Alan Zelenka’s favorite New Yorker cartoon depicts two dapper greyhounds drinking cocktails at a bar. “It’s not good enough that we succeed,” one tells the other. “Cats must also fail.”
The Ward 3 Eugene city councilor said the cartoon is a reminder of exactly how not to approach working in local government, and a reflection of what he finds troubling about today’s national politics. The sentiment was partly why, after 20 years in office, Zelenka in early March decided against running for reelection and will step away from the council when his term ends next year.
Editor’s note: People are the heart of Lane County — which is why, each week, Lookout Eugene-Springfield will profile someone who is working behind the scenes to make our community better. If you have suggestions on others we should profile, send us an email.…