In response to a letter to the editor in Lookout Eugene-Springfield supporting Mike Clark for Eugene City Council: Clark has been an insider to big business in this area over his 20 years on the council. How about human issues, and what’s good for the majority of citizens who are not beholden to big business? 

There is a huge difference in political donors to Clark and his challenger for the Ward 5 council seat, Athena Aguiar. The list of political donations shows that Clark’s biggest donors are big businesses and the chambers of commerce. Aguiar has accepted many smaller donations from people on the ground, living in our communities, and from environmental nonprofits. Nonprofits philosophically are not in the business of making money. They tend to work for humankind instead. 

We all know the impact of unhealthy environmental changes, such as drought and fires and smoke, which negatively impact all aspects of living in Oregon. But what about other community services, mental health first responders, the use of our roads and paths, homelessness and humane treatment of all people?

The list of social needs in our area warrants the attention of all Eugene City Council members and the mayor. Do we need more big local businesses influencing communitywide needs and plans affecting all of us?

Aguiar is younger, and that’s a good thing! She has the energy and interest to address human problems, the ones all people in our communities experience that affect our local and global environment. Aguiar is not part of the local big business community, and she is free to make choices different from Clark.

Think about it. Let’s give a more community-centered candidate the same break that Clark got 20 years ago. Aguiar will make different choices that are more centered on our larger population, not just the wealthy. 

Ward 5 residents, please don’t be moved by pleas of support for Clark. Think about the present and the future of Eugene and Oregon. Vote for Aguiar and for hope.

Debby Phillips
Eugene