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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2012)
letters TO THE EDITOR STEADFAST ADVOCATE I’m glad that we have Commissioner Pete Sorenson as our South Eugene commissioner. He has a multi-year, consistent dedication to a comprehensive list of progressive issues that refl ects our district. Pete’s steadfast advocacy for issues like public education at all levels, environmental protection, long-term economic development and social services is very important to me, a mother of 2-year old. I know that Sorenson’s views aren’t in the three-member majority right now, but I think our voice is still best represented by the experienced and committed Pete Sorenson, as we work to build to a progressive majority on the board. Ann Kneeland Eugene attorney ECONOMIC TYRANTS \Is there a never ending well of bad ideas or is it that society is maintained for the benefi t of the rich, the ultra rich in particular? Now we read of uncovered, toxin-spewing coal trains coming through Eugene and ultimately through burning, creating even more climate chaos (EW cover story, 1/19). And the saddest part is that many people will just resign themselves to this travesty. If there’s any doubt that we live in a plutocracy witness two examples right here in Lane County. First is the carving up of Parvin Butte. The judge has decided that through quarry extraction, land rights trump the preservation of a community and the environment. Co-owners the Demers and McDougals also have plans to divert a sizable portion of McKenzie River water. Second is the Seneca biomass generator, owned by Aaron Jones who used “green” federal dollars to help build it, and just as critics predicted is now polluting low- income west Eugene neighborhoods. These are but small-fry economic tyrants. I don’t care if it’s George Soros or the Koch brothers, when an individual has that much money they have a undue infl uence on politics, people’s lives and the environment. The Occupy movement may be the last chance have a viable planet for future generations. I urge you to support it anyway you can. “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both,” said Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis. Scott Fife Eugene HEARTS & MINDS I have been involved with Occupying the Heart and Mind since its conception amidst the original encampments. During the fi nal moments of our last gathering at the Washington/Jefferson Occupation I watched a single acorn fall into the center of our silent meditation/prayer circle. I took it as an omen and brought it home to my alter. Now, as the Equinox approaches, along with the 25th gathering of Occupying the Heart and Mind, the call has come to plant this seed, a symbol of our vitality and future strength from the trees that once Hapa formed the basis of a gift economy within our bio-region. Regardless of our names and affi liations, those of us who have come together to create a transformation of global consciousness will only continue to dig our roots deeper as we reach toward the light, nurtured by the love and support we hold for one another in our hearts and minds. Please come join us in celebration from 2 to 4 pm Saturday, March 17, at the Occupy Headquarters, 7th and Polk. After an hour of silent meditation/prayer, there will be a sharing circle, followed by a brief planting ceremony. If you feel so called, you are invited to bring a handful of sacred earth and/or holy water, as an offering to the earth that sustains us. You may also choose to bring something for the alter. Dress warm and please RSVP, if possible at “Occupying the Heart and Mind” on Facebook. Nathaniel Nordin-Tuininga Eugene KEEP LIBRARY HOURS I have just learned that some of the major budget cuts that are going to be made will include reducing the Bethel and Sheldon branch library hours to 24 hours a week. This is cutting hours to half or more of what they are at present. This is a huge disappointment. I realize libraries are a privilege for community members to enjoy, though I am sure our property taxes do include covering these expenses. It seems like a foolish move on the city’s part. My family personally visits the Bethel branch four, fi ve, even six days a week, checking out books, picking up holds, attending special events. We ride our bikes there, cutting our carbon footprint, and enjoying aerobic activity that allows us to be less of a health burden upon society, and I know we are not alone. The local branches provide for so many people of all ages and levels in ways that other city services cannot compare. I would ask people to go to the city of Eugene Budget Committee website and email committee members and let your thoughts be known. To continue to cut library hours will only result in undermining our local community. If we aren’t careful, before we know it, they may decide to close them altogether, and what a loss that would be. Shame on them. Shame on us. Rebecca W. Jaquette Eugene Sat, March 17 The Ungar- Mason Family Band The Shedd Institute 03.17 Hapa 03.29 The Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band 04.07 Moombah! Rumbles’ City Hop 04.27 Miguel Dehoyos & Alex Depue 04.28 Keola Beamer & Raiatea Helm 05.04-13 The Jazz Kings: On The Road with Jimmy Van Heusen 05.05 Zoë Keating 05.09 DeJohnette, Corea & Clarke 05.18/20 Siri Vik: Where or When Tickets/more info: 541-434-7000 - theshedd.org 868 High Street (E Broadway & High), Eugene Thu, Mar 29 DeJohnette Corea Clarke Wed, May 9 7 p/9:15 p NEW FLATS FOR SPRING FOLLOW YOUR FEET TO FOOTWISE FOR SPRING STYLES indigo The Plush Bea by Indigo features cute cutouts and asoft leather upper. W FOLLOW IS THE TIME FOR FEET NEW TO SHOES YOUR COMFORT Downtown Eugene &#SPBEXBZt 'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFFVHFOF .PO4BU4VO Downtown Corvallis 48.BEJTPOt 'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFDPSWBMMJT .PO4BU4VO ERODING BENEFITS I have been a union member all my working life and have recently retired. I am still a member of the Oregon AFSCME Retirees Chapter 75. We got our charter just two years ago and already represent 200 members statewide. We also have a Eugene Chapter that meets at 11:30 am every fi rst Monday of every month at the AFSCME Labor Center, 7th and Charnelton. I am proud to say that we voted this month to join the Health Care for All Oregon Coalition supporting the Oregon Single Payer Campaign. While we are retired, we still must pay for our health care until we are Medicare WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM NON-PROFIT CREDIT COUNSELING )UHH&RQVXOWDWLRQ (QG&ROOHFWLRQ&DOOV 6WRS/DWH 2YHU/LPLW)HHV /RZHU0RQWKO\3D\PHQWV 5HGXFH,QWHUHVW5DWHV ¡6H+DEOD(VSDQRO EUGENE OFFICE LOCAL 1200 Executive Pkwy. Ste #260 Eugene, OR (541) 344-0200 www.DebtReductionServices.org | 1-877-688-3328 EUGENE WEEKLY MARCH 15, 2012 5
