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
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timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 words, keep
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com fax to 484-4044, or mail to 1251 Lincoln, Eugene
97401.
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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
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6
MAY 24, 2012
EUGENE WEEKLY
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM