I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Smith when she came knocking on my door, announcing her run for Eugene City Council. Amid all the clamor of national races, I have been trying to keep my focus where I can have the most impact, and Smith’s candidacy gives me hope for the future.

She is bright, energetic and familiar with local issues and how they fit into the big picture. I particularly like her pro-labor and pro-environment platform. Here in the Pacific Northwest, these two constituencies are sometimes seen as at odds, but she has a clear understanding of the need to protect the environment as we protect our neighbors’ jobs.

We need representation that can keep the emphasis on affordability, government that serves the people (Libraries! Bike infrastructure!) and resisting a view of the environment based on extraction and exploitation. I hope you join me and many others who will be voting for Jennifer Smith.

Annie Heron
Eugene