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TO THE EDITOR
introducing yet another, unseen-by-the-
public proposal having the same effect.
Commissioner Pete Sorenson was
quoted in the daily paper: “an outrage ...
(that will) increase the cynicism... about
people who are in power.” No, Pete, I have
not lost faith in our elected offi cials entirely;
just the ones who pull dirty tricks, and their
fellows who roll over and play deaf to the
citizenry. And these days, they all happen
to be Republican or right-of-Republican.
Their methods are frankly disgusting, and
are anything but democracy in action.
Vip B. Short
Eugene
EXPOSED BRAINS
Bravo, EW for publishing two pictures
of bicyclists without helmets in your Back
to Campus issue Oct. 6. “Hey sailor, new
to town? No prob, check this out!” On the
cover we have a young man in a snappy
yellow cap. On the fi rst page of the article,
we have a young lady with a fashionable
hair-do, or is that some kind of wrap? Can’t
tell due to the shitty picture. Yep, both of
those looks will keep you safe from a head-
fi rst skid due to the falling leaves, etc.
Is the message you want to convey
to newcomers: Go chic — no need for
helmets here?
Clap … clap … clap!
Jeff Albertson
Springfi eld
TELEVISE THEM
Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School
Southtowne Merchants
Support Our Schools
Give to “Ridgeline Rising”
October 22, 2011, 11:00 -3:00pm at 28th & Oak Street
It’s a Fundraiser Kick-Off Event for Ridgeline’s Capital Fund Campaign
Activities Included:
Ridgeline Choir Ridgeline Bhangra Dancers A Raffle A Silent Auction
Longs’ BBQ Bouncy House
Oregonians have a right to have
public meetings televised and placed into
the public domain on the internet. The
technology is not cheap, but if public
bodies want support from the public for the
work they do, those public agencies should
conduct their meetings with the full glare
of television.
In our state, the Oregon Legislature has
had many of their sessions (fl oor debates)
and committee meetings televised for
years. When I was a state senator I was
often assisted by people who had seen
a particular meeting on TV and gave me
some thoughtful advice.
Similarly, as the senior member on the
Lane County Board of Commissioners
I’ve seen in our meetings, which have
been televised for many years, that the
members are more respectful toward each
other, knowing that they are being watched
by maybe 20,000 Lane County residents.
Also, good ideas can fl ow in from people
who catch a replay of the board meetings.
Those who oppose televising meetings
can be expected to use money as a reason
to shut off public access. I reject this idea,
because the benefi ts of televising meetings
are very strong.
Thanks to you who support televising
public meetings!
Pete Sorenson
Lane County Commissioner
SHAMEFUL CLOSURE
The recent closure of the Boys and
Girls Club due to lack of money is more
than just shameful. As a positive, safe
and healthy place, the club has provided
supervised programs and activities that not
only keep kids engaged and out of trouble,
but served as the only responsible option
for many working parents. Those parents
are now left with no choice but to leave
their young kids with a house key and
the hope that things will be okay until the
adults get home from work.
If this were a contentious political
campaign, hundreds of thousands of
dollars would have been raised for a cause
or candidate. I hope that enough money
can be raised to reopen the Boys and Girls
Club. Surely Eugene wants to show other
cities that it has its priorities straight.
Les Weinstein
Eugene
LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics and
will print as many as space allows, with priority given to
timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 words, keep
submissions to once a month, and include your address
and phone number for our files. Email to letters@
eugeneweekly.com fax to 484-4044, or mail to 1251
Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
At the Eugene Water & Electric Board, we’re empowering citizens with
resources to save money and energy in their homes and businesses —
like James Cupp, who proves that even the smallest change can make
a big difference. James helped his mom replace their home’s
incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that
use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer. To find out about
EWEB’s energy-saving programs for your own home, visit
eweb.org/saveenergy or call 541-685-7000. Maybe yours
will be the next powerful tale we tell.
6
OCTOBER 20, 2011
EUGENE WEEKLY
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