Editorial
Airport funding plan
merits tax increase
The airport subcommittee of the Eugene City Council
met last week and formulated recommendations on how to
fund the expansion of the Mahlon Sweet airport for the
council to consider at its meeting Dec. 15.
Although property taxes are not popular in Lane County
right now. Councilwoman Debra Khrman’s suggestion of a
property tax increase may be the best way to finance the
expansion.
All three members of the subcommittee agreed that the
airport bonds debts be paid by a voter-approved general
obligation bond issue, similar to the jail bond measure that
passed in this fall's election.
This is a good recommendation, since this type of bond
has a lower interest rate than other financing options. The
honds would be paid off over a 15- to 20-year period.
* The question is how to make the $500,000 to
$650.000-a-year payments to pay off the bonds, thus financ
ing the airport expansion.
A sufficient property tax increase would raise the pro
perty taxes of a $(>0,000 home and lot by $12.60 to $13.20
annually.
The airport expansion is a necessary and beneficial pro
ject, and one which would receive wide support in the com
munity. The increase in property taxes would be offset by
economic growth spurred by the expanded airport, which
many businesses use as a key criterion when deciding where
to locate.
The airport is the second largest in Oregon, serving a
six-county area and one-quarter of Oregon’s population.
An expansion in the airport's terminal and parking lots
would provide easier air access to the Eugene-Springfield
area, making the area more economically lively and com
petitive in attracting businesses.
lust as the community saw the jail-bond measure as a
necessary improvement, and passed it this fall, the airport
measure is one which could easily win the support of the
oomiaunity*. ti
ThetityEtnrrently is also considering a capitdftraprove
ment plan; it should be careful that the plans for the airport
do not interfere with this capital improvement plan.
This plan seeks to preserve the city’s infrastructure, in
cluding repairs to roofs, sprinkler systems and sewers on ci
ty property and includes important projects such as the ex
pansion or relocation of the Eugene library and the reloca
tion of several emergency fire stations in Eugene.
If the airport expansion is forced to compete with this
plan, either the capital improvements will be compromised
or a property tax increase will become necessary after all.
The airport expansion is a project that enhances the
Eugene-Springfield area and should not have to compete
with other plans to enhance the area.
In particular, plans for the expansion or relocation of
the Eugene Public Library should be protected. The city
council unanimously adopted on Monday a report on
relocating the library, which calls for tripling the size of the
existing building.
The council recognizes the importance of the library in
Eugene, as well as the need for capital improvements in
Eugene. These needs of the city should be pursued at the
same time as. and without the financial competition of. the
airport expansion.
Letters
Lip service
I'm so tired of reading letters
from men quoting the Bible as if
it were the only text that women
should base their actions on.
What is the Bible? It is one of
many texts that has some good
precepts about love and respect
for individuals in society But
let’s not forget that the Bible
necessitates a belief and support
for patriarchy as well. To inter
pret the Bible literally is to be
ignorant and naive.
Why don’t women speak. up?i >
Why don't people quote women
who have faced the dilemma of
abortion?
To all the "loving pro-life"
people who graciously talk
about "our moral responsibili
ty" to the fetus. 1 want you to
convince a teenage runaway,
porn star, prostitute, or drug
pusher of your wonderful ideas
After all. they owe their com
fortable life to people such as
you who banned abortion when
they were in the womb. Now,
thanks to people with your kind
of "morals" they get to go beg
for food, steal, get beat up. and
sleep under a nice warm bridge.
As for the possibility of in
stitutionalized help, bow do
you suppose we can ever
organize a successful program
when our society cannot even
help the elderly, the disabled,
or the very poor?
Remember, theory and prac
tice are two different things
All you pro-lifers seem to
Oregon Daily
Emerald
The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday
through Friday except during exam week and vacations
by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co. at the
University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon. 97403
The Emerald operates independently ot the University
with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union
and is a member ot the Associated Press
The Emerald is private properly The unlawful removal
or use of papers is prosecutable by law
General Staff
Advertising Director Susan Theien
Production Manager Diane Fassler
Classified Advertising Alyson Simmons
Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey
Advertising Sales: John Boiler Sales Manager
Teresa Acosta. Paul Anderson, Ann Cole. Brent Collins.
