letters
TO THE EDITOR
The Shedd Institute
www.theshedd.org - 541-434-7000
THINK ABOUT IT
to install wireless smart meters on nearly
every house in Eugene I wondered, what’s
in it for the people of Eugene? So far, I’ve
found only one answer: People will be able
to watch second-by-second fl uctuations on
their meter and adjust their energy usage
accordingly. EWEB is promoting smart
meters as a green technology that will
benefi t everyone. But if there’s any truth to
that claim, shouldn’t we see clear evidence
in places already outfi tted with smart
meters?
So far, the millions of smart meters
installed in California by PG&E have
yielded no environmental benefi t. PG&E
admitted in their own audit report that “no
energy savings could be demonstrated.”
In addition, people living in smart-meter
equipped houses are reporting health
problems including sleep disturbance,
headaches, ringing in the ears, heart
palpitations and trouble concentrating.
Bees, plants and pets may be just as
vulnerable to the around-the-clock pulses of
radio frequency radiation.
As more people become aware of this
infant technology, more light is shed on
the health risks. Smart meters deliver full-
body radiation at levels 100 times greater
than that of a cell phone. And there’s no off
button.
For these reasons, I repeat my plea to
EWEB. Please do not put a smart meter on
my house, or on the house of anyone you
care about!
Brian Bender
Eugene
I agree with the stance that the health
hazards smart meters present have not been
adequately reviewed (see Slant last week).
Another issue that no one mentions is the
fact that this technology is one that is rapidly
changing. Who has the same computer or
cell phone they were using 20 years ago?
Think about it. Even the cell phones go out
of date more rapidly than computers do!
These smart meters should be way
outdated before they will be paid for! And
who will EWEB be asking to pay for the
upgrades as they become necessary?
Lorna Vinson &
Jim Carpenter
Eugene
SLAVERY CHOCOLATE
First Alternative Cooperative in
Corvallis is holding its annual voting. If
you’re a co-op member, please participate.
Ballots will be available at either store if
you don’t receive a ballot in the mail by late
May. Ballots are due by June 15.
This year the ballot includes an important
referendum to set explicit standards for
the products containing chocolate that are
sold at our store. The reason is the serious
problem with child and adult slavery on
cacao plantations on Africa’s West Coast.
Former co-op board members, local
leaders in the sustainability movement,
respected local educators and social justice
advocates signed the petition that initiated
the slavery chocolate referendum. The
passage of this referendum will further
Dorothy Fields - Cy Coleman - Neil Simon - 1966
Siri Vik
Sweet Charity
Dan Hicks
& The Hot Licks
Where Or When
June 14, 15, 16 - 7:30 pm, June
pm
The 17
Life - & 2 Lyrics
Mike &
Nancy Oft Rose
Friday, June 8
of Lorenz Hart
Starring Laura Sue Hiszczynskyj, Dylan Stasack
& Chas King
Fri, May 18
Directed & choreographed by Richard Jessup
Sun, May 20
Music direction by Robert Ashens
Seize the Summer!
SHOES
RIGHT HERE
Shown: The Naples in Bison
LOWEST PRICES IN LANE COUNTY
SUMMER TIME
FOR NEW SHOES
W FOLLOW
IS THE TIME
FOR FEET
NEW TO SHOES
YOUR
COMFORT
Downtown Eugene
&#SPBEXBZt
'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFFVHFOF
.PO4BU4VO
Downtown Corvallis
48.BEJTPOt
'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFDPSWBMMJT
.PO4BU4VO
N &
AD I NAL
S
I
H
O
ITI
G T
BRIN AN ADD
GET
SE!
CHA
FF!
O
% UR
x
1 U 0 R ENTIRE P
YO
7/12
6/1
EXP.
Vans Authentics: $39.99
★ SHOES ★ SOCKS ★ HATS ★
★ SANDALS ★ SUNGLASSES ★
MON-SAT: 10-7 • SUN: 11-5
811 WEST 6TH AVE. EUGENE (6TH & MONROE)
LOCALLY OWNED• 343-SHOE (7463)
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
EUGENE WEEKLY JUNE 7, 2012
5