HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 14 Correspondence and Petitions
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RENAISSANCE
Board of Directors
Tom Draggoo
President
Spike Joseph
Treasurer
John Lively
Secretary
Steve Barrett
Debbie Davis
Dan Egan
Tammy Fitch
Dave Jewett
Bob Keefer
Billie R. Moser
Mark Pangborn
Jeff Towery
PO Box 841
Springfield, OR
97477
March 18, 2008
Mayor and City Council
City of Springfield
225 North Fifth St.
Springfield, OR 97477
Re: Justice Center
Dear Mayor and Council:
The Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC) believes it is important
and appropriate to name public venues in honor of those individuals whose legacies of
public service are fmnly cemented in a city's history. A city's sense of history and
permanency can be seen in the recognition of those whose contributions meant so much
to its citizens.
In using the word "legacy" we are intentionally referring to the body of an individual's
contributions recognized from the perspective of another generation or time. In that
light, SRDC is pleased to support the efforts to have the Justice Center named after
Edward C. Harms, Jr. It is entirely appropriate that the Justice Center be named after one
whose legacy of service includes holding the office of mayor of Springfield, significant
years as the city attorney, and a hard-won reputation as "the dean of municipal law" in
the state of Oregon.
Since Police Chief Jerry Smith's name has been publically mentioned as a possibility for
the Justice Center, we wish to acknowledge our deep and abiding respect for his years of
service to our community and suggest that at such time as his legacy is similarly
established, another appropriate naming opportunity will come before the citizens of
Springfield.
Thank you for including our thoughts in your deliberations.
Sincerely,
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Tom Draggoo, President
Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation
SPRINGFIELD mSTORICAL COMMISSION
RECEIVED
MAR 2 4 2008
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD
CITY RECOF.!,QgR
March 20, 2008
Bob Keefer, Superintendant,
Willamalane Park and Recreation
250 South 32nd Street
Springfield, Oregon 97478
Regarding: Listing the Gray House on Springfield's Historic Landmark Inventory
In October of 2007, you met with the Commission to outline general ideas for the future use of the 1864
farmhouse by a developer. The Commission commends Willamalane's general goal of rehabilitation and
adaptive re-use for the historic property.
Now that the property has been transferred into public ownership between the park district and the city, the
Commission invites Willamalane to join into partnership with us to list the small parcel containing the
farmhouse and its accessory structures on Springfield's local Historic Landmark Inventory as established in
, Springfield Development Code Section 3.3-920.
The Commission unanimously agrees that special long-range planning and design efforts are needed to
assure the maintenance of the structures, the vegetation, and the site. Sites listed on the Historic Landmark
Inventory are subject to,a special review by the Commission, which is, designed to protect the public's
interest in the preservation of the resource.
The Commission has followed the history of the Gray property with great interest but also with concern
regarding the deteriorating condition of the Gothic-style farmhouse and the accessory structures.
Specifically, the Commission is concerned that none of the home's significant original features
· wood windows, wood siding, porch, or other historical features and materials
be replaced without collaboration with the Historical Commission. It is vital that a long-range plan be
prepared to protect home's nature and authenticity. .
The Gray House is an essential component of the City's history, which is described in the March 8,2004
document The Gray House Project. It is the only representativ:e historic site in the East Springfield and
Thurston area that is in public ownership. The Gray House is an irreplaceable component of the city's
~~ ..
As Chairperson for the Springfield Historical Commission, and on behalf of the Commission, I wish to
extend an invitation to you to attend our May 13th public meeting to review the details of the City's
Landmark listing process and Willamalane' s specific preservation plan for this historic property.
Sincerely, .~7
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Rt~ Metzle ,-Chairperson, Springfield Historical Commission
CC: Willamalane Board of Directors; Springfield City Council; Springfield Planning Commission; DSD
Director Bill Grile
BILL MORRISETTE
STATE SENATOR
DISTRICT 6
STATE SENATE
March 26, 2008
TO: Springfield City Council
FROM: Bill Morrisette
RE: Justice Center Name
After giving considerable thought to suggesting a name for the
Springfield Justice Center, I feel that' Springfield Justice Center'
is sufficient. .
If there is one person who really deserves to have his name on the
building it is Police Chief Jerry Smith, without who's dogged
determination the facility would not have been approved by
Springfield voters.
My suggestion is that various rooms be named after individuals
including Ed Harms and Jerry Smith.
h#~Z~
Committees:
Chair:
Health & Human
Services
Member:
Emergency
Preparedness
& Ocean Policy
Ways & Means
Human Services
Subcommittee
Office: 900 Court St. NE, S-309, Salem, OR 97301 - Phone:503-986-l706 - Fax: 503-986-1099 - Email: sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us
Interim: 348 G Street, Springfield, OR 97477 - Phone: 54 1 -746-4343
CV@
March 26, 2008
Springfield City Hall
Attn: Springfield city council members
225 5th Street
Springfield, OR 97477
Dear Springfield city council:
I would like to thank you and especially Mr. Ralston, for at least meeting with us on
two different occasions, to discuss the current cat overpopulation crisis within the Lane
County area. Thank you.
I would also like to thank your city recorder, Amy, as well for being available to talk with
me on several occasions regarding the cat issues.
