I am writing this letter because of Ivory Irene McCuen, who froze to death on Jan. 24. I know this is not a singular incident and once again highlights the urgent need for more resources to address mental health and homelessness in our community. At the Feb. 8 city council meeting Mayor Lucy Vinis proposed that community members provide a space for the unhoused at their residence; as long as there is access to facilities, this is a legal option.
Although this may be a good option for some, it is completely unacceptable to defer this responsibility to the community. Along with astronomical housing prices and the recent fires, mental health plays a huge role in our homeless crisis. Many of us do not have skills to support people in crisis suffering mental illness, and although not always the case, it can be dangerous without adequate training and resources.
At the same time the city does not have money to provide shelter or adequate mental health care, the Eugene City Council recently passed the community “safety” payroll tax without allowing the community to vote on it. This tax will be used primarily to increase police funding. The community has spoken loudly that we want to defund the police and utilize the money for services our community so desperately needs.
The inhuman death of a community member who lacked access to resources clearly illustrates the intense inequity in services available and unacceptable priorities of our city government.
Lydia Scott
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.
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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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