I’m walking around downtown trying to find a place to pee, because I really need to. The library is my first choice when it’s open. Most restaurants are for paying customers, of course. There are no public toilets at the parking garage because somebody misbehaved, so they’re closed. What the hell? I am reduced to carefully planning where I can find a toilet when traveling around town. If you’re a guy one can find a corner behind a dumpster for number one, but ladies? Sorry. A public bath is common in Asian and Middle Eastern countries and many European countries have public lavatories.
I know there are issues with practicality and safety, but we are talking about a basic human function here in an urban space. Why don’t we have a laundromat, shower or toilet combo facilities? The YMCA, St. Vinnies and malls can provide these services for a small fee. Safer for the homeless and community at large.
Another problem is litter. Eugene is one of the cleanest cities I’ve lived in, but lately I have never seen so much litter and there is no garbage can anywhere. When I see litter I am compelled to pick it up and have to put it in a small bag until I get home.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, had a serious litter homeless problem until the mayor started a program where they were paid to pick up litter, offered a free lunch and connections to social services. Eugene could do that for less than the millions they spent not solving the homeless situation and the city would be cleaner.
Meanwhile, thank God the library is open again and I know where to find a toilet.
Alisa McLaughlin
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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