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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2003)
WorkSmokeFree.com TO THE EDITOR the serial injustices that have beset the native population. When someone says (concerning the casi- no), “I don’t want to do anything to hurt the Indians,” we must remember that the entire community suffers when casino gambling comes to town. Any group that promotes casino gambling promotes by the way of effect, increased prostitution, divorce rates, alcoholism, drunk driving and bankruptcies. Whether it is the Donald Trumps of this world or the shadowy financial backers that court the various tribes to build casinos, it doesn’t matter. The social serv- ices that address the needs of our community are currently burdened to capacity. The increases in caseload for services such as gambling addiction and spousal abuse is not acceptable. When we say “no” to casino gambling we say “yes” to Florence. Steve Jeffries Florence SAVING THE WILLAMETTE As home to over two-thirds of our state’s populace, the Willamette River Valley could lit- erally be seen as the heart of Oregon. Unfortunately, the waterway that serves as the lifeline to this area has been abused and neglect- ed for far too long. The river should be a point of pride to all Oregonians; sadly, it has instead been utilized as the personal dumping grounds of pri- vate industry. With high levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury, the heart of Oregon is rapidly approaching a state of cardiac arrest. Fortunately, we have a governor who has promised to “turn the paperwork into results” and clean up the Willamette before it’s too late. The necessary framework for cleaning the river is already in place. Outdated discharge permits need to be brought up to reasonable standards. The Department of Environmental Quality needs to monitor pollution levels and fine viola- tors, in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act. By taking these relatively sim- ple steps we can once again make the Willamette a source of recreation and relaxation for all of Oregon to enjoy. I urge the governor to follow through on his plan to free the river from the grip of industry and put it back where it belongs: in the hands of the people. Chris Gaylord Eugene CHAVEZ BELTLINE Well, we’ve stepped up to the plate, or stum- bled over it actually, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Maybe now it’s time to step up again and recognize our growing Hispanic communi- ty and honor another great American, Cesar Chavez. Beltline touches both Eugene and Springfield and I-105 cuts through both cities. Neither would adversely impact addresses and both carry more local and visitor traffic than Centennial ever does and both would have the signage on I-5 to proclaim to all passersby our decision to honor diversity. Most important, it would afford both city councils a rare opportunity to make a joint, gen- erous, magnanimous and hopefully unanimous decision. One of these thoroughfares could eas- ily be named for Chavez and the other could still be named for MLK. Also, maybe our coastal port authorities could act as incubators to help form membership clubs to support local family fishing businesses. Coastal and inland members could pay annual Working in a bar isn’t a crime. It shouldn’t carry the death penalty. Work in a bar? Or a restaurant with a bar? How about a bowling alley, or a Bingo hall? Then you are probably a smoker. Even if you’ve never lit up a cigarette. Oregon has a smokefree workplace law. But it doesn’t cover over 33,000 workers in Oregon. It’s not fair, and it could kill you. • Working an 8 hour shift in a smoky environment is the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes’ worth of dangerous chemicals. [Siegel, M, M.D., M.P.H Smoking & Bars, a guide for policy makers. 1998] • Restaurant and bar workers are 50% more likely to get lung cancer from secondhand smoke than other workers. [Journal of the American Medical Association, 1993] • Waitresses have almost 4 times more deaths from lung cancer and 2.5 times more deaths from heart disease than other women because of their exposure to secondhand smoke. [Environmental Protection Agency] Think everyone has a right to work smokefree? Log onto www.worksmokefree.com or call 1-888-846-5437 and learn what you can do to protect all workers. Darin J. Ward DDS PC Health Centered Dentistry 300 Country Club Rd. Ste. 290 Eugene, OR 97401 At Health Centered Dentistry, we focus on your overall wellness. By taking a holistic approach and arranging for health rather than merely treating disease, we offer an opportunity to restore your oral health to its optimum. We look at the whole picture, consider systemic health and underlying factors, and take steps to perfect your smile while preventing problems before they occur. Friendly faces welcome you in a relaxing, stress-free environment to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. Call today and experience the benefits we offer with the extraordinary people and unique setting only Health Centered Dentistry can provide. (541) 686-2441 JULY 3, 2003 5
