The supporters of the bond measure walked door to door in a North Eugene neighborhood, explaining what the bond measure would do if it was passed. Supporters say they chose to canvas in North Eugene because two of the area’s elementary schools would be rebuilt if the measure passed.

In addition to replacing a few schools, supporters said every school in the 4J district would benefit from the bond measure.

“So this bond measure is something that we really need to do for our schools because some of them, a lot of them, have essential repairs that they need; a lot of them need security upgrades and so many of the schools need new computers and technology,” said Joy Marshall, a 4J parent.

Supporters of the bond measure say they’re confident it will pass because it’s something that would support education in Eugene.

On Friday, both sides of the issue debated the idea.

If the measure passes, Eugene residents will pay $10 a month per household, and businesses will pay $30 a month for each business location in the city to fund parks, recreation and law enforcement.

Supporters of the measure say it’s necessary because the city has a major budget deficit, but opponents say this shortfall doesn’t exist.

The city fee would be used to fund pools, parks, and public safety services like fire stations and police. Even opponents to the fee increase say these services are necessary in town.

“Like many of you, I care very much about what happens to the services on the city’s cut list,” said Bonny Bettman, former Eugene City Councilor.

And supporters say Sheldon Pool, that’s on the cut list, would be closed without the service increase.

“We have fewer opportunities for aquatic exercise, aquatic sports, family recreation, in specific terms we lose swim lessons,” said George Brown, Eugene City Councilor. “Parks are essential to the quality of life we have.”

Those against the fee increase say citizens shouldn’t have to pay for any mismanaged money and there’s no guarantee if the fee passes the parks and pools would be safe.

“Voting yes does not guarantee funding for the specific threatened services beyond fiscal year 2014,” Bettman said.

Supporters say it’s not the most ideal situation, but stressed the fee is very important to keep these parks afloat.

“While it’s not a perfect solution, it’s the best one we have in front of us that’ll solve the problem,” said Alan Zelenka, Eugene City Councilor.

Opponents say the money doesn’t need to come from taxpayers because the city already has enough to fund these services.

“The money’s there to preserve the services, and it is the council who has the ultimate authority to approve the budget and the sole responsibility to prioritize and fund essential services,” Bettman said.

And while those against the measure say the city could take the money and spend it on anything. Supporters say that’s not entirely true.

“The fee cannot be spent on anything but the specific list of services,” Zelenka said.

If voters approve the fee, the $10 and $30 amounts are the maximum the city could charge citizens.

EUGENE, Ore. — April 30 marks the deadline for voter registration in the upcoming May 21 Special Election.

The three main issues on the ballot are the Lane County Public Safety Levy, the City of Eugene Service Fee and the 4J School District Bond.

Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart says she’s expecting a higher than average turnout for the upcoming election.

“Typically for this type of a district election we see a return between 30 to 35 percent. Having the additional measures on the ballot tends to push that percentage up, and that’s why we’re expecting the voters to respond and cast their ballot accordingly,” Betschart said.

This election she’s expecting 50 to 55 percent turnout. There was even a spike Tuesday in registration.

People eligible to vote can send in their registration forms to the county clerk’s office as long as its postmarked no later than April 30. Or they can register online.

“We’ve already seen close to 100 come in in the online voter registration, which is what we would be hoping for this type of an election and deadline,” Betschart said.

Betschart says the office has received between 70 and 80 registration cards per day. Voters KEZI 9 News spoke with say they don’t want to miss the opportunity to exercise their right in this election with a lot of key issues at stake.

“The schools are probably most important to me I’m a big supporter of education. But at the same time the jail issue is also important with the sheriff’s office. I think we’re really letting too many people out too soon,” said voter Randy Kolb.

Some though didn’t even know there was an election.

“I didn’t hear about. I’m busy. I’m young. I don’t know. Uninformed perhaps,” said Eugene resident Erin Elder.

Commissioner Sid Leiken says every election is important and everyone needs to cast their vote.

“What an incredible freedom we have. I mean you look at around different countries people are willing to die or go to jail or whatever the case may be to have free elections. We have them here and almost take them for granted,” Leiken said.

The voter registration deadline is April 30. Eligible Oregonians can even make the process easier by registering online.

Lane County voters will decide the fate of three big issue on this year’s ballot for elections in May.

Voters will decide to pass a public safety levy that would raise money for the sheriff’s office. The levy would mean a tax of 55 cents per $1000 of assessed property value and would reopen 120 jail beds.

Also on the May ballot is a bond measure that would raise $170 million for the 4J School District. The money would go to building three new schools and to improvements of technology and security at all schools.

Eugene voters will decide if they’ll pay $10 a month to help the city cover a multi-million dollar hole in its budget. The fee would help maintain services to a number of departments including fire, police, parks, pools and libraries.

If the measure passes, It would last five years and an oversight committee would review it each year to ensure accountability.

Lane County Commissioner Sid Leiken joined Sheriff Tom Turner at the Springfield City Club meeting Thursday.

There they talked to the crowd about Measure 20-213, what we know as the public safety levy.

The measure will open up a minimum of 255 jail beds to help prevent the early release of violent criminals back into the community.

