TORCH the
- OCT 31, 2018 - VOLUME 54, EDITION 3 - EUGENE, OR -
LCC News / pg 2
Eugene News / pg 4
Ballot Info / pg 6
photo by Marek Belka / editor in chief
ASLCC Senate President Pro Tempore Nick Keough sits in stunned silence after Vice President Dan Good’s resignation in the middle of a Senate meeting on Oct. 25. Good, who took office on Jun. 1, later said he resigned because the Senate “didn’t act on obvious violations” of the ASLCC Constitution and by-laws by Senator Diego Wilson.
‘Good’ to go
ASLCC Senate rocked by abuse allegations Marek Belka Editor in Chief In just over 30 minutes, the makeup of the Associated Students of Lane Community College Student Government was drastically altered. ASLCC Student Government Vice President Dan Good announced his sudden resignation in the midst of a briefbut-tumultuous Senate meeting on Oct. 25, which also saw a new senator sworn in and another – first-time senator Diego Wilson – narrowly avoiding impeachment proceedings. According to official statements by President Keely Blyleven and Vice President Good, Wilson was accused by several students of a variety of offenses throughout his term as Senator, including “sexual discrimination, emotional and verbal abuse, misogyny and ableism.” Blyleven and Good both argued that Wilson’s offenses are discriminatory to students at LCC and violate ASLCC Constitution and by-laws, and therefore are grounds for impeachment. “The attitudes that Senator Wilson espouses are deplorable, unacceptable, oppressive, and downright wrong,” Good said in his statement. “We stand together to fight these inequities and injustices within all realms of this institution… as sworn advocates for the
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student body, we must fight these ideals within the students as well.” Blyleven and Good declined to name any of the students who had made accusations against Wilson, nor did they provide any details regarding the nature of the offenses. Wilson has categorically denied all accusations against him, but declined to speak on-record about the details of the allegations or his attempted impeachment. The mood throughout Senate meeting was uncharacteristically contentious. Blyleven repeatedly warned Wilson not to interrupt her during her statements. Even the routine approval of the meeting’s agenda saw Good and Wilson sniping at each other over minor revisions and adjustments. After Good read his statement outlining the accusations against Wilson and encouraging the Senators to vote in favor of impeachment, Wilson called Good’s tone “unnecessarily aggressive toward [him].” “That’s why it’s called a personal statement,” Good responded. “It’s coming from the heart.” Wilson continually defended himself during his own statement, calling the allegations against him “hurtful” and appeared to accuse Good and Blyleven of colluding to remove him from the Senate. After Good’s resignation, Wilson expressed hope that the issue had been resolved. “It’s been a rough night for everyone,” Wilson said after the meeting. “But I believe in the process, and that process worked tonight.” The only thing that seemed to unite the student representatives was their shared admiration of Hannah Lyon, who was unanimously ratified as the seventh student Senator – and crucial tiebreaker – moments before the articles of impeachment were introduced. While other members of the Senate called for further investigation regarding the ...continued on page 3
Titans make martyrs of Saints
All five measures in the midterm election Sabrina Piccolo News Director Registered voters in Oregon received their ballots over the past week for the state’s General Election on Nov. 6. In addition to having a say in the selection of elected representatives, Oregon voters will decide on five ballot measures ranging from taxation to reproductive healthcare. The details of the 2018 measures touch on matters personal to many Oregonians. The five measures on this ballot aim to remove restrictions on affordable housing projects, prohibit grocery taxes, require a supermajority vote for raising revenue, repeal a law intended to avoid racial profiling and ban public funds from being spent on abortions, respectively. Individuals and organizations have spoken out in support of and in opposition to each of the measures. Proponents of the measures have spent more than $9.5 million in contributions, whereas opponents have contributed over $14 million. Specifically, supporters of Measure 102 have contributed more than $2.8 million to the measure, but no contributions have been made by opponents. In contrast, opponents of Measure 106 have spent almost 14 times more than the measure’s proponents, who contributed more than $345,000 in support of the measure. Some of the voices of those who support and oppose Measures 102 through 106, along with brief summaries of the content of each measure, are outlined in this paper. ...continued on page 6
photo by Merek Belka / editor in chief
Lane head coach Stephanie Willett rallies the Titan volleyball squad after dropping a set against the Mt. Hood Saints on Oct. 26. With three games left in the regular season, the Titans are in a three-way tie with Chemeketa and Clackamas for the final playoff spot in the NWAC South Region.
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Wednesday, October 31, 2018
NEWS
TORCH
The flying Bushman
the
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE THE STAFF Editor-in-Chief Marek Belka
Production Manager/Art Director Anna CK Smith
News Director Sabrina Piccolo
Reporters Dylan Bennett David Galbreath Sanjuanita Maria Baum Trayse Riggle Jess Roten Sioux Sternath
Illustrators Lucien Guidotti-Lawrence Quentin J. Piccolo Prenapa Techakumthon
Cartoonist Emmett Crass
Photojournalists Vicente Mather Chris Ortloff Jason Petorak Shannon Powers Selina Scott
LCC alum honored by trade magazine as top young airplane tech Dylan Bennett Reporter E v e r y y e a r, t h e A i r c r a f t Maintenance Technology Magazine finds 40 individuals under the age of 40 doing excellent work in the field of aviation and presents them with the AMT Next Gen 40 Under 40 award. This year, 25-year old Lane Community College alumni Kyle Bushman, who runs the Ragwood Refactory in Creswell, was one of those featured. Bushman restores and rebuilds antique and bush planes. Bushman’s fascination with planes started at a young age when he spent his time flying remote control planes with his brother. His focus began to shift when he discovered the thrill of repairing and rebuilding them, and seeing his own creations take flight. He knew he wanted to be around and do things with planes, but he didn’t really have any plans for college otherwise. “What put it all together and really made me jump into it was the guys from the Aviation and Powerplant program coming to my high school and giving us a 20-minute talk about the program,” Bushman said. After researching the program and the class list, Bushman knew that this was what he wanted to do. LCC’s A&P program prepared Bushman for working on all kinds of aviation machines. “The course covers a massive range ...continued from front page
‘Good’ to go
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Diego Wilson, ASLCC Senator
photo by Marek Belka / editor in chief
allegations against Wilson during their own prepared statements – and thus were in favor of beginning the impeachment process – the proceedings were ultimately short-lived. Wilson introduced a motion to postpone discussion on impeachment “indefinitely,” which passed with a tie-breaking vote from Lyon. It was after that motion was passed that Good announced his resignation, gathered his belongings and dramatically left the boardroom, leaving the gathered senators, staffers and students stunned. Blyleven held her head in her hands behind a podium. Senators Caleb Peterson and Adam Atman shot wide-eyed looks at one another; President Pro Tempore Nick Keough stared at the floor. “What do we do now?” a voice asked from the gallery, before Lyon grabbed the wooden gavel and brought the meeting to a close after just 34 minutes. Good’s sudden resignation was the culmination of weeks of growing tension between the Vice President and the firsttime senator, according to several people familiar with the two students. “It wasn’t a Senate meeting, it was a football game,” Atman said after the Senate adjourned. “There were factions involved. This wasn’t going to be a discussion.” Ken Dinet, who serves on the Council of Clubs at LCC, defended Wilson in a gallery statement before official debate on impeachment began, calling the last-minute addition of impeachment proceedings “unprecedented.” “It’s not about impeachment,” Dinet said. “He just doesn’t like him.” Dinet claims that Good was actively trying to remove Wilson from the Senate due to unknown personal disputes, and became
of machines from jet engines to reciprocating to radio engines,” Bushman said. “It was like drinking out of a fire hose, there’s so much that comes at you in those two years.” Bushman’s time in the program consisted of classes Monday through Friday from eight to four, “It was basically a full-time job.” He finished the LCC program when he was 20 and went to California looking for work on helicopters. “Traditionally, most students come out of school and worked on helicopters, because that’s where the most money is,” Bushman said. After not having any luck, Bushman ended up coming back to Creswell, and working for Tim Talen, the previous owner of the Ragwood Refactory. He worked with Talen for three years restoring antique planes and such until Talen retired, and Bushman decided to take over the business and run it himself at the age of 23. Even though Bushman took over Talen’s shop, he’s done his best to keep things running in a similar fashion while adding his own personal touches to the company. Bushman has developed an interest in restoring older model backcountry bush planes as well as antiques. The biggest piece of advice that Bushman wanted to offer to young individuals interested in this field was, “There is nothing wrong with pursuing a trade. You don’t have to get a four-year degree to be successful. You could go to a trade school and have work for the rest of your life because the need for trade will never go away.” Bushman is always willing to find time to show his shop and his work to younger individuals that express interest, in hopes of keeping the trade alive. increasingly erratic in recent weeks. Dinet provided emails he sent to Dean of Student Success Lida Herberger and Director of Student Standards Carl Yeh – dated between Oct. 4 and Oct. 17 – in which he claimed he witnessed the now-former VP exit a student government meeting and say, “I’m going to knock that [expletive] out.” In the email, dated Oct. 12, Dinet says he wasn’t sure who Good was referring to. After the Oct. 25 Senate meeting, Dinet now believes that Good was speaking about Wilson. “My concern is that he may act on threats if he has impaired judgement,” Dinet said. “I felt compelled to say something just in case something was to happen.” Neither Herberger nor Yeh could be reached for comment before deadline. In an interview, Good did not deny Dinet’s account, but attributed it to a lapse in self-control and explained that he had just left another contentious meeting that included Wilson. “He has a way of triggering past traumas,” Good said, referring to Wilson. “He’s taking away the voice of women, LBGTQ people, all of us through his actions.” Despite giving up his seat in the student government, Good says he will continue attempting to unseat Wilson from the Senate. He has previously filed a Title IX sexual discrimination complaint with the college – though he expressed concerns about the complaint process – and says he will continue to be an active presence in student government affairs. “There’s nothing in the Constitution, nothing in the by-laws that says a student can’t introduce articles of impeachment,” Good said. “If the student government isn’t willing to do anything about him, I have to keep trying.” There are currently no plans to hold a special election to elect a new Vice President. President Pro Tempore Keough will act as chair of the Senate until the vacancy is filled.
