CC Minutes - 08/11/08 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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causing problem downtown would just go elsewhere in the community and they needed help as much as scorn. He would be willing to support a bond measure for resources to increase policing downtown, and provide services for adult and youth, over one to fix potholes. Ruth Duemler , Fircrest Drive, Eugene, expressed disappointment over the use of a Taser on a protester, and the withholding of a file from the Police Auditor when the community had strongly supported having an auditor. She did not want to see the ordinance revised except as suggested by Councilor Bettman; the auditor needed to be in control of the process in order to build more trust. She said the exclusion zone sounded like Homeland Security was taking over. She recognized there were problems in the downtown area, but there were other ways to address them. She encouraged all citizens to visit the downtown area. Sylvia Furtick , Lorane Highway, Eugene, spoke in support of the strongest possible ordinance to eliminate vagrancy, vandalism and indecency which she felt were being condoned downtown. She said at one time it was common knowledge that good behavior would be rewarded and bad behavior punished, and the community should unite to establish ordinances that proved it was a civilized society that afforded protection to its citizens. She said those ordinances had to be enforced and first responders, when acting honorably, needed and deserved the community’s respect and cooperation. She said a community without law and order was a community without peace; a community got the behavior it was willing to tolerate. Betty Snowden , West Broadway, Eugene, said it was good the ACLU was now worried about people of color, but it would have been nice if they had been concerned about what had been happening to her downtown for the past 17 years. She thanked councilors Clark and Ortiz for their work on the exclusion zone ordinance and Mr. Ruiz for his recommendation to adopt Version C. She supported the pre- and post- conviction provisions as they were, and not the Mayor’s revision, as it was important to remove someone who was cited from the area until they went before a judge. She said it was not about singling out the homeless; it was about unacceptable behavior and repeat offenders. She gave examples of the offensive and racist treatment to which she was subjected on a daily basis and which were contrary to the principles put forth by the Eugene Human Rights Commission. She said no one should be subjected to that type of treatment and questioned why her rights were not being upheld by the community. Cassandra Snowden , West Broadway, Eugene, remarked on the comments of previous speakers about the rights of those who might be excluded from the downtown area. She questioned how the rights of downtown business owners and community members to feel safe downtown were being enforced. She said without the exclusion zone ordinance, downtown would continue to experience safety problems. She said the ordinance did not single out the homeless; consequences were based on bad behavior and would apply equally to someone in a business suit or summer dress. She said everyone had the right to feel safe and be free of harassment and racism. Laurel Fisher , Olive Street, Eugene, said she lived within walking distance of downtown for the past two weeks and had been coming downtown with a broom to clean the street. She recognized that it was not a cure for the problems, but hoped she would be joined in her efforts by others in the community who were concerned with downtown. She questioned why adults would stay away from downtown because of fear of young people. She said the behavior demonstrated downtown was commonplace on television. Lisa Warnes , Nectar Way, Eugene, thanked the City for purchasing the Green property and protecting a portion of the Amazon Headwaters. She echoed comments from earlier speakers who opposed the exclusionary zone ordinance as it seemed to be a solution earmarking specific people downtown, specifically MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 11, 2008 Page 2 Regular Meeting