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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2005)
TO THE EDITOR SELECTIVE STATS Alan Pittman’s recent news brief railing against Hynix (5/19, “Hynix Nixes Paying Taxes”) set a new low in the selective use of statistics. In a recent memo requested by Mayor Piercy from city staff, it was confirmed that Hynix is not only the largest taxpayer in Eugene, but actually pays more in taxes than the next nine largest taxpayers combined. The tax savings that Hynix received under the en- terprise zone temporarily waived taxes that would never have been owed in the first place if Pittman and opponents had their way and Hynix had never located here. Last year Hynix paid $6.9 million in property taxes. That was more than 6 percent of all the taxes paid to all jurisdictions in Eugene. Enterprise zones were created in part be- cause of the recognition that large industrial in- vestments produce far greater tax revenue than the costs they impose on local service delivery systems. By agreeing to forego this tax wind- fall for a few years, local governments not only help create jobs, but also secure future tax windfalls such as those that Eugene and other taxing entities are collecting now from Hynix. By concentrating only on the loss of phan- tom taxes that would never have been collected if Hynix hadn’t come here, Pittman is engag- ing in the pessimist’s favorite pastime: turning lemonade back into lemons. The readers of Eugene Weekly deserve better. Jack Roberts Eugene FRIENDLY BAR In response to “What a Drag” (5/19), I would like to say that the only truth to that slanderous letter is that the Playboyz will not be performing at Sam’s Place any longer. Sam’s Place is a very friendly bar and we welcome all people no matter their sexual pref- erence, race, creed or religion. As most know, we held a benefit for HIVAlliance’s Riverwalk this past Saturday. We walked 32 miles and raised a lot of money for the cause. We have a new Drag Troupe called Sam’s Bad Boys and we hope that people will come and see how friendly and fun it is here at Sam’s. They will debut on Saturday, May 28 at 10 pm. Please form your own opinions and don’t 4 JUNE 2, 2005 listen to a disgruntled ex-employee. Sarah Mallon Bar Princess of Sam’s Place LOVE HANDLES I picked up EW on my way to school this morning, as I do each Thursday, and was both amused and bothered by the tongue in cheek article “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Summer Fashion” by Vanessa Salvia. Although I agreed completely with the comments about “the boob curtain,” her com- ments on the pinch and pucker, which is de- scribed as “the lovely effect of fat girls wearing too-tight low-rider jeans with the flab flutter- ing in the wind” really deserved my response. As a fat (though healthy and extremely stylish) girl who lives in Gap Ultra Low Rise jeans, I find this ridiculous to imply that only fat girls have rolls when they wear such pants. If you look around, you notice just as many size 6s with Gateway Mall-worthy hip love handles as size 16s. The point Salvia made is well received with me otherwise, I just think a reconsidering of her language and generalized thoughts is needed. In conclusion, fat ladies have just as much right as thinner ones to wear whatever (trendy) clothes they want, and I think everyone should pull their damn pants up. Amelia Kimball Eugene SINGLE SOURCE The White House blasted Newsweek for re- porting a story based upon a single anonymous source. Fifteen people die from riots reacting to story. Newsweek apologizes. The White House attacked Iraq based upon information from a single “curveball” source. Tens of thousands people have died, billions of dollars have been wasted. The White House will not apologize. To put it in presidential spokesman Scott McClellan’s own words, “This was a report based on a single anonymous source that could not substantiate the allegation that was made. The report has had serious consequences. People have lost their lives. The image of the United States abroad has been damaged. I just find it puzzling.” Amen, Scotty. Michael T. Hinojosa Drain EMPTY BUSES Three cheers for Senator Bill Morissette and his Senate Bill 558. The citizens and em- ployers of Lane County deserve representation of their hard-earned money. The Lane Transit District has hand picked their own board mem- bers to be rubber-stamped by the governor since the beginning. Rapid transit between Eugene and Springfield at a cost of millions. Give me a break! A decade ago, I tried to get self-propelled streetcars in Eugene/Springfield. It would have cost far less for three miles of railroad that would have tied the Fairgrounds, Sacred Heart, The UO, Autzen Stadium and the 5th Street Public Market together than LTD wants to spend on this high-speed 2-mile route between the two cities. We also would have had access to OC&P tracks from Eugene to Drain and Coos Bay. More than 150 miles of rail for pen- nies of what LTD spends — for what? Mostly empty buses that compete with rush hour traf- fic on main thoroughfares. It’s time for some truly local representa- tion. We have a right to say how the federal and local tax monies presently being squandered on high-tech buses and palace-like buildings should be spent! Ray Robinson Deadwood REPREHENSIBLE I am writing this letter in response to last week’s letter from “The Playboyz.” I would like the entire community to know that I have never been treated with anything other than re- spect while at Sam’s Place. From what I have observed, the staff members treat each other with respect also. Julie, the owner, has gone out of her way at great expense to help this community have yet another venue to feel comfortable in and be able to enjoy themselves at. Julie and her staff have helped multiple people, group and organ- izations in Eugene. Her boldest example was the work she put toward this year’s Riverwalk
