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
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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
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EUGENE WEEKLY MARCH 15, 2012
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