Lane County Commissioner David Loveall has filed a federal lawsuit against the county, three commissioners and the county administrator. This after an outside investigation and the county board’s 3-1 vote to censure him. 

The 35-page lawsuit, a story that Lookout Eugene-Springfield broke, offers plenty of details with Loveall’s take on the complaints filed against him, the vote to censure him and his interactions with others. The lawsuit is almost certain to continue well beyond the May 19 election, in which Loveall is running for reelection.

Here are five takeaways and things to watch – both before and after the election: 

  1. Free speech or retaliation? A core theme of Loveall’s case hinges on the argument that his statements and actions were all protected speech — not retaliation, as the county’s outside investigation found. If the case goes to trial, that core constitutional question will be at the forefront of the court’s decision.
  2. Open meeting laws followed? Loveall’s case also alleges the commissioners’ vote and deliberations didn’t follow open meeting laws, which require notification to the public. For example, Loveall’s lawsuit says that the March 3 agenda for the meeting did not notify the public that a censure vote was on the table. Loveall alleges that makes the vote illegal. (A Lookout review of the agenda shows the censure was not directly listed on the agenda. A “statement of unity” was on the agenda, which was followed by an item labeled “followup to board’s request.” At that point, the censure took place. The legal question now will be whether that was adequate notice.)
  3. Public records questions: The lawsuit offers Loveall’s insights into how the county released emails between him and the county administrator to Lookout Eugene-Springfield. The lawsuit alleges that when Steve Mokrohisky, the county administrator, sent out a critical email, he deliberately left out attorneys so it would become public. Conversely, Loveall also alleges the county unfairly redacted his response to the county, while releasing the administrator’s email in its entirety without redactions. 
  4. Diabetic insulin, not drugs: Among the redacted details: Loveall’s email recounted a complaint from human resources that alleged drug use, but the county redacted his explanation: He is a diabetic and relies on insulin injections, so nothing illicit. A Lookout review of redacted and unredacted emails, separate from the lawsuit, shows that’s what he wrote in the email. 
  5.  Weapons in the workplace: On the other hand, Loveall alleges the county’s release of the administrator’s email violated his privacy because in it, the administrator commented about Loveall stating he has the “authority to carry a firearm in the workplace.” The county administrator’s email did indeed say that, without elaborating on what type of firearm. The section of Oregon law that Loveall’s lawsuit cites is ORS 192.374, which generally forbids public agencies from releasing information about individuals who carry a concealed handgun license.

Here’s a timeline of events to track the events, with links to prior coverage. 

County joins BLM planning; PeaceHealth update; a levy for 4-H and other Extension services

Lane County joins timber planning effort: Despite board turmoil, Lane County commissioners still work together on important issues. Lane County commissioners agreed to work with the Bureau of Land Management as it maps out and updates its plans, with the Trump administration eyeing increased timber harvests.

PeaceHealth to Kotek: No delay. PeaceHealth executives are politely telling Gov. Tina Kotek they won’t delay plans to transition the health care network’s Lane County hospitals to a new emergency department contractor. Kotek had asked PeaceHealth to delay the transition amid widespread concerns about what the transition would mean for local emergency care. 

OSU Extension levy: If you prefer gardening and forestry instead of Lane County political drama, here’s a story for you: Your May 19 election ballot includes a levy proposal for the Oregon State University Extension Service in Lane County, which offers agricultural, farming, nutrition and natural resources programs for residents. All five county commissioners supported the measure, proving that harmony and unity are possible, especially when it helps 4-H youth show off farm animals. 

— Ben Botkin

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Inside Eugene City hall with Grace chinowsky

Spring break!: The Eugene City Council is on spring recess until April 7, much like students at the University of Oregon, who will be on break until March 29.

Checking in on Springfield With lillian Schrock-Clevenger

Watersheds measure: Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon and a number of other local groups and politicians have come out against the proposed ballot measure known as the Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights. He told Lookout he thinks the measure is “well-intentioned but not well thought out” and could affect the city’s ability to fund public services by opening it up to lawsuits. The measure would allow county residents to take legal action against governments or businesses they believe are harming watersheds.

Farmworker Solidarity Celebration: Numerous community partners are hosting an April 1 event at Springfield City Hall that will feature a history talk on the farmworker-rights movement, as well as cultural presentations and kids’ arts and crafts. In messaging about the event, organizers removed reference to United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez after allegations of abuse by Chavez surfaced last week. An organizer told Lookout the event is not about a singular person but about “the collective work and movement.”

Home repair program: For more than 30 years, the city of Springfield has used federal community development block grant funds to pay for home repairs for low-income homeowners. One of the program’s clients told Lookout it gives people their dignity back.

Spring recess: The Springfield City Council is on recess until April 6.

beyond lane county

Oregon journalists seek a veto: Journalists and publishers want Gov. Tina Kotek to veto a bill that would change the state’s open meeting law, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.

Climate goals: The state is looking for ways to get back on track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Oregon Capital Chronicle has the story.

Bridge costs soaring: The Oregon Journalism Project reports that cost estimates have spiraled for the Interstate 5 bridge between Oregon and Washington. The cost: a cool $14.4 billion.

Public Meetings this week

Tuesday

  • No Lane County commissioner meeting is scheduled.
  • The Springfield Historic Commission will hold a regular meeting at 5 p.m.
  • The Neighborhood Leaders Council will meet at the Eugene Mission at 7 p.m. to discuss neighborhood issues.

Do you have story ideas or tips? Send them our way — ben@lookoutlocal.com | grace@lookoutlocal.com | lilliansc@lookoutlocal.com

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Ben Botkin covers politics and policy in Lane County. He has worked as a journalist since 2003, most recently at the Oregon Capital Chronicle, where he covered justice, health and human services and documented regional efforts to combat fentanyl addiction. Botkin has worked in statehouses in Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma and, of course, Oregon. When he's not working, you'll find him road tripping across the West, hiking or surfing along the Oregon Coast.

Grace Chinowsky graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in journalism. She served as metro editor, senior news editor and editor in chief of the university’s independent student newspaper, The GW Hatchet, and interned at CNN and MSNBC. Grace covers Eugene’s city government and the University of Oregon.