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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2011)
letters TO THE EDITOR in New Jersey with once-excellent schools and economy. When children were victims of unrest, the result was the departure of many, leaving abandoned businesses and real estate values negatively impacted. Will this happen in Eugene? Let’s make the decision to shore up a temporarily distressed economy by saving institutions which are dear to us. Vote yes for the morale of educators, children and, indeed, everyone. We need the temporary income tax and to preserve Civic Stadium. Phyllis Kesner Eugene after, the event repeats itself. Not once have I heard any long-term solution for this ongoing problem. This “kick the can down the road” philosophy only makes the problems worse in the future. What exact- ly do we owe our children: a duct-tape fi x, or a rebuild? What’s to prevent this cur- rent crises and proposal from falling into the same pattern? Convince me this proposal is a long- term solution that will create greater prosperity for future generations, and I will vote “yes.” Otherwise, I’m voting “no.” Tim Haley Eugene Sporty Comfort Veda MUSHROOM DIVE I think I speak for most local mush- room enthusiasts in expressing my simul- taneous disdain and appreciation of Wil- liam Kennedy’s poorly contrived “The Fungus Among Us” in the April 7 Chow. On one hand, it’s astounding EW did not fi nd anyone with any experience or en- thusiasm for enjoying wild mushrooms in all of Eugene (maybe a vegetarian should have been sent on a quest to fi nd the city’s best burger). On the other, its lackluster vagueness surely couldn’t have inspired any newbies from picking over our prized hunting spots as morel madness kicks into gear. So what was it? A last-minute article to justify the cute cartoon on the cover? Or did EW just take a dive? Peter Ratzloff Eugene LONG-TERM SOLUTION? I’m not a Tea Partier, nor am I on the other extreme. I’m a construction worker struggling to pay my bills, earn a bachelor’s degree and put money aside for the future. This proposed income tax will cost me two months of savings each year, or one three-credit class at LCC each year. As a lifelong Oregonian, I can’t re- member more than a few years at a time without some sort of school budget crises of some sort, usually ending in either tem- porary new or raised taxes that become permanent, or teachers getting laid off and school days being cut. Then, shortly there- TOUGH LOVE TIME No thank you, I’m passing on this bond measure. As much as I would like to see our school district make needed repairs, I cannot vote to saddle our community with such debt. This bond measure for $70 million will likely cost, over 21 years, $83 million in interest, and that fi gure includes the federal interest subsidy. Using this kind of fi nancing, the district will pay twice the amount for every item on the needs list. Is this the best use of our community’s funds? Twenty-one years is a long time. The kindergartners of today will be young adults when these bills from the fi rst years of their education will fi nally be paid. What about the intervening years? As of June 2010, the district’s outstanding debt to be paid by property taxes was $121 million plus interest. Should we really be adding another $153 million of debt to that fi gure? In 2010, those property taxes totaled about $16 million and paid both interest and principal. We have a long way to go. Of course, what if we were not paying off that debt? At $16 million a year, in 5 years, $80 million. That would take care of that needs list. It is time for tough love. Only us voters can cut up the credit bond cards. Let us live as a community within our means. Vote no, thank you. Barbara Bochnovic Eugene See What’s New for Summer 2011 SANDALS SHOES CLOGS BOOTS &#SPBEXBZt%PXOUPXO&VHFOFt 48.BEJTPOt%PXOUPXO$PSWBMMJTt .PO4BU4VOtXXXGPPUXJTFDPN THIS AD SPACE T HANK YOU FOR VOTING US IN E UGENE W EEKLY ’ S B EST OF E UGENE 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Mother’s Homemade Recipes No MSG, No Dairy Vegetarian Selections T A R A R IN G IFT C ARDS Available at restaurant, come see us for details! e Over 50 Selections of Beer & Wine See our complete menu online: www.TaRaRinThai.com O PEN S EVEN D AYS A W EEK K ! ~ W EEKDAY L UNCH S PECIALS ~ ~ D INE I N OR T AKE O UT ~ Mon-Fri: 11 am-3 pm Lunch 4:30 pm-10 pm Dinner Sat-Sun: 12 noon-10 pm Located in downtown Eugene at 1200 Oak St. Phone WE ALSO LOAN MONEY. LOW RATES. FEWER FEES. BETTER TERMS. www.nwcu.com / 800-452-9515 541.343.1230 All loans subject to approval. Federally insured by NCUA. WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY MAY 12, 2011 7
