George Beres: An Independent View - Arena Bond Sale

State should rule against arena bonds to show higher ed is not for sale

By George Beres
For the Beacon

Springfield is third only to Eugene and Portland in the number of University of Oregon graduates living within its borders. Those alumni- all of them- have scant awareness of the misuse of big money at the school in an era when their attention is diverted by mushrooming national debt.

There are some exceptions. One resident confided in me- after I promised to not publish his name- that he had given $500 a year to UO varsity athletics the last seven years, but is going to halt what he calls his “misguided giveaway.” So what’s up?

It is tied to proposed massive spending by varsity athletics for facilities that have little to do with needs, nor with the primary function of a university. At the root of the “giveaway” is a man who has a track record for being the UO’s biggest private donors. Is it ungrateful to criticize a generous donor? Of course, unless- unless there are strings attached to the donor’s gifts. When that happens once, it might be seen as an accident. When it happens again, it’s more than a coincidence. It becomes a pattern of privately controlling University policy.

The situation removes credibility for a proposed state bond issue for a new arena. It was revealed when we learned how donor, Phil Knight, attached secret requirements for use of his $100 million gift to the UO. The early February revelation, conveniently delayed by school administration, bears out my description of Knight as an “Indian giver,” a label we used to give one who takes back- or threatens to take back- a gift if his demands are not met.

When the University admitted Knight’s threat to take back his gift if the state chooses not to issue bonds, the timing was perfect. It came shortly before the legislature was to rule on the bond issue for the project Knight very much wants— a $200 million replacement for historic McArthur Court. There are good reasons for the state to rule against the extravagant bond issue. Those reasons might be ignored if denial resulted in loss of Knight’s donation. That’s what it comes down to if Knight’s improper influence goes on to infect decision-making among state lawmakers, as it has with the UO administration.

It would be no surprise to those who remember how successful he was with an earlier effort to influence University policy. A few years ago, Knight, the boss at Nike, got irate when UO students got the University to become a member of the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). Its functions include monitoring behavior of corporations dealing with low-paid employees overseas. Knight complained the University should have consulted him before subjecting his Nike to such review. As a wedge, he used the threat to renege on his pledge of multi-millions for expansion of Autzen Stadium. At stake was not only stadium expansion, but the possibility of losing future gifts from the school’s wealthiest alumnus.

The University appealed to the State System of Higher Education. The System responded by making it illegal for its schools to belong to the WRC. It was retroactive. With mock regret, the UO administration announced it was being forced to withdraw from the WRC. Within weeks, Knight came waddling back to make good on his donation. Key to financial viability of a new Mac Court would be its ability to make an annual profit to pay back cost of the bonds. That’s not likely when revenues depend on the success of home teams, whose pre-season optimism this year has been throttled by poor records. A new advertising contract that includes arena naming privilege is misleading. Much of that money would have been forthcoming anyway under standard periodic sale of broadcast rights.

A proposed major boost in ticket prices would make the new facility a venue for only the wealthy. Sky boxes, as at Autzen Stadium and the proposed new baseball stadium boondoggle, accommodate the richest of the rich. Cost of buying a ticket simply to get into the arena will shut out fans on limited budgets. Many faculty members are unhappy about what some term “blackmail” in the deal made by Knight. Beyond that, they are indignant over skewed priorities given varsity athletics when academia continues to suffer shortfalls.

One does not look a gift horse in the mouth to see if it has rotting teeth. But after the University twice has been intimidated by Knight’s threats to forget his promises of money, it should raise an important question the next time he offers a major gift. Should we first inspect the condition of his teeth?

As fans in Springfield and throughout the state have learned, when Knight offers his money, he expects something in return- something no one should be entitled to demand. The legislature would be wise and honest to deny the bonds, and remind us that Higher Education is not for sale.

MT Thoughts: Special Legislative Session

By Michael Twitty
Springfield Beacon

On Feb. 14, Oregon began its 150th year as a state. This month our legislature is meeting in a special session. The justification for this is that our representatives believe that events happen too rapidly, and to meet every 18 months does not allow them to respond to issues facing our state in a timely manner. I understand that there may be a sense of urgency in addressing some of the problems that face us yet, consider this.

In the press release concerning the session the first two goals that are outlined are healthcare for children and senior care. I concur that these are pressing issues. I wonder however how much we will solve these problems in a special session. Last fall Oregonians soundly defeated an increase in the cigarette tax that was designed to extend health care to more children. Since that time I have seen no new methods of funding this even floated to the public. All I have heard or read places the blame of the defeat on the large amounts of money spent by the opponents of the measure. The margin of defeat belies another reason. The public wants our representatives to give us a plan with a viable and equitable form of funding. I am concerned that all that will come from this session is a re-working of the same proposal. If that is the case then the legislature will disprove the need for annual meetings. For all they will be accomplishing is repackaging old ideas.

