In January 2021, Rep. Peter DeFazio will continue as powerful chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He will be aided by a Senate majority and a White House that agree with his viewpoints: Improved health care, successfully combating the COVID-19 virus, respect for the environment and international cooperation on climate change. Plus: decency and competence in performing his duties.
But first, he faces a young man who in 2015 helped two others to subdue a terrorist on a train in France. Their commendable act has led Alek Skarlatos to seek to replace DeFazio as our representative for Oregon District 4. What other accomplishments does Skarlatos offer besides Donald Trump’s blessing? Improved health care, vanquishing the virus? Certainly not any experience with government office or the intricate process of getting things done in D.C.
We see now the folly of electing to high office someone utterly inexperienced and spectacularly unqualified. Trump’s “swamp” has become a cesspool of grifters, wealthy but unqualified for the jobs they got because they praised Trump. For the latest consequence of such incompetence, consider the new head of our U.S. Postal Service.
Keep Pete DeFazio as our representative!
John S. Reynolds
Eugene
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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