Letters to the editor
Bettman recall is valid
There have been claims that the
Bonny Bettman recall is baseless.
But as a representative of Ward 3,
Bettman has ignored the cries of
resistance from people in her own
backyard.
I believe it was wrong of the origi
nal plan to offer property (of those
she is supposed to represent) up for
sale when the property did not be
long to her. It is wrong for tenants,
property and business owners to
lose their property through con
demnation against their will. Espe
cially at a time when many are away
for the summer and unable to voice
their concerns. It is also damaging
toward the integrity of the historic
homes in the area as the suggested
plan was to move the homes to a
new site. I respect the attempts to re
cycle the housing, but removing a
house from its original location de
stroys the integrity of the building
and makes it impossible for state
recognition as a historic site.
In addition, the removal of the
buildings promotes sprawl because
the housing is being removed from
the city’s core. I wish PeaceHealth
would remain downtown, but not
at the sake of removing working
class citizens from their homes by
pulling the rug from underneath
their feet. Bettman is supposed to
represent these individuals, but in
stead has supported an industry.
Despite the public outcry, there’s
still support for the downtown site.
Andrea Lewis
senior
planning, public policy
and management
Cell phones not the only
cause of hazardous driving
Cellular phone usage, according
to Russell Weller's commentarv
(ODE Aug. 9) is a debilitating dis
ease that forces all users to become
maniacs on the expressway. While
his stories are legitimate, haven't
we all been run off the road by any
type of driver doing any sort of task
while driving? Be it applying
make-up, eating, falling asleep,
driving is dangerous and a task re
served for the responsible.
However, for some cellular
phones are a boon to their everyday
work. Why else would people have
paid thousands for their Motorola
bricks back in the early ’90s?
For many people, the cab of their
truck is their office. Being able to be
contacted by the outside world is
very nice. And while this may cause
people to drive while talking on the
phone, there are many people who
can do this quite well. To cite Russell
Weller, he cannot talk on a phone
and do anything else. Good for him
to be able to admit his weaknesses,
but driving with the back of his ve
hicle blocked by random shopping
items sure doesn’t help his inability
to do two things at once.
I can safely admit that I know
people who can concentrate 100
percent on driving and still be a
danger to themselves and the peo
ple around them. How to solve the
problem of dangerous driving?
There is none outside of genetic
cleansing. Staying aware on the
road is the only defense.
Brian Ouellette
Class of 2001
Bettman isn’t representing
her constituents
I have read two editorials recent
ly stating that the Bonny Bettman
recall is not justified. Informed peo
ple will decide for themselves. It is
no coincidence that those writing
letters questioning the re-count are
all not residents of the core area of
Ward 3. The point of view on cam
pus and in the various prospective
“blast zones” is quite a bit different.
Most suspect the summer was
chosen as a chance to make a deal
because many who voted for
Bettman and would oppose the
demolition would be on vacation.
The issue is one of representing —
not sacrificing — one’s con
stituents. Ganging up with the City
Council and PeaceHealth to get
condemnation power against those
who voted her in has been too
much for our small community. As
I told Bettman personally two
weeks ago, the people are on edge
down there. If she had really taken
the six blocks “off the table” we
might not have an issue.
No matter what the current ex
cuse for this summer of harassment
is, the feeling of alienation and dis
belief continues. The only way a
councilor could safely, aggressively
push for large-scale residential con
demnation of their own voters is if
their home was in the “blast zone.”
ZachVishanoff
chief petitioner
Recall Bettman
Chan Lowe Tribune Media Services
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