The Ruse of Vinis' Leadership

[written as Guest Viewpoint for The Register-Guard; denied publication]

I am concerned that the people of Eugene are being led to believe we have progressive leadership in our mayor, where we don’t.

On progressive priorities such as climate change and homelessness, the failures of Mayor Vinis’ leadership are plain.

Our incumbent claims to fight for climate change with a Climate Action Plan that cost $480,000 and took three years to produce. Yet, the CAP itself identifies that it does not bring us within even 50% of requisite 2030 goals.

That crucial information is buried under nice looking photos and a public relations campaign by which Vinis keeps telling us continued process is progress.

On homelessness, Vinis waves another purported roadmap, the Shelter Feasibility and Homelessness Services Assessment. This report lays out a 5 year plan for addressing homelessness in Lane County. Its most substantial recommendations are a 75-bed shelter and 350 units of permanent supportive housing.

As a way to gauge how vastly inadequate this roadmap is, consider that the latest count, taken in January 2019, showed nearly 2000 residents of Eugene unhoused, an increase of 24% in one year.

Vinis ran a campaign on addressing homelessness four years ago. The number of people suffering without shelter has increased each year of her incumbency.

Less easily perceived are the ways in which Vinis’ development policies entrench income and wealth inequality.

Vinis talks about investing in housing affordability “at all income levels,” which she equates with “equity goals.”

There is inherent contradiction between promoting “equity” and subsidizing affordability “at all income levels.” One requires de-stratification; the other entrenches stratification.

Vinis’ rhetoric creates the context in which council regularly approves incentives and tax breaks for high-end developments.

As one example, Vinis encouraged a $4M+ tax break to Obie Enterprises, run by Eugene’s former mayor, Brian Obie. His development, The Gordon Lofts, proposes 2 bedroom apartments to rent for $2,700/month.

In 2016, the state passed legislation authorizing local jurisdictions to tax new construction to generate funds for affordable housing. Eugene stalled on the adoption of the tax for three years.

As Vinis tells it, several councilors were prepared to enact the state-enabled tax at 1%, but developers and the Chamber of Commerce wanted to be included in the process. In the name of “inclusive process,” Vinis brought these private sector interests to the table.

The result: Eugene is the only city of among eight jurisdictions to have capped the tax at .5%. This cap reduces the city’s potential funds for affordable housing by half.

Vinis calls this outcome “a compromise.” The issue, of course, is that on the one side you have industry lobbyists looking to ensure maximum profit; on the other, community need.

Vinis touts having fostered “creation of a Willamette riverfront neighborhood." The Riverfront Development is another public resource give-away. The city is poised to sell 8 acres of downtown riverfront property to Williams & Dame, a corporation associated with $2.5B in real estate development, for $7.95/sf. Williams & Dame plans high-end apartments and yet another hotel.

Beyond the markedly low sale price, the city will subsidize the development through disproportionate investment. Along with millions to reconstruct streets and build a railroad quiet zone, the city promises nearly $20M for a “world-class” park and plaza adjacent to what will be William & Dame’s property.

While Vinis boasts stewardship over a luxurious neighborhood that doesn’t yet exist, she neglects neighborhoods in need.

Average life expectancy in Trainsong is 18 years shorter than in Fairmount. Lane County Public Health correlates this disparity with systemic neighborhood inequities, citing nearness to a park.

We must understand that we won’t act meaningfully around climate change and social justice in a context where monied interests determine priorities. This is true on the national level and it is true for our city.

Vinis has been a poor leader, selling us out with a public relations charade. But, I also have sympathy. We’ve had 40 years, at least, of every city following the same model: catering to capital investment.

I understand that insisting on something different is difficult. And yet, the crises at hand make it so we must. I look forward to a new paradigm. Instead of enabling wealth concentration, we could transform our economy under the guidance of a local Green New Deal.

Zondie Zinke is a candidate for Mayor of Eugene, running on the Solidarity Platform. Her individual campaign page can be found through a link on the home page at www.solidarityplatformeugene.org.