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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 31, 2011)
letters TO THE EDITOR a split second I was fl at out on the sidewalk, scraped knees, broken glasses, blood on the shirt from a pinhole lesion over one eye, a scuffed left hand, a swollen right hand, and a sore left arm that I couldn’t seem to work. Tons of cars driving by, no one came to help or inquire, but then I suppose it’s not so unusual, an elderly man with a backpack sprawled out on the sidewalk. The old sot is sleeping it off. I did meet kind people, just not at that spot. I made my way back to Oakway Fitness Center and got my dear wife off the rowing machine to drive me to Eugene Urgent Care, into the good hands of the wonderful medical personnel at that facility. Ragland and others like her are what keep the world turning. Jim Wood Eugene UNDO THE TECH I think it’s fi tting that John Zerzan’s letter ran last week alongside those of Shannon Wilson and Don MacQueen. Zerzan’s point is irrefutable: Techno- industry must be undone. It will be undone at some point, the only question is how much damage it will do fi rst. Concerns like Wilson’s continue to advocate techno based, false green, mine reliant, short term solutions like heat pumps and, like MacQueen’s, concerned about the loss of capitalism and its potentially devastating impact that may have on us few privileged humans who benefi t from it, bring us further away from a planet that can maintain life. There’s no time for such useless and privileged debate, how many species need to die off for people to recognize that? How many rivers, oceans, lakes and land areas will be declared dead zones before you stop worrying about heating your home and your ability to conduct business? Jason Gonzales Walton EMX PATH In response to Tom Schnieder’s (3-17 letters “Bikes Help, But…”), I agree. But if EmX cuts through the bike path that goes through the city wetlands preserve between City View and Oak Patch, walking would take a serious hit, as well as biking. Who wants to walk or bike along West 11th? Not I. The bike path offers quiet and relatively non-polluting walking (except for the offending car-fi nishing place that lets fumes into the surrounding air) along the beautiful green wetlands and stream, with the many birds, and even sheep. To destroy this would be a serious mistake, not only for walkers and bikers, but also for those whose apartments border this area! Joan Swift Eugene EMX ESSENTIAL Some EmX opponents have argued that West 11th businesses are “autocentric,” oriented only towards shoppers with cars. This is incorrect. I recently rode a bus along West 11th and counted the businesses of various types. Only about 30 percent require that shoppers come by car, for example, car repair, mini-storage, tool rental, veterinarian. For the remaining 70 percent of businesses along West 11th, shoppers can easily travel and carry purchases by bus; for example, restaurants, banks, insurance agencies, grocery stores, beauty salons, and many others. A few businesses require truck deliveries; for example, furniture, mattresses, carpeting, whether shoppers come by car or bus. The time when Americans can go shopping cheaply in personal cars is ending. Buying and repairing cars already costs too much for many individuals and families. And the cost of gasoline is soaring. Soon many more residents of Eugene and Lane County will be joining those who already do most of their shopping by bus. It’s surprising that West 11th businesses opposed to EmX can’t see that their future depends on whether customers can travel quickly and cheaply to and from their stores. EmX is a modern, effi cient bus rapid-transportation system that will be essential for many Eugene families as they do their shopping, and for the future prosperity of the West 11th business community. Jack Meacham Eugene Opens THIS Saturday, April 2! Clb Celebrate S Spring! i ! Local Artisans, Great Food, Live Music, & People & More People! See you there... e... Ever y Saturday y • 10 am - 5 p pm • R ain or Shine • 8th & Oak w w w.eugenesaturdaymarket.org CIVIC VILLAGE In my opinion the Fred Meyer proposal is the best all around solution for Civic Stadium. Less traffi c congestion than an Em’s game getting over. The Fred Meyer proposal will create jobs during construction for local workers, and once fi nished will provide many new jobs not only for the Fred Meyer, but also for the housing and other commercial businesses planned for the build. More local jobs and commerce will help stimulate our depressed economic climate here with this very popular retail outlet. This is an “if you build it, they will come” project. As a bonus this project is not dependent upon government funding to succeed. As an added bonus, the stadium’s wooden grandstand would be taken apart and much of it reused in buildings throughout the development, including the store. “Certainly, the history of the site will be well documented in the Fred Meyer,” as quoted from Forrest, the regional real estate manager in charge of store development for Fred Meyer. Plans also include a Civic Stadium- themed pub that features photos and memorabilia of the stadium that was built by the Works Progress Administration during the Depression. Sometimes we have to make hard choices and sacrifi ces to bring about positive change in a time where money is tight and jobs are few. Saving this historical stadium would be a wonderful thing to do in opulent times. But with Eugene’s 4J School District in dire straits, and jobs hard to fi nd, I believe the Fred Meyer build to be of great benefi t to our community. It would also give the residents of south Eugene and campus area a closer grocery/ variety store to shop at. I believe this will be a home run for our community, and all involved. Mike Weber Eugene HOW ARE THE SCHOOLS? Would these people be against food for widows and orphans if that were the issue? I’m talking about the handful of WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM W H I S K E Y R I V E R R A N C H P R E S E N T S THE HANK SHREVE BLUES SHOWCASE SPECIAL GUEST TY CURTIS UPCOMING SPECIAL GUESTS G A RY M A Z U R E A P R I L 1 4 J OA N N E B R O H A P R I L 2 1 VICKIE STEVENS APRIL 28 EVERY THURSDAY FROM 8PM TIL MIDNIGHT • 4740 MAIN STREET, SPRINGFIELD EUGENE WEEKLY MARCH 31, 2011 5
