One Eugene: Can City and Occupy strike a deal?
EUGENE, Ore. - Pat Farr said it's time for Occupy Eugene to move out.
"It's not a tenable situation for an ongoing place for people to live," the Eugene City Councilor told KVAL News on Tuesday. "I just don't see it. It's certainly not going to happen here."
Farr toured the Occupy campsite on Tuesday. He said the city has spent enough money on Occupy.
"I'm not in favor of expending any more of our general fund money on accommodating the camp," he said.
But with the Occupy Eugene camp's heavy emphasis on the issue of homelessness, the unhoused people at the camp will have to go somewhere.
On Monday night, the City Council discussed the idea of providing transitional services like additional car or tent camping at churches and warming centers for those at Occupy after the Dec. 15 deadline to move out.
The assistance could cost taxpayers $50,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on what the council decides.
KVAL News learned from Occupy Eugene members that they were to meet with City Manager Jon Ruiz on Tuesday afternoon to see if they will work with the city on a plan to leave this camp and get some transitional help.
A city spokeswoman refused to confirm or deny that the meeting was taking place.
The city manager, in his recommendation Monday to the Council, said that transitional help could include more warming centers and expanded church camping programs.
But this isn't the type of transition Occupiers like Big John want. They want another group setting.
"What I would like to see is a residential transitional site where there's housing, there's medical and dental services available to them," he said.
Farr was skeptical. "As far as funding the services, that's a different discussion and that's what would have to happen.":
But Big John, the camp's cook, thinks it has to happen. "I'd hate to see them throw money into extending services when they can create a site. If they're not talking about real solutions, and kinda wringing their hands, it's not going work. It's just not going to work."
