Posted by Kevin Matthews on February 24, 2005 at 12:43:47:
Dear Eugene Mayor and City Councillors,It was interesting to watch citizens share turns at the podium with corporate representatives and elected city officials at the forum EWEB held last night on their possible partial or complete relocation from the downtown riverfront area. Although some of you weren't there long enough to hear all the public comments, I know your schedules are exhausting, and I truly feel the time you spent at the meeting is just one more illustration of how very much you care about our Eugene!
At the same time, it seemed a bit too ironic to hear your strong contributions to EWEB's public forum, which largely focused on city positions which the council has not being willing, to date, to open to your own public hearings or other focused dialog with citizens.
It seems that if one is truly interested in public involvement, then one welcomes it even when the public input might have a different perspective from one's own as an elected official.
It's relatively easy for any official to welcome input which is personally affirming and politically convenient. The reverse case is that which tests the depths of democratic commitment.
Perhaps you would consider creating more direct communication with your public on the major changes and related expenditures you seem to be contemplating for our downtown riverfront area.
Sincerely,
Kevin Matthews
Friends of Eugene
Southeast Neighbors
PS: Here is one perspective on the visual impact of a hospital building at the EWEB site, based on published Triad renderings:http://www.friendsofeugene.org/csoc_2005/gallery/source/16-lukm-img_9896e2.html
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