The latest from Lane County Elections
For the position of Lane County Commissioner representing North Eugene, the candidates ARE (drum roll please)

Bobby Green (incumbent, worst commissioner IMHO)
Rob Handy (Rose’s pick — give this man money today! Make a donation here)
Steve Sherbina (equipment operator for EWEB, never heard of him)
Nadia Sindi (educator)

For their filing papers, go here.

Eugene Races
Mayor:
Kitty Piercy (incumbent, and Rose’s pick; give her money, too!)
Jim Torrey (boooooooooo, didn’t a happening Eugene politician already show Torrey the door out of local politics?)
Nick Urhauser (listed as a Social Security Claims analyst)
Jim Ray (Home Depot employee, political newbie)

The Register Guard reports:
[between Ray and Urhausen]

the politically conservative Urhausen has been most active in local politics.

He filed a lawsuit that eventually torpedoed part of a Eugene property tax levy that provided funding for schools. A Vietnam veteran, he also helped restart the local Veterans Day parade and supported placing the American flag atop Skinner Butte. He’s been vocal on many other local issues.

boooooooooo!!!! This is the guy that axed local funding for schools. I’m all for supporting veterans, but what’s he got against the kids? And I don’t know if you’ve ever applied from SSDI, but ouch!

And for the rest of the City Council, Ward 7 is contested
John Crane (local businessman, former Kidsports CEO)
Andrea Ortiz (Incumbent, Rose’s pick)

A quick google search uncovered a 1998 record of Crane’s candidacy for Democratic primary for HD 43 (but where in the heck is that? currently Chip Shields is in this district, which is up north).

I hope you’ll all take a pass on the Ward 8 race — Chris Pryor got a dismal rating from Oregon League of Conservation Voters — he has no opponent, though he should! Come’on Ward 8! Where are your progressives? At least show you really ARE interested in having a better choice of candidates by writing in someone else for the seat or skipping it entirely (but DO vote for the other races on your ballot!). Potential candidates look at the “undervote” in their districts to see how many people just didn’t vote for a candidate when he or she had no opponent.

Three cheers for
Pete Sorenson, unopposed for re-election to county commissioner (south Eugene)
Betty Taylor, unopposed for Ward 2 in Eugene (a stalwart defender of progressive issues)
George Brown, Bonny Bettman’s choice for her own seat in Ward 1 (and let’s get Bonny in another office fast!)