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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 2007)
TO THE EDITOR I did a double-take when reading (9/27 cover story) about the BLM’s proposal to gut the heart out of the roadless country above the Wild Rogue with a clearcutting proposal. Is this the same Wild Rogue south of us that people from around the world come to float, fish and become awe-inspired by? I think the BLM’s meds must be a little off. And it is tough to fathom why Rep. DeFazio would blink twice at a proposal that would safe- guard this area as wilderness forever. Why endure 10 years of “we need wilderness” from whining enviros while the Rogue’s na- tive fish runs are plummeting and its forests are about to transition into stump fields? The time to act is now. John Maxwell Goshen ROOFTOP PARK Greetings! Here’s a compromise idea re: what to build across from the Eugene Public Library. A park, on the roof of a one-story building, which has street-level stores, java haunts to granola shops, facing Olive Street, 10th Avenue and Charnelton Street. The first floor interior could have an inner green- spaces courtyard and access ramps to a below ground parking garage much like the li- brary’s. The excavation work for such a garage is already half-done. (Of course, hav- ing a downtown public pool is an alternative.) On the rooftop’s park, tables and chairs surrounded by plants and small trees in raised-beds, ivy growing on 8-foot high wind-blocking wooden lattice work — all ac- cessed during library hours and for special events. No doubt two or three small cart vendors would love to get a contract for such a rooftop park. So, what do you think? Is it evident to you that any urban renewal work must be envi- ronmentally responsible and contribute to lessening, not increasing, the effects of global warming? Charles F. Thielman Eugene FOR THE KIDS? There’s a very fundamental reason to vote no on Measure 50. This law amends the Oregon Constitution, saying it’s OK to single out one group of people to pay a tax. The proponents of this measure say it’s for the kids, and it’s against smoking. Well, if you’re for the kids, pass a law that’s equitable and spreads the tax evenly across the entire population. Take your share of the responsi- bility. If you want people to stop smoking, you aren’t going to do it by increasing the price. The Oregon Legislature knows this. Truly addicted smokers aren’t going to stop, and the Legislature doesn’t really want them to. Over half the price of a pack of cigarettes is already tax. What would the state do with- out that revenue? They don’t really want smokers to go away. They just want more money, just like a drug pusher who’s profit- ing from stuff they don’t approve of! Vote no on Measure 50. It’s un-American to single out a group of people to pay a tax. And it’s un-American to build taxes into a constitution! There’s better ways to help kids get healthcare. If you’re for the kids, step up to the plate and say, “I’ll help.” Your first word should be NO on Measure 50. Len Goforth Springfield INSTANT DOWNTOWN Look at the downtown furniture store on Willamette, Scan Design, an inside-and-out perfectly good building. The building south of it also looks sound and substantial. Can you imagine a bulldozer smashing it all? But that is what our city government is support- ing by asking a developer to give us an instant downtown, his kind of downtown, on nearly two blocks along West Broadway. It really hurts me to think about that. Many years of throwaway society have re- sulted in today’s precarious state of the envi- ronment. We cannot afford to continue it. I strongly believe in sustainability and will vote no on measure 20-134 We all want to revitalize downtown and we can start immediately doing it by develop- ing the Sears and Aster pits with commercial on street level and housing above. We have local talent to do it and the city has the money for it without increasing the urban renewal fund. A good explanation on how this fund What do these landmark buildings in downtown Eugene have in common? They are targeted for BUDGET CUTS! Urban renewal financing may have helped construct these public buildings but the proposed urban renewal amendment 20-134 steals $44 MILLION from Eugene’s General Fund that is needed for the library and Hult Center’s operation and maintenance. We cannot afford to subsidize private development when we can’t afford to take care of our own public assets or provide essential services like public safety. 2008 PROPOSED BUDGET - SIX-YEAR GENERAL FUND FORECAST from page A12, City of Eugene Fiscal Year 2008 Budget $ IN MILLIONS TIME TO ACT 15 10 5 - (5) (10) (15) (20) FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 Annual Operating Surplus/(Deficit) (2,525,832) (3,024,000) (2,766,000) (3,074,000) (6,295,000) (5,428,000) Reserve for Revenue Shortfall 6,066,616 3,042,288 276,288 (2,797,712) (9,092,712) (14,520,712) VOTE NO on 20-134 to restore funding to Eugene’s General Fund so we can operate, maintain, and secure the public places we care about and be the great city we all want to be. For sensible downtown development and responsible use of taxpayer dollars — VOTE NO on 20-134 A Lovely Wedding Dress for Your Special Day • Pristine dresses in many sizes and styles • Love our Earth, Please Reuse! Wedding Dress Rental Call 344-5557 for an appointment State Representative Paul Holvey • Lane County Commissioner Peter Sorenson Eugene City Councilors Bonny Bettman and Betty Taylor Gavin McComas – Owner, Sundance Natural Foods George Brown – Owner, Kiva Grocery • Paul Nicholson – Owner, Paul's Bicycle Way of Life John Ebeling – Owner, Sandpiper Import Service • Scott Landsfield – Owner, Tsunami Books Michael Wooley – Owner, Long's Meat Market • Tom Tracey – Owner, The Horsehead Greg Bryant, The Tango Center • Paul Webber, Alpine Catering Southeast Neighbors Board of Directors • Rob Handy – Member, West Broadway Advisory Committee Howard Bonnett • Roscoe Caron • Michael Carrigan • Jerry Diethelm • Jim Dotson Kathyrn Gorham • Chris Helm • Art Johnson • Ilona Koleszar • Ginnie Lo Terry McDonald • Bob O'Brien • Mary O'Brien • Cary Thompson • Jan Wostmann For a complete list of endorsements and more information visit: www. SensibleDowntownDevelopment.org Paid for by Taxpayers for Sensible Downtown Development — No on 20-134. Gavin McComas, Treasurer OCTOBER 25, 2007 9
