This is part of a series of articles about candidates running in the May 21st primary election, and question-and-answer articles will be published daily for the remainder of April. Ballots must be mailed to voters by May 1st.
The Eugene City Council election is nearing its May 21 voting deadline. The 7th Ward race is a rematch of the November election, pitting incumbents against each other. lindsay leech and barbie walker.
City Council District 7 roughly represents the Whiteacre, Trainsong and River Road neighborhoods and downtown Santa Clara West and 7th Street North. There are two candidates on the ballot in the district, and the results of May’s primary will determine which candidate will run unopposed in November’s general election.
The registered security guard asked each candidate a series of questions and asked for background information. I’ll share their answers word for word. Candidates are listed alphabetically.
Biographical information
lindsay leech
My name is Lindsay Leach. He was appointed to the Eugene City Council for Ward 7 in December 2022 following the recall of former Councilman Sylhet. After taking office, I ran to retain my seat in 2023 and won in the November election. I am now running again to continue serving the ward for the next four years.
I live on River Road, work in Whiteacre as the executive director of a local non-profit in addition to serving on the City Council, and am the mother of three children. I have spent the past 15 years working for community nonprofits, raising millions of dollars to improve the behavioral health system. As a City Council member, I serve on the Budget Committee, Revenue Advisory Committee, Lane Workforce Partnership, and Human Rights Committee. I work in these roles every day to serve our community and improve the lives of everyone who lives, works and plays here.
barbie walker
Biographical information: I have lived in Eugene by way of Corvallis for over 25 years. He currently resides on River Road near Morley Jacobs Park.
professional background: Medical Laboratory Assistant, Bowerman Institute for Molecular Biology, Martins Institute for Ecology & Evolution, Oregon Medical Group. Deputy Manager of Analytical Laboratory, Water Quality Technology Department, GM of Alternative Transportation Department. Local business owner and operator, Pint Pot Public House.
Academic background: University of Oregon, Biology, minor in Chemistry. Selected SPUR Science, Allelic Variation for Human Cancer Research.
Previous government experience: West Eugene Business Association, Chairman of the Board
Community service: Founder of the 4J School District ID program for homeless youth. Legislation passed for her DMV determination of homelessness. Vice President of Community Enhancement for the Junior League Executive Committee. Founder, The 15th night. University women’s soccer coach. Cleaning up Aubrey Park. Eugene Relay for Life. Saint Vincent de Paul, Girls Youth House. 4J ACE Award nominated work.
question
All of the questions for City Council candidates began with Walker’s question, “What strategies and policies do you support?” followed by questions related to housing and homelessness.
Increase housing affordability and supply in Eugene?
Hill: In short, increasing the supply of affordable housing is the number one solution to homelessness and ensuring Eugene has an affordable place to live. In Eugene he is short 10,000 housing units. We need to focus on increasing supply sustainably. Last year, I voted to invest record amounts in affordable housing and create incentive programs to build that housing quickly. Several low-income housing projects in which we have already invested are scheduled to be completed during this Congressional term, and many more are in the approval process. I support housing diversity in neighborhoods to support diversity in neighborhoods.
How can we reduce homelessness in Eugene?
Hill: I will do everything in my power to evacuate the homeless. This includes leveraging the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support more affordable housing options, increasing the overall housing supply, and working with local nonprofit Lane County and developers. It involves working closely together. I will protect renters to prevent further homelessness, expand safe sleeping spaces for our unhoused neighbors and provide compassionate care for addiction and mental health, and support more people. We partially support policies that help people get into suitable housing. You know what works, so do more of it.
Walker talks about housing and homelessness
It’s easiest to bullet point a few sensible facts towards good policy.
- Eliminate some of the barriers that contribute to housing supply. Reductions in many older SDC charges scheduled for renovation or new construction.
- New, including language to work with Lane County to be good stewards of established neighborhoods by preserving open space, not overcrowding, providing fair parking options, and not forcing annexations. We are engaged in the purchase/exchange of land use for development.
- Be fair to builders, homeowners, and renters by advocating for a lower area median income range to lower rents.
- Please continue to support programs that empower the unhoused. A program with procedures and protocols in place to achieve measurable successful results to increase self-confidence.
- As the city continues to strive for sustainable climate resilience, the demands on the current energy grid remain diverse and keep utility costs affordable enough to afford a place to live.We need legal incentives and policies for planning against weathering, not bans without a plan
Would you like to improve Eugene’s economic development?
Hill: To foster economic development, Eugene invests in infrastructure and adjusts zoning as needed to foster innovation and promote innovation that is successful or has the potential to succeed here, such as biosciences and sustainable energy. We need to foster an industry that has. We need to partner with higher education institutions, including LCCs and UOs, and invest in workforce development, particularly trade and mental health. We can help our residents live well here by improving pay and working conditions. Last, but not least, we need to focus on promoting social inclusion and cohesion to become cities that people want to live in.
Walker: Congress recently approved $50 million for new housing construction. The complex is suitable for studios, one bedrooms and does not incorporate prevailing wages for the local construction workers swinging hammers for construction. Where public funds or land transfers are involved, we must ensure that workers on these projects receive fair remuneration. Compensation that goes directly back into the local economy. The building will also be exempt from property taxes in new home construction areas for up to 10 years. Taxes are necessary for economic development. And buying a 400-square-foot studio for nearly $1,000 a month costs local consumers little money.
Would you like to increase access to mental health resources in Eugene?
Hill: To improve the mental health of our communities, we need to address the shortage of health care workers and health workers, while also addressing issues such as chronic stress and anxiety regarding the cost of living, climate, health care, housing, and more. We also need to approach the root cause. I will work to alleviate these burdens through sound policy and collaborative partnerships across multiple jurisdictions. I believe in our efforts to add mental health professionals to Eugene’s police and fire joint response program to ensure appropriate care and response for people living with mental health issues. Masu.
Walker: We are a town full of mental health advocacy. We need policies that root out funding fraud and strengthen accountability to make our communities safe again, while fully funding only treatments that work. Inhumane living conditions perpetuate addictive drug and sex trafficking among the population. Forcing nearby residents to move out of town. Illegal RV sewage dumping in parks and neighborhoods desensitizes children to these volatile conditions. Along with continued compassion and grace, we also need policies that consider the mental health of the people who work, play, live and retire here.
Would you like to improve public safety in Eugene?
Hill: I think broadly about public safety. We’re thinking not only about law enforcement, but also about how we move through this city and experience the effects of climate. Our Community Safety Payroll Tax has generated millions of dollars in direct investment in public safety improvements. I supported the reform of Measure 110 to keep deadly substances off our streets. Supports improving the safety of cycling and walking. As Eugene experiences the severe impacts of climate change, we are exploring ways to maximize available federal funding to build a resiliency hub to keep the public safe during extreme heat and smoke disasters. doing.
As caring individuals, we have endured. Lane Fire Lane Professional Firefighters: Behavioral treatment and crime reduction experts like Local 851 and the Eugene Police Officers Association support me because we work together to improve neighborhoods, parks, And because we prioritize policies that directly bring security back to all our beloved small businesses. Effective city councilors must deliver tangible results for their communities. My leadership has demonstrated that we prioritize results-oriented policies for the safety of our people. www.barbiewalker.com
Alan Torres covers local government for Register Guard. He can be reached via email. [email protected] or on X @alanfryetorres.
