Activist Alert 5-26-2016

• The city of Eugene received an application for a 10-year property tax exemption under the Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) Program and it is taking public comments on the proposal. According to the city, “The Olive Lofts in Eugene is a proposed 5-story, 36-unit housing with ground floor commercial space at 844 Olive Street. The property is currently vacant and was formerly Rogue Public House (restaurant and brewery).” You can see the application online at eugene-or.gov/3281/MUPTE-Applications or view it at the Eugene Permit and Information Center, 99 W. 10th Avenue, between 9 am and 5 pm, weekdays. Written comments may be submitted to Amanda Nobel Flannery, City of Eugene Planning and Development Department, 99 W. 10th Avenue or amanda.nobelflannery@ci.eugene.or.us. For more info, call 541-682-5535. Comments must be in by 5 pm Wednesday, June 8.

• If you live in Springfield and pick up your dog’s poop, you can enter the Canines for Clean Water Calendar Contest. Springfield’s Development & Public Works Department is kicking off the Canines for Clean Water Calendar Contest for 2017. To enter, dog owners must live in Springfield and pledge to pick up their pup’s poop. You can enter either via email or on Facebook by going to facebook.com/SpringfieldOR and posting a photo of your dog along with #CaninePledge #SpringfieldRes. Or email a photo of your dog and include in your email: #CaninePledge #SpringfieldRes to WaterResources@springfield-or.gov. The contest runs from through June 24. Go to springfieldstreams.org for more info.

• Eugene Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will be wearing orange and marching in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. To join, meet at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street, at 5 pm June 2 and walk to the corner of Oak and 8th to hear from community leaders starting at 6 pm. For more info contact Rev. Adam Briddell adambriddell@gmail.com or check out wearorange.org.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!