Willamalane Park and Recreation District is asking voters to consider a five-year local option levy on the May 19, 2026, ballot. If passed, the proposed levy would help bridge funding gaps to preserve park safety, maintenance, recreation programs, and wildfire prevention.

Michael Wargo, Willamalane Executive Director, will share an informational overview of the district’s financial outlook, the proposed levy, which, if approved, would cost the median Springfield property owner about $49.20 per year, and potential outcomes.

About the Levy:

The proposed rate is $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value for five years, beginning in 2026.

If the levy is passed, the median Springfield property owner is estimated to pay about $4.10 per month, or $49.20 annually.  The appointed budget committee would review how levy funds are implemented, providing citizen oversight and transparency into the process. Levy expenditures would also be reviewed by the elected board, along with public disclosure of all levy spending, an independent audit, and monthly financial reporting.

If the levy is not passed, the district would reduce its budget by approximately 10%, resulting in decreased maintenance, fewer programs and services, and reduced facility hours and staffing. In addition, the proposed temporary property tax increase would not occur.

For more information, visit willamalane.org/levy

fraud, assists doctors, generates images and essays, and increasingly shapes decisions that affect our communities and daily lives. Yet despite its profound impact, important questions remain: What exactly is AI? How does it work? What is it genuinely good at—and where does it fall short?

This non-technical talk explains AI in accessible terms for a general audience, clarifying how AI systems learn from data and why recent developments, such as generative AI, have progressed so quickly in both capability and public visibility. It explores how AI is being used across business, healthcare, education, media, and government—and why these systems are both powerful tools and imperfect instruments.

Alongside the benefits—greater efficiency, scientific progress, expanded access to information, and new forms of innovation—the presentation addresses pressing civic concerns, including misinformation and deepfakes, bias in automated decisions, privacy and surveillance, workforce disruption, and the growing concentration of technological power. The talk offers a balanced perspective grounded in technical understanding and democratic responsibility.

As AI becomes embedded in public and private life, informed and engaged citizens matter more than ever. Attendees will gain practical insight into what to watch for, what questions to ask of institutions and technology providers, and how human judgment, public policy, and shared values will shape the future of intelligent machines.

Reza Rejaie is a Professor and Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Oregon and a founding Associate Director of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OCCoE). With over three decades of experience in networking and cybersecurity, Professor Rejaie has contributed to both academic research and real-world practice and has worked closely with public and private partners. He led the creation and implementation of a vision to turn the University of Oregon into a regional hub for cybersecurity research and education.

In his current roles, he leads statewide initiatives focused on strengthening cybersecurity education, workforce development, and awareness, including programs for high school teachers and students across Oregon. Professor Rejaie is a Fellow of the IEEE and a Distinguished Member of the ACM, honors recognizing sustained and significant contributions to computing research.

Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical topic—it affects how we bank, communicate, work, and access essential services. From smartphones and social media to healthcare systems and public infrastructure, our daily lives are deeply connected to cyberspace.

This talk provides an accessible, non-technical introduction to cybersecurity for a general audience.

It explains what cyberspace is, why cybersecurity matters to individuals and communities, and how common cyber attacks—such as phishing, data breaches, and online scams—actually occur. The presentation also highlights practical steps individuals can take to better protect their digital lives and reduce risk.

The talk concludes with an overview of ongoing efforts and programs in our state aimed at strengthening cybersecurity education, workforce development, and awareness.

Reza Rejaie is a Professor and Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Oregon and a founding Associate Director of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (OCCoE). With over three decades of experience in networking and cybersecurity, Professor Rejaie has contributed to both academic research and real-world practice and has worked closely with public and private partners. He led the creation and implementation of a vision to turn the University of Oregon into a regional hub for cybersecurity research and education.

In his current roles, he leads statewide initiatives focused on strengthening cybersecurity education, workforce development, and awareness, including programs for high school teachers and students across Oregon. Professor Rejaie is a Fellow of the IEEE and a Distinguished Member of the ACM, honors recognizing sustained and significant contributions to computing research.

The next session of the Oregon Legislative Assembly opens on February 2. It promises to be a busy and challenging session with the Governor seeking to repeal the transportation measures she proposed in the last special session because of voter pushback and the challenges of dealing with multiple federal funding cuts.

Two legislators representing Springfield: Senator Floyd Prozanski and Representative John Lively, will discuss the upcoming session and provide their insights on what might happen.

Senator Prozanski currently serves on six committees: as chair of the Senate Judiciary and Conduct committees, and as a member of the Joint Committee on Addiction & Community Safety Response, the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the Human Resources Committee, the Joint Conduct Committee, and the Legislative Counsel Committee. In addition, I co-chair both the Task Force on Public Safety and the Justice Reinvestment Grant Review Committee. Finally, I continue to serve on the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC),​ the Oregon Law Commission, the Asset Forfeiture Oversight Advisory Committee, the Task Force on Legal Representation in Childhood Dependency, and the Oregon State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision.​

Representative Lively currently is Chair of the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee, a member of the Joint Ways and Means Natural Resources Sub Committee and a member of the House Economic Development, Small Business and Trade Committee.​

Samara Phelps is the President and CEO of Travel Lane County, bringing over 15 years of leadership in destination marketing and tourism development. A Eugene native, Samara began her career in visitor services with Travel Lane County and most recently served as Executive Director of Clackamas County Tourism, where she championed regional efforts for Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. She holds a BA in General Science and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and is a graduate of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy and the Chinook Institute for Civic Leadership. Samara is deeply committed to sustainability, inclusion, and community impact – she holds a VisitAble Disability Inclusion Certificate, serves as President of Nearby Nature, and currently chairs the Oregon Destination Association. She is passionate about the power of place and leads with a strong belief in tourism and Travel Lane County’s role in building vibrant, resilient communities.