Nothing has given me as much comic relief as the “No on 50″ ads with the flannel-shirted couple in their kitchen talking about…”Changing the Constitution?! They haven’t done that in almost 800 years!” I would love to talk to all of the 2nd amendment backers to see how they would argue THAT change to the constitution!

Let’s not get political on a day like today…HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND GO DUCKS!

-photo compliments of MikeMcNeeley.com

However, the Brewhaha was a smashing success!!…more on that soon.

You heard about FEMA hosting a fake news conference? They just apologized for it. Was the apology at real press conference or another fake one?

And will the apologize next week for the current apology being fake? Or for Michael Brown?

This is one that directly affects everybody in Eugene. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t have an opinion on the Downtown Renovation plans. I work right in the heart of downtown and it is frustrating to see a great area with such potential overrun with street urchins and empty buildings.

Things are on the upswing, but I look forward to the day when I can ride my bike to work and not have to dodge cigarette butts and skateboards.

QUESTION: Shall urban renewal plan be amended to increase the spending limit by $40 million and extend the plan’s ending date?

SUMMARY: If approved by voters, this measure would make two major changes to the downtown urban renewal plan.

First, the measure would increase the amount of urban renewal funds that can be spent on downtown projects by $40 million. The urban renewal plan limits the amount of urban renewal funds that can be spent, known as the maximum indebtedness amount. Under the current plan, approximately $4.5 million is left for downtown projects. These urban renewal funds – officially called tax increment funds – are the property taxes on the increase in assessed value of property in the urban renewal district that occurs after the plan’s adoption. Tax increment financing does not impose new taxes, but instead reallocates the property taxes on the increase in assessed value from other taxing districts to the urban renewal agency. This reduces revenues to the other taxing districts.

Second, the measure would extend the termination date for the downtown urban renewal plan from 2024 to 2030.

A ‘yes’ vote approves the urban renewal plan amendments.

MORE INFO:

YES ON 20-134 CLICK HERE.

The NO ON 20-134 side HERE.

GO HERE TO VOTE IN OUR STRAW POLL ON ALL OF THE MEASURES! HOW FUN!

COME TO THE BREWHAHA on October 30th to hear the debate on this measure.

Kitty Piercy gives her Pro 20-134 message while Jim Torrey looks on doing his best “Mr. Burns” impression

Hello Real Estate Lovers!

The most amazing Halloween week event will be the “BREWHAHA” happening downtown next Tuesday. Get ready for a lively debate over the two land use measures on the ballot:

Measure 20-134: Downtown Urban Renewal Plan

Panelists: Mayor Kitty Piercy and City Council member Bonny Bettman

Measure 49: Land use measure to fix 37

Panelists: Ashley Miller from “Yes on 49 and The Bus Project” and Matthew Green-Hite from “Fix Measure 49″

Come on down, enjoy a nice refreshing beverage and hear both sides to make your own decisions. Feel free to come in costume, but if you come dressed as a downtown street urchin, you might not get in

Now that you’ve seen all of the commercials, heard all of the radio ads and hopefully seen some online advertising (hint, hint..49), it is time to choose what you believe. Let’s take a Straw Poll!

Measure 49: MODIFIES MEASURE 37; CLARIFIES RIGHT TO BUILD HOMES; LIMITS LARGE DEVELOPMENTS; PROTECTS FARMS, FORESTS, GROUNDWATER.

Measure 50: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: DEDICATES FUNDS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN, FUND TOBACCO PREVENTION, THROUGH INCREASED TOBACCO TAX.

Stay tuned for the Eugene measures in an upcoming post!

I just got my ballot in the mail, filled out my votes and mailed it off! I love how great voting by mail is!

It got me thinking…how do they do things in other states? In Texas for example, this is how a bill becomes a law…Fascinating stuff! It really makes you feel good, that the people are being heard.

You’re invited!
We’re celebrating the future opening of the art gallery/performance hall at the Station (5th and Blair) with a poetical jam of artistic politics!

Where: The Station - big bright red building @ corner of 5th & Blair
When: Saturday, Oct 20th. Doors and refreshments at 6:00, performance at 7:00
Why: Because politics needs better parties!
Cost: Free!
(Though we will hit you up for donations to help support the awesome and starving artists and their orgs)

John Frohnmayer, the former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate will kick off the event.

Then…we’ll lead into a politically charged poetry jam performance by Jorah LaFleur , Jon Labrousse, Ari Lesser (of Eugene Poetry Slam and Wayne Morse Youth Program fame) and others.

Next up… Charles Thump’s excellent beats will cap out the evening’s festivities.

Refreshments!…. in the form of Stumptown Coffee and Territorial wines will be provided along with delicious snacks courtesy of the almost open Whiteaker Station coffee shop.

A friend of the Bus, Chris Jordan made his way onto the Colbert Report last night to illustrate the massive waste in our mass consumption. It seems like I need to stop drinking diet pepsi!!