Beryl Israel Janelle Neumann. Laura Goldstein Peter
LaFleur Catherine lil|a. Joseph Menzei. Joan
Wildermuth
News and Editorial 656 SS11
Display Advertising and Business 656-3713
C let si fled Advertising 6564343
Production 666 4351
Circulation 6S65SI1
Editor
Managing Editor
News Editor
Spectrum Editor
Spectrum Assistant Editor
Editorial Page Editor
Editorial Page Assistant Editor
Sports Editor
Photo Editor
Graphic Design Editor
Night Editor
Michelle Brence
Lucinda Dillon
Michael Rivers
Curtis Condon
Stephen Maher
James Young
Michael Drummond
Cap! Lynn
Michael Wilhelm
Lorraine Rath
Chris Norred
Associate Editors
Community
Politics
Higher Education i Administration
University Affairs
Student Government
Student Activities
General Assignment
Joiayne Hoot*
Shawn Wiru
Chris Norred
Stan Nelson
Sarah Kitchen
Tonnte Dakin
Dennis Fernandes
Reporters Sean Aimaker Mary Courtis, Karen Creighton.
Gary Henley. Carolyn Lambersoo. John McBarron
Photographers Shertyn Bjorkgren ShuShmg Chen.
Maria Corvallis Derrel Hewitt. Bobbie Lo. James Marks.
Dan Wheeler. Michael Wilhelm
Production: Michele Ross / Ad Coordinator
Kelly Alerandre. Eluabeth Asher. Ronwin Nicole Ashton,
Sandra Bevans. Janet Emery. Manuei Flores. Shannon
Gaither. James .Kenny Donna Leslie Curtis Lott. Ross
Martin Kelli Mason. Mike McGraw, Rob Miles. Angelina
Mumt. Kara Oberst Ami Pate Julie Pauf. Jennifer Peter
son, Krfstln Sanburg. Nils Tjolmn x Kang Xie
.
focus on the fetus. What a cop
out! Why don't you ever focus
on the HO years of an unwanted
and neglected human being?
Joyce l.ee
Senior
Rattled cages
In response to Jon Wollander
and Finn John's recent volley of
"intolerable" definitions of
tolerance. I would like to add
potentially'"httolereWe” ideas .- * *
* f'irsl of all, allow AW Vo {Joint
out the fact that religion as a
social force of good will is
somewhat damaged by those
who represent it self
righteously. When the Christian
fundamentalists speak out on
the moral issues of today, 1 often
ask myself, "Are they speaking
to people or are they speaking
out to the Cate Keeper of heaven
— the goodness of their ways —
so as to assure themselves a
place in heaven?
If this is so. and I have good
reason to believe that it is. then
it makes sense that they would
abandon the virtues of science
for the egotistical desires of
everlasting life.
What about the world that the
unaborted children of tomorrow
might inherit from these people
who fear dying? Does their
"pro-life" (pro-human is more
accurate) campaign include
marching in protest of senseless
destruction of rain forests or
aquatic animals? Not that I've
ever heard of. Why is this?
Because caring about the
heaven that is our earth is
something that the "l-want-to
live-forever's" don’t think is of
any importance to their "God in
heaven."
Historically, religion has
r
played an important role in
shaping societies. Today,
however, with the arrogance of
those that speak in righteous
tongues, its new purpose is to
rattle the cages of progressive
science and to let those inside
know that people of Biblical in
telligence are still around.
Patrick Clancy
Eugene
Real projects
. (iiUlOj *(1JDtlSltf tiilJ Hi ciJb.j Uiibb
* "’Wte EmnraidV
interest in our fall term project
"A camp for neglected and
abused children” (ODE. Dec.
5).
Two studios have engaged
the project: Arch 585. as
reported; and an Arch 380
studio taught by Professor Glen
da Utsey. The final review is
Wednesday evening, not
afternoon.
The studio has been typical of
the "real" projects that the
department of architecture
undertakes. It has been made a
special experience for all con
cerned through the involvement
of the director of the Melinda
Foundation. Steve Norris, and
two outstanding consultants:
Professor Mary Faeth Chenery.
leisure studies — an authority
on camps who shared her ex
perience with us; and. Melody
I)abney from Womenspace, and
a counselor of abused children
who inspired students with the
depth of her knowledge and her
ability to help them empathize
with the camp's intended users.
Michael Utsey
Associate professor
of architecture
Glenda Fravel Utsey
Assistant professor
of architecture
1
Letters Policy
The Emerald will attempt to print all letters con
taining fair comment on topics of interest to the
University community.
letters to the editor must be limited to 250
words, typed, signed and the identification of the
writer must be verified when the letter is turned in.
The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for
length or style. Letters to the editor should be turned
into the Emerald office, Suite 300, EMU.