A proposal to create a “Watersheds Bill of Rights” has qualified for the Lane County ballot in May. Measure 20-373 aims to give watersheds, ecosystems and wildlife the right to “naturally exist, flourish, regenerate and evolve.” It would also grant people the right to clean and affordable water access. A person could then sue a business, corporation or government for infringing on these rights.

Eugene Water & Electric Board Commissioner John Barofsky brought the motion for the EWEB board to oppose the measure. Mr. Barofsky has been accepting sizable contributions to his campaigns for EWEB commissioner and Eugene City Council from timber executives, who see this initiative as inimical to their welfare. This is called a conflict of interest. One option would be for him to return those contributions. But he has now publicly denied there is any conflict.

We live in what is called a democracy. But a democracy is a government of, by and for the people, and ours is at best imperfect. Self interest (campaign funding) and the opportunity to pollute without opposition (timber companies’ goal) is government of, by and for government officials and corporate interests.

What we see here is corruption of the collusion or bribery type, and it is legal. Legality in our county and country depends on how the bribery takes place and whether there is “plausible deniability.” Requests for recusing oneself or votes of censure for what are moral failings do not have much deterrent value. Perhaps even the appearance of bribery should be punishable by a meaningful penalty — a substantial fine and/or a suspension of duty for, say, three months, with the district entitled to send a backup representative for the period.

The bribery or collusion is independent of the merits of the referendum. It has to do with the way in which wealth has corrupted our political system. Ultimately this requires correction at the national level. But I believe we should act locally to keep corruption to a minimum.

Alan Cohen
Eugene

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