The Torch

Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: News

Jim Torrey
http://www.jimtorrey.com

Experience
Torrey spent two previous terms as mayor of Eugene and has 10 years of collective service in elected offices.

• Economy
Torrey is known for his investment in aiding private sector companies. He feels that the economy in Eugene will benefit from conducting consistent annual reviews of the building codes, one of the main reasons he believes small businesses migrate to Springfield rather than Eugene. He believes that creating jobs with livable wages and benefits is especially important when there are layoffs and young people in the community looking for work.

• Measure 20-142
"I'm absolutely 100 percent in favor of it," Torrey said. He has taken time to speak with employees in the local school districts, trying to convince them of the importance of this measure. Torrey believes that LCC reaches out to the students of these schools through offering career and vocational training.

• Policing
A three-step program is part of Torrey's plans for policing Eugene. The first step would be to create a five-person patrol, four patrolmen and a sergeant, to cover the areas as far west as Hilyard Street and east to Adams Street and between 18th Avenue and the Willamette River from north to south. The second step would be to put in place a similar group to patrol parks and bike paths that are not included in the boundaries of step one. Step three is to put in place a rapid deployment group to watch over key criminal activities throughout the city, such as metal theft.

• After-school programs
During his term as Mayor of Eugene, Torrey initiated a program to bring after-school programs into Eugene schools. He feels those programs are even more important now. In a time when the economy is in a slump, Torrey says children will need more help after school as their parents, single parents especially, will be working more to support their families.

• Health care
Torrey made the decision to leave the Republican Party to become an Independent largely because his former party has "lost touch with providing health care for children," he said.
For the past five years Torrey worked with 100 Percent Access, through the United Way, to help provide those who are not eligible under the Oregon Medical Plan with free medical services.
He supports school clinics in middle schools, high schools and colleges and believes that all students deserve and need access to affordable medical services.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools