Frustration at the highest level by the Citizens of Eugene
Mayor/Council/City Manager:
We are forwarding just a small sample of the emails we have received that demonstrate how very frustrated our citizenry is with the lack of action to clean up our City by the Mayor who is "For All of Eugene". We assume that the Council and City Manager are also "For All of Eugene" and will listen to those folks who do not always show up to provide public testimony but are concerned about Eugene and this administrations action or lack there of on their public safety in Eugene. These comments come from the local taxpayers who pay the wages and vote to retain the management. Would the Mayor/Council/City Manager care to respond to these concerns? If not why not? If so please do!
EugeneAdvocates for a Clean City
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********WARNING*******
SOME OF THESE QUOTES ARE TRUE FEELINGS AND MAY BE OFFENSIVE.
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"I read the article in the paper this morning and as I read it, the City Council acknowledged the problem and the need for action. I know—we’ve heard that before, but hopefully, the action part of this won’t become buried (again) beneath work sessions, committee meetings, community surveys, and newly spawned handout programs. Crime is the issue—not social programs. I found it laughable that one counselor stated he’d like to see free food handouts in every Eugene neighborhood! Ha, then what? Beds, needle exchanges, free haircuts, and iPhones?"
(signed by a citizen who is concerned and a taxpayer)
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"Two (officers) is better than none—so maybe the meetings and discussion forums have helped! The real questions in my mind are
-Do the officers issue citations?
-Do the offenders go away?
-Is there a disincentive to returning?
Face it, as long as the community puts out “bait” in the form of free meals, potential victims to panhandle from, no or little law enforcement, the riff raff will return."
(signed by a concerned citizen and taxpayer)
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"During Eugene Celebration, on Saturday after the parade, I observed a man urinate on a newspaper stand on the northeast corner of 8th and Willamette. I called the police dept, explained what had just taken place, watched the man pull a pint of vodka out of his pocket, take a drink and then walk across 8th street and through Saturday Market area. I called again, explaining where this individual was walking and what he was wearing. He then tried to enter the restricted area of the celebration, but security would not allow. During this 45 minute period, I could never get a police officer to respond. This man again, exposed himself to the security, telling them to "come and get a piece of this," and started swearing at them when they would not let him enter. This "display" should not be allowed to take place in front of women and children during a celebration which encourages people to come to the downtown. Upon calling police dispatch again, I was told to quit following him. WHERE IN THE HELL WERE THE POLICE WHEN I NEEDED ONE? Police didn't even respond when security called this in."
(signed by a taxpayer and downtown visitor)
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"I’m so glad we have public safety all taken care of so now we can focus on things like this (Food Security Town Hall - Dec 2). And to think we are facing a 12 million dollar deficit next year. Keep the marshmallows from getting to stale, is that what they are talking about? Notice the slant on organics.
And the County just authorized $60,000 to study the economics of a local farmers market and if it makes economic sense.
I’m feeling real good about our leadership and their priorities."
(signed by another frustrated citizen and taxpayer)
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"What I have noticed in Major "kitty's" tenure as mayor is that she is a reactionary. A perfect example is during her campaigning for election she said that road repair and replacement would be a priority, this due in it's entirety to Jim Torrey's dedication to that task. Subsequently she did have some road repair done. It never was completed. Even when the economy was still vital, the task was partially completed. Arcadia (in my neighborhood) is a good indication of her priorities. Literally half of the road is repaved. I see her going through the same motions with this, giving it cursory attention until public sentiment subsides. Hope it doesn't."
(signed by a frustrated citizen and taxpayer)
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"In this economy and in any other -- it doesn't matter what "kind" of economy we have -- until the money collected from taxpayers for "*public safety*" goes to fund jail space and police officers instead of therapy, rehab, outreach programs and other kinds of programs that are designed to make the perpetrators feel good instead of looking after the citizens who are being victimized, I can't imagine one sane person in this community who would vote in favor of that kind of tax ever again."
(signed by a frustrated citizen and taxpayer)
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"One of the best cities to have a business in? Then why do so many give up and go where they feel more welcomed and supported, even if they *aren’t* “green enough” for the mayor’s taste? "
(submitted by a downtown employee and taxpayer)
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"I am a bit concerned about the comment on Network Charter School. I have worked with their director, Mary Leighton, for over a year now. She regularly attends the Downtown Safety Council meetings and works closely with the Downtown Guides and the police bike patrol to make sure her kids stay in line. She has told me that the DT Guides person is the one who told her about 858 Pearl. We should hope the rest of the young people on the streets were under her control. She is very aware of the problems they can cause her kids who are trying to turn their lives around--a reason she hopes the move works out for all parties.
(signed by a downtown leader and retired business owner)
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"If you want to discuss disconnects...............There are five council members that one could write volumes on. It is painfully obvious that Brown, Zelenka, Ortiz, Taylor, and Pryor lack the objectivity it takes to represent any community as a whole. Their lack of knowledge, experience, and insight justifies recall. The all exhibited opinions and perceptions that differ greatly from the reality of multiple critical issues. Fair & Balanced cannot occur while living in ones own little world."
(signed by a downtown employee and taxpayer)
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"The majority of our city council - and our mayor - are liberals. They have an affinity for criminals and the homeless, whom they see as victims of society. They do not understand (or they refuse to admit) that most poverty is caused by bad decisions - the decision not to finish high school, to marry too young, to have children out of wedlock or before the parents can afford them.
Liberals do not understand (or refuse to admit) that most homelessness is caused by addiction and/or mental illness. And they resist programs to involuntarily institutionalize the mentally ill, whom they consign to suffering on the streets.
If the above is true (and I believe it is), we are banging our heads into a brick wall. The only solution is to elect more Mike Clarks, George Polings and Faye Stewarts. Kitty and her liberal friends will continue to fund programs that are magnets for criminals and the homeless. These are the people they want in Eugene."
(signed by a taxpayer and concerned citizen)
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Any comments from the Mayor/Council/City Manager will be printed in their entirety so that all of Eugene will view this transparency in our local government. ALL OF EUGENE would like to hear!!!
EugeneAdvocates for a Clean City
