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<br />MATSLER Clara T <br />From:Alley Valkyrie <nightingalecollective@gmail.com> <br />Sent:Saturday, November 01, 2014 11:02 PM <br />To:PIERCY Kitty; KLEIN Glenn <br />Cc:MATSLER Clara T; ambrose@efn.org; randi.bjornstad@registerguard.com; CARNAGEY <br />Craig T; Jean Stacey; BROWN George R; KLINKO Eric E; CROMPTON Larry G; Alley <br />Valkyrie; danb@heartofeugene.org; SEESE-GREEN Majeska (SMTP) <br />Subject:Susan Hughes' Park Exclusion <br /> <br />Greetings, Mayor Piercy: <br /> <br />As you may be aware, Susan Hughes was excluded from all city parks for 30 days on October 22nd. Her <br />"crime" was using a blanket and having personal possessions scattered while on the Park Blocks. <br /> <br />I don't think I have to elaborate on the fact that Susan suffers from severe mental illness and is without a doubt <br />one of the most vulnerable members of the community. From where I stand, this park exclusion was <br />unnecessary and punitive, and is reminiscent of the infamous "cream soda bottle" park exclusion a few years <br />back. The officer who excluded Susan was Richard Bremer. <br /> <br />With the help of advocates from Occupy Medical, Susan appealed this decision within 48 hours, and a hearing <br />was set by the Parks Director for October 31. Unfortunately, Parks and Open Space did not notify Susan via the <br />address that was provided, and the hearing was held on the 31st without Susan being present. The Parks <br />Director upheld the 30-day exclusion. <br /> <br />Parks and Open Space acknowledged and apologized for the mistake, but they have so far refused to invalidate <br />the decision and have informed Susan and those who are helping her that their only option is to appeal to <br />Municipal Court on November 4th. <br /> <br />This is unacceptable under any circumstances. The failure to notify Susan Hughes of her own hearing renders <br />the hearing and the resulting decision invalid. Parks and Open Space may have made an honest mistake in not <br />notifying Susan, but an honest mistake requires an honest rectification. Requiring Susan to now appear before a <br />judge instead of the informal hearing that she had a right to is an additionally punitive measure on top of the <br />punitive aspect of the exclusion in the first place. This is kicking someone when they are already down, pure <br />and simple. <br /> <br />I expect that you will quickly rectify this matter in the appropriate manner. If you have any further questions <br />regarding this issue, I can be reached at any time at this email address or by calling 541-954-3779. <br /> <br />Regards, <br />Alley Valkyrie <br />Executive Director <br />Nightingale Public Advocacy Collective <br />1 <br />