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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 2010)
TO THE EDITOR Arlo Guthrie’s Corvallis performance sounds worth the trip (Calendar, 4/22). However, one hopes that concert-goers do not follow your instructions to head south, or they will have a very long trip to get there! Carlis Nixon Eugene EDITOR’S NOTE: Been up so long it seems down to me. HONOR NATURE This oil spill could have also been a nuclear disaster, running out of fresh drinking water, using our last bit of topsoil, a global meltdown or an E. coli epidemic. We cannot build enough “safety valves” to protect the environment and our children’s future from our disrespect of nature. Indigenous cultures should be our advisors on nature, not our victims. They have always known our only path to true prosperity: to honor nature. Mike Meyer Eugene WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM ge Co lle ty un i m Wildflower Festival SUNDAY MAY 16, 10am-4pm & La ne Co m Ar ou bo nt re Pisg tu ah m proudly present the 30th annual Pl an t S oc i et y M of O re go n w Suggested donation: $5 per person; under 12 free w Free parking! w NO DOGS e The UO intends to begin construction of a suburban-style offi ce complex on the banks of the Willamette River in the open space adjacent to Autzen Footbridge under a plan developed in the mid-1980s. The fi rst increment of this development, primarily for the Oregon Research Institute (ORI), will be a four- story private offi ce building surrounded by a sprawling 200-car surface parking lot on the riverfront. Within the past few months, major university groups have declared opposition to construction under the outdated plan. These groups include the University Senate, the ASUO Student Senate, the faculty of all of the departments in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts and the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation. The resolutions have passed enthusiastically because of the administration’s historical and current disregard for the voices of the greater university community regarding this issue, and the use of development and ecological principles from the last century to construct on our riverfront today. With this challenging situation, our new UO president has an opportunity to begin working towards a relationship of mutual respect and collaboration with the university community. President Lariviere should call a halt to riverfront development plans while the 1989 Master Plan is updated through a transparent, meaningful and participatory process to match our current values and development standards. In the interim, alternate sites are available for ORI’s new building that are not on the riverfront. Lariviere can singlehandedly turn this into a winning situation for all. Information and a petition asking the UO president and ORI to engage the community before moving forward under a 1989 riverfront development plan can be found at www.ConnectingEugene.org Paul A. Cziko UO Grad Student iv TRIPPING TO ARLO HALT ORI PROJECT N at Some old raver, furry, green, fl oppy hats, pajamas, etc., playing hacky sack across the street from the library. Conscientious moms with dreadlocks, affectionate dads with Mohawks and piercings. Lots of street musicians. I’ve also witnessed stellar human beings employed by the Eugene Public Library effectively interacting with these creative young people by setting a positive example, communicating, almost serving as guidance counselors: a stout-hearted guy named Greg in his black uniform, protecting and serving the people of Eugene outside the library each day, and probably for a tiny fraction of what those brutes get paid to Taser our college kids. Visiting the stores and galleries, restaurants and library in downtown Eugene is a joy, a privilege. Saturday Market is a thrill. Astonishing. The people here are friendly, imaginative, kind and compassionate. I love you, Eugene. Stay weird, stay beautiful! Don’t believe the hype. Ban Tasers in Eugene! Jay D. Smith Eugene Th e letters wHuge Native Flower Display wPlant Sale wLIVE MUSIC wKids’ Activities wGreat Food & Wine wArt, Gifts, & Books For more info: (541)747-3817 w www.MountPisgahArboretum.org Donald R. Dexter Jr DMD EUGENE WEEKLY MAY 13, 2010 7
