1 00:00:03,336 --> 00:00:05,405 One thing this series made clear 2 00:00:05,405 --> 00:00:07,474 is that budgets are complicated. 3 00:00:07,474 --> 00:00:11,578 But once you understand how it works, you start seeing the city differently. 4 00:00:11,578 --> 00:00:15,015 The budget is where the invisible becomes visible. 5 00:00:15,015 --> 00:00:19,319 Library hours, park maintenance, roads, emergency response, the Farmer's Pavilion. 6 00:00:19,319 --> 00:00:23,223 The things we count on every day don't just happen by accident. 7 00:00:23,556 --> 00:00:26,559 The question isn't whether we value things - we do! 8 00:00:26,693 --> 00:00:30,196 The question is what gets protected? What changes? 9 00:00:30,196 --> 00:00:33,666 And what we're willing to invest in moving forward. 10 00:00:33,666 --> 00:00:34,801 What do you love about Eugene? 11 00:00:34,801 --> 00:00:37,470 I love the sense of self that Eugene has, 12 00:00:37,470 --> 00:00:40,840 it’s very very individual and it’s not like anywhere else I’ve ever lived. 13 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,910 I love all the diversity, and the ability to be yourself. 14 00:00:43,910 --> 00:00:47,047 It’s a beautiful thing, and of course I love the Farmer’s Markets 15 00:00:47,047 --> 00:00:48,381 and the Saturday Market. 16 00:00:48,381 --> 00:00:49,783 And all the people. 17 00:00:49,783 --> 00:00:52,385 I think that there’s a really strong sense of 18 00:00:52,385 --> 00:00:54,320 community and support here. 19 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:58,725 There’s a lot of, like, strong art communities, local food communities 20 00:00:58,725 --> 00:01:02,395 that really make it feel special and vibrant. 21 00:01:02,395 --> 00:01:05,098 The Farmer’s Market is such a hub for community. 22 00:01:05,098 --> 00:01:08,034 It’s such a gathering place for people from all walks of life 23 00:01:08,034 --> 00:01:11,104 who are able to all kind of come together and connect over food. 24 00:01:11,104 --> 00:01:13,339 My kid love the library and the park, 25 00:01:13,339 --> 00:01:16,342 and plus he love to come shop for fresh fruit, 26 00:01:16,342 --> 00:01:18,878 veggies, everytime. It’s wonderful. 27 00:01:18,878 --> 00:01:24,117 And I love it. And make it home, and I make it a nice community to love everybody. 28 00:01:24,117 --> 00:01:25,919 The best thing about Eugene 29 00:01:25,919 --> 00:01:31,558 that I love and invest in and wouldn't be back here without 30 00:01:31,558 --> 00:01:33,193 that is the people of Eugene. 31 00:01:33,226 --> 00:01:34,527 They really make a difference. 32 00:01:34,527 --> 00:01:38,465 There's not too many spaces and places I would leave my home country for, 33 00:01:38,465 --> 00:01:40,967 but Eugene, Oregon is one of them. It's just vibrant. 34 00:01:40,967 --> 00:01:43,336 It's got a lot going for it. People care. 35 00:01:43,336 --> 00:01:48,508 What would you miss if you know, the city cut some things, you know, parks or library, or roads? 36 00:01:48,508 --> 00:01:52,212 Well, I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio and there are bad roads there, 37 00:01:52,212 --> 00:01:55,281 so that would really stink as a person who has to commute. 38 00:01:55,281 --> 00:02:01,187 The library is such a good resource for all of our community members, and I feel like it would really do some damage, for sure. 39 00:02:01,187 --> 00:02:01,721 Parks. 40 00:02:01,721 --> 00:02:03,490 Hands down, it's parks for me. 41 00:02:03,490 --> 00:02:05,358 The parks here are absolutely beautiful. 42 00:02:05,358 --> 00:02:07,293 They're friendly, accessible and safe. 43 00:02:07,293 --> 00:02:09,429 It’s a part of my daily routine to walk through the park. 44 00:02:09,429 --> 00:02:10,563 And I couldn't live without it. 45 00:02:10,563 --> 00:02:14,501 I think the work that Cultural Services does to bring, 46 00:02:14,501 --> 00:02:18,338 the various artistic, performing arts, 47 00:02:18,338 --> 00:02:22,575 visual arts and, smaller festivals 48 00:02:22,575 --> 00:02:26,312 through the different diverse populations that we share here. 49 00:02:26,312 --> 00:02:31,017 I think if that program went away, that idea of isolation 50 00:02:31,017 --> 00:02:34,354 and not being able to come together in public spaces, it's not going to happen, 51 00:02:34,354 --> 00:02:36,789 except for at the paying events. 52 00:02:36,789 --> 00:02:39,259 People love Eugene and they don't even live here. 53 00:02:39,359 --> 00:02:41,728 They want to have what we have. 54 00:02:41,728 --> 00:02:46,199 I want to make sure that my grandchild has the opportunity 55 00:02:46,199 --> 00:02:50,436 to enjoy all of the lovely things that I have for the last 52 years. 56 00:02:50,436 --> 00:02:52,805 I mean, that's important to me. 57 00:02:52,805 --> 00:02:54,541 Every budget is a set of choices. 58 00:02:54,541 --> 00:02:57,677 And what we're doing now is making priorities for our future. 59 00:02:57,677 --> 00:03:00,513 The things that we enjoy, the things that we prioritize, 60 00:03:00,513 --> 00:03:03,983 are the things that are going to set our city up for success in the future. 61 00:03:03,983 --> 00:03:06,953 The challenge isn't deciding what we love. 62 00:03:06,953 --> 00:03:10,223 The challenge is deciding what we can sustain. 63 00:03:10,223 --> 00:03:13,793 You don't need to become a budget expert, but if there's something you care about 64 00:03:13,793 --> 00:03:18,631 a park, a library, public safety, roads, recreation, art and culture, 65 00:03:18,631 --> 00:03:21,768 take a few minutes to understand how it's funded. 66 00:03:21,768 --> 00:03:23,603 Ask questions. Attend a meeting. 67 00:03:23,603 --> 00:03:25,004 Watch online. 68 00:03:25,004 --> 00:03:26,306 Share your perspective. 69 00:03:26,306 --> 00:03:31,544 The people making these decisions should know what matters to people who live here. 70 00:03:31,544 --> 00:03:33,780 Cities don't become great by accident. 71 00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:37,650 They become great because people show up, people care and people get involved. 72 00:03:37,650 --> 00:03:39,886 And Eugene is worth showing up for. 73 00:03:39,886 --> 00:03:42,789 I'm David Moss. Thanks for joining us and being budget curious.