Quality down as public safety declines, potholes g
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5/11/2008
Eugene is legendary for its quality of life and recreational opportunities. It is blessed with a geography between mountains and coast that support endless recreational pursuits. Added to this is the exciting life of a major PAC-10 conference school, the University of Oregon.
All this is in jeopardy as the federal government continues to disinvest in its over 100 year commitment to pay in-lieu-of taxes for their timber lands and a distrust of local city council & government grows as they can't seem to patch potholes or keep felons in jail. Reductions in federal funding are forcing huge layoffs of county jail and sherrif's patrols. The City has a backlog of street repairs in the ten's of millions that it can't pay for and a segment of the population would simply like to lock up Eugene and tell those wanting to move here to go away.
Fortunately there is an option. Across the river Eugene's alter ego is Springfield, a City that is managing to build a new jail, revitalize their downtown and sucessfully grow a positive business environment.
Come visit Eugene but plan to live in Springfield!
Bruce | Eugene, OR