Oregon Public Broadcasting

Voters in Eugene can be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu this fall. 

They're choosing between two very familiar candidates for Mayor:  Jim Torrey, a Republican who had the job for eight years, and Kitty Piercy, the incumbent, who replaced him in 2005. 

The race is contentious, with an amped-up schedule of TV ads -- many focusing on the issue of public safety. 

As voters across the state are considering  ballot measures on property crime,  Jim Torrey is raising similar community safety issues in the Eugene mayor's race.

Kitty Piercy met me outside a Eugene coffeehouse this week, and talked about her record on safety issues.  

She points out that the city has added some officers, and partnered with the government of Lane County, shuffling people and money to create short term solutions.