Farewell roast teases, toasts mayor.

Byline: Edward Russo The Register-Guard

Few things about Jim Torrey and Eugene were off limits Monday as friends and family sent heartfelt tributes and personal zings in the departing mayor's direction.

Everything from his battles to lose weight to how he ran City Council meetings provided fodder for Torrey's "roast" at the Hult Center, put on by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and the city. After eight years at the city's helm, Torrey will hand over the mayor's gavel Jan. 3 to former state legislator Kitty Piercy.

Monday's good-natured foils included Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken, who thanked the audience of about 150 for allowing him to "come across the freeway," then poked fun at Eugene for losing businesses to Springfield.

Economic development has been one Torrey's "greatest accomplishments," Leiken said. "Because if you think about all of the new companies that have located in Eugene over the last four years, companies leaving Springfield to come to Eugene ... er, wait. I'm sorry. My notes are upside down."

Leiken said he's been able to help Torrey develop a new slogan for Eugene. "Welcome to Eugene: Gateway to Gateway."

Chamber President Dave Hauser said Torrey was a great mayor but agreed that he failed to come up with the right community slogan. Among Hauser's suggestions:

Eugene, Oregon, a little above Roseburg.

Eugene, Oregon, over 2 million hours of public hearings and growing.

Eugene, Oregon, avoiding difficult decisions since 1846.

Eugene, Oregon, 40 square miles surrounded by reality.

Torrey, who lost more than 40 pounds last year while on the low-carb Atkin's Diet, also got some ribbing about his portly physique. "I'm looking for the owner of these pants," said Lane County Commissioner Bobby Green, holding up an extremely wide pair of gray polyester slacks.

In between the barbs, Torrey collected plenty of praise from several officials, including University of Oregon Vice President Dan Williams and Ken Strobeck of the League of Oregon Cities, who extolled Torrey as one of the state's most effective mayors.

Other speakers included businesswoman Gretchen Pierce and U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan, who said Torrey helped secure federal funding for streets around the new federal courthouse currently under construction. "Due to Jim Torrey's leadership, we will have some federal money coming to Eugene," Hogan said.

Eugene School District Superintendent George Russell thanked Torrey for lobbying on behalf of schools at the Legislature, and for promoting the importance of reading to youngsters by reading to kindergartners at every school in the city.

Todd Torrey said he's often been asked how his father stays calm during sometimes heated council meetings. "He doesn't really pay attention," Todd Torrey deadpanned.

Torrey, who made a brief speech with his wife, Kathy, and other family members at his side, thanked the audience "for giving me the opportunity to serve you these past eight years. Eugene is a place that will always be in our hearts."

CAPTION(S):

Mayor Jim Torrey enjoys a `roast' Monday night at the Hult Center. He will hand over the mayor's gavel Jan. 3 to Kitty Piercy. Federal judge Michael Hogan praises Torrey's efforts. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you these past eight years. Eugene is a place that will always be in our hearts." - JIM TORREY, EUGENE MAYOR DEPARTING AFTER EIGHT YEARS