Oregon governor decides to squander $250,000 of public funds to rename a highway after his friend, then hides from reporters

KVAL
Mar. 20, 2010

EUGENE, Ore. -- Citizens upset with the $250,000 price tag to rename the Beltline Highway as the Randall Papé Beltway want more information about the decision.

"In this economy, with unemployment what it is and just the financial situation of the state right now, they are wasting money on something that isn't necessary," Frank LeClair told KVAL News Tuesday night at an Oregon Department Transportation meeting about unrelated Beltline improvements.

The change has also drawn supporters who don't want concerns about money to overshadow the honor bestowed on Papé by the State of Oregon.

Ryan Papé, Randall's son, said his family is honored. He told KVAL News that the governor approached him a few weeks ago.

"We've had so many people call us," he said. "I mean I received a letter today from a gentleman on Willamette Street. To those who disagree, I understand the argument, but you know, we have a lot of people supporting us from all over the state."

In an effort to learn more, KVAL News requested copies of the request sent to the Oregon Transportation Commission for consideration last Thursday morning and the audio recordings of that portion of the meeting. The request, made on Monday, was filled in part on Tuesday with release of the letters. On Wednesday, KVAL News obtained the audio recordings.

One of the letters requesting the change is from January, signed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. | Read the letter

The other is from last week, signed by Mayor Kitty Piercy on behalf of the Eugene City Council. | Read the letter

Governor unavailable for comment this week

KVAL News called the governor for comment earlier this week and again Wednesday morning. His staff said he was too busy balancing the budget to talk to a reporter on Wednesday; that the governor won't be available on Thursday; and Friday is a furlough day for state employees.

Kulongsoki's communications director said he is very aware of the reaction this project is getting but that he still strongly supports it.

"I think there are a lot of transportation projects underway and the governor feels very strongly this is an opportunity to memorialize and honor somebody who continued to give back," said Anna Richter Taylor, Kulongoski's communications director. "This is about honoring a man who was a great contributer to the State of Oregon and was the ultimate public citizen."

Over 2,000 people have joined Facebook groups opposing the change. Some of them showed up at a meeting Tuesday night about Beltline improvements to voice their concerns.

"He is aware that emotions are running high, I think, on both sides," Taylor said.

Piercy: 'I did not personally write it ... I did note vote'

Mayor Piercy told KVAL News she is not taking a stand for or against the project. She said she didn't write the letter on her letterhead date March 11. Piercy said she only signed the letter as the city's mayor, and that the letter was sent on behalf of the entire City Council.

Council records show City Councilor Mike Clark made the motion to support the change, seconded by Councilor Betty Taylor. The vote was unanimous, with George Poling absent.

E-mail from Mayor Kitty Piercy to KVAL News on Wednesday

"The letter you refer to was sent on behalf of the council just as I described to you. I did not personally write it. The governor requested it and council voted unanimously to support it and it was sent. I did not vote. The actual decision was made by the Oregon Transportation Commission just as I described. The City of Eugene has no purview over this. My signature is what is required when a letter is sent on behalf of the council.

"I would ask the Governor and the OTC to consider a phased in approach as they normally use. This would mean no additional funding would be needed and this would be done just as part of regular sign change. I would also suggest that they consider calling it the Pape Beltline, thus only a slight alteration in name and would cause no confusion. That is just my personal suggestion and one that I think could allay some of the fiscal concerns we hear expressed by so many and still allow the Governor and the OTC to honor Mr. Pape in the way they desire. Mr. Pape worked hard on building road infrastructure in this state so this is an appropriate way of honoring him. He was also a fiscally prudent person who surely would value accomplishing this with as little impact on the public coffers as possible."