letters
TO THE EDITOR
ests masquerades as the cream of fastidi-
ous adherence to the public hearing law.
The legal attack on County Commis-
sioners Sorenson and Handy had the be-
hind-the-scenes funding of the Lane Coun-
ty equivalent of the Koch brothers. It has
more to do with a desire to destroy opposi-
tion to lumber company interests than with
curtailing the common practice of what
Judge Michael Gillespie described as “con-
tinuing multiple conversations.” With more
understanding of the legislative process, he
would have called it consensus building.
In reality, the lawsuit brought by the
lumber company surrogates has as much
to do with funding part-time assistants
as ending collective bargaining for pub-
lic employees has to do with Wisconsin’s
budget defi cit. The collateral damage of
destroying Sorenson and Handy, as Judge
Gillespie’s decision does, is to curtail con-
sensus building among local and county
offi cials. That’s a steep price to pay for
sour skim milk.
Arnold Buchman
Florence
Briefs, 2/3). Possibility does not equal like-
lihood. It is a possibility a satellite could
fall on Eugene, but it is not a likelihood.
Harold Preece
Eugene
SEND IN THE THUGS
The coordinated attack on working
people around the nation have led to some
interesting revelations by Republican gov-
ernors. We now know that Scott Walker
of Wisconsin thought about sending thugs
into the crowds at Madison to disrupt a
peaceful demonstration. We know that
Republican anti-middle-class governors
complain that public employees donate
money to unions which then usually back
Democratic candidates. But where is the
complaint from every taxpayer about gov-
ernment leaders who issue tax breaks to
business? Corporate welfare costs tax-
payer money just like the cost of provid-
ing public services, or paying for wages or
benefi ts. Corruption comes in when those
same government leaders then receive di-
rect campaign contributions and other as-
sistance from those same companies, like
the Koch brothers and Wisconsin Gov.
Scott. This is simple, pure corruption, and
it is happening at many levels of govern-
ment. We need to kick corporate welfare
queens off the public dole.
David Peden
Florence
ALL ABOUT ME
I feel sorry for Frank Skipton (letters,
2/3), and people like him who believe
they are punished for being successful by
having to pay an income tax. What if we
got rid of both income taxes and activity
taxes, and simply have an, “it’s all about
me” tax?
Mary Sharon Moore
Eugene
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timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 words, keep
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Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
FOOT POWER
EmX advocates would have us believe
the economic and environmental health
of Eugene depends on reducing green-
house gases and reliance on fossil fuels
by spending $90 million on monster buses
and extensive road construction for mo-
torized vehicles. From the Slant column
(2/10): “It’s not a perfect plan, but it is a
solid step toward reducing traffi c conges-
tion in west Eugene and connecting West
11th to the rest of the metro area.”
The Fern Ridge Bike/Ped path already
connects west Eugene with the downtown
area. From my observations, at its widest,
the path is 14 feet; its narrowest is only 9
feet. Walkers, runners, children, dogs and
bicyclists of all types use this path. Even on
winter days, there’s some congestion and
dangerous situations involving bicyclists
attempting to pass families out for a walk.
Another parallel path needs to be developed
along Amazon Creek — with bicyclists on
one, and pedestrians on the other.
The future of a healthy, thriving com-
munity does not lie on its motorized roads.
It dwells in the energy and freedom of
movement of its people.
We could learn a few lessons from
Bhutan. In a recent Yes! magazine article
“Why the Kings of Bhutan Ride Bicycles”
reads: “Bhutan has pioneered the use of
Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a
measure of progress, instead of the more
commonly used GNP. GNH measures not
only economic activity, but also cultural,
ecological, and spiritual well-being.”
Many excuses are made for laziness.
Here’s one: “But we’re getting $90 million
from the state and the feds, so we should
just spend it on an imperfect transporta-
tion plan.”
A perfect transportation plan for Eugene
can be envisioned from its “people paths.”
Robert Simms
Eugene
POSSIBILITY
Matching Gift Opportunity
Donate to the McKenzie River Trust during the month of
March and Mountain Rose Herbs will match your donation
up to $2,500. In addition, any gift over $100 will receive a
McKenzie River Trust hat.
This is a perfect opportunity to double your investment
in local land conservation!
To donate please visit
www.mckenzieriver.org
Please provide attorney Susan Jane
Brown of the Western Environmental
Law Center with a new dictionary (News
6 MARCH 10, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY
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