Alton Baker, Hays Memorial Trust

New Search

4 • 7515Graves- 7515p1.TIF (2550x3300x2 tiff) / I ilNN MOW Cl/ IV: MAYOR August 2, 2003 ✓ WCC 05 re MGR Dennis Taylor ASST MGR City Manager City of Eugene CCC 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 DEPT P V✓ Eugene, OR 97401 ns Dear Mr. Taylor: I am writing to you about my dissatisfaction with the City of Eugene Public Works Department. In April of 2000, I paid the City of Eugene $2150 to create a memorial for my parents at the Hays Memorial Tree Park. To date the City has not fulfilled its obligation. After repeated calls to the Public Works Department I have been put off and given vague promises that have not materialized. In April 2000, I paid for a tree, a memorial plaque and a viewing bench. After an extended length of time, the Public Works Department installed an inexpensive bench. When I saw the bench, my heart fell. I called and expressed my dissatisfaction over the inexpensive plastic /resin bench that had no character, and to add insult to injury was set up much too high on two metal posts. My children visiting from out of state were equally dismayed and in disbelief when they saw the bench. When I brought this to the attention of the Public Works Department they agreed that the bench was not all it could be and agreed to change it. They would select a few styles and invite me to look at them. After several months awaiting their phone call, I called again and was put off. Apparently over three years later they still don't know what kind of bench they want. My suggestion to use the same attractive memorial benches that have been installed in the Rose Garden was dismissed, even though we have such a bench at the Hays Memorial Park, donated by the Soroptomists, my guess is that the Soroptomists would not have been at all happy with the plastic bench. During this phone call, I inquired as to when I might expect a bench, there was no answer only an awkward search for excuses- -the message to me was that I needed to be patient. The obvious is that the City of Eugene has had the full use dray $1400 donation for.a "Viewing Path Bench," for over three years. In early 2000, we discussed styles of benches that bear no resemblance to the inexpensive bench that was later installed, without so much as a word. Furthermore, the Public Works Department has written that the donation amount will vary based on cost of the bench, interestingly this point was not raised. A bench was not delivered while my parents were still alive, and was not available to me, to them, or to my family, to enjoy, and it has not been available as a memorial to my parents who are now both deceased. The experience has been painful emotionally knowing that my parents, in their lifetime and after their death have not been treated with respect.