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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2012)
letters TO THE EDITOR CLICK YOUR HEELS Like the Land of Oz, Eugene is a magical place. But, as we learned from L. Frank Baum’s story, magic can be complicated and sometimes dark. Industry sorcerers are presently employing black magic to conjure up coal trains that threaten our fair city. If they succeed, dark clouds of coal dust will envelop Eugene as trains carry their toxic loads from the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming through Eugene to the Port of Coos Bay for export to Asia. The sorcerers are spinning coal export as “Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!” and energy indepen- dence. But we know few jobs will be cre- ated at the port, and the dirty fuel will be burned on foreign shores before returning to our own as air pollution. We know coal dust pollutes our air, poisons our water and dam- ages our health. And we know trains that deliver it spew diesel particulates, congest our traffi c and disturb our peace. Our city councilors are returning from summer vacation, hopefully refreshed and ready to again consider a resolution opposing coal transport through Eugene. The choice is clear: support industry or support our community. Baum’s initially fl awed characters ultimately fi nd the brains, heart and courage required to defeat evil and earn redemption. I hope wavering councilors will fi nd those same qualities in themselves and do the right thing for our community. We all need to speak up on this critical issue. So summon your inner Dorothy and tell the councilors what you think. Just click your heels and say, “There’s no place like home.” Benton Elliott Eugene CONFIDENT IN VALLE As a member of the Police Commission, I had the pleasure of working with Juan Carlos Valle, a candidate for City Council Ward 2. From the very fi rst moment, Juan Carlos appeared to me as warm and genuine, with a ready smile to go with his sharp appearance. I saw fi rsthand Juan Carlos’s dedication to searching for the facts so he could make an informed decision, to reaching out to the community to discover the diversity of perspectives to be found there, to treating others — no matter who they are — with respect and interest. That respect extends to the police offi - cers whose opinion he solicits at every Po- lice Commission meeting, to the all mem- bers of the public who share their views, to so many members of our community who are Spanish speakers and struggle with the barriers they face, to seniors and people living with disabilities that I work with in KindTree-Autism Rocks, and that he works with in his day job. With Juan Carlos on the council I can be confi dent the community perspective will be represented in the proceedings, that he will work tirelessly for positive change that benefi ts all the people of Eugene, defending families, the environment, and our ability to live happy and fulfi lling lives. From humble beginnings to an energetic life dedicated to proactive service, I admire Juan Carlos’s perspective. “A New Perspec- tive.” That, I believe, is what we need now to tackle the problems we are facing. Tim Mueller Former Eugene police commissioner RE-ELECT BETTY TAYLOR Reading in the Aug. 16 Slant that Betty Taylor’s opponent for the Ward 2 Eugene City Council seat recently resigned as chair of the Police Commission makes you won- der why anyone would do this in the midst of a race. Doesn’t it have to involve some- thing bigger than, as he maintains, need- ing more time to campaign? People on city boards, commissions and committees ac- cept a responsibility to serve out their full term, especially when they chair a commis- sion to which they’ve been appointed by the mayor, and confi rmed by the council. Ward 2 voters can re-elect Taylor, a veteran councilor with a consistent record of environmental advocacy, or they can switch allegiance in favor of a newcomer to the ward, supported by money from corporate interests who haven’t been stroked by Taylor’s tell-it-like-it-is style. Taylor will continue to be there for her constituents, having no interest in using one offi ce as a stepping stone to the next. Anyone choosing Taylor’s opponent must be comfortable with the reality that electing him would yield a City Council made up of seven men and one woman. For so many reasons, that’s an environment way out of balance. David Sonnichsen Eugene TOUGH CHOICE I want to add my own words of praise and appreciation for the quality of public service I’ve seen Juan Carlos Valle perform for our community for a number of years. My appreciation for his opponent, councilor Betty Taylor, is exactly the same, also for her many years serving the community. As I do not live in Taylor’s ward, I won’t be faced with making a voting choice. Voters in this ward will be facing a touch choice, for Valle and Taylor share many hopes and goals for the betterment of our community. I have observed Valle’s work on the Police Commission and I am deeply grateful for the reasoned, fair and professional voice he brings to that table. I understand he resigned as chair in order to work on his campaign, and to allow another appointment to the leadership so that this new chair could give full attention to this vitally important task. That was a responsible, community needs-based choice Valle made. This race is a win-win, no-lose situation for our community. We will be well served whether Valle or Taylor is chosen and I wish them both the very best. I thank them both for their past and present exceptional service for our community. Carol Berg-Caldwell Eugene MORE DISRESPECT I was very dismayed to see a photograph in your recent coverage of the Whiteaker Block Party’s fashion show [8/9] which featured a white woman wea ring a Native American feather headdress. The feather headdress is a sacred object to Native Amer- ican culture. Throughout U.S. history, white colonizers have specifi cally and intention- ally perpetrated both physical and cultural genocide against Native Americans. Every attempt was made to annihilate and assimi- late the Native American people and their culture — to literally and symbolically wipe them off the face of the earth. Considering this recent, brutal history, the casual use of this sacred object for a “fashion statement” worn by white models is highly offensive. For many Native people, it is yet another reminder that their land has been stolen and their culture appropriated and disrespected. White people have already taken everything from Native Americans — and this use of a feather headdress for “fashion” is just another example of these offenses, showing a clear lack of sensitivity to Native American culture. D ONALD D EXTER J R DMD LLC DENTISTRY Our vision is simple – we believe in integrity above all else, and we serve those who are seeking a trusted source for their dental care Browse our website or call if you have any questions! We look forward to providing your care. 2233 W ILLAMETTE S T , B LDG B • 541-485-6644 w w w. d r d e x t e r. c o m 4 SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 EUGENE WEEKLY VOTE NOW! BESTOFEUGENE.COM
