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
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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