Eugene City Council candidates Warnes, Keating on the issues
This is part of a series of stories on the candidates running in the May 21 primary election, with question-and-answer articles scheduled to be published each day through the rest of April. Ballots must be mailed to voters by May 1.
The elections for the Eugene City Council are approaching with ballots due May 21. Two candidates have registered to run for Ward 2 on Eugene City Council — incumbent Matt Keating and Lisa Warnes.
City Council Ward 2 represents south Eugene. With two candidates on the ballot for the seat, May’s primary election outcome will decide which candidate runs uncontested in the November general election.
The Register-Guard asked each of the candidates a series of questions and asked them for biographical information. Candidates are listed alphabetically. schools are a great way to support local businesses.
Increase access to mental health resources in Eugene?
Keating: The construction of a Behavioral Health Stabilization Center is a necessity.
The establishment of a behavioral health stabilization center will be a game changer, allowing access to trusted service providers, and connecting folks in a crisis with professionals in a setting that isn’t punitive like jail or costly like the hospital.
We should marshall resources at all levels of government to destigmatize mental health and increase access. Through 2-1-1, 9-8-8, on our municipal website, and as past Chair of the Human Services Commission, I continue to support removing barriers and prioritizing access to equitable, affordable mental health services.
Warnes: Access to resources for mental health and drug addiction treatment is an important part of addressing both our homelessness crisis and our public safety. These services are provided through the County and State; however, we must do more to improve access to treatment. I will advocate for increased funding, resources, and access for mental health and drug addiction.
Improve public safety in Eugene?
Keating: I’m proud to be a pro-public safety progressive endorsed by first responders: the Eugene Police Employee Association and Lane Professional Firefighters.
Both organizations can count on me to communicate, collaborate, and give them the support to keep our community safe.
Recently, here in South Eugene, squatters overran a vacant home and threatened neighbors with extreme violence, even propositioning youth near Spencer Butte Middle School. I immediately contacted Chief Skinner and subsequently EPD and Code Enforcement took swift action.
I thank the neighbors for their vigilance and Chief Skinner for his leadership. The safety of our community–our kids in particular–is paramount.
Warnes: Eugene’s downtown must be restored to the vibrant, welcoming and safe place we all want it to be. We need a long-term commitment to increased safety patrols downtown, combined with an increased effort to promote downtown businesses and special programs that attract more people to the area. Much of the theft and violence in Eugene is connected with the scourge of opioid and methamphetamine drug addiction leading to poverty, desperation and homelessness. Increased treatment resources are needed, as described above, to alleviate this problem.