Why I'm running - patron safety, fiscal responsibility, and political neutrality
One of the questions asked most frequently of a candidate running for a position is why he or she is running. Of course. In general, I think the library has been run conscientiously and competently thus far. While I might disagree with a few board decisions, they generally have been moving in a good direction. That being said, I see three main areas of ongoing concern. And these are what I'd like to bring my voice to. 1. Oregon, Jackson County, and Medford have a homelessness problem. The library has become a de-facto safe space for lots of homeless people to spend the day, both inside and outside, and sometimes overnight. That is a fact. It is also a fact that this has made some staff and quite a few of the library's patrons feel unsafe. Many patrons have decided they would prefer not to come to the library, not unreasonably, especially with their children, because it can be unpredictable. Nevertheless, all people have a right to use the library's services and property