Eugene weekly., February 06, 2014, Page 5, Image 5

NO-KILL SUCCESS
Through the recent publication
of misinformation, twisted facts and
outright lies coming from the half dozen
or so people who speak against Greenhill
Humane Society, it is clear that the term
nokill means different things to different
people and that the use of the words no
kill creates controversy. Most factions
do agree, however, that no-kill success
is defi ned by saving 90 percent or more
animals in a shelter.
Greenhill Humane Society and 1st
Avenue Shelter surpass that success,
saving over 90 percent of the animals
coming into their care. Both shelters
never put a time limit on how long an
animal can be in the shelter and both
provide extensive extra care and medical
attention for those animals in need. By
most people’s defi nition, Greenhill and
1st Avenue exceed the criteria of a no-kill
organization.
This has been accomplished through
the capable and compassionate leadership
of Greenhill’s Director Cary Lieberman,
who in his six years as director has brought
Greenhill’s live release rate up from under
75 percent to today’s over 90 percent.
Our community can be proud to support
our shelters and know we are fortunate
in having expert leadership guiding their
success.
Diana Huntington
Eugene
QUESTION THE BUDGET
The municipal corporation known
as the city of Eugene manages 21 funds.
Each one of these funds has a budget. In
combination, all these funds, as a whole,
show the fi nancial health of the city. The
budget for the General Fund is actually
only a small part of the picture of the
overall fi nancial stability of the city.
You see, there is a fi scal year-end report
generated by the city that is called the
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
The 2013 CAFR shows that the city is in
excellent fi nancial health and in fact had a
whopping $195.7 million surplus after all
its assets and liabilities were accounted for.
All of this surplus is useable by the city;
$83.9 million has restricted use, but $111.8
million is unrestricted and can be used for
anything the city wants, like fi lling General
Fund Budget gaps. Our civil servants don’t
use it for that, so what do they use it for?
Instead, they threaten to raise our taxes, or
take away or reduce important services.
The Budget Committee is looking for
answers. Let’s give them a few questions
instead.
Abraham Likwornik
Eugene
SILLY WHINERS
Ah, the internet. The most narcissistic,
exhibitionist platform ever devised by
man. And now everyone whines about
spying — piffl e!
Ramona McCall
Eugene
LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics and
will print as many as space allows, with priority given to
timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 words and
include your address and phone number for our files.
Email to letters@eugeneweekly.com, fax to 484-4044 or
mail to 1251 Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
W INTER
F ARMERS M ARKET
every saturday
10 AM TO 2 PM
8th & Oak Street, Downtown Eugene
eugeneweekly.com • February 6, 2014
5