letters
TO THE EDITOR
IMPLIED VIOLENCE
It was with inspired heart that I took my
kids to the Oct. 16 Occupy Eugene March.
Looking at the exuberance and peace
embodied by the people surrounding us, I
thought that this movement might be one
I could support and work for. And I did to
the best of my ability. Until recently.
Under the umbrella of Occupy Eugene
is a group called Tango Down. The name
derives from police/military jargon and
means “target killed.” It is this group
that was responsible for the Christmas
action at Councilor Poling’s home, among
others. They have been unapologetic and
uncompromising in their actions, many of
which have undertones of violence.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must
forever conduct our struggle on the high plane
of dignity and discipline. We must not allow
our creative protest to degenerate into physical
violence. Again and again we must rise to the
majestic heights of meeting physical force
with soul force.” I believe King would have
wept tears of joy had he marched with us on
Oct. 16, and I believe he would decry the
actions that Tango Down has taken in the
name of this “peaceful” movement.
It saddens me that Occupy Eugene
has allowed a group whose very name
implies violence to sully what was such an
amazing movement for positive change. I
hope that our local Occupy can fi nd a way
to return to the roots of nonviolent civil
disobedience. When they do, I’ll be able to
fully and joyfully voice my support again.
Taylor Rutledge
Springfi eld
NO EVIDENCE
Once again Eugene planners have
an opportunity to innovate and improve
Eugene’s transportation as a bike friendly
town. Once again they fail with the new
Willamette Street upgrade. Apparently
some businesses oppose bike lanes and safe
sidewalks because of a perverse and false
notion they will lose customers. Where did
they get this idea? Where is the evidence
this actually happens? Do they think their
Anyone who aspires to fi ll Sorenson’s
shoes should understand that south
Eugene’s best values are upheld and
sustained by the commissioner we have
now.
Elaine Weiss
Eugene
WRONG IDEAS
customers only drive cars?
Numerous towns in Europe and the
U.S. have adopted mixed-use designs
to everyone’s advantage but once again
Eugene refuses to change. Once again
urban designers consider the needs of
cars over the needs of people. I guess
alleviating traffi c congestion, offering
a safe environment for pedestrians and
bicycles while increasing local business is
not part of the city’s plan. I already avoid
biking that part of town because of the
unsafe conditions.
Alisa McLaughlin
Eugene
SORENSON’S BIG SHOES
In case anyone in Pete Sorenson’s
district isn’t already aware of how well
we have been served by the commissioner,
here are a few high points.
Without Sorenson, we would have
lost protection of the F-1 lands. Farms
and forestlands in Lane County that are
now protected would instead be subject
to development. This protection endures
thanks to strategy and organizing that
originated with Sorenson.
Sorenson brings dedication, knowledge,
resilience and a generous spirit to the offi ce.
On the nonpartisan front, he was the only
liberal invited to testify in congressional
committee’s deliberations introducing the
concept of federal payments to forested
counties. He took a leading role in bringing
millions of federal dollars to Oregon.
Human rights and environmental groups,
working people and students have a friend
in Sorenson. Active in the community and
accessible at the courthouse, he keeps up
an amazingly high level of service.
Watch board meetings that are
televised on Channel 21 and you’ll see
how courageously Sorenson represents
south Eugene. He respects differences
but he holds his ground on matters of
principle. On countless issues, he asks the
right questions, helping us to see exactly
what is going on, often beneath surface
appearances.
What a great smile! Andy Stahl tries
always to be a great forest protector but
politically he fails even with his smile.
He thinks he can persuade Faye Stewart
to support his ideas on forest protection.
That won’t happen! He thinks countywide
elections are better than having fi ve
county districts. Wrong again! That would
produce a slate of candidates sponsored
by the timber barons and their million-
dollar campaigns. The money would
take away what democracy we have left.
Sorry, Stahl, but I can’t support you as a
commissioner until you learn a little more
about democracy and fair elections.
Ruth Duemler
Eugene
BASHING SMART METERS
I am amazed by the continuous bashing
of smart meters and the assertion that these
meters pose a dangerous threat to our
health, never mentioning the EMFs that
are emitted by everyday appliances. For
example, the clock radio at the side of most
people’s beds just inches from our heads
for six to eight hours. I think these terror
mongers really want the free power that
comes with the older meter technology,
due to its limited ability to record fractions
of a kilowatt.
Why hasn’t there been any uproar
regarding NW Natural Gas use of smart
meters?
Eric Briggs
Eugene
MUTUAL AID
On behalf of the Eugene Mutual
Aid Society I would like to encourage
everyone to check out our website at
EUGENE FAMILIES
School’s open!
See what our schools offer!
It’s school choice time in Eugene School District 4J. You can enroll in
your neighborhood school at any time. To request enrollment in a different
school for 2012–13, turn in a school choice request form by March 23 at 5 p.m.
Requests will be accepted in an order determined by lottery.
To learn more about the process and what 4J schools offer, come to the School
Showcase or attend another school choice event.
School Showcase
Wall to Wall
Winter Cycling Gear
Ibex Merino wool clothing layers, bright lights, fenders, reflectives, weather-
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Bring bikes to Willamette St.
facebook: arrivingbybike
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4
JANUARY 26, 2012
EUGENE WEEKLY
Saturday, Feb. 11,
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Chávez Elementary School,
1510 W. 14th Ave.
Get answers about
school choice. Talk
to representatives
from every 4J
school.
Schools Open
for Visits
Monday, Jan. 30–
Friday, Feb. 3
Monday, Feb. 27–
Friday, Mar. 2
Each school offers different
activities and times when
parents can visit. Please
phone ahead or see
www.4j.lane.edu/choice
for details.
School Choice
Information
Meetings
4J Education Center,
200 N. Monroe
Thursday, Jan. 26,
7–8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23,
7–8 p.m.
Learn about the school
choice process.
More information: XXXKMBOFFEVDIPJDFt541-790-7570
Eugene School District 4J 200 N. Monroe St., Eugene
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