I’m writing to thank you for your recent article about the Leaburg Fish Hatchery (2/28), which is once again threatened with closure as early as July of this year.
I am a property owner less than a mile from the hatchery; I watch many cars come and go along Route 126, filled with people from Springfield, Eugene, etc., on their way to the foothills and mountains to enjoy Oregon’s well-celebrated abundance.
However, I sometimes wonder how many of them think about the people who live and/or work here. Most of us who live “out here” spend money, attend events, do business in — and, in other words, contribute to the communities of — Springfield, Eugene and the rest of the state. Apart from those much-celebrated resources, our communities don’t get much fuss or fanfare (or funding) from the media or political interest groups.
And yet our rural communities are made up of property owners — many of them long-term residents rich with history and experience; local businesses of all kinds; organic farms and farmers of all kinds; artisans and craft communities; churches and community groups; outdoor/recreation groups and guides — in other words, thriving communities in need of budget help now.
Your article, which I reference, has inspired me to write letters to a slew of politicians who will hopefully keep this unique, vital resource open another year, and then, even better yet, budget for the Leaburg Fish Hatchery’s permanent survival.
B.E. Scully
Leaburg
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!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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