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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2012)
The Shedd Institute REMEMBERING MISA SMITH 1929 — 2012 There are a few people who quietly infl uence and bring out the best in this city. These people never seek center stage or public attention; they simply live from day to day doing what they have to do with dignity and strength, contributing immensely to our local culture. Such a person was Misa Smith [who died Sept. 17]. She has been a constant measure of what is right about Eugene. A tiny lady with a wry and quiet sense of humor, Misa would look about the various Smith Family enterprises and comment, “Well, I certainly didn’t expect to be doing this.” Misa, the mom of fi ve kids, always there at endless EBAA [now called Kidsports] games and school events, unexpectedly found herself having to take over the helm of the family business. As the head of Smith Family Bookstore, she supported countless Eugene cultural programs and was a quiet role model, instilling in four generations a love of books and the written word. This successful businesswoman believed in the importance of civil rights and the worth of all cultures and demonstrated these values through her participation in our community. She cared. She mattered. She made a difference. It is amazing that this tiny woman from a little mining town in the West had the determination to come to Eugene to the University of Oregon. Certainly she came to an entirely different environment. Then, after seeing herself as a full-time mom to a big family she had to suddenly step in and become the head of a family business upon the declining health of her husband. Misa was a fairy godmother in the wonderland of books to my children, my grandchildren, and my grandchildren’s children. And, as she would frequently say to me, “You do what you have to do.” Karen Alvarado Eugene Many of us progressives are supporting him because we want a candidate who not only has the right values but knows how to work with others to see them enacted. But all of his donors support him because they know that whatever their leaning, he will hear their concerns, weigh their input and craft a proposal that is good for Eugene that can get passed by the City Council. Betty won’t even take their call. Jon Belcher Eugene MOST VALUABLE COUNCILOR Does experience and achievement count? Betty Taylor introduced and saw passed in the City Council the advisory resolution against the infringement of civil rights and liberties contained in the PATRIOT Act. On the scoring of basic civil rights alone, Betty is, as former Oregon congressman Jim Weaver points out, “the most valuable member of the City Council.” Then again, even if you take your civil rights and free speech for granted you may want to re-elect Councilor Taylor. If you own a dog in Eugene, or have gone to a concert in the parks enjoying the clean air and water, you should be thankful she is on the council. Betty continues the fi ght to protect the Amazon headwaters, to protect the air basin against coal dust and other pollutants. She was also a leader in the creation of Eugene’s original six dog parks — these parks have the most user visits of any parks in the city, according to Parks and Recreation. Dislike dogs? By designating the off-leash dog areas, the city has signifi cantly reduced off-leash dogs in the other city parks. Councilor Taylor promises to remain an effective advocate for local arts, recreation, and education, as well as an incorruptible backbone for environmental protection. It’s not surprising that the real estate speculators and big timber interests have targeted her and aggressively bankrolled her opponent. Kayte McDonald Eugene THE EASY CHOICE Our law fi rm supports writing in Judge Jay McAlpin for judge. (Dog-in-fi ght full disclosure: Arnold Law practices family law and criminal defense, so we will be appearing in front of the incumbent.) I am worried about the many non-lawyers who have expressed concern that McAlpin has a legion of DAs campaigning on his behalf. Yes, it’s the easy choice to support a sitting judge that you have to appear in front of each day. The incumbent almost always wins. It’s a low risk endorsement for them and a low risk endorsement for us. Nonetheless, I write at the risk of appearing to make the easy choice as well. I have had jury trials in front of both McAlpin and Municipal Court Judge Alan Leiman, McAlpin’s opponent (the two most qualifi ed candidates, in our opinion). Both have ruled against me on issues and have both done so with sound, reasoned opinions (that I’m sure I still complained about in private). Consequently, I feel very informed about this election. Our endorsement of McAlpin, however, comes after a recent jury spoke highly of him in open court after a trial. After the jury acquitted our client, McAlpin excused them. Typically the jurors leaves the courtroom but this time something unusual happened: The foreman surprisingly piped up and said, “Can we say something?” Then he spoke on behalf of the jury, saying that they appreciated the way McAlpin conducted his courtroom and expressed their satisfaction with jury service. Their endorsement of McAlpin’s in- court conduct speaks more persuasively than any attorneys with a vested interest ever could. Join us in writing in “Jay McAlpin” for judge on the ballot. Don’t forget to fi ll in the oval next to his name. Mike Arnold Managing partner at Arnold Law Eugene www.theshedd.org - 541-434-7000 Oct 22 PS C Natalie MacMaster Pacific Sinus Center minimally invasive sinus surgery Dr. James J. Knackstedt The Carl Woideck Jazz Heritage Project Soul Jazz Thursday, Oct 25 Oct 27 Bill Charlap A Shedd Institute presentation - www.theshedd.org eugeneweekly.com • October 18, 2012 5
