opinion
gjrs
Transport perils demand N-waste control
Readers may remember the grim
tanker-truck accident earlier this
summer that killed a driver, closed
northbound traffic on 1-5 for nearly a
day and contaminated an adjacent
waterway with toxic chemicals.
Imagine how much more serious
that tragic occurrence would have
been if, instead of chemicals, the
tanker-truck had contained radioac
tive, nuclear wastes. Yet, that latter
horror remains an increasing possibil
ity with at least four trucks a day pas
sing through Lane County en route to
Hanford, Wash., with loads of nuclear
waste.
Next Wednesday, the Lane County
Board of Commissioners will consider
a proposal that would impose controls
on such shipments and thereby de
crease the danger of a nuclear catas
trophe.
The desirability of a county ordi
nance regulating this hazardous traffic
will increase if Hanford becomes a
major nuclear-waste repository, as
appears likely. In that case, most of
the waste from power plants and other
nuclear facilities in California and the
Southwest would be routed along 1-5.
New York City and a growing
number of East Coast jurisdictions
have already passed regulatory legis
lation similar to that before the county
commissioners.
The proposed ordihance would re
quire permits for all shipments of
radioactive materials (except those
used for medical or research pur
poses) by truck or rail through Lane
County. These would be granted by
the county health officer only for
reasons of national security or
emergency.
Agencies granted such a permit
would be required to post a bond to
cover costs of cleanup, decontamina
tions and immediate and residual
health costs arising from radiation ex
posure in the case of an accident.
New York City and a growing
number of East Coast jurisdictions
have already passed similar legisla
tion.
Lane County needs the ordinance
because of the continued regional pro
liferation of nuclear facilities lacking
suitable disposal sites for material that
remains dangerously radioactive for
thousands of years. In fact, a suitable
disposal technology has yet to be de
monstrated in practical terms by con
struction of adequate facilities at a
permanent dump.
Nuclear power has failed to live up
to its early promise. Lane County resi
dents should demand protection from
the ill-advised operations of those
groups whose financial stake in nu
clear power leads them to continue to
impose its dangers on others.
The Emerald urges its readers to let
Commissioners Bob Wood, Jerry Rust
and Archie Weinstein know of your
support for this proposed ordinance.
Letters may be addressed to any or
all commissioners at the Public Ser
vice Building, 125 E. 8th Ave.,
Eugene, 97401. (Students contacting
Weinstein might best avoid reference
to their University status).
‘Clothes-minded’
officials stalling
And while you’re writing to the Lane County
commissioners, include a word about designating
sites in the county where nude bathing would be
permitted.
Eugene’s recent freezing weather makes such
an admonition seem rather untimely. But the upcom
ing trial of 11 persons — including some University
students — charged with violating the county’s nud
ity ordinance reminded us that the commissioners
have failed to complete action on these “au naturel”
sites, permitted by the ordinance.
That would be an appropriate first step toward
improving conditions for the numerous swimmers
and sun-bathers who find the human body more
beautiful than embarrassing. The second
step — albeit an unlikely one — would be repeal of
the repressively puritanical ordinance.
Actually, the whole affair of skin, sin and sun
has taken on the qualities of comic opera, complete
with a “heavy”: County Cousel Larry Shaw, who
has said he will recommend jail sentences for de
fendants having the temerity to request a jury trial.
Shaw’s efforts to scare defendants out of exercising
a legal right (for those pleading guilty, Shaw would
recommend only a fine) reflects, unfortunately, a
heavy-handedness all too common among critics of
nontraditional lifestyles.
So, before the goose pimples turn back into
head-to-toe tans, the commissioners should remove
the opportunity for any more of these absurd con
frontations by setting aside some discreet swimming
preserves that suit the suitless.
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Story needs clarity
I was unhappy with the recent
article in the November 10th
issue of the Oregon Daily
Emerald about the Community
Corrections Volunteer Program. I
feel the article did not adequately
represent the program as I de
scribed it to the reporter. The fol
lowing information is provided in
hopes of clarifying certain points
about the program.
The term “convicts” inaccu
rately depicts the type of person
who will receive volunteer ser
vices in our program. The major
ity of our clients will not be per
sons who have actually been in
prison, but rather will be persons
on probation. A term we prefer to
use for our corrections clients is
“offenders.”
I feel the article painted the of
Page 4 Section A
fender as a person to be pitied.
The offenders who will be par
ticipating in our program may
have special needs that we will
try to address, but we do not re
gard them as pathetic characters.
It should be emphasized that of
fenders are members of our
community with problems not un
like our own.
I would also like to mention that
the program will focus on broader
services than just job develop
ment, support counseling, tutor
ing and job skills training. The
kinds of services provided will
vary depending on the individual
needs of the clients.
One final word. When the arti
cle mentions “the volunteer is a
valuable asset to the program"
that infers that the volunteer is
merely an appendage to the
program. The volunteer is the
program and the volunteer is a
“valuable asset” to community
corrections.
It is important to me to have the
Community Corrections Volun
teer Program represented accu
rately, which is why I am taking
the time to write this.
Carolyn Lustbader
Program Manager
Community Corrections Volun
teer Program
No ‘disagreements’
Since Emerald reporter Kogut
chose to focus his article (ODE
Nov. 14) “Black faculty verifies
laxity in recruitment" on my
comments, I feel compelled to re
spond.
I am disappointed in some of
the inaccuracies, distorted facts,
and out-of-context comments
which were embarrassing.
Above all, I vigorously resent
the manner in which my col
leagues (Rousseve and Carter)
and I were pitted against-each
other. Obviously contrived, this
method of reporting was an overt
attempt to show Black professors
arguing philosophical differences.
Even if we did have sharp disa
greements on the subject, we
would never air them in the press,
especially in the Emerald, in this
manner.
As for future interviews: No,
Non, l-ye, Do-da, Ne, Nein, Nix,’
Nyet, Uh-uh, Negative, and never
will be too soon!
Edwin Coleman, II
associate professor, English
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