I did speak to Amy on the phone today to touch base about what had or had not been
decided within the council about the cat issues. I was deeply disappointed when she
explained that the council felt at this time, the few low cost spay and neuter clinics
would have to be sufficient at this time. The problem with that is that it will NOT help
the current problems going on. We were finally able to get the Register Guard to do an
article, which appeared in last Sunday's Oregon Life section. It mainly touched on needing
many foster homes to care for the stray cats and kittens. Greenhill is maxed out as usual, and
with our current budget cut crisis going on, LCARA may not be available for services in the
near future either. That is a crisis in itself as there is NOT adequate help now for animal
services, that is why our shelters are so full of cats and kittens now, there are simply not enough
homes to house all the animals. There are 70,000 kittens and puppies born each day in the U.S.
The vet clinic that Amy told me about in the Mohawk area, is lower cost, but definitely NOT low
cost. It is still $65.00 to spay a female, and they require 3 vaccinations at $15 each before they
even will spay the cat. That is $110 total, and most people we talk to can not even afford our
price for a female cat of $50.00. GHS has to turn away animals because they are so full. That in
turn forces people to just leave their animals behind when they move and each day there are
pregnant cats and kittens basically dumped out in the woods. We have already gotten several
calls just in past two months about cats and kittens showing up in cars parked in wrecking yards,
cats and kittens just showing up in peoples garages, cats eating out of dumpsters or neighbors
garbage cans. That is pretty sad.
It is too bad our city, county and state officials do not see this terrible problem. In last weeks
Register Guard, there was a story about how the mayor of L.A. county passed a spay neuter
ordinance requiring pets to be altered by the age of 5 months. Multnomah county in Portland,
has three full time animal cruelty officers on duty who prosecute offenders. Our government
seems to always be in some kind of crisis needing money. It is too bad they don't enforce our
current animal neglect and abuse laws, because if they cited individuals and collected that money
for those who abandon and abuse their animals, it seems there would be plenty of money to help
those who can not help themselves, i.e., our furry friends. There are a few other low cost clinics
to help animals such as the Community Vet Clinic, which is not open yet, because of lack of
funding. The WAG clinic in Eugene offers low cost sin for cats and dogs. Unfortunately, a lot
of people do not know of these services because some of them are not listed in the phone book.
When there are too many cats, people tend to become cruel and start drowning cats, or shooting
them with air pistols, again animal abuse, which is of course, hard to prove. And until people
start taking full responsibility for their animals, the problems will continue to become worse as
time goes by. An example would be the trailer park on 14th and Main Streets. I have spoken
with that manager several times, again, he tells me his people can not afford to alter their pets. I
am told by tenants that a lot of cats get dumped there as well. Some cats carry very serious
diseases, like distemper, rabies, herpes, leukemia and aids just to name a few. Those diseases
can be passed on and on and on. That is why it is so important to curb the population crisis.
I told the manager recently that even with ten pregnant cats, currently, by the beginning of
summer, they will have 50 more cats running around as a result of that. Most of those cats will
be given away or force to survive on their own, in turn, leading to early deaths from disease,
starvation and/or being hit by cars.
Hopefully, one day, our government officials will get our message.
Thank you very much for your time.
Feline Assistance Network (F AN)
~~1
Kathy January
Larissa Worthington
Dear Springfield City Council, Mayor, and Administrative Staff:
On behalf of AlethaLou's Vintage Mall, Ruthie B's Antiques & Tea Room, The Country Rose, and other
downtown businesses, we are asking the City to consider some possible actions that would help address
some of our current problems and concerns.
We are in support of the Justice Center, the Downtown Renewal Plan and other efforts that address
problematic public safety, economic, and quality of life issues in Springfield. But, we are currently
finding our businesses impacted by the construction o1:the Justice Center, street closures, criminal and
public nuisance activity, and the downturn of consumer buying.
Our shops are partnering together to strengthen our businesses and leverage our resources. We are
collaborating and/or combining some of our market and advertising, developing new promotions and
events, and customer referrals. Our combined efforts have shown some positive results. Along with some
help from the City we are optimistic that all our efforts, along with the City's will result in positive
changes for downtown Springfield.
Weare asking the City Council and City staff to carefully consider taking some supportive actions for
downtown business by addressing the following concerns and taking action on our suggestions.
1. Customer Parking
a. Purchase parking spaces from Diamond Parking lot on the comer of Main and Pioneer
Parkway.
b. Have construction worker vehicles park somewhere other than the downtown business
parking areas.
2. CustoDier Safety
a. Police presence, especially near late afternoon, weekends, and evening hours.
3. Business Marketing and Location Signage
a. Allow storefront open and event banners.
b. Allow storefront sidewalk sandwich board signage.
c. Allow some type of storefront signage on or over art murals.
d. Sidewalk sales.
Any other options you may have will be greatly appreciated!
At this time we would also like to mention that we look forward to working closely with your newly
formed Downtown Urban Renewal Committee. Please let us know what assistance we can be to the
committee's efforts. We would also like to thank the Springfield Police Department for their positive
response and assistance to our "Springfield Spring Spectacular" downtown evening event.
Respectfully Yours,