The video of the owner callously throwing mop bucket water on a sleeping person was first posted on Reddit. The owner tried to blame the wet homeless woman, then laughed about it. I have questions. What does the video tell you about the owner? Does he have a collection of videos he gets out to watch when he needs to feel superior? If the supposed fire was big enough to hear inside at the other end of the building, then why isn’t a fire visible? If there actually had been a fire beside her, the trailer would have been put at risk, not the cinderblock building.
C’mon, really? In my opinion the nonexistent “fire” was a poor justification for actions tantamount to curb stomping the sleeping destitute.
Maybe she only had the clothes on her back because her (and other Eugene homeless’) survival gear were swept into a dumpster. We’re told nothing will be done unless the victim comes forward. Maybe she can’t come forward due to a warrant for not paying a fine for sleeping. Regardless, charges should be pressed on her behalf. If the owner is actually charged, he will probably just get a slap on the wrist. Since he values his livelihood more than being a decent human being, I think a boycott is appropriate.
Kevin W. Cook
Springfield
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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