Poem

has been delayed and there is still hope that the council could reject it.

The proposal is to change the approach to homelessness. Some years back, Eureka used the current law and the shelter crisis declaration to designate areas with Dumpsters and porta potties for Betty’s Blue Angel Village and the short-lived sleeping site program.

This rewrite of the law would designate certain commercial areas, all city parks and within 75 feet of the center line of any recreational trail as no camping areas. The map provided shows only the few commercial areas where camping is prohibited. At one meeting it was explained people would not be arrested, they would only get the equivalent of a parking ticket. Well, imagine parking tickets without painted curbs or signs.

The di erence between the Blue Angel Village and the short-lived sleeping site is that one was a place to live and one was only a place to sleep. This re-write of Eureka’s camping ordinance is the sleeping site program spread all over town, but without Dumpsters or porta-potties.

Whether you have an opinion or a question, contact council members, especially if you live, work or shop in Eureka. The council number is 441-4144. Their email addresses are: lcastellano@ci.eureka.ca.gov, kkmoulton@ci.eureka.ca.gov, kbergel@ ci.eureka.ca.gov, sbauer@ci.eureka. ca.gov and narroyo@ci.eureka.ca.gov.

If you want your thoughts to be part of the record, say so, use the subject: Bill No. 989-C.S. - City Camping Ordinance and also send your email to cityclerk@ci.eureka. ca.gov.

Janelle Egger, Fortuna

A Killer Ad

Editor:

I was disappointed and disheartened when I saw the very prominent cigarette ad on page 2 of the Jan. 14 edition of the Journal. The damage caused by tobacco use is not in question. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world.

About half of those who use tobacco today will be killed by it. The tobacco industry knows that for its industry to survive, it must replace customers who quit or die. Therefore, tobacco companies spend more than $1 million an hour marketing and promoting their products. Tobacco advertising is e ective at increasing consumption.

Targeted advertising encourages children and young adults to try tobacco and move on to regular use. Tobacco companies target rural and other vulnerable communities. As a result, rural communities in California, including Humboldt, have some of the highest smoking rates. Unhealthy messaging is not limited to magazines and newspapers. Inside corner markets and stores where kids go to buy candy, even pharmacies, they are confronted by tobacco imagery and advertising.

In a time when so many of us are stressed and feeling hopeless, this feels like targeted advertising. Our youth, and community, deserve better. Grace Brosnahan, McKinleyville

Phoenix rising

Out of the ashes of a year So incomprehensible In its universal tragedy But like new shoots Green and tender Sprouting in barren ground Everywhere were helpers And life went on as always With joys and sorrows Contentment and anger Behind the masks and distancing Into this new year Ever moving forward Inevitably and full of promise Into the future Same as it ever is Leaving each of us the gift Of choosing to embrace Or fi ght what comes Knowing however it unfolds How individually we respond Is always a refl ection Of what is in our hearts Here lies our power Our magic and strength Accepting what is in our heart Then making it better

— Author

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