Madison

Again. The Homeless Issues Committee was asked by the City-County Liaison Committee to look at solutions for the issues of homeless people being in the City-County Building. That meeting and conversation didn't take place because the staff blew it and didn't get the agenda out, even after they were reminded to do so . . . so that work wasn't done before the next meeting on the issue . . . which is Monday . . . sigh . . .

so . . tired . . . of . . . this . . . its absurd they can't do this better. I don't think they are trying. Public gets 1 - 2 day notices of public meetings - that's not right

Olympia Washington . . . perhaps the smallest city by the numbers, but clearly a larger metropolitan area. 50,000 population, roughly.

Still catching up from vacation - so here's a few random things I didn't have more time for.

Another week . . . closer to having a better county board legislative software system!

Absurdly inaccurate, likely many additions and changes to be announced throughout the week . . . with an obnoxious amount of meetings during the day when most people are at work . . . and less and less links.

Also in Eugene, is something that will look more familiar to Madison . . .

Eugene Oregon, a newer project, many years in the making. Of all the places we visited, we spent the most time here, we went to their weekly meeting.

This is the oldest/longest running of the villages.

It's a little awkward to think you know anything about a place by visiting for an hour, but here's some of my observations about the Right to Dream Too homeless "rest area" in downtown Portland, right at the entrance to the Chinatown area of the city - it was just a few blocks from our hotel.

Given the new perspective I have gotten working on the ground with homeless persons in the last few years, I don't even know where to begin with the list of things I am grateful for - because just the smallest things we all take for granted - like being able to change out of wet socks when I step in a puddle and then warm up - have all taken on new meaning. And with the recent Race to Equity report, I've relearned what a privilege it is to be white in this community. So I can't really make that list, but here is one good example of what I am thankful for, for so many reasons.

Krumkake, lefse and . . .no luteisk?