In the race for Ward 3 city councilor, incumbent David Kelly has shown himself to be the best choice. Of the two candidates, Kelly has demonstrated the knowledge of both the city council and the issues faced by Ward 3 residents — knowledge that is necessary to make his campaign promises into realities.
While the editorial board was impressed with Kelly’s opponent, University student Maco Stewart, we thought his plans lacked specifics and he lacked the general experience necessary to adequately represent all Ward 3 residents.
While he criticizes Kelly and the rest of the current city council for infighting, it seems as though Stewart is continuing to pit students against city government, instead of urging them to work together. Students are undoubtedly an integral part of the city, but are we really going to get much accomplished if we try to turn it into an us-versus-them argument?
We think it’s great that a University student is running in this race and bringing more attention to issues that affect the campus community. But Stewart is relying heavily on the fact that he is a student and knows other students to demonstrate his fitness for office. We agree that he would be qualified to represent the campus voice, but the other residents of Ward 3 need adequate representation as well.
To that end, Kelly has a better understanding of what we’re facing as Ward 3 residents, and as University students.
We liked Kelly’s ideas about implementing Eugene housing standards patterned after a similar system in Corvallis. Simple standards like basic habitability, heating, insulation and water should already be part of Eugene’s housing requirements. And Kelly has the influence to put his ideas into action. We’re still waiting for specifics on how to effectively implement the standards, but his plan has a lot of potential.
Kelly also appears to be sensitive to the needs of Ward 3 residents. We applaud the initiative he has shown by working with the ASUO and incoming ASUO President Rachel Pilliod, and we would like to see him play a major role in bringing together the “ongoing forum” he mentioned to better represent student voices. It’s true that students don’t always show an interest in having their voices heard by the city council, but sometimes our representatives need to bring the opportunity to the students instead of waiting for us to come to them. Frequent appearances on campus and town hall meetings involving students would be an excellent start.
And finally, Kelly has addressed our concerns about Peace Health’s future move to Springfield. Although a small number of employees currently working at the Eugene site will be relocated, a significant portion of the hospital’s services will be lost in Ward 3. Kelly has said he will work to find ways to provide adequate emergency services for the area.
For these reasons, we urge you to re-elect David Kelly as city councilor for Ward 3.