Homeless advocates say mayor’s rhetoric during council meeting was “inflammatory”

During a conversation on Monday about improving public safety and addressing homelessness in Salem, Mayor Julie Hoy put the kibosh on expanded bathroom availability in the city’s core after her colleagues brought it up as a possible solution to cleanliness and access issues. 

While Councilors Micki Varney and Mai Vang, and Council President Linda Nishioka said public restrooms are important for maintaining cleanliness, Hoy said more bathrooms are not a viable solution downtown because bathrooms…