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Iana Matthews-Harris , 3050 Memory Lane, co-manager of the Wayne Morse Youth Program, stated that the goal of the program was specifically to empower youth to get up and speak on a microphone, though anyone was welcome to voice an opinion. She underscored that the program was the “only positive force” there. She stated that the program’s energy was to support people doing things that were not drug-related and not illegal. She agreed there was a serious drug problem on the terrace and some people there did inappropriate things. She attributed much of the trouble to homeless youth and said the City and County should address homeless issues as the real source of the problems. She heard that 2,500 youth in Eugene were without a home and called this statistic “ridiculous.” She stated that the people of the city of Eugene had money and should address the homeless issues. She related that two weeks earlier, EPD officers made nine arrests and issued 19 citations. th David Ishi Woods , 953 West 8 Avenue, co-manager of the Wayne Morse Youth Program, asked where the councilors had been when the unilateral decision was made by the County to “pull the plug” on the weekly, open mike opportunity at the Free Speech Terrace. He stated that deeds spoke louder than words and the youth program was “doing” in Wayne Morse’s name and not just offering lip service. He wished to have more council support in this. Misha Seymour , 1313 Lincoln, #307, commented that there existed “creeping fascism in our midst.” He proclaimed that fascism in Eugene was not creeping, it was “trotting.” He said Eugene was supposed to be the City of the arts and outdoors but while the hanging baskets of flowers were watered and maintained, there were no benches for citizens to sit on. He disliked the Library’s rule that people could not sleep there for more than 30 minutes. He lamented that there were no benches to sit on and tie one’s shoes. He asked why “we hate people here so much.” Anthony Johnson , 1291 Delores Street, asked on behalf of his classmates that Golden Gardens Park be developed for the sake of safety. He thought it would be a wonderful thing for the Bethel community if the area could be turned into a beautiful family park that would help raise awareness about safety issues at the ponds. Amanda Canterell , 511 Langers Lane, related that her class had taken Golden Gardens Park on as a community service issue. They chose to be responsive to area children by presenting safety information to elementary school classes. She had focused, in her talk with school children, on safety around water and she stressed that Golden Gardens Park was not an ordinary park. She felt what she was doing was just the beginning of the information outreach effort. She asked why a dangerous park was being left untouched and noted that the water-filled former gravel pit there was larger than any pool in Eugene. th McKenzie Shepera Davis , 2350 North Terry Street, an 8 grader at Prairie Mountain School, shared that she had lost her brother, Brittain, and her cousin, Nick, at Golden Gardens Pond. She stated that it was absolutely necessary to have funding for Echo Hollow Pool improvements. She observed that more young people were moving into the West Eugene area and there was nothing to do but go to the skate park or go th to Echo Hollow Pool, which was just a pool with two diving boards. She related that her 8 grade class had done much to improve Golden Gardens Park. She wanted the park to look like a city park and not a garbage pit and asked the council to help. She averred that her community deserved to have parks and swimming areas like Amazon and River Road parks. th Brandon McGinnis , 2060 Irwin Way, an 8 grader at Prairie Mountain School, related that his class had taken a trip to Golden Gardens Park to see the ponds. He said those who had not been there before were shocked at the garbage and the condition of the park. He felt the park could be improved by adding several MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 8, 2006 Page 5 Regular Meeting