FALL on by! We’re READY at the PIE!
TO THE EDITOR
excess of their investment.
I know from teaching economics for
25 years that most economists would agree
with him since one of the best ways to
increase the gross domestic production of a
country or a state is to educate and train its
workforce, and colleges and universities do
that. I also know as a former board member
at LCC that all 17 community colleges in
Oregon have commissioned cost-plus ben-
efit studies that show this to be the case as
the return on the taxpayers' investments in
higher education exceeds the cost just as
professor Khe states in his recent opinion
piece.
Dennis Shine
Springfield
REEKING TACTICS
How tragic that shadow opponents of
Sen. Vicki Walker recently used a push-
poll which trashed the Democratic candi-
date. The so-called survey imparted false
information about Vicki's party affiliation,
stating she's a Republican!. As far as I
know, nobody has admitted responsibility
for the fraudulent poll — which seems
rather cowardly. Vicki's Republican oppo-
nent (Jim Torrey) has denied involvement.
The push-poll reeks of a Karl Rove-style
Republican rotten trick.
I hope District 7 voters won't be dis-
tracted by mean-spirited campaign tactics
aimed at Sen. Walker. You can help defeat
the large corporate interests which attack
Vicki by working in her campaign.
Volunteers are needed in a grassroots effort
to beat the big money. Check the Senator's
website: vickiwalker.com
Take a look at the senator's record of
accomplishments in the Legislature, and
the wide recognition she's received. Vicki
is an energetic, productive, compassionate
state senator. Dozens of major public inter-
est groups are supporting Democrat Vicki
Walker. I'm ecstatically proud that my
labor union (SEIU 503) has endorsed her.
Please work for her and send a check if you
can.
James Jacobson
Eugene
ABSOLUTISM RULES
It was nice to read that the workers at
EW don’t need a union (letters, 9/14)
because they have competitive salaries and
you pay 65 percent of their basic health
care premiums. Should I also assume that
your workers also have an established
grievance procedure with neutral, third-
HOLES IN THE SYSTEM
I am writing to clarify my position on the County Public Safety Measure [see cover
story last week].
When the county came to the Eugene City Council asking us to support a public safety
district, I did not support it because I felt that would have a negative impact on meeting our
own funding needs. I did offer to meet with them to work on a proposal I could support.
The county called together mayors and councilors from across Lane County. David
Kelly served with me in this capacity. We went to many, many meetings to examine coun-
ty services and to ask hard questions. We were convinced by the city's own experience as
well as from what we have heard from non-profits, treatment and prevention specialists and
county departments that there are serious holes in the public safety system that adversely
affect the people of Eugene, the people we represent.
David and I worked to ensure that prevention, intervention and treatments services
were a key part of the public safety system proposal. We supported a funding mechanism
that was not accepted by the Board of Commissioners. However after participating in a cou-
ple follow-up meetings, I believe the current proposal is acceptable and needed. More than
half of the dollars will be committed to the prevention, intervention and treatment services.
Both David and I support the County Public Safety Measure.
Here is the quote that I gave to EW: "Let me be frank. I know this public safety meas-
ure is not perfect but I think it does take some significant steps in the right direction and I
encourage the citizens of this community to support it. It won't happen without us. The sys-
tem is broken and we need to work on solutions for our community and all of Lane County.”
In return, I want assurance that prevention and treatment dollars will not be diverted
to incarceration. I want to reduce the funnel of need, not simply build more jail capacity. I
applaud the BCC for committing to an internal auditing process that I hope will ensure that
our community gets the best possible service provision for their investment.
I also look forward to county leadership that strives to create a more open and positive
relationship with our city residents and avoids disparaging comments about Eugene.
Eugene voters support valuable services and we are a huge part of the county. I am proud
that Eugeneans want a progressive and balanced system of public safety, built on best prac-
tices and high performance standards.
Kitty Piercy
Mayor of Eugene
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 5