transparency – League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley

FBI Surveils Southern Oregon Activists

We recently learned that those who have been vocal against the Jordan Cove Energy Project have been or are currently being watched by the FBI.

That surveillance includes members of the four Leagues of Women Voters in southern Oregon — Klamath County, Coos County, Rogue Valley and the Umpqua Valley Leagues. All activists, members of the League or not, should be concerned.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) sent a letter to the Governor and Attorney General protesting this action saying “… it is unacceptable for local, state, and federal law enforcement to surveil and intimidate private citizens—even organizations—as they exercise their peaceful right to express concerns about this huge project.” Read the full letter here.

Read The Guardian‘s article here.

The ACLU of Oregon explains how you can obtain a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request on yourself to see what the FBI has on you. Here’s the link.

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New Transparency Rules

House Approves Rule Changes to Improve Transparency

The Oregon House of Representatives on Monday, January 14th, passed three rule changes in the interest of transparency entering the 80th Legislative Assembly.

These changes were submitted to House leadership by a bipartisan group of legislators: Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene), Rep. Sherrie Sprenger (R-Scio), Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (D- Portland) and Rep. Ron Noble (R-McMinnville). The group made these recommendations after close consultation over the past month with the Chief Clerk.

“This is a positive step to bring greater transparency to the business of the House,” Holvey said.“These rule changes are in the public interest and will provide Oregonians a better understanding of which legislators and stakeholders are proposing bills in the Capitol.”

The first will require all amendments submitted to policy bills bear the name of a member or stakeholder group. Currently, committee amendments can be anonymous (8.23).

Secondly, a change will require that all committee bills bear the name of a member or stakeholder group that has requested the bill. This will apply to all bills filed with the Chief Clerk effective January 22, 2019. Currently, there is no such requirement for stakeholders to be identified on any measure introduced by a committee (12.10).

“The cumulative impact of these two rule changes will eliminate anonymous measures or amendments when originating in House policy committees,” Sprenger said. “Transparency is not a partisan issue, and I was glad to see leadership take up these changes so swiftly.”

Additionally, new rules will require at least one hour must pass during the short session before the House can act on a bill that has returned with changes from the Senate. This change (11.01) will align the House rules with the Senate rules during short sessions, allowing more time to review measures prior to voting.

Commissioner Forum Now Online

Listen to Douglas County Commissioner candidates at the League of Women Voters’ forum.

A video recording of the Douglas County Commissioner Candidates Forum that was held on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018 at the Holiday Inn Express in Roseburg, Oregon is now available for viewing on the League’s YouTube channel.

The video is about 90 minutes long. Enjoy & be informed. Don’t forget to vote! Election Day is Nov. 6, 2018.

Thanks to Frosland Photography for creating the video.

New Transportation District

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, during the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners Business Meeting, concerning the formation of a county-wide transit district.

The meeting will begin at 9:00 am in Room 216 of the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon 97470. Douglas County, Oregon Courthouse

Douglas County Courthouse
1036 SE Douglas Ave, Roseburg
Room 216
9AM

The County is proposing the formation of a non-taxing transit district to provide a transportation dedicated entity to manage public transportation funding and public transportation enhancement decisions.

All interested persons may appear and be heard.

Contact Tamara Osborne, Crisis Communications & Community Engagement Specialist (PIO)(541) 670-2804 cell – (541) 957-4896 office – tjosborn@co.douglas.or.us

Voters’ Guides Are Here!

Get your nonpartisan, unbiased Voters’ Guide from a League friend or contact us. We have limited paper copies.

Here’s a link to the electronic version of the paper Voters’ Guide:
http://lwvor.org/home/voteresources/

What does nonpartisan mean?

We do not support or oppose and political candidates or parties. Period.

Candidates Forum Videos & Photos

Thanks to all who came out last Tuesday night (4/17/18) for the Douglas County Commissioner Candidates Forum sponsored by League of Women Voters Umpqua Valley at the Umpqua Valley Arts Center in Roseburg.

We recorded some of the segments of what the Commissioner Candidate had to say. Questions came from the audience. All was civil, open, and very informative.

Video links to the League of Women Voters Umpqua Valley’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2Jb6Hdt

The News-Review did a nice job on covering the event. Here’s a link to their reporting. https://bit.ly/2HDXNIh

Photos from the evening:

Ashley Hicks

Jeremy Salter

Victor Petrucci

Chris Voice

Tim Freeman

Douglas County residents

Brandy Stone

Rita Harris

Candidates Forum Tomorrow Night

Douglas County Commissioner Candidates Forum Tomorrow Night!

Be sure to attend Tuesday, April 17 at 7PM to 8:30PM a Douglas County Commissioner Candidates Forum to be held at the Umpqua Valley Arts Center, 1624 W. Harvard Ave, in Roseburg. This forum will host the slate of candidates running for the open seats on the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. Nine candidates have filed and have been invited to attend.

Bring your questions for the candidates. Find out what they think about your issues.

This event is free of charge, all are welcome. No campaign materials are permitted.

All League candidates forums are nonpartisan and unbiased. All candidates are treated the same and given the same information and opportunity to inform the public.

Be sure to come early!

For more information email lwvuv.info @ gmail.com or call [541]-[672]-[1914].

And the Candidates are . . .

Douglas County, OR – Position 2 – Four-year term
Tim J Freeman
Rita Harris
Ashley Hicks
Victor J Petrucci
Brandy Stone

Douglas County, OR – Position 3 – Four-year term
Chris Boice
James Hoyt
Jason Leeper
Jeremy Salter

Happy New Year!

May the New Year bring happiness, peace, and prosperity.

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LWV Umpqua Valley’s board of directors wishes all county residents a happy and prosperous 2018. We thank you for your support and
we vow to continue to address the needs of the community here in Douglas County, Oregon, mainly through open communication and shining light on issues.

May our respect for one another engender dialogue, cooperation, and understanding.

The Board of Directors, LWVUV

Speakers to Explain Different Types of County Government

Are you confused about the difference between a General Law county and a Home Rule county?

On Tuesday, October 17, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Umpqua Valley Arts Center, 1624 W. Harvard Ave. in Roseburg, the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley will feature Joe Leahy and Bill Van Vactor speaking about different forms of county governance.

Mr. Leahy teaches Local Government Law at U of O Law School. He was City Attorney for the City of Springfield and is Legal Counsel for the Springfield Utility Board.

Bill Van Vactor was Lane County Legal Counsel for 15 years and then Lane County Administrator for 15 years. Lane County operates under a Home Rule Charter.

The League is nonpartisan, and encourages informed voting.

The meeting is free and open to the public. There will be time for questions. For more information, call 541-672-1914.