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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2016)
LET TERS GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN In the last year, the world has lost two powerful women in the struggle to end not just aerial spraying but the use of pesticides on all land. A year ago, Audrey Moore left us after making her mark with the first pesticide ban ordinance to get on the ballot in Oregon! And last week we lost Jan Wroncy, who so graciously took me under her wing after my first aerial spray exposure. She and others taught me the history of aerial spraying in Oregon, and it’s not a pretty one. There have been too many casualties on the way. Both these woman have been inspirations within my own life and journey to end aerial spraying. How can one rest knowing their children are being poisoned in the places they live? Jan and Audrey both fought tooth, nail and body to shed light on what’s happening in our forests. You all know Jan! Jan was instrumental in getting Lane County to adopt a no-spray policy along their county roads. And now they want to destroy that accomplishment! Jan compiled spray notifications and had them published in the Weekly so that people may be aware of what the timber corporations are doing around them. I too will fight! Tooth, nail and body if I must to end aerial spraying, not only in Lane County but in all Oregon, as well. These women’s fight will not be in vain! Eron King Triangle Lake STANDING FOR JUSTICE My name is Sue Sierralupe. I have lived in Ward 1 for more than 20 years. For the last four years, I have worked consistently on behalf of the Healthcare for All movement in Oregon. I believe that the only way to implement meaningful change is to take risks and lead by example. Emily Semple shares this policy and has supported the nonprofit organization that I volunteer for since its inception in both word and deed. My organization is a little free clinic that sets up shop every Sunday in downtown Eugene. We feed between 200 to 250 hungry visitors and grant urgent-care-style healthcare to 40 to 50 patients weekly. Those numbers add up quickly. Help is desperately needed. The needs of the underserved that we care for are staggering. Emily Semple has been an advocate for us because she knows how important this clinic is for those we serve. She has never hesitated to stand up for justice and compassion. She has our back. Ward 1 needs a person like Emily Semple. She is smart, hard-working and resilient. She asks the tough questions. She doesn’t rest until she gets answers. I have seen her at work in the political process. It is impressive to behold. This is why I support Emily Semple for City Council. Sue Sierralupe Eugene HEALTH FOR ALL Encircle Films is showing the documentary Fix It — Health Care at the Tipping Point on May 5. It is aimed at business owners and describes how the for-profit American health care system 4 A pril 28, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com Recovery Ordinance and opposed the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. It doesn’t seem like there would be anything “subtle” about a Mayor Clark. His conservative record speaks for itself. Democrat Lucy Vinis is a progressive mayoral candidate who supports all of those projects that Mike Clark did not. Her long career as development director for ShelterCare honed many skills essential for finding ways to deliver these services to people in need in our community. Lucy hopes to build greater trust between city staff, council and residents via a monthly online “dashboard” giving Eugeneans updates on current city projects and issues of interest. We will be voting for Lucy Vinis because she is willing to engage personally with constituents on issues core to Eugene residents. Her focus on appropriate density in neighborhoods, developing green business jobs and protecting agricultural lands supports “a city that works for all of us.” Cary D. Thompson and Joan Kleban Eugene SEMPLE IS HONEST attaches an enormous burden to a multitude of different financial enterprises. One of the people interviewed is Dann Konkin, a Canadian member of the conservative party. He is baffled by what his fellow conservative American businessmen put up with. “We stand for removing waste, being more efficient and finding ways to grow.” His company would benefit by moving to the U.S., except for one problem: Only Canada has universal health coverage. For years, the U.S. has had the most expensive yet least effective health care system in the world. On their tours, the “Mad as Hell Doctors” often ask the crowd if they like their “health care system.” The answer to this trick question is that America doesn’t really have a “health care system.” Come see the movie 6 pm Thursday, May 5, at the Bijou on 13th. Patricia Bitner Eugene SHORTSIGHTED AND WASTEFUL The plan just unveiled by the BLM for “managing” 2.6 million acres of public lands in western Oregon would more than double current logging levels and be completely incompatible with bedrock environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act. The fact that Lane County commissioners are spending $84,000 of public money to sue for more is shortsighted and wasteful. It is time to see our public lands with fresh eyes, for the wildlife habitat, clean water, carbon storage and recreational opportunities they provide. Commissioners should be protecting, not clear-cutting, this valuable public resource. Benton Elliott Eugene CIVIC SKOV On May 17, those of us living in Ward 1 will have a choice. To us, there is no question. We will be voting for Joshua Skov for the Ward 1 City Council position. Endorsed by Mayor Piercy and current City Councilors Syrett, Zelenka and Evans, Joshua has by far demonstrated more extensive experience and a true understanding of the variety of issues facing our community than either of the other two candidates. We have known Joshua Skov for more than 15 years. During this time, Joshua has demonstrated his civic and community engagement through his service on the Eugene Budget Committee, the Sustainability Commission, and the Eugene Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Citizen Advisory Committee, among many others. As parents of two children at Adams Elementary School, we are deeply invested in the health, safety and well-being of our community. Josh’s leadership in bringing Vision Zero to Eugene City Council, which council passed by resolution in December, has resulted in a commitment by the city of Eugene to work towards zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Josh’s knowledge and experience in working on transportation issues for all of Eugene, especially with families in mind, will help us work towards the goal of Vision Zero. We urge you to consider making your vote for Skov. Shareen and Chris Vogel Eugene PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE At the Eugene City Club Mayoral Forum on April 8, Republican City Councilor Mike Clark said as mayor he would provide “a subtle shift” in direction for our city. As we look at his voting record, it would seem his shift may not be so subtle. Reviewing a few of his past votes: Clark opposed the Bascom Village Affordable Housing Development, opposed the rest stop program, opposed the Climate I have known Emily Semple for more than 30 years. I have always admired her intelligence, her honesty and her courage. Intelligence, honesty, courage — these are important qualities for an elected official. I am sorry to lose George Brown as a colleague on the City Council, but I welcome Emily’s volunteering to be his successor. Betty Taylor Ward 2 Councilor Eugene THE PREPARED CANDIDATE Election season is here, yard signs are sprouting up, and while most of the action is at the presidential level, we have our very own primary for state representative here in west Eugene. Last Tuesday, the League of Women Voters hosted a candidate forum. Julie Fahey showed up prepared, well- researched and ready to discuss the pressing issues of state government. Whether it was the Elliott State Forest, school funding, a comprehensive transportation package or the use of the “emergency clause” in legislation, Julie had thoughtful and detailed responses. James Manning showed up at the forum unprepared for class. He couldn’t articulate transportation priorities, stumbled over the Elliott State Forest question and didn’t have a basic understanding of the legislative process when it came to emergency clauses. West Eugene needs someone willing to do his or her homework. Vote for Julie Fahey this May. Andrew Nonnenmacher Eugene BAD CIG ADS I find it very interesting that the Weekly condemns the use of herbicides and seems to strive for healthy, natural choices and yet will be willing to run full-page ads for cigarettes. You are aware that cigarettes
