Is Eureka a big town or a tiny city? When you’re charting its future, which is the better way to think of it?

— Hank Sims

Responses

Jeff Leonard

Small City.

Eureka has so many of the qualities we love about a small town: a historic Old Town, charming neighborhoods, small schools, parks and open spaces, and a strong sense of community.

Our small-town character is on full display at events like Friday Night Market, Arts Alive, Thursday Night Concerts on the Bay, and our local farmers markets. These are the moments that make Eureka special—friends meeting friends, local vendors sharing their goods, and local musicians bringing our community together.

But Eureka also has a larger role to play in Humboldt County. We may feel like a small town in many ways, but as the county seat, Eureka is the hub for healthcare, shopping, government, and business. We are home to a zoo, a working port, and many of the services that support communities throughout Humboldt County. Our success helps drive the success of the entire region.

As Council Members, we have a responsibility to help our city succeed—and to recognize that success means taking care of our people while building a strong future.

We need compassionate programs that help people in need. We need a police department to keep our community safe and help deter illegal camping in our public spaces and on our streets. We need a fire department equipped to protect lives and property. And above all, we need a robust local economy that creates opportunity, supports local businesses, and sustains the services our community depends on.

Eureka doesn’t have to choose between economic growth and quality of life.

We can be a leader in positive, responsible economic growth while preserving the character, community, and small-town charm that makes Eureka such a special place to live.

We can grow stronger without losing what makes us Eureka.

Kathleen Herrera

Always thought “small city” with Old Town and the Waterfront. The heart of Eureka is looking up! Our appeal to visitors is good but could always be better. Eureka has been featured on quite a few travel sites and I just hope we live up to the expectations. Tourism alone won’t get us through the next 20 years. We may need a large employer and we may need to find grants (not loans) for small businesses either starting out or weathering a storm. Thanks to the many volunteers we have and those who work so hard on the Old Town Friday Night Market, Thursday Summer music and of course Arts Alive.

 

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