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 Outdated discharge permits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