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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 2014)
LET TERS a more hazardous tree in the future — always! Ironically, a lot of trees that didn’t lose a twig during the Columbus Day storm in 1962 ended up being topped after, “just to make sure!” I urge those of you still shaken by the storm to reconsider and look at your trees objectively without jumping to conclusions following the advice of someone untrained in the fi eld of arboriculture. Yes, storms happen and trees break or fall, but my experience since the storm has shown that properly maintained trees did far better than neglected ones. Please check online the adverse effects of tree topping; you’ll save trees and money. Who wants a tree that looks like a toilet brush anyway? Alby Thoumsin Springfi eld DON’T OPT-IN Looking at EWEB’s annual phone surveys of 2011, 2012 and 2013 regarding wireless smart meters, customers reported that they are now more familiar with smart meters — up from 36 to 59 percent. Those who had a favorable opinion went down — from 55 to 45 percent. In just three years, the number of those with a previously unfavorable opinion increased even further, from 17 to 41 percent, even without a single pro-and- con debate offered by EWEB, ignoring repeated citizen requests. Interestingly, despite their own documentation of increasingly negative KEEP THEM BUZZING Our bees and butterfl ies need us. Time is running out for them. One third of our food is pollinated by honeybees. Neonicotinoid pesticides are a large part of the problem. These “neonics” are in 50 percent of the plants sold at big-box stores. Bayer and Ortho are two major brand names that contain these killers. When in doubt, buy organic plants, potting soil and seeds. Use alternative methods for pest control. Down To Earth has excellent staff and products to ensure a safe pollinator yard and garden. Ask your landscaper/gardening supply store, etc., to not use or sell these products. From 1 to 5 pm Saturday, March 15, at Cozmic will be an event titled “Save the Bees!” to help educate and activate people. Please help our bees keep buzzing and our butterfl ies keep fl uttering. Pamela Driscoll Dexter opinions about smart meters, at the Oct. 1, 2013, EWEB meeting the commissioners voted unanimously to continue with the program, graciously allowing customers the opportunity to “opt-in” to the smart- meter rollout. One commissioner stated he voted that way because he received more positive calls and emails than negative ones. I watched him say this while it was clear that the meeting room was overfl owing with people against the whole thing. Not one of his pro people seemed to be in attendance. In just three years of ordinary citizens clamoring in local papers and showing videos about the numerous inherent dangers, the unfavorable opinions are growing like crazy! Protect yourself and those you care about. Become familiar with the terminology and the facts. Judging by their unwillingness to support public debate, EWEB is hoping that you don’t. Yet your privacy, health, safety and cyber-security are at stake here. Check out these websites with informative links: TakeBackYourPower.net, ThePeoplesInitiative.org, StopSmartMeters. org and SmartGridAwareness.org. Robin Bloomgarden Eugene DESTINATION: SUMMER UO SUMMER SESSION JUNE 23–SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 AVOIDING ENVIRO LAWS Oregon Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Gov. John Kitzhaber are on a mission to prop up the largest unsustainable tree- fi ber operations throughout Oregon regardless of the ecological damage they incur. Wyden has introduced two separate bills that could impact more than 10 million acres of Oregon’s last ancient forests on federal public lands. The O&C Land Grant Act (SB 1784) seeks to double the logging of ancient forests on 2.1 million acres of O&C lands. The Oregon Eastside Restoration and Jobs Act (SB 1301) seeks to increase logging on 10 million acres in Eastern Oregon’s National Forests (minus wilderness, national recreation areas and other specially protected areas). This bill would allow trees up to 200 years old be sacrifi ced to pay for alleged restoration logging. Kitzhaber has embarked on privatizing Common School Fund lands to avoid complying with environmental laws. In the Elliott State Forest, Kitzhaber, Kate Brown and Ted Wheeler are attempting to avoid protecting marbled murrelet nesting habitat by embarking on privatizing about 2,700 acres. In addition, Kitzhaber has also publicly announced that he is seeking to “modernize” environmental laws as they are applied to all public lands, state or federal. Joseph Varilone Eugene 6 March 13, 2014 • eugeneweekly.com SEE SCHEDULE ONLINE NOW! REGISTRATION BEGINS IN MAY. Make plans to spend this summer at the University of Oregon. uosummer.uoregon.edu facebook.com/uosummer 541-346-3475 EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity © 2014 University of Oregon
