Downtown Eugene Merchants hosted four City Council Ward 1 candidates Wednesday. They asked questions on affordable housing, local ordinances, and the homeless.
Twenty five to 30 people heard from City Councilor Emily Semple and her challengers: Tim Morris, Eliza Kashinsky, and Sean Dwyer. Each had moments of audience approval. Semple suggested offering day-labor jobs: “Giving people alternatives, a way to make money other than panhandling could make a substantial dent.”
Morris said the point in time homeless count should ask if people have been in Eugene more than five years and are choosing to be here. Dwyer said people living downtown shouldn’t have to pay $80 to park in front of their own house.
Kashinsky spoke with a frustrated merchant afterward, saying, “I feel like as a city we’re reactive, we’re stuck. How do we become proactive and innovative again. (overtalk) ‘and I appreciate you saying that.’”
Kashinsky said the city hasn’t found a balance between compassion for the homeless and accountability.
