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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 2015)
LET TERS STOP THE PIPELINE THE ELLIOTT QUANDARY Holy crap, a pipeline in Oregon! At last, a climate hero boldly speaking up to protect Oregonians' air, water, land rights and economy! Thank you, Rep. Peter Buckley from Ashland! Telling the truth and boldly facing reality is so very unpopular in the political world. So far, no other Oregonian elected has joined citizens opposing the fracked gas export projects two Canadian companies are trying to force into Oregon. These pipelines and terminals will damage our coastal waterways, old-growth forests, fi sheries, 400 rivers and streams and 32 endangered species. Oregonians get all the risk and damage while corporations and shareholders get all the profi ts. At a time when scientists say keeping 80 percent of the fossil reserves in the ground is necessary for a livable planet, these new fossil fuel projects make no sense. To learn more and get your questions answered come to our expert panel that includes citizens on the affected front lines of this struggle. A panel discussion on “No LNG Exports” will be at 6:30 pm Thursday, April 16, at the First Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St. Oregonians will fi ght to protect what we love! Deb McGee Eugene Oregon’s Legislature is currently discussing a bill that would impact the Elliott State Forest. The Elliott has come a long way to get where we are today. Rep. Tobias Read’s bill (HB 3474) is a no-nonsense plan that will begin the long overdue process of separating school funds from logging, and stands to benefi t us all. The bill will help solve the problems of unloggable trust lands, funding K-12 education and the conserving of old- growth habitat and endangered species. Oregon has too long tied our school funding to the cyclical timber market through our trust lands. Washington found a graceful solution to the problem 26 years ago, and here in Oregon we’re fi nally catching up. It makes sense to support our schools, create restoration and conservation jobs, save endangered species, increase recreation on the Elliott and build our carbon storage capacity all at the same time. Maya Rommwatt Dorena REGRESSIVE FEE County Commissioner Pete Sorenson’s linking the tragic deaths in February of three children in Springfi eld to the Lane County vehicle registration fee issue was outrageous and deserves an apology. I suspect that many people who REDIRECTING TAXES have supported Pete in the past are surprised and disappointed by his advocacy of a regressive county vehicle registration fee. Let’s hope his position on this issue isn’t a troubling indication of corrosive infl uence on him by Tea Party types on the county board. We need to raise revenue for our county roads, but it should be done through an increase in fuel taxes. Higher gas taxes discourage driving which reduces road wear, air pollution and greenhouse gases. People who drive the most and use heavier, less fuel-effi cient vehicles would pay the most for road maintenance. Elderly people and others who don’t drive much would pay less. What could be more fair? Wayne Ferrell Eugene An open letter to the IRS: Until the priorities of our government change, I cannot pay all the taxes I owe to the IRS. I am protesting how much money that is needed desperately for life-affi rming aspects of government such as education, rehabilitation, health care and eradicating damage to the environment is going towards funding wars, torture and the killing and maiming of innocent people. Kristena Cox & Justin Schmick Your Commercial/Residential Real Estate Team COMMERCIAL BROKER RESIDENTIAL BROKER (541) 465-8108 • www.cox-schmick.com April 14-18, 2015 A Apri Ap ril l 14 -18 18 1 8, 2 015 01 5 ANNIVERSARY CelEbration April 14-18, 2015 To say DAZZLE THEM IN DANSKOS! THANK YOU to our shoppers & donors! Your support helps fund our programs for children & seniors in the community! Daily drawings for gift certificates or gift baskets! C om Thr e ift Follow your feet to Footwise for new Dansko footwear! %PXOUPXO&VHFOFt&#SPBEXBZt 'BDFCPPLDPNGPPUXJTFFVHFOFt.PO4BU4VO 4 A PRIL 16, 2015 • EUGENEWEEKLY.COM 1149 WILLAMETTE TUES-SAT 10-4 h W it Us! Extended hours Thursday, April 16, 10a.m.- 6 p.m.