“Our issue here is we are trying to fix the most serious problem, and that’s what we’re trying to complete and keep our public safe, those two together. Seems like this needs to be a recipe for success and we need to move forward with everybody’s help,” said Tom Turner, Lane County Sheriff.

The levy will also help to fund detention of Lane County youth offenders.

EUGENE, Ore. — Members of the Yes for 4J Schools group made their presence known Monday. Parents, teachers, administrators and community members gathered in front of Howard Elementary School in hopes of bringing greater attention and support to the district’s need to improve their schools’ infrastructure.

“One of the major issues is the heaters honestly. It may not sound like a big deal, but it really is a huge problem,” said Margaret Gleason, an eighth grader at Roosevelt Middle School.

This was one of many issues Gleason listed off in hopes of garnering support for the $170 million bond measure.

There are also lockers that don’t lock and outdated computers held together with duct tape. While these things seem minor, students and staff says it all adds up.

“Environment is really essential to whatever we do. Teaching and learning is no different. And the less you have to deal with environmental obstacles, the more free your mind is to learn,” said Jeff Wyman, a teacher at Roosevelt Middle School.

That’s why the district has been pushing for a local levy. Since the decision to move forward, a committee has been formed in hopes of getting the whole community on board. Members say these problems have a greater impact than most folks think.

“The last six hires we’ve had at Palo Alto Software all just happened to be people who had children of school age, so schools have been a topic when we’re recruiting,” said Sabrina Parsons, bond committee co-chair.

Aside from the short-term economic impact construction would create, bond co-chairs say investing in the schools is an investment in the community as a whole; a good school system can be a big draw to bringing in businesses.

But for the kids, the reason to support this bond is simple.

“RMS is just an amazing school. There are so many amazing attributes that I can’t even say them all right now and it deserves to have a building that mirrors the programs, teachers and everything,” Gleason said.

Advocates of the 4J levy will continue to rally for their measure, which is on the May ballot.

It’s makes the third bond measure now on the May ballot for thousands of Eugene voters to decide.

If approved, the money will be used to help carry out the district’s long-range facilities plan.

The unanimous vote came after much public comment.

Along with building three new schools, the money would help improve technology and security at schools throughout the district.

Going forward, a community group will take on a campaign to try and secure the votes needed to pass the bond measure.

“The quality of education really represents the life blood of a community,” 4J Superintendent Dr. Sheldon Berman said after the meeting. “The attractiveness of a community and actually the economic viability of a community, and investing in education makes a difference for all of us and the quality of life.”

The district will serve as fact providers leading up to the May election and will answer questions that voters might have.

The county and city have already placed their own initiatives on the May ballot.

EUGENE, Ore. — The 4J School Board will decide Wednesday night whether to add a tax measure to May’s ballot.

After more than a year of discussion and public polling, 4J might soon ask the public for help with all the work that it says needs to be done. The seven board members will vote tonight whether to move forward with a bond measure, to start on its long-range facility plan.

The parents and guardians of Howard Elementary School students say they need a new school, and the principal agrees.

“I was actually a student here at Howard back in the ’70s and it was not a very new building then. The building’s not weatherized; it’s all single-paned windows. The building when they built it was not built for today’s technology,” said Principal Allan Chinn, Howard Elementary School.

In a technology immersion school like Howard Elementary, it means there are wires everywhere to stay connected.  Safety is also an issue. Snakes and rats have made homes in the walls before. That’s where this $170 million bond comes in.

“With our bond money we can invest in the classroom. We can buy new technology. We can buy curriculum. Most of our buildings are in need of safety upgrades and right now given our financial situation without the bond we do not have the capacity to do that” said Jennifer Geller, 4J Board Chair.

If 4J spent its general fund on building and technology improvements it would take away from what’s happening inside the classroom.

“Voters can vote to approve bond measures and provide funding for capital improvements like such as school buildings, long lasting materials like technology and curriculum, and school buses so that doesn’t come out of the pool of money that is available for teaching and learning,” said Kerry Delf, 4J Spokeswoman.

If the bond measure is put on the May ballot and passes, it would be paid off over 20 years.

The Eugene City Council and county commissioners have voted to put initiatives on the May ballot. 4J could also add one into the mix this week.

The taxpayers getting hit the hardest would be those who own property and live in the 4J School District. That’s because if all three passed, they would be looking at three separate tax increases.

The city is asking voters to approve a service fee totaling no more than $10 a month, adding up to $120 a year.

Property owners in Lane County would be asked to pay $85 more a year to fund the jail and youth services, basing the rates on a median priced home.

If 4J votes on Wednesday for the $170 million bond to go on the ballot, which it’s leaning towards, that’s an additional $42.

If a tax payer were hit with all three, it’d be $247 more a year.

Eugene residents said, for the most part, they’d support all three.

Taxpayers already pay for the current bond and property taxes, and these taxes would be an additional fee.

The superintendent recommended the board push a $170 million bond to the May ballot. The money would be used to replace Jefferson Middle School, River Road Elementary and Howard Elementary. It would also improve security districtwide and provide technology improvements.

The school board has the ultimate decision on the bond and is expected to make the call next week.

“We’ve talked to many members of the community,” said Kerry Delf, 4J Spokeswoman. “There is a really strong idea that these really are the areas that we need to start where our highest priority should be.”

The recommendation comes after months of public comment and district consideration.