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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2003)
TO THE EDITOR • Families below the poverty level: Florence 10 percent; Lincoln City 12.5 per- cent; Coos Bay 12.7 percent; Canyonville 15.8 percent. • Per capita income: Florence $18,008; Lincoln City $15,597; Coos Bay $18,158; Canyonville $14,017. In almost every category that is normally related to prosperity and growth in a commu- nity, Florence — without a casino — did bet- ter than the casino towns. Yes, indeed, the casino developer had some very good advice. Debby Todd Florence TRASH DAY As a former employee of BRING Recycling, I was disgusted by the obvious lack of research displayed in your recent arti- cle on the company. BRING most certainly is “a victim of its own success.” Just another company that has made the almighty dollar more important than its workers. Had even one employee — not on the management staff — been interviewed, I am certain your article would not have had such a rosy glow. As a resident and business owner in Glenwood, I am very concerned with the pos- sible impact such an unethical business could have on our community. “Trash Talkin’” was a more appropriate title for your cover than you could have guessed! Bear Diriwachter Eugene SEX ED Many thanks to Aria Seligmann (cover story 6/12) and EW for the excellent survey of what’s happening at the federal, state and local levels regarding reproductive rights, services and education. With so much antipa- thy toward the pro-choice, pro-child position among the powers that be, it is essential that the truth be told, and told frequently. Ms. Seligmann’s article did that admirably. Frank Gibson Eugene FOREST DIS-SERVICE I would like to add to James Johnston’s great article (6/5) on the McKenzie River Trail. He’s right: This area is known for its “outstanding scenic and recreational fea- tures.” In addition, it is also the watershed for the Eugene/Springfield area, home to many rare and endangered species (red tree voles, for example), threatened native fish runs and some of our last stands of old growth. Even though the McKenzie River Trail is designated a National Recreation Trail, it is still not protected from logging, not to men- tion the many acres beyond the trail on our National Forests. Right now, more than 1,000 acres in the McKenzie River area are literally on the chopping block. Many more are “sale pending.” What can we do about this? Call the McKenzie District Ranger Station (822- 3381), responsible for these timber “con- tracts;” Lane County commissioners, who should be speaking out against these timber sales; Rep. Pete DeFazio (465-6732) or Sen. Ron Wyden. Or check out the website: www.wildernessdefenders.org www.wilder- nessdefenders.org You can also take the city bus (#91) and your bike to the McKenzie Ranger Station and find out which areas are going to be logged. The Willamette National Forest con- tains some of the most beautiful forests in the world and many threatened animals and plants that rely on an intact ecosystem. The Forest (dis)Service is destroying our national forests at an alarming rate. If you care about trees, clean air, the quality of our drinking, water, fish runs, recreational areas, or any other number of things clearcuts impact, please do something about it. Silence = com- placency. Kima Garrison Eugene 2498 Willamette • 349-0556 532 Olive St. • 342-6820 Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat 9-6 Sun 10-5 “Quality Products for Natural Living” 26 th Anniversary Sale Sale Ends June 30th • All Down to Earth Labeled Products 15% OFF! • All Nursery Plant Stock • All Furniture 15% OFF! 15% OFF! Free Seminars – Saturday, June 21st • Drip Irrigation Seminar with Chuck Bodine from EWEB. 11:00 am at Olive Street store. Free • Food Preservation Seminar Hot Water Bath Canning Basics. 2:00 –4:00 pm at Olive Street Store. THE GOOD FIGHTER Below is the text of a message that I sent today to West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd. If you haven’t heard or read his speeches HOW LONG DO WE WAIT? I want to know when any young womyn and men can have the right to attend a congres- sional meeting and truly have a say in the outcome of the laws and regulations that control our freedom and justice system. I want to know when our people are going to join together and say “No;” when society is going to realize that the “leaders” of our country are only in power for themselves and act as puppets to the monopoly that our country is run on; when money isn’t going to have precedence over the well being of our people. How long until people start to realize that our 12-year-old girls look like they are 15 because of the hormones in the foods they eat? How long can phar- maceutical drug companies sell us legal amphetamines as diet pills? How long will our presi- dents receive money to support the little blue pill that gave my neighbor a heart attack? Some day justice will prevail — the privileged people who are willing to step on anyone’s toes will get what they deserve. How long can you wait for these days of true freedom and jus- tice? How long until we admit that the high school drop out level is so high because only the people willing to conform are accepted and helped? How many kids have to turn to drugs for acceptance before we reevaluate our school systems? Our agricultural system is fucked, our economy is bombing as our “leaders” remain rich and powerful. The most useful plant on this planet is illegal — our brothers and sisters spend more time in jail than the rapists and child molesters, simply because they grow a plant made illegal because of money. How long are they going to tell us cigarettes are safer than smoking pot, or that alcohol is a social drug? I want the right to choose to go to an alternative high school for all four years. I want to know that I won’t be considered a terrorist for having an opinion. I want to live without fear, because I am more fearful of the police in this town than I am of walking around at 2 am in al- most any part of this town. Who’s going to carry on the knowledge of organic farming and low-impact living if we don’t teach it in the schools? When are we going to do something and join as the greater power, because in the end the people are the greater power. Let’s use our freedoms and rights that have changed this country before. Dove Miller Eugene JUNE 19, 2003 5
