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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2011)
COUPON NOW 2 LOCATIONS! SY'S NEW YORK PIZZA OCCUPIERS SHOULD STAY Dec. 15 is fast approaching, the date the city of Eugene has designated to reevaluate its position on the Occupy Eugene encampment. Will the Occupiers be asked to move on, or will another period of time and perhaps another place be agreed upon? I don’t think there should be any more deadlines; nor do I think the Occupiers should be asked to move. This is a gathering of citizens exercising First Amendment free speech rights and a model community meeting needs (for the homeless, for example) the city has failed to address. It isn’t just something for the people temporarily living there — it’s a center for the whole community. As such, it will be defended by many if the city sends police to try to break it up, as has been tried in New York, Portland and other locations. This could easily lead to unpleasant incidents and stories in the national and world press that won’t refl ect well on our city. I hope city offi cials see fi t to rise above their petty concerns for “health and safety” that are in truth a cover for fears about loss of control, and allow Eugene to provide an example for other cities of peaceful transition — probably over years — to more equity, democracy and sustainability than it will ever attain GUNS PLUS BEER I am the parent of a sophomore at UO. I recently learned of the judicial decision allowing concealed weapons on university campuses. I fi nd the existing gun policy appalling, shortsighted and shockingly unintelligent. I think it is fair to assume that very few students have a responsible understanding of handling life-threatening weapons, and many students who would carry these weapons might be under the infl uence of alcohol while possessing them. The risk of death from misuse of weapons and alcohol related accidents far outweighs the risk of victimization from other criminal activity. Parents place their students in university custody with the assumption that appropriate safety decisions will be made at all times on campus. It is not safe to have students carrying loaded guns in their pockets and beer in their hands. Plain and simple. I implore the legislature to reverse this decision immediately by enacting a new law that prohibits concealed weapons on universities across Oregon. If any legislator resists such legal reform, my fi rst question to them will be: “Are you funded by the gun lobby?” If legislators who are funded by the gun lobby do not act quickly to amend this statute, I can only assume that they are elevating their own political interests over the safety of my student child. That is not acceptable and voters should remove such legislators from offi ce in the next election. Rebecca Biddle Wood Hardesty Boise, Idaho CHOICE OF DRUGS I found the recent feature article on medical marijuana (11/3) confusing. It was purportedly about a federal crackdown on medical marijuana, but then mentioned busts unrelated to medical marijuana. Yes, there have been overreaching threats to the industry, but these cases don’t illustrate that point. COUPON under the current old-style political system. Maggie Springer Eugene 55 SILVER LN. 654-0603 1211 ALDER 686-9598 COUPONS GOOD UNTIL DECEMBER 22 ND , 2011 11AM-MIDNIGHT SUN-THU 11AM-1AM FRI-SAT 11 AM -10PM DAILY SERVING DELICIOUS NEW YORK PIZZA BY THE SLICE AND BY THE WHOLE PIZZA PIE 2.00 OFF ANY 18” LARGE $ ® COUPON little infl uence on the outcome of Ballot Measure 20-182. To reiterate what so many people expressed in this forum and others, the measure was so fundamentally fl awed that there was absolutely no chance of its passing. He concluded his letter by wondering how many jobs Citizens for Jobs and Schools has created since May, when the measure was defeated. My question to Mandrapa and to all the others who supported 20-182: Did you write a check to the Eugene Education Fund for the amount that you would have paid in additional taxes had the measure passed, and will you continue to write a check for this amount annually for the next four years? Or are you just full of hot air? Dave Taube Eugene FREE LARGE SODA 2 SLICES W/ PURCHASE OF COUPON letters TO THE EDITOR PROTECT. RESTORE. ENJOY. FOOTWISE OO S SUPPORTS S O S HEALTHY RIVERS S FOR EVERY PAIR OF PATAGONIA SHOES YOU BUY, BUY $10 WILL BE DONATED TO THE MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST (THROUGH DEC 17) W FOLLOW IS THE TIME FOR FEET NEW TO SHOES YOUR COMFORT Downtown Eugene &#SPBEXBZt 'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFFVHFOF .PO4BU4VO Visit Footwise for great last minute gifts like socks, slippers, hats and scarves. At the Eugene Water & Electric Board, we’re empowering citizens with resources to save money and energy in their homes and businesses. For example, Jennie Cupp encouraged her landlord to replace her windows with ENERGY STAR qualifi ed windows, saving money on her electric bill, keeping her family warm, and increasing her landlord’s property value. To fi nd 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. WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY DECEMBER 8, 2011 5