photo by Marek Belka / editor in chief
Dan Good, former ASLCC Vice Presedent
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
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NEWS ‘No questions asked’ LCC, DEA partner up to gather unused prescription opioids
illustration by Prenapa Techakumthon / illustrator
Dylan Bennett Reporter Lane Community College and the LCC Department of Safety partnered up with the Drug Enforcement Administration to participate in the ninth annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 27. The state of Oregon alone collected over 14 thousand pounds of unwanted opioids across all 60 collection sites, setting a record high for the state during the April collection event. The DEA expects to reach a total of ten million pounds across the nation after Saturday’s collection. For the last nine years, the DEA has offered a pharmaceutical drug drop-off to anyone with unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals in an attempt to fight the opioid crisis. This is a no-questions-asked program where anyone can drive to any number of drop-off locations and safely dispose of their unwanted narcotics. According to the Oregon Public Authority website, an average of five Oregonians die every week to opioid overdose. Oregon reportedly has one of the highest overdose rates in the nation. The use of painkiller-related drugs has drastically increased over the last ten years. The majority of overdoses in Oregon are the result of abusing both prescribed and illegally obtained opioids. Many of these addictions are the result of unneeded and unused prescription drugs being left in the household, where they
Fancy feast for big cats Students cater to more than 300 guests with a celebrity guest chef
David Galbreath Reporter More than 300 benefactors enjoyed a pan-Asian meal at the 16th annual Harvest Dinner Gala at Lane Community College’s Center of Meeting and Learning on Tuesday Oct. 23. While enjoying extravagant panAsian fare, the guest placed bets on a live auction raising money for scholarships and the non-profit LCC foundation. First-year students hosted and waited on tables, second year students were in the back of house preparing the four course meal with guest Chef Hsiao-Ching Chou. The students at the Harvest Dinner learn how to cater to large crowds. The firstyear students were in black tie attire while serving their guests. Guests were greeted to a high-class dining room designed for a live auction. The second-year students worked in the kitchens, preparing the four-course meal with their instructors and guest chef. “The hardest part was trying to convert recipes to such large portions while executing what the chef wanted,” second-year culinary student Zach Fish said. Fish hopes his career in culinary arts will take him around the world. Chou offered insight into the world of pan-Asian cuisine. Fish expanded his recipe book with Asian
end up in the wrong hands due to poor storage and lack of disposal. The disposal day aims to solve this problem. The motivation behind the program was to provide a safe and convenient way to properly dispose of prescription drugs. It also gives agents a chance to inform the public of the importance of disposing unneeded narcotics and the likelihood of misuse when not properly disposed of. The DEA hopes that by offering this nationwide service, people will step up and do their part to prevent drug abuse and overdose. One individual who already recovered from opioid addiction believes this program may be a step in the right direction, but won’t stop the root of the problem. Individuals who reported previously having a narcotic addiction stated that the take back day wouldn’t have helped them. Some of them even said there were similar programs in place that they didn’t take part, for various reasons. “Most of the time, if I had any kind of drugs, I used them that night,” an individual who asked to remain anonymous said. “I wasn’t saving some for the next day.” The individual also said that the only thing that helped them get over their addiction was a low-cost recovery home. Many recovery homes cost money and for people trying to recover from addiction, there usually isn’t a lot of money for treatment that hasn’t already been used on drugs. “If there was a safe and reliable way to drop off these kinds of drugs in pursuit of getting clean, it would be a different story,” the anonymous individual said. “But only if it’s no questions asked as well.” LCC is one of over 5,000 national collection sites which grossed nearly two million pounds of pharmaceuticals this year alone.
VOTE! NOV 6.
illustration by Quentin J. Piccolo / illustrator
soul food from Chou’s advice on all the dishes. “I want to learn those techniques that were created hundreds of years ago in some cultures,” second-year hospitality student Alison Meeler said. Meeler got a taste of her dream that is to study foreign techniques and cultural dishes from around the world. According to Events Relations Corporate Officer Phillip Hudspeth, the event raised $350,000 for the LCC Foundation. $112,000 of the proceeds will be for the Shining Stars scholarships “Last year the Foundation was able to direct over $1.8 million to the college,” Hudspeth said via email. “That includes over $1 million in assistance to students for scholarships, grants, awards and stipends.”
Thousands of Americans fought for it People in other countries still fight for it It’s an HONOR, It’s your RIGHT, It’s your VOICE, It’s the POWER to influence your future and It can make a DIFFERENCE
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Wednesday, October 31, 2018
NEWS ‘Just try to understand what we’re dealing with here.’ LCC students gored 72-Hour Horror Film Competition
Marek Belka Editor in Chief A killer who stalks with a rideshare app. Canvases painted with blood. A safe space for supernatural creatures. King Arthur and his knights fighting a pack of vampires. These are just a few – out of dozens – of plot summaries from the short films entered into the Eugene Film Society’s 6th Annual 72-Hour Horror Film Competition. A record 39 teams competed this year, but only 25 of them – including several teams from the Lane Community College Media
Arts program and the University of Oregon’s Cinema Studies department – made the final deadline to compete for thousands of dollars in prizes. As in the past, competitors were challenged to create a three-minute horror film from scratch over a 72-hour period. The filmmakers were given complete creative freedom over their movies, but every entry had to include one prop – this year, a paintbrush – and one line of dialogue – “Just try to understand what we’re dealing with here. Don’t underestimate it.” After a hectic weekend of writing, designing, costuming, filming and editing their movies, competitors and horror fans gathered at LCC’s Raggozino Hall for a screening and award ceremony. On the appropriately dark and rainy night of Oct. 28, well over 100 people packed into the performance hall for the macabre marathon. Almost every subgenre of horror was featured in the competition, from psychological thrillers like “Elegy” and “Carousel” to the absurdly gory “Paintbrush.” There were also several short, crowd-pleasing spoofs like “Supernatural Safe Space” and “The Woes of Painting With Satan,” the latter of which took home a prize for Best Hair and Makeup.
The most chilling films, at least to the judges, were the ones that used real-world cultural anxieties to amplify their scares. The “Frightening Concept” award went to “Trigger,” a film made by students at Oregon’s Women + Film program, whose protagonist is condemned in media coverage of her self-defense killing of a rapist. “Carousel,” which featured a young woman being stalked by a monster who announces its presence via updates on an Uber-like app, won for Best Cinematography. The Audience Award, decided by the attendees of the screening, went to “Elegy,” a stylish head-trip involving a gruesome hiking injury and a mysterious cabin. But the biggest award of the night, the Jury Award, went to “Another Missing Person,” created by a team of students from LCC’s Media Arts program. The film stars Alma Goolsby, whose character is being lectured by a friend ahead of a first date with a guy she met on a dating app. The character assuages her friend’s anxieties in a voice-over of a grisly murder on the side of the remote desert freeway – the victim presumably being the character’s date. The film took home a grand prize of $1,134 – it spells “hell” on an upside-down calculator screen – as well as critiques and suggestions from the jury panel, which included LCC instructor Kate Sullivan and Broadway Metro Cinema co-owner Edward Schiessl, both of whom serve on the EFS Board of Directors. During the competition’s kickoff party on Oct. 18, Schiessl beamed about the participation in this year’s event. “Just two years ago, we had nine entries in the horror contest,” Schiessl said. “This year, this year we have almost four times as many signed up, and so many of them are new faces! People have gotten really excited about this.” The EFS also hosts the 72-hour Music Video Competition every spring, as well as a summer movie series in Kesey Square and other film-related events throughout the year.
comic by Emmett Crass / cartoonist
Running for others’ lives Costumed racers raise money for victims of violence Sioux Sternath Reporter Over 150 people crossed the finish line at the second annual Womenspace Wonder Run 5k. The event was held at Alton Baker Park to raise money for victims of domestic violence on
Saturday, Oct. 21. According to Womenspace CEO Julia Weismann, her girlhood fondness of the superhero Wonder Woman was
photo by Selina Scott / photojounalist
(From left) Laura Vinson and Alison Carter run with the pack during the 2018 Wonder Run 5K in Alton Baker Park on Oct. 21. Vinson and Carter, who finished 62nd and 77th respectively, were just two of dozens of runners who participated in the race dressed as Wonder Woman.
the inspiration for the event’s theme. People of all ages, children and even dogs came dressed up as their favorite superheroes. Holly McGrath, Tammy Devall, and Carolyn Kronberger of the Eugene Police Department said they were running to support the cause as they experience the negative effects of the domestic violence they come across frequently in their work. Of the 270 people who registered, only 155 finished the race. Brian Solburg came in first place, followed by Michael Stearn and Lanie Miller, the top female competitor. All three said they were running to support Womenspace and their cause. Damean Craig was the fastest in the youth division. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ”domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats and emotional abuse.” According to the NCADV records, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced some kind of physical violence by an intimate partner. NCADV’s vision is to create a culture where domestic violence is not tolerated and where society empowers victims and survivors while holding abusers accountable. In the United States, an average of 20 people experience intimate partner domestic violence every minute. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to nationwide hotlines. A week after the race, Womenspace announced that they raised over $3,500 for victims of domestic abuse and violence. A full list of winners can be found on the Electric Edge website. Lane Community College Department of Public Safety has an officer on patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also hold a class every term on sexual assault awareness, and domestic violence along with basic self defense moves.
photo by Selina Scott / photojounalist
Dressed as Wonder Woman, Springfield resident Brandy Hamar quickens her pace during the 2018 Wonder Run at Alton Baker Park on Oct. 21. The event, sponsored by Womenspace, raised $3500 for Womenspace and brought attention to intimate partner violence in our community.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
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NEWS Eugene Coffin Races
For more photos and complete coverage of the inaugural Eugene Coffin Races, check out lcctorch.com
Guardian Trailers
illustration by Emmett Crass / cartoonist
Eugene Police adopt data-based surveilance
photo by Chris Ortloff / photojounalist
Amateur coffin racers Jenna Friboey and Jason Dunmore cross the Lincoln Street finish line with their Chihuahua named Peanut in their hand-built, allmetal coffin car.
photo by Chris Ortloff / photojounalist
Skateboard Alec Whitman pilots a coffin-shaped soapbox car dubbed “Death Machine” at the bottom of Skinners Butte during the inaugural Eugene Coffin Races on Oct. 27.
Trayse Riggle Reporter With multiple complaints of crime throughout the City of Eugene, the Police Department needed to take action. Chris Skinner, relatively new police chief, attempted to deter some of this criminal activity by placing guardian trailers, mobile units mounted with rotating cameras, throughout town. “This is not designed to catch people doing things, this is not designed to try and sneak up on people,” Skinner said. “This is designed for people to see these trailers, feel comfortable knowing that the Eugene Police Department is paying attention and has really taken an interest in their livability and their sense and feeling of safety.” The trailers are set to be placed at the intersections of 8th and Oak, Broadway and Olive and Broadway and Willamette Streets. These locations were selected based on complaints and crime data, Skinner said. The trailers cost the city of Eugene a grand total of $152,000. The money was accessed through a portion of a one-time funding set aside by the city, Skinner explained. $6.3 million was budgeted out by the City of Eugene this year for materials and services involved in patrol. The trailers’ official names are the Falcon 3100 and the Commander 3400, and they have many capabilities and functions: infrared night time abilities, three HD cameras with tilt, pan and zoom, speakers, a light up function and solar capability. These trailers are also mobile and can be deployed in any area throughout the city. Skinner explained that they decided to purchase two different trailers to offer more “variety.” “Every time you have a piece of equipment, it has a tendency to serve a unique purpose based on the circumstance,” Skinner said. The police department plans on training their officers on how to use the trailers this week. The intention is not to have 24-hour surveillance, according to Skinner, but instead to view the footage when crime and/or suspicious activity is reported in one of these areas. The officers will have the ability to view these cameras on their smartphones or tablets should there be any crime or suspicious activity. They will also be able to communicate through a speaker mounted on the trailers and talk to anyone near the trailer. The trailers will be well-marked and extremely visible to further support the idea that the Eugene Police are not trying to sneak up on the public.
Feds spooked by kids’ litigation Justice Department, Supreme Court stall landmark environmental case Jess Roten Reporter Juliana v. United States was filed in 2015 by climatologist Dr. James Hansen and 21 young people aged 10-22, six of whom are from Eugene.The lawsuit asserts that the U.S. government has been aware of the environmental hazards linked to fossil fuels for at least the last 50 years, and knowingly chose to ignore these risks, thereby increasing emissions and atmospheric carbon concentration, the primary cause of climate change. Plaintiffs “allege that defendants’ actions and inactions—whether or not they violate any specific statutory duty—have so profoundly damaged our home planet that they threaten plaintiffs’ fundamental constitutional rights to life and liberty.” They demand that the government “implement an enforceable national remedial plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions” to “stabilize the climate system.” The plaintiffs’ case is being litigated by Our Children’s Trust, a Eugene-based non-profit that, according to their website, “advocate on behalf of youth and future generations” to implement “legally binding, science-based climate recovery policy.” In Nov. 2016, the case found firm legal standing on the grounds of a principle known as the “Public Trust Doctrine.” Plaintiffs argued that air and water are included in the Constitution’s guarantee of the public trust. The Oregon District Court agreed and ruled the doctrine applicable under “the natural resources trust,” an obligation in which the trustee, the U.S. government, has a fiduciary duty to “protect the trust property against damage or destruction.”
The ruling cleared the case for trial. On Friday, Oct. 19, the Department of Justice filed a stay motion with the Supreme Court known as a “writ of mandamus,” an appeal for temporary stop on proceedings. In a surprising stretch of the judicial branch’s reach Chief Justice John Roberts granted the motion, stalling the hearing scheduled to begin Monday Oct. 29 at the Federal Courthouse in Eugene. The writ contends that the District Court “has allowed this improper suit to proceed for nearly three years over the repeated objections of the government” which is an attempt to assert “a new and unsupported fundamental due process right to certain climate conditions.” Further claiming that there are political processes outlined in the Constitution to redirect environmental and energy policies and therefore the climate change suit is improper for the courts. Plaintiffs filed a 103-page brief on Oct. 22 in response to the stay requesting that the trial continue as scheduled, insisting that delay “will disrupt the integrity of the judiciary’s role as a check on the political branches and will irreparably harm these children.” This is the third writ filed by the DOJ to stay the case all of which contain a strikingly similar argument. All previous petitions have been rejected by the Ninth District Court of Appeals. The appellate court’s judgment states that Federal Courts “too often have been cautious and overly deferential in the arena of environmental law and the world has suffered for it.” Ann Carlson, environmental law professor at the University of California Los Angeles, said in an interview with Vox that it is very unusual for the Supreme Court to block a proceeding in a lower court and generally signals that “the court is uncomfortable with the underlying legal theory.” The underlying legal theory is one of linguistic interpretation. The plaintiffs’ claim that government allowance of fossil fuel emissions violates the public trust as well as the equal protection and due process components granted
illustration by Quentin J. Piccolo / illustrator
by the Fifth, Ninth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. Although this leans heavily on a substantive due process principle which, in part, “forbids the government to infringe certain ‘fundamental’ liberty interests at all, no matter what process is provided,” the application is unprecedented and would change the way the Constitution and law is upheld. The stay motion may have halted proceedings but it has done little to slow the momentum of the cause. Over the weekend, the streets of downtown Eugene were alive with environmental activists marching to show solidarity with the plaintiffs and on Monday, the day the trial was scheduled to begin, a rally was held outside the Federal Courthouse. The case remains ‘vacated’ indefinitely, its fate pending further Supreme Court review. It is unknown whether the case will ever get its day in court but whatever the outcome, it has already made great strides in the direction of climate justice.
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Wednesday, October 31, 2018
NEWS ...continued from front page
What’s on your ballot? Measure 102
Measure 103
If passed, this measure will amend the state Constitution to allow Oregon counties, cities and towns to use local bond revenue to purchase or build affordable housing, with voter approval. The state Constitution currently prohibits local governments from raising money for non-governmental companies or organizations. The League of Women Voters of Oregon said in a statement in the official voters’ pamphlet prepared by Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson that Measure 102 “empowers communities by enabling them to address homelessness and affordable housing needs -- problems that are affecting all corners of our state.” Habitat for Humanity of Oregon also supports the measure, commenting that housing prices have increased by more than 300 percent since 1980 and over half of renters in Oregon use more than 30 percent of their salaries for their housing. Almost no formal opposition to this measure has been published as of this paper’s publication. However, State Senator Alan Olsen wrote that even though he believes affordable housing to be necessary, he fears the consequences of the measure’s lack of definition for “affordable.” The passing of this measure, he said, would allow each jurisdiction to create its own terms and conditions for funds after individual affordable housing requests are approved.
Measure 104 If passed, Measure 104 will amend Oregon’s state so that a three-fifths majority vote is required to pass bills that raise revenue for the state’s General Fund through taxes, credits and deductions. This measure would define “state revenue,” which is not currently defined in the state Constitution, as “any tax or fee increase.” Oregonians for Affordable Housing support this measure, commenting that it puts an end to “hidden tax increases” and “will help keep home ownership affordable for more Oregon families” by closing a loophole that allows for arbitrary tax hikes. The Oregon Small Business Association concurs, their statement in the pamphlet stating that Measure 104 will provide protection for small businesses in Oregon. The League of Women Voters of Oregon, on the other hand, said that the passing of this measure would allow “less than a majority of legislators to withhold their support for fees now used to pay for important health and safety issues.” The Oregon Education Association added that the likelihood of this occurring is high due to various small special interest groups are able to spend millions of dollars to put a measure on a ballot.
Measure 106 The passing of this measure would amend Oregon’s Constitution by reducing abortion access in the state and prohibiting public funds of the state to be used for abortions, except for cases where an abortion is “deemed to be medically necessary,” endangers the mother’s life or is required by federal law. Medical Professionals for Measure 106 argue that limiting abortion access prevents residents of Oregon from paying for a person’s general “life choices” or “elective procedure” and for those that are “medically necessary.” The group added that the medically necessary abortions, such as those that must be performed to prevent a mother from dying, “will still be covered by state-funded healthcare.” Oregon Life United commented that they “support efforts to provide healthcare and resources that respect both mother and child,” and that this measure will continue to do this while limiting access to abortion. Those opposing this measure argue that it denies women their reproductive healthcare. The Bus Project, a grassroots organization working to bring community members involved in political decisions, stated that Measure 106 “takes away individual freedom and autonomy.” Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon concurred, writing that the measure specifically disadvantages women at a lower socioeconomic status.
Constitution
This measure, if passed, will amend the Constitution by prohibiting state and local governments from raising revenue by taxing groceries, defined by the measure as “any raw or processed food or beverage intended for human consumption.” There is presently no statewide sales tax in Oregon, but state and local governments can tax the sales of groceries. Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco products are excluded from this measure. Organizations that have voiced support for Measure 103 include the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association as well as the Northwest Grocery Association. The ORLA said that Measure 103 supports residents with low or fixed incomes while preventing “unnecessary and burdensome taxation.” The NGA, which helps lead the grocery industry in the Northwest, commented in the same voters’ pamphlet that taxes on groceries “punishes small businesses and farms, and hurts families struggling to put food on their table.” Oregon AFSCME and the Campaign for Oregon’s Seniors & People With Disabilities have spoken out against Measure 103, noting that the measure does not prevent medicine, diapers, toilet paper or feminine hygiene products from being taxed. In addition, the American Federation of Teachers of Oregon said that the measure would allow large corporations to avoid paying taxes and fees, which could result in “a state budget crisis” and “less funding for higher education and K-12 in Oregon.”
Measure 105 This measure would repeal the Oregon law that currently limits the use of state and local law enforcement resources, including funds, equipment and employees, for “detecting and apprehending” people suspected solely of violating immigration laws. Many organizations and groups in favor of this measure, including Oregonians for Immigration Reform, argue that immigration laws are a priority that Measure 105 would uphold. Stop Oregon Sanctuaries wrote in their statement that the law Measure 105 would repeal opposes the “critical responsibility of state government … to ensure public safety, administer justice and spend tax dollars responsibly.” On the other hand, others argue that this measure would end protection against racial profiling, as Oregonians United Against Profiling said. Similarly, the ACLU of Oregon, an organization focused on protecting civil rights, said that the law Measure 105 would repeal “protects against unfair targeting, interrogating, and detaining of Oregonians just because police think they are unauthorized immigrants” and repealing this law is a threat to civil rights.
Where do I deliver my ballot? The Oregon Secretary of State website can help locate the ballot drop box closest to you based on your address or current location. The Oregon Students Association website can help you find a drop box closest to your school campus. Lane Community College also has an unofficial drop box open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. next to the “Snack Shack” in Building 1.
illustration by Lucien Guidotti-Lawrence / illustrator
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
stories that matter
theTorch // www.lcctorch.com
7
SPORTS Break out the brooms
Titans make martyrs of Saints
Titans sweep season series Trayse Riggle Reporter The women’s soccer team has secured a playoff position following two decisive wins against Chemeketa Storm and Portland Panthers to close out the season. They ended the season with a 14-1-2 record with these last two wins propelling them into the playoffs with a major confidence boost. Wednesday, Oct. 17, the Titans played Chemeketa Storm whom they beat 8-0 in their earlier matchup this season. The Titans controlled the ball much of the first half, getting off 10 shots to the Storm’s one. In the 29th minute, Titan defender Aja Bumpus scored the first point of the game, giving the Titans a 1-0 lead. They held the lead into halftime. They scored again in the 53rd minute when Danielle VanOrd converted on an assist from Yuuyu Suzuki. The game ended 2-0 in the Titans’ favor. Following the game, Jessie Scott and VanOrd explained some of what has been powering this successful finish to the season. “We’re coming out super motivated, I mean we’re playing for each other,” Scott said. They explained that they usually listen to music to get themselves to the level of intensity that they need to be. They also understand that, as sophomores, their last game is coming soon, so they need to take care of each game one at a time. We have been working really hard in practice and that hard work has been transferring onto the field during our games VanOrd explained. Saturday, Oct. 20, the Titans played the Portland Panthers and had a similar outcome to the previous game. They came out very strong, with VanOrd scoring in the first two minutes of the exhibition. Later in the first half, off a lead pass from VanOrd, Bailey Johnson found the back of the net giving the Titans a 2-0 lead, which held through the finish. According to the NWAC website the Titans play their first playoff game Oct. 31 at Titan Field against the Walla Walla Warriors (11-4-3), who go into the playoffs having tied their last two games of the season. This will be the team’s first time playing head to head this year. After winning their last four games the Titans look to continue this win streak throughout the playoffs and continue to approach each game with the same motivation and intensity as demonstrated throughout this run.
photo by Vicente Mather / photojournalist
Lane forward Megan Dodson dodges Panther defenders during a game on Oct. 20. Dodson took three shots in the Titans’ 2-0 victory over the Panthers, giving them a four-game win streak ahead of the NWAC playoffs.
photo by Marek Belka / editor in chief
Kaitlin Hampton and Sierra Westling (standing) return a serve from the Mt. Hood Saints as Meagan Briggs and Hunter Venem hit the court floor. Hampton, Briggs and Venem combined for 20 of Lane’s 49 kills, leading the Titans into the last week of the regular season. ...continued from front page
A long shot and a miss Season Comes to a Close
Trayse Riggle Reporter The Titans’ men’s soccer team ends the season with a 6-6-3 record following a loss to the Chemeketa Storm (11-3-1) Oct. 24. In order to make it into the playoff picture, the Titans needed not only to win, but they also needed the Rogue Ospreys (0-11-1) to beat the Portland Panthers (6-5-2). That didn’t happen. With a lot on the line, the Titans came out strong in their final game. Callum Speed, assisted by Riley Kirkpatrick, scored the opening point of the game within the first five minutes. Unfortunately, the Storm responded two minutes later with a goal of their own. The game was tied at half with a score of 1-1. The second half was set up to be thrilling with the score knotted up and the Titans desperately needing a win for their playoff hopes. Two minutes in, Titan goalie Jacob Scorse blocked a shot attempt from a Storm attacker. Titan Ricardo Gonzales immediately responded with two shot attempts of his own, but wasn't able to capitalize on either. In the 56th minutes of the game, the Storm scored giving them a 2-1 lead. The Titans got four more attempts before the game ended, but failed to convert. The Titans managed six shot attempts throughout the second half, being unsuccessful each time. Despite not making the playoffs, this year was still a success for the Titans seeing one more win and three fewer losses than last season. The Titans are hopeful about next season with much of this year's team returning as sophomores. The Titans have five sophomores this year, including one of their two active goalkeepers.
Lane in a three way tie for playoff berth after beating Mt. Hood David Galbreath Reporter Lane Titans hold high hopes after defeating Mt. Hood 3-1 on Friday Oct. 26. Lane is now in a three-way tie with Chemeketa and Clackamas for second place in their division. Having won one and lost one to both teams, the Titans will challenge conference leader Linn-Benton in the final game of the season. Lane started strong by scoring four unanswered points in their first set against Mt. Hood. Despite the head start, Mt. Hood tied the score at 17-17. Ultimately, the Titans buried Mt. Hood with an all around team effort, beating them 25-20. Lane showed no signs of slowing down in the second set with a run-away scoring push closing the set 16-25. The third set proved to be more of a challenge as Mt. Hood bounced back and won in a hard fought battle 25-21. However, the third set loss may have lit a fire under the Titans. Lane sent Mt. Hood packing with a fiery performance that led to an 11-point win. Lane has an entire week to prepare. The future of the season is coming down to the wire and creating pressure on the Titans to beat SW Oregon on Nov. 2 and Umpqua on Nov. 3. Having lost to Umpqua late in the season last year Head Coach Stephanie Willett is taking the team into the game with a chip on her shoulder. “We have been taking it day by day, and watching film on the upcoming opponents,” Coach Willett said. “I’m confident in our team.” the feeling is mutual in Willett’s players “If we stick to our game plan I think we will win,” middle front player Hannah Hayes said. Hayes leads the team with 207 kills on the season. Hayes’ teammate Stacia Panther is also putting up incredible numbers with a league-leading 492 digs on the season. Panther is feeling the pressure of the upcoming games. “It’s going to be super competitive,” Panther said. Lane is primed for a great end to their season with a conference record of 7-4. Titans are playing a struggling 2-9 SouthWest Oregon team and Umpqua who has lost five of their last seven conference games. A strong finish will secure a playoff position for the Titans.
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