficient in River Road and Santa Clara, such as library <br /> service in both neighborhoods, and parks and recreation in Santa Clara. <br /> These long and short-term measures will increase the voice and effective representation by their elected , <br /> officials. If one listens to the people, one cannot help but represent them. <br /> 10 <br /> <br />