Caring for seniors either in assisted living or in their home is indeed a problem that appears to be mushrooming. I wonder what we expect our government to do. Why have we not heard a call for community and/or faith based participation? Do we really require the state to mandate and operate all aspects of senior care? How much would this cost? Where are we going to get the funds?

They mention how they want to find some form of assistance for those facing the possible loss of their homes due to the sub-prime lending that exploded in the last few years. No specific ideas, just expressing a desire to address the problem. Is this special session going to give birth to fresh ideas or are they going to just throw us an aspirin to distract the pain? What about the interest rates charged by payday lenders or some credit card companies? What about all the fees that lending institutions and banks charge for everything even just cashing a check drawn on their bank?

Another problem in relation to the housing crisis is our schools. If our schools rely on property levies for funding and the values of those properties are declining does that not translate to less operating funds for our schools?

They mention improving our roads and bridges and other infrastructure. The most obvious method that they almost always rely on is an increase in the gasoline tax. It is easy to claim this is the most equitable method of raising the necessary funds. Every study I have seen tells me that large trucks cause much more wear and tear than passenger vehicles. I am not advocating tax directly on trucks. I would suggest that there could be a way to raise monies from the industries that most benefit from the improvements to our infrastructure. Or at the very least some sort of plan that does not place all the cost on individuals and truck drivers.

We are concerned about public safety and our representatives increased our state patrol last year. Then we see operations to catch people who do not wear seatbelts? Is that really a good use of manpower? Is that the main concern of the public?

As we enter our 150th year I hope our legislature addresses these problems embracing the pioneer spirit that settled this great state and does not just follow the path of least resistance. I wonder, if our forefathers followed that path would we ever have become a state?

I wish our representatives well. But if they are going meet every year then they need to spawn some new ideas. If they are just going to talk about them and rehash old arguments then all they are doing is putting on a dog and pony show to distract us from their inability to do what we elected them to do.

George Beres: An Independent View - Reality of War

College veterans bring reality of war to the stage

By George Beres
For the Beacon

College students today have not marshalled their efforts to speak out against the war in Iraq as their fathers' generation did in the '60s and '70s about Vietnam. There are a few exceptions, one of them a Springfield resident, Jason Alves.

He and a few other students of courage used the newly renovated theatre of the Eugene American Legion Hall to give audiences a most personal view of what today's militarism really demands of our youth. Jason and his fellow students at the University of Oregon are veterans of war who have survived – physically – and returned to college to rebuild their lives.

"Our play, `Telling,' gave us an amazing opportunity to share with an audience the support many of us need after having returned from combat in the Middle East," said Alves. "These are things we normally don't talk about, because none of us wants to revive those memories."

Jason and his fellow actors are rare - college students who have undergone military trial by fire. They were young, and chose to volunteer. Their peers, in college and out, aren't required to undergo "training to kill" because there has been no draft during the Gulf War and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was different during Vietnam, when all males were vulnerable to being drafted and winding up in combat. Their own skins were on the line back then, and that energized them to march in the streets to oppose that war.

"I had it easier than some," said Alves, "because I was in the navy, so served on a ship instead of in the sand. Still, it was an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning."

The "rollercoaster" had a startling start in basic training, especially in marines boot camp. It started with a level of loudness and profanity from the cadre who trained them. If they were going to be convinced to kill, every other word – as they portrayed in vignettes on the stage—was the f bomb, delivered at painful decibels from a cadre mouth just inches from a trainee's ear.

The language was a necessary link to the non-human level of training. But it wasn't suitable for children. One couple with two children chose to leave soon after the cadre language patterns began.

I remember that brainwashing from basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., before I was shipped to Korea. But it was nowhere near as intense as that demonstrated for us by the veterans now enrolled at the UO.

One of the student actors angrily shouted, "People don't support the troops with any understanding of what the troops go through! If you have not been in combat, you have no idea what we were going through!

The production was conceived by UO faculty members after they sat in on veterans panels that described realities of war as they experienced them. They worked with the student veterans to create this novel stage experience where each individual, including two women, told of personal trials in the military.
Boot training was prelude to the trauma of blood and death in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It seemed to have nothing to do with what we were doing there or why we were there," said one student-veteran. "But the blood and death inflicted on us become very personal, happening to people you know. But one doesn't hesitate. One just must move on.”

Said another: "When you are in that alien world of war, you live for those itty-bitty moments, rare times when you can do anything except the horror you are paid to be part of."

What keeps the soldier going is the feeling of responsibility to his or her buddies in battle. A painful legacy of being safely back home is the guilt felt by veterans who still sense a responsibility for their buddies who are fighting - not being there to help protect their friends.

The performance of each actor was real because it came from personal experience. It was not easy to express. As one said: "These are things we normally don't talk about, because every time we tell our stories, we are there again."

George Beres - An Independent View: "Buying Time"

LCC play has ominious overtones for control of law and education

By George Beres
For the Beacon

Enlivening a fictional story with a strong taste of reality is one of the goals of good theatre. "Buying Time," currently at the Blue Door Theatre of Lane Community College succeeds at this admirably.

In a way, that also is a misfortune, because the reality it brings us is an existing cancer of society: the way powerful corporate forces are able to manipulate the better intentions of a law firm. What struck me is the ominous overtones is gets from such a system I have seen also at play on the university level – specifically in the Oregon System of Higher Education.

Last Friday evening, I – like much of the audience – was engrossed with the way the play's many scene changes were handled with a revolving floor that caused one set to disappear as the new one appeared. I was told that smooth-running mechanical system was installed specifically for "Buying Time."

What was more engrossing was the way Broadway playwright, Michael Weller(who also was in the opening night audience), used his play to illustrate how corporate manipulation works when a law firm with a pro bono tradition can be pressured to stop its public service efforts. Intervening are powerful corporate clients who object to its positive environmental goals.

At issue is protection of 15,000 acres of a pine forest which serve as home for a grey hawk – a situation which resonated with the Oregon audience familiar with the spotted owl controversy.

A Springfield woman who is a member of the production crew, Amanda Loop-Kremers, told me: "This play, coming to us during a major election season, suggests that the way corporate powers control the law profession can be used to dominate political parties, too. We've seen how both major political parties are influenced by powerful corporations that give them big money donations. That can't be corrected unless we can get some serious reform of campaign financing. But even a playwright can't seem to come up with an answer for it."

As Weller's script suggests, we assume no one can be "above the law."

That's not the case, as his protagonists show us how law firms committed to some pro bono work in the public interest can be hamstrung. They sometimes have to make hard choices when corporate foes of public service threaten to cancel their large contracts with such firms.

Weller told me he knows that higher education increasingly is finding itself in the vulnerable financial position of pro bono law firms. He said that is because the growing absence of college funding-as in Oregon, where tax revenues for education are down- means universities now must turn to private donors to help pay their bills.

He was interested in two Oregon examples I described to him that symbolize what he feels can happen when schools allow themselves to become obligated to major donors:

• The dropping of the UO Environmental Law Center when a major donor among lumber interests said he would withdraw a $50,000 donation to the school unless the Center were removed.

• The threat by a major donor to withdraw his multi-millions for expansion of Autzen Stadium because the University had signed on with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), which monitored his firm and others for misbehavior. The University went to Higher Ed for help. It got it when the State System ruled membership in the WRC hereafter (and retroactively) would be illegal. Then the donor came waddling back with his major gift.

Weller did not say one of his next plays will deal with the way corporate donors can dictate university policy. But I'd not be surprised to see that theme the next time he has a production on Broadway.

Remaining performances at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14, 15, 16. Phone 463-5761.

Letters to the Editor - Feb. 13, 2008

County Commissioners need to provide services we pay for

I am reminded of a cartoon that I read recently that depicted a male politician shouting and holding up a sign proclaiming the need for change. The next picture was of a female politician shouting and holding up a sign proclaiming the need for change. The next picture was of a wage holder opening a pay envelope and two coins roll out. With a bewildered look the wage earner’s word was change. A true depiction of reformers implementing programs and not considering the far-reaching consequences of their “reformation.”

The radical environmentalists are a good example. Through out the previous decades they proclaimed that Oregon’s natural resources had to be placed off limits from human use and set aside for nature, for nature’s sake. No thought was given to the consequences of eliminating Oregon’s use of its resources. Oregonians are currently experiencing the results. The Federal government, tired of subsidizing Oregon’s short sightedness, is justifiably eliminating the graft (timber payments) Oregon has illisitly received for many years.

To solve the problem our over bloated County Commissioners have just recently and brilliantly discovered that Lane County is in a fiscal crisis. Their solution, reduce or eliminate taxpayer protection from criminals! Not bad enough, they advertise to the criminals the crimes they can commit and get an out of jail free pass.

Do the Commissioners expect us to quiver in fear and turn over whatever sums of money they demand? I love my family too much and we have worked too hard to allow criminals to take control of our lives. I also do not trust the Lane County Commissioners as a fiduciary accountant any more and will not grant them additional funds until they use what they have more foresightedly and frugally.

If the Lane County Commissioners cannot provide the protection taxpayers dearly pay for, a refund is in order for services not rendered. Rest assured that individual family and property protection will still exist.

Arvid Freiberg
Springfield


Springfield Beacon a pleasure

You folks have a real winner of a publication. It is such a pleasure to read all the good news of Springfield.

Everything is so interesting and well written and complete. Congratulations. I know it is an art to produce and seems to be in the hands of experts.

I’m prompted to tell you what I think is a well kept secret in Springfield, the Second Story Books store. Neatest, most complete, a knowledgeable manager. It’s there on Main Street. Take a look, it’s classy and a nice addition to town.

My Eugene address is a retirement complex but I’m really a Springfield boy.

Thanks for the Springfield Beacon … it’s a joy.

Ray Cavagnaro
Eugene

George Beres - An Independent View: Ending Cubs Curse

Springfield strawberry patch could end infamous baseball curse

By George Beres
For the Beacon

Springfield could have a role in ending the greatest all-time curse of sports history. What makes it possible is my chance encounter some years ago with two fellow strawberry lovers in a Springfield U-pick patch. Out of that chance meeting came the idea for an exorcism of the notorious baseball curse.

The hex in question is known among baseball fans everywhere as the Billy Goat curse. It was invoked by a Greek barkkeep in Chicago in 1945. That was the last time the Chicago Cubs ever played in the World Series, even though to that time they had played in more of them than any other National League team. The barkkeep was thrown out of one of the games against Detroit because he had brought with him his tethered goat to sit in one of his two box seats.

Fans complained of the barnyard fragrance, and as security police ushered him and his goat out, the man sputtered in broken English. “Okay! Okay! We go. But never again will World Series be played in this stadium.” True to his curse, the stadium- Wrigley Field, the oldest in the league- has not hosted another Series game in 62 years.

The barkkeep’s name: Sam Sianis. It will have a familiar ring for some area residents, as his cousin, Harry, once operated the Original Joe’s Restaurant across from Eugene’s Hult Center for the Performing Arts.

That brings us back to the Springfield strawberry patch where I met Harry’s wife, Alexandra, and daughter, Katina. It was quiet there except for their lively banter in Greek, a language I understand. I greeted them in our second language. When Momma said their name was Sianis, I said, “I know of a Sianis who has become famous in Chicago where I used to live.”

The elder responded with mock tolerance, “Yes, yes, he is our `koumparo’, the cousin of my husband and the godfather of my daughter.” As a lifelong, frustrated Cubs fan, I suddenly saw possibilities for ending the curse.

“I’ll be in Chicago next month,” I told them. “Do you think your `koumparo’ would discuss the baseball curse with me?”

“Of course,” Alexandra answered. “He discusses it with everyone he meets. Go to his bar, and tell him I said he should give you a free beer and what he calls a cheeseborrger.”

Weeks later, I was sitting with Sam in his bar, enjoying a free beer and cheeseborrger. When I suggested an exorcism of the Billy Goat curse, he said, “Bravo.” He had milked the curse for all the attention he could get. Now he could see chances for more free publicity if he were to cooperate in reversing the curse.

My next step was to visit with actor Don Novello, who portrays Fr. Guido Sarducci on the “Saturday Night Live” TV show. We met the evening of his appearance at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville. He agreed he was the one to exorcise the ballpark. A psuedo-cleric could pull the stunt the Catholic Church would not allow one of its priests to do. Only one hitch: someone would have to sponsor the event so he could get his five-figure appearance fee.

I’m trying to find an organization that can pay that fee. Maybe a potato chip? Or a beer? Or maybe even a chewing gum like Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit?

When that day comes, Father Guido will exorcise Wrigley Field. Then the Cubs will win the pennant after lo these many years- and a Springfield strawberry patch will earn lasting fame.

Letters to the Editor - Feb. 6, 2008

Keynes had the right idea about recession

On Jan. 17, 2008, the Register-Guard published an editorial by Harold Meyerson dealing with the forthcoming recession and to best deal with it.

Meyerson suggested all those books by J. Maynard Keynes be dusted off, especially the parts where Keynes suggested that to deal with a recession, a government should increase government spending and cut taxes. Keynes was very specific about the type of government spending which would be helpful such as building dams, roads and bridges which are labor intensive. This increase in employment would lead to an increase in demand for consumer goods and business would invest in capital goods and hire more workers to meet this increase in demand.

In terms of tax cuts, Keynes suggested tax cuts for the less affluent instead of the rich (as has been the policy of the Bush administration). Keynes felt that income received from such government infrastructure projects would be spent on consumer goods producing what Keynes called a multiplier effect as each person or business who received these payments will in turn use the extra or marginal income to buy more consumer goods and, therefore, produce an impact on the economy in excess of the initial tax cut or increase in government spending.

So what can we do? I would suggest contacting Congressman DeFazio who chairs the House Transportation Committee and State Representative Terry Beyer who chairs a similar committee in Salem and ask them to use their influence to spend more money repairing our bridges, a number of which are unsafe. This would help our economy and safety as well, and J. Maynard Keynes would be be pleased to be dusted off again!

G. Dennis Shine
Springfield