Eugene weekly., July 30, 2009, Page 7, Image 7

letters
TO THE EDITOR
the blame, LCAS has teamed up with the
Eugene Spay/Neuter Clinic and Greenhill
Humane Society to curb unwanted litters of
bully breeds. A small unexpected windfall
of cash has been dedicated to offering
vouchers for the altering of pit bull-type
dogs. We are focusing on low-income folks
who cannot otherwise afford the surgery,
and we are targeting female dogs that are
likely to reproduce. Bully litters usually are
10+ puppies, so every spay is a huge victory.
I gladly hand out vouchers for in-heat and
pregnant dogs, knowing their accidental
litters face a scary, uncertain future.
We make it easy to obtain a voucher —
just call me and explain your situation! We
are here to help. And help is exactly what
they need. Folks will call up, with unsure
voices. “I saw this ad? About pit bulls?
Uhmmm … do you think you can help me?”
The relief and joy in the voices of these bully
caretakers is palpable. Many of them wanted
to do the right thing, but their kid got sick.
The boyfriend went to jail. They were laid
off, recently disabled.
Please, if you are able to donate
just $40 to our voucher program
(www.co.lane.or.us/animals), that is another
female spayed — another 10 puppies that
don’t have to roll the dice in an animal
shelter; another shelter kennel empty
instead of housing a lost, abandoned,
homeless pit bull. And frankly, another
litter of pit bulls that are not running loose
and causing the kind of havoc that gives the
bullies a bad name.
Kylie Belachaikovsky
Lane County Animal Services
Volunteer and Community Outreach
Coordinator
FUN FAIRNESS
In response to Eve Cienfuegos’ (7/16)
letter about the Oregon Country Fair, I must
say that in 18 years of attending the Fair —
my entire life — I have had a vastly different
experience than the one she describes. The
Fair isn’t a camping trip. It is a community
of volunteers who work hard to create a place
where people can express their creativity with
freedom while having fun. It is also one
of the cleanest and safest public events I have
ever attended.
While there are drugs and sex at OCF,
that is not the greatest attraction. I myself
have never once done any sort of illegal
drug or even smoked or drunk. The Fair is
an exciting place with interesting people,
good food, great art and fantastic music, but I
guess you only see what you look for.
Stewart Boyatt
Eugene
Live Life Fulfi lled... Climbing!
LOUDER NOT BETTER
I was so excited about the Riverbank
Path Promenade July 19! The poster
invited everyone, especially neighbors, to
"participate, share your talents, share your
thoughts" and to "stroll, play music, show
your artwork." As a musician and recording
artist, I went to the Promenade with my guitar
and my original songs (including one called
“Whiteaker Girl”). I was so disappointed
when I got there and found canned music
blaring from huge speakers. Yes, there was
a band, but they were on break, and they
were using their break to sell their new CD.
I thought that surely they would agree to
turn it down at some point during the day so
I could play a couple of songs acoustically
and share with my neighborhood. The band,
ironically called Common Ground, refused.
I wonder how many other musicians did not
get to share, as invited.
To
the
Whitaker
Neighborhood
Association, who would not step in, and to
the band Common Ground: shame! The
neighborhood missed something special
and ended up with a loud band that was
there because of ego and money. Louder
is not better for this kind of event: Volume
ruins the intimacy because people have to sit
farther away or it is too loud. I still love my
neighborhood. I don't believe the true spirit
of the Promenade was reached, though, and
I hope the volume level is considered next
year, so everyone can really share.
Corona Hats
Eugene
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EUGENE WEEKLY JULY 30, 2009 7