~ The mods removed this post several times - lets see if this one sticks! ~

From the mountain of political flyers and mailers on my dining room table, to the campaign signs lining local streets, to the steady stream of letters to the editor in the local publication, a few things are crystal clear:

1. Local politicians are out for blood
2. It’s true what they say: the more localized the political campaign, the more vicious the grabs for power and influence become

What follows here is not a dispassionate, clinical account to add to the stack of opinions about local politicians; I unabashedly dislike and distrust this guy. Frankly, I think that he is a *redacted*, nothing but double talk, delusions of grandeur, and old-school conservative dog whistles veiled by carefully crafted language to appeal to the would-be progressives of this here Eugene, OR. 

For the sake of efficiency, I’m going to limit my rancorous review as a direct response to quotes from Ted himself, copied verbatim from the most recent publication put out by the Eugene Weekly online. 

Most importantly, Coopman’s approach to the housing crisis: 
1. “If [the city] has a better solution at this point to deal with the problem we have now,” Coopman says, “now would be the time to drop it.”

The solution is housing, Ted. You know, that thing you boasted about interfering with in the case of the ADU(Accessory Dwelling Unit) regulations? 
There are mountains of books and literature about this, so I’ll refrain from being redundant and site a piece here:

“Using accessible statistical analysis, they test a range of conventional beliefs about what drives the prevalence of homelessness in a given city — including mental illness, drug use, poverty, weather, generosity of public assistance, and low-income mobility — and find that none explain the regional variation observed across the country. Instead, housing market conditions, such as the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a far more convincing account.” Homelessness is a Housing Problem: How Structural Factors Explain U.S. Patterns, by Colburn and Aldern.

It is documented, analyzed, proven, discussed and otherwise thoroughly disseminated and understood that homelessness is a HOUSING ISSUE. Not a mental health issue, not a drug use issue, and not an issue of “laziness” or any other moral failure. 

1. Coopman says that Medary “needs to exercise a little bit tighter control of her management team”
   This was in response to Medary and the Eugene Planning & Development Department’s work to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units within the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood. While projecting blame at the city for not solving homelessness, Ted actively works against one of the most accessible and pragmatic solutions to affordable housing: smaller units willingly added by people on their own properties. 

2. “Any street camping, we just cannot have it,” Coopman says. “It is unsafe, it is unsanitary, it’s terrible for homeless people, it’s bad for businesses.”

Come on, Ted, don’t bury the lead: It’s bad for businesses. 
A genuine expression of care for people in unsanitary conditions would be an attempt to improve those conditions. Waste disposal, public bathrooms and showers, A PLACE TO LIVE. 
We are collectively unsatisfied with the lack of pragmatism or humanity in the strategy of insisting unhoused people become invisible. 

Next:
Coopman has been endorsed by current Ward 1 Councilor Emily Semple
To this I have only a question: Why is a person(Emily) who expressed disdain for Ted Coopman and his supporter Paul Conte just a year ago now an enthusiastic supporter of Ted’s political campaign? I’d love an answer. 

Finally, Ted speaks to an OpEd published in the EW on May 9th about his financial ties to Alan Benevides and the Ems.
In a noble effort to discredit the authors, Ted first criticizes them for referring to Stephanie Coopman as “his wife”.
“As women, the authors should know better,” Coopman writes.
Honestly, reaching for hollow feminism is really not a bad strategy! Props, Ted. Though for anyone who has met one of the authors of said viewpoint, (Heather, Anya, or Christine) its a little laughable. 

Coopman further referred to the viewpoint as “hyperbolic lies and character assassination.”
I read it, and encourage anyone to do the same. Unlike this here viewpoint, and almost anything that Ted has produced, that publication displays an ironclad adherence to facts that are easily verified, as it includes 25 citations. 

To conclude: Ted isn’t a good choice, don’t vote for him.