After months of campaigning, watching and waiting, Kitty Piercy is now mayor of Eugene.
Piercy delivered her first State of the City address Monday night at the Hult Center in front of about 700
people emphasizing the need
for, among other things, better
business sustainability, improved
social services and a more vibrant and connected downtown.
“Although our city is not a major social services provider, I know that all things are linked,” Piercy said. “We must support the provision of a sound social service infrastructure.”
By working with schools, businesses and agencies, Piercy said she hopes the city can better determine how to close student achievement gaps and improve the economic
incentives that come with jobs.
Establishing a police external
review board is a priority that Piercy said is crucial in improving social
equity because it will help ensure “that everyone is treated fairly and appropriately by our police officers.”
Eugene has been characterized
as a “divided and divisive community, especially when it comes to business and the environment,” Piercy said, and moving away from that characterization involves meshing concerns for the environment with the need for good employment opportunities.
“By encouraging businesses that are sustainable, we can meet the goals of environmental regeneration, social equity and profitability,” Piercy said.
Piercy’s address followed the
administration of the oath of office for Piercy and City Councilors
Andrea Ortiz of Ward 7, Betty Taylor of Ward 2, Bonnie Bettman of Ward 1 and Chris Pryor of Ward 8.
Prior to Piercy’s address and the administration of the oath, outgoing mayor Jim Torrey praised the work of outgoing councilors Scott
Meisner of Ward 7 and Nancy Nathanson of Ward 8, and spoke of what has been accomplished during his eight years as mayor.
“We have set the bar in Oregon as a community that others have
followed,” Torrey said about the city’s work with schools.
Bettman introduced Torrey,
saying his accomplishments were “too numerous to list here,” and praising his dedication to education while encouraging him to continue putting schools at the forefront of his future endeavors.
Torrey called the mayor position “the greatest job that there is” and said though his official duties
are over “all you need to do is
pick up the phone and call me and I’ll be there.”
Piercy praised Torrey for his
service to the city, particularly his work with children.
“Taking care of kids to Jim
means taking care of the community,” Piercy said.
Piercy said she will work to
improve communication throughout the community and increase
access to elected officials.
One of her proposals calls for an increase in the number of meetings between the mayor and members of the community and holding those meetings in neighborhoods rather than at the court house.
Piercy also said that, as mayor, she will push to support the
Hult Center’s recent designation of Eugene as “The Greatest City
for Arts and the Outdoors” and
will always be easily accessible to the public.
“You’ll always know where I’m coming from,” Piercy said.

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