LET TERS
WHO BENEFITS?
THE VERGE OF EVICTION
I fi rst noticed it several years ago at
a community forum on health care. “It”
came in the form of a union representative
arguing against an inclusive single-payer
health care model that would benefi t us all.
I wondered why unions would not support
such progressive policy. Others in attendance
educated me: Health insurance is a bargaining
issue. Unions include it in contracts and
appreciative members pay their union dues.
More recently, I witnessed a similar
behavior at another community meeting. Here
a union representative argued for permitting
coal trains to transport their dirty fuel through
Eugene. Why would unions want to risk the
health of our fair city for export coal? Union
jobs. I was beginning to get it.
Now I see 4J School Board members
arguing that Civic Stadium, a treasured
and historic property given to the district
decades ago by our community to be used
as a recreation area for the district and the
municipality, should be sold to the highest
bidder. Why? To generate revenues for the
exclusive benefi t of 4J children.
What I have learned is that, regardless
of appearance, institutions mostly take
care of their own and themselves. What a
different vision it would be if their leaders
could see the forest as well as the trees.
The lesson still to be learned is: In the
big picture, if you take care of the larger
community your parochial interests will be
served as well. Call it a civics lesson.
Benton Elliott
Eugene
This past week [1/23 cover story] I was
very pleased to see excellent coverage
about homelessness and mental health.
Rick Levin’s sensitive and compassionate
article about the convergence of mental
health diffi culties, homelessness and
substance abuse is one of the best pieces
I’ve ever read on the subject. In particular
I appreciated the opinion column by
Alley Valkyrie. Those are some excellent
suggestions for our community.
Please keep it up EW and Alley
Valkyrie. I also wish to express gratitude
to the numerous known and unknown
people in the community who are trying to
create and support humane alternatives to
criminalization, abuse and abandonment.
The efforts of Whoville, the SLEEPS
campaign, Civil Liberties Defense Center,
Occupy Medical, White Bird and many
others are truly admirable and impressive.
However, I must conclude with anger
and dismay that Whoville is on the verge
of eviction, that the SLEEPS campaign has
been continually harassed by the county
and city and that so many people are still
suffering on the streets.
Ariel Howland
Eugene
A CIVIC LESSON
DEMANDING WORK
As volunteers at 1st Avenue Shelter, we
welcomed your coverage of the concerns
relating to animal sheltering in Lane
County “(Out of) Animal Control” [cover
story] Jan. 2.
EMGE
WHYTE SERVICE
&
CERTIFIED
PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS
With the issue of Civic Stadium on our
minds, why not ask the students, faculty
and staff of 4J School District their opinion
or their ideas? Make it a civics lesson in
asking the users.
My wife, Gwyneth, suddenly passed
away last year after teaching over 20 years
in the 4J School District. She loved Eugene
and the voices of her students and their
opinions on these issues.
Maybe a simple straw ballot in EW for
all area residents to vote on or voice some
options for future use of Civic Stadium.
Ken O’Connell
Eugene
DO HER OWN SHELTER
Usually letters to the editor disparaging
the job that Greenhill Humane Society has
been doing since it took over operations
at the 1st Avenue Shelter don’t elicit
much response from me. I give money
on a regular basis to Greenhill and gave
supplies I no longer needed after one of
my cherished pets died. However, after
reading Debi McNamara’s (of No Kill
Lane County) letter Jan. 30, I felt I had to
put in my two cents worth.
If McNamara thinks she can do a better
job of running an animal shelter than Cary
Lieberman can, then she should apply for his
job; I’m sure that it’s a pretty hard job, given
the uncertainty of funding, and the fact that
animals can’t raise the funds on their own.
Better yet, maybe McNamara should
put her money where her mouth is and start
her own animal shelter, like others have
done, and run it her way. Otherwise, I call
bullshit on her letter, and I will continue to
give my money to Greenhill.
Steven J. Gard
Springfi eld
Eugene D. Emge
Pam Whyte
Hilary Anthony
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4
What did not appear in the article is
the “face” of 1st Avenue. Our animal
care manager and staff do an amazing
job with their feet in the trenches every
day, handling unpredictable daily intakes,
caring for the physical well-being of
animals and helping animals adjust to
shelter life. Staff work diligently with
other rescue organizations to transfer
animals who are thought will have a better
chance in a different environment. They
are supported by dedicated, hard-working
and tenacious volunteers at the shelter and
in home fostering.
The goal is always to do the best we can
for every animal, and the 1st Avenue staff
and volunteers work tirelessly towards
that end. It is physically and emotionally
demanding work with both sadness and
great rewards. What is apparent to all of
us who show up for the animals at 1st
every day is the love and compassion of
the people with whom we work. You just
feel it.
If you love animals and would like to
help, come join us at 1st.
Julie Walker
Molly Craig
Lindsay Calicott
February 6, 2014 • eugeneweekly.com
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