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<br />MATSLER Clara T <br />From:Dan Bryant <danb@heartofeugene.org> <br />Sent:Saturday, November 01, 2014 11:26 PM <br />To:Alley Valkyrie <br />Cc:PIERCY Kitty; KLEIN Glenn; MATSLER Clara T; ambrose@efn.org; <br />randi.bjornstad@registerguard.com; CARNAGEY Craig T; Jean Stacey; BROWN George <br />R; KLINKO Eric E; CROMPTON Larry G; Alley Valkyrie; SEESE-GREEN Majeska (SMTP) <br />Subject:Re: Susan Hughes' Park Exclusion <br />This is indeed disturbing to hear and I would gladly testify on her behalf as one who has worked with her for more than 2 <br />years. Please let me know of the time and place of the hearing if this is not rectified prior to Nov 4. <br /> <br />Dan Bryant <br />Senior Minister <br />First Christian Church <br /> <br />> On Nov 1, 2014, at 11:01 PM, Alley Valkyrie <nightingalecollective@gmail.com> wrote: <br />> <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 "crime" was <br />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 one of <br />the most vulnerable members of the community. From where I stand, this park exclusion was unnecessary and punitive, <br />and is reminiscent of the infamous "cream soda bottle" park exclusion a few years back. The officer who excluded Susan <br />was Richard Bremer. <br />> <br />> With the help of advocates from Occupy Medical, Susan appealed this decision within 48 hours, and a hearing was set <br />by the Parks Director for October 31. Unfortunately, Parks and Open Space did not notify Susan via the address that was <br />provided, and the hearing was held on the 31st without Susan being present. The Parks Director upheld the 30-day <br />exclusion. <br />> <br />> Parks and Open Space acknowledged and apologized for the mistake, but they have so far refused to invalidate the <br />decision and have informed Susan and those who are helping her that their only option is to appeal to Municipal Court <br />on November 4th. <br />> <br />> This is unacceptable under any circumstances. The failure to notify Susan Hughes of her own hearing renders the <br />hearing and the resulting decision invalid. Parks and Open Space may have made an honest mistake in not notifying <br />Susan, but an honest mistake requires an honest rectification. Requiring Susan to now appear before a judge instead of <br />the informal hearing that she had a right to is an additionally punitive measure on top of the punitive aspect of the <br />exclusion in the first place. This is kicking someone when they are already down, pure and simple. <br />> <br />> I expect that you will quickly rectify this matter in the appropriate manner. If you have any further questions regarding <br />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 />1 <br /> <br />