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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 28, 2016)
The Shedd Institute David Brower, one of the greatest environmentalists of the 20th century, said that Clinton and Gore did more damage to environmentalism than Reagan and Bush, because environmentalists let Democrats wreck regulations instead of taking a nonpartisan approach to public health. Regarding the Ward 1 race, the establishment is promoting Josh Skov for his alleged environmental credentials. Skov was with the consulting firm “Good Company,” which was hired by EWEB to claim that the Seneca Sawmill incinerator is clean and green. Good Company’s website states they’ve helped other timber companies, ODOT’s highway expansion program and other polluters supposedly go “green” through rhetoric, baby steps and carbon credits. My favorite analysis of “carbon credits” is at cheatneutral.com. Skov would be a great fit for the city of Eugene’s strategy to go “carbon neutral” by buying carbon credits to supposedly offset the planned widening of Beltline highways and the overdevelopment boondoggles the planning department is pushing on reluctant neighborhoods. Admitting that climate change is real while promoting pollution is sustain-a- bullshit. Sincere environmental efforts would recognize we have passed the limits to growth on a round, finite planet. Mark Robinowitz Eugene DISCOVER SKOV Ward 1 residents have the opportunity to elect one of the most competent, community-minded and progressive people in town to Eugene City Council: Joshua Skov. Like many of his neighbors in Ward 1, Josh raises chickens, has rooftop solar panels and bikes his two daughters to school. But Josh also knows that individual commitments to sustainability have to be matched by community-wide efforts. He co-founded a company that helps businesses and public agencies meet their sustainability goals, and he was a founding member of Eugene’s Sustainability Commission. He works to make Eugene better for people, the economy and the planet. Josh has a special interest in transportation and land use. He knows that when people live close to where they shop, work or play, and when they can walk, bike or take the bus to get around, it saves them money and improves their health while also reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Josh has spent countless hours working on Envision Eugene, Better Eugene-Springfield Transit and LTD’s EmX Steering Committee to improve housing and transportation options for Eugene residents. Josh recognizes that these issues can be controversial. While his own viewpoint is always insightful and sometimes brilliant, he strives to hear opposing views. Josh’s quick wit and friendly manner help him talk amiably with people he disagrees with. He knows that the best policies are those that acknowledge and respect different perspectives. Discover Skov at joshuaskov.com — and then elect him to City Council! Sue Wolling Eugene www.theshedd.org - 541.434.7000 PUBLIC AUCTION Roosevelt Middle School is being demolished by 4J after school is out in June to start on the new Roosevelt parking lot construction. 4J should have a public auction to sell and recycle usable materials from Roosevelt instead of turning it into wasteful garbage. Think of the huge maple gym floor, rollout wood bleachers, metal lockers, doors, desks, chairs, cafeteria tables, kitchen supplies, etc. School funds are needed to enrich our educational system. 4J, please support a public auction for BRING Recycling and Habitat for Humanity, which will help relieve our landfill. Having a piece of the old Roosevelt Middle School would be a great way for students, parents, faculty and the community to say goodbye. Janet Bevirt Eugene WIG FIGHTS FOR ALL I’m voting Chris Wig for City Council, Ward 1. Wig fights for everyone, from small business owners to Eugene’s homeless. He’s built a local Democratic party that listens and acts boldly to help people. Because of his focus on collaboration and youth empowerment, our young people are engaging with local issues vital to the future of our city, state and planet. Politics for Wig is not “out there.” It’s here. It lives and breathes through us. Wig isn’t just committed to curbing homelessness, he lives it. He hardly knew me when I’d hit hard times, but he opened his home to me, saying, “We’re nothing if we don’t take care of each other.” Housing equity is huge for me. I like Wig’s plan to muzzle MUPTE, so we don’t see any more Capstones, with “clawbacks” to ensure any company caught lying will lose its tax break. Let’s take back this exemption so it does what it should: provides benefits in-line with our values, to include green requirements that combat climate change, encourage cooperatives and micro-housing models that house the homeless and grow density in ways that actually fit the form and scale of Eugene’s beautiful neighborhoods. Communication is key. Wig listens to the people impacted by any decision before making his own. Wig knows that talking and working together is the only way to grow a city that works for all of us. Steve Coatsworth Eugene WHO TO BLