For Immediate Release: December 1, 2004
Contact: Dan Eisenbeis (503) 497-1000

Restore The Public Process Measure 37 Took Away

Portland, OR - Today is the first day that landowners can submit claims under Measure 37, passed by voters November 2. For thirty years, Oregonians have stood for working family farms and forests, neighborhoods that are great places to live, and sensible planning for future development. Measure 37 threatens this legacy by shutting out the public and granting waivers to select landowners.

"Oregonians were told Measure 37 was about fairness. We believe Oregonians want to protect their great neighborhoods and have fairness," said Bob Stacey, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, "Today we will start to find out how Measure 37 also means more complicated and costly land use rules, shuts out the public and imposes chaos by changing rules for one property owner at a time."

Measure 37 sidesteps normal public notice and hearing safeguards. 1000 Friends of Oregon supports a public process for review of Measure 37 claims. Some local governments are adopting local ordinances that put the public back in the Measure 37 process. Without such ordinances, homeowners and farmers will receive no notice of neighbors asking and receiving special treatment. "Our family has been farming in Cornelius for generations," said Dave Vanasche, owner of a century family farm, "People depend on and enjoy what farms like ours provide. But how can we continue to invest in a farm that could soon be surrounded by big box stores or housing subdivisions?"

1000 Friends of Oregon will be monitoring Measure 37 claims and continue to advocate for public involvement in land use planning. More information on Measure 37 is available at www.friends.org.

###