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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 2007)
TO THE EDITOR nious, passive-aggressive, intolerant cryba- bies with you. Rodney C. Cimburke Jr. Cottage Grove KEEP THE VIEW When I came to Oregon in the early 1970s as a child, there were no houses on the hills and ridgelines around Eugene. I was struck then by Oregon’s rugged beauty. Today, in my neighborhood of Peaceful Valley alone, there are over five houses built on the hilltops and ridgetops in this small rural residential community. Now there is a proposed zoning change that would allow another house to be built on top of a hill. And this is not just any hill; it is the most prominent hilltop and ridgeline in all of the area. Lane Code 16.252 Procedures for Zoning, Rezoning, and Amendments to Requirements Rural Comprehensive Plan states, “Zonings, rezonings … shall not be contrary to the pub- lic interest.” I say that this zoning change is contrary to the public interest because: 1) It will lead to a further visual clutter of our cherished Oregon scenery. 2) The forest management plan does not preclude the use of chemicals, only saying they would be used with a “last resort philos- ophy.” 3) Rezoning such a large property through clever resurveying of the 80 acres closest to rural residential zoned properties is also con- trary to the public’s interest. 4) Since the easement access was modi- fied to allow for up to 10 residences in the fu- ture, one wonders if the applicants will pur- sue further rezoning at a later date to build more houses. I clearly see how rezoning is in the per- sonal interests of the rezoning applicants, Tom Lininger and Merle Weiner, I do not see how it is in the public interest. In fact rezon- ing is clearly contrary to the public’s interest. I, along with 29 other people, have signed a petition against this proposed rezoning. These are the people who live in the commu- nities of Peaceful Valley and Fox Hollow. We strongly urge the hearings official and the Board of County Commissioners to reject this proposed zoning change. Hal Hermanson Eugene BRAIN DUMP WHO YOU GONNA BLAME? Sometimes I need to purge my collective opinion bank. 1. Mid-term elections. Thank Jefferson democracy is still alive. 2. Gratuitous misuse of the term “eco-ter- rorist.” That is a word which should be re- served for politicians who continually sell out natural resources that we citizens hold as our birthright (or as the natives considered it, their backyard). Perhaps eco-rebellion would be more appropriate. 3. Education in Oregon. Always amusing to have conservative Republicans bang the drum of education when everyone in this state knows that it will be the first thing screwed by conservatives. Maybe it is time to examine the kicker refund or possibly some kind of tax reform so that education is not solely reliant on income tax. 4. Eugene Weekly. The EW letters are es- sentially a paper blog for the same dozen or so people (Hinojosa, Strain, Tattersall, etc.). I don’t mind the input, but could we have a lit- tle more variety, or could you just hire these guys so they could provide as much editorial optimism as Alan Pittman? 5. New name for the federal building: How about the Klingon High Command? I dare someone to hang a big sardine tin key off the side of the building. 6. Iraq: I really, really, hate to say it but if you voted for the current dumb-ass for presi- dent in 2004, then the blood of the people who have died is on your hands. But you are forgiven for being duped. Now let’s deal with it. We should get out of there ASAP. 7. We live in a city that is a beacon of sus- tainability. If you don’t think so, then you’ve never been anywhere else. Get on your bike and ride. Supporting sustainability and biodi- versity is our only chance. Davy Ray Eugene SORRY, M OF C! I am an employee at a local natural foods store, and I love my job. It is the best job I have ever had, morally, socially and economically. I love it so much that I found myself today talking badly about another local natural foods store, Market of Choice. I said some very mean things while at work, and now I am somewhat ashamed of what I did. I forgot that Market of Choice, like so many other great stores in Eugene, is a local store. Its most distant location is less than two hours away. It sells local goods and adds a lot of money to the local economy, unlike stores merely paying minimum wages and sending the rest elsewhere. In my studies I have read a lot about sus- tainability, and I take pride in my commu- nity’s efforts towards a sustainable economy. I try to live as sustainably as possible, and I find it very difficult when we have already dug our hole so deep. But I see steps being taken, and I like what I see. And I think that if every store was as local as Market of Choice, we would be taking more steps towards our end goal: to live in harmony with our own en- vironment. Andrew Harmon Eugene EDITORIAL Editor Ted Taylor News Editor Alan Pittman Arts & Music Editor Molly Templeton Performing & Visual Arts/Copy Editor Suzi Steffen Calendar Editor Chuck Adams Contributing Editor Anita Johnson Contributing Writers Jason Blair, Martha Calhoon, Brett Campbell, Rachael Carnes, Michael Cockram, David Constantin, John Dooley, Rachel Foster, James Johnston, Sarah Mazze, Sharleen Nelson, Mary O’Brien, Aaron Ragan-Fore, Vanessa Salvia, Steven Sawada, Sally Sheklow, Lance Sparks, Adrienne van der Valk Interns Amanda Burhop, Nicole Fancher BUSINESS Director of Sales and Marketing Bill Shreve ART DEPARTMENT (personals): personals@eugeneweekly.com Art Director/Production Manager Kevin Dougherty Graphic Artist/Webmaster James Bateman Graphic Artists Todd Cooper, Barbara Cooper Contributing Photographers Kurt Jensen, Paul Neevel ADVERTISING National Sales Manager Mark Frisbee Display Marketing Consultant Jennifer Donohue, Nate Krusi, Rob Weiss Advertising Traffic Coordinator Drew Harrison Classified Manager Jennifer Donohue Classified Marketing Consultant Janus Brezsny, Aspen Rosen Circulation Manager Danica Stiles Controller Paula Hoemann Distributors Bob Becker, Matt Bryson, Margaret Garrison, Tobin Herrera, Susan and David Lawson, Tim Risch, Quick Draw, Pedalers Express Printing Signature Graphics HOW TO REACH US BY E-MAIL: (letters): editor@eugeneweekly.com ace for Planet e P o Ear ht t a th P A An extraordinary new vision for humanity Compelling video documentary followed by Q&A session SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 • 2PM • FREE Downtown Eugene Public Library: Bascom Room Transmission_oregon@yahoo.com Special FREE Introduction Weekend! Learn How to Use The Secret to Attract Vitality, Prosperity and Inner Peace into Your Life World Tree Training and Quantum Leap Healing Arts have teamed up to show you how to use The Law of Attraction to gain a new sense of well-being! x x x Would you like to connect with your inner self in a multi-dimensional, multi-sensory way? Are you looking for new ways to feel your wholeness? Does your Blueprint of Perfect Health elude you? If you answered YES to any of these questions, this weekend is for you! Attend any or all of these Free Introductions! Learn more about how you can empower your health! Friday: 6:00pm Introduction to Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Saturday: - 9:00 am- Time Empowerment™ Techniques. - 1:00 pm- Attracting your Ideal Client. - 5:30pm- Core Integration. (advertising): ads@eugeneweekly.com (classifieds): classy@eugeneweekly.com (calendar): cal@eugeneweekly.com (music/clubs/special shows): music@eugeneweekly.com (art/openings/galleries): visualarts@eugeneweekly.com Sunday: - 10:00am- Hypnosis—Theory and Practice. - 1:00pm- Quantum Leap Healing Arts Demo of the EPFX/SCIO Quantum Biofeedback Device. Dates: Feb 23, 24, 25 Fri 6:00pm—10pm, Sat 9:00am-8:30pm Sun 10:00am-5:00pm Location: Tamarack Wellness Center—Annex Building 3575 Donald St. Eugene, OR For More Info call: 541-484-5599 (performance/theater): performance@eugeneweekly.com (literary arts/readings): books@eugeneweekly.com (movies/film screenings): movies@eugeneweekly.com (circulation): distribution@eugeneweekly.com Visit WorldTreeTraining.com for more details. Email: thesecret@worldtreetraining.com Eugene Weekly • 1251 Lincoln Street • Eugene, OR 97401 • 541.484.0519 • fax 541-484-4044 FEBRUARY 22, 2007 7
