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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 24, 2012)
letters TO THE EDITOR Another way of looking at the age of City Hall is that it was built in 1964, the year that world oil discoveries peaked. We’ve been discovering less and less oil ever since then. If City Hall is demolished, whatever we build in its place better be built to last because there will simply not be the energy and other resources to easily replace it yet again 50 years later. Robert Bolman Eugene LEAVE PARVIN INTACT My family and I have lived in Dexter for almost 10 years. Our initial decision to settle on land here was due in part to the majestic and historical impression we felt with Parvin Butte and Mount Zion. While our land has a clear and very visible view of Parvin Butte, I have watched daily the initial deforestation and subsequent landslides thus feeling very disheartened. Not a day doesn’t go by where I am not stunned and in utter disbelief that this blatant destruction is taking place in my community and in a residential setting. When this world is so fi lled with endless greed and self- preservation, when do we say enough is enough? We are blessed with abundance and so when will we choose to pass this along to the next generations? We are but mere stewards of the future and with dignity we can proudly choose the leave well enough alone. To the McDougal brothers and Greg Demers: Please let it go. Make a choice to have a positive impact, and leave a lasting legacy with an intact Parvin Butte. There is always a solution that can work for everyone. Renée Bisnaire Dexter HELPING FOR 33 YEARS When a parent is more confi dent, knowledgeable, supported and skilled in their childrearing, everyone benefi ts — the child, the parents and the entire community. Here in Lane County, we’re fortunate that Birth To Three’s programs have helped more than 90,000 parents and children in our community over the last 33 years. These programs are for parents of young children, regardless of age, income, education or culture. More information is at birthto3.org. May 20-26 is Parent Education Awareness Week in Oregon and a good moment to pause to appreciate Birth To Three’s role in helping Lane County’s children be raised by nurturing, skilled parents. Phil Weiler Board president, Birth To Three Eugene WHEN THE COPS CAME Riding down Pearl on Saturday [5/12]I was struck and knocked off my bike in an intersection by a truck that didn’t signal as it suddenly turned left in my path. Fortunately, I was not severely injured. It is imperative that vehicles watch out for bicyclists in the bike lanes, especially as they turn. Motorists need to use their signals at all times to be clear about where they are going. Cyclists, wear your helmets, please! The worst part of this incident was when the police came. They were callous, rude and dismissive, as if I were some trite fool wasting their precious offi cial time. They left me high and dry with my weeping road-rashes, bruised eye and busted bike and a slip saying “this accident will NOT be investigated.” Could have offered me a short ride home up the street, guys. So much for the protect, care, serve lip-service. At least the guy who hit me has insurance, even though he got no tickets. At least he’s been better to deal with than the Potemkin cops. Michael McFadden Eugene suit, blaming global warming on other countries. Here in Oregon, we now have to think about it — as a coal export juggernaut hits the Northwest. Gov. Kitzhaber has done a masterful job of laying out the situation and its consequences in a letter to federal agencies (available at his website). I urge all EW readers to read the complete letter. Then think hard. Then act. Jere C. Rosemeyer And cosigners: Kate Gessert, Cary Thompson, Joan Kleban, Colleen Llywelyn, Rev. John Pitney Eugene OVER-EXTENDED PLANET STILL LAUGHING More and more, when I consider the future, I remember a famous Jack Benny routine. A mugger demands, at gunpoint, “Your money or your life!” Benny stares off, chin in palm. Mugger, impatient, fi nally — well?” Benny: “I’m thinking, I’m thinking!” Money or life? Short-term profi ts and a few jobs for dead-end, polluting industries? Or planning for the long-term future on an already over-extended planet that is becoming increasingly unfi t for life as we know it? Around the world, many observant people, groups, even nations, are thinking about this. In this country, at least at the national civilian level, we are not. Almost all Republicans have whole-heartedly endorsed growth and profi ts at any cost — anything else is either unpatriotic or a hoax. Many Democrats have half-heartedly followed Hey Mittkins! Here’s a high school prank you’d have really enjoyed! Picture this: Six boys, all bigger than you (and totally lacking your delicately refi ned fi nishing-school charm), decide to jump on you and rip off your magic underwear! I mean, can you even imagine how funny you would have found that? In fact, I’ll bet you’d probably still be laughing about it even now, 35 years later. Ah yes, pleasant memories, those old high school hi-jinks you so dearly loved. Jamie Selko 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. Offi ce visits starting at $99 Same Day Appointments Justin Montoya, MD 1410 Oak St, Ste 102 in the Keiper Spine building 541-228-3270 • www.prohealthfamilymedicine.com Wellness Centered Dentistry Safe Removal of Mercury Fillings Rob Whicker DDS • www.wcdentistry.com 4725 Village Plaza Loop, Ste 101 • 541-868-2008 Wall to Wall City Cycling Gear City bikes, packs, baskets, bells, bright lights, clothing, shoes, saddles, helmets, locks, reflectives, fenders, city tires, mirrors, pumps, tools, Xtracycles… La Donna L. Forsgren directs: Hope Theatre: Miller Theatre Complex, University of Oregon By Robert Alexander Join us for a talkback with the playwright 5/31 post performance! For ages 13+ (adult themes, violence, some coarse language) May 24, 25, 26, 31 June 1, 2 at 8pm May 27th at 2pm £x¯qxä¯Ê"vvÊUÊÌÊ>ÞÊΣÃÌ LiÝÊÜÊUÊ,>}i>ÀÊUÊ} ÌÃÊ ÓÇäxÊ7>iÌÌiÊ-ÌÊUÊx{£°{n{°x{£ä qÀÊ££qÇ]Ê->ÌÊ£äqÈ]Ê-ÕÊ£Óqx 6 MAY 24, 2012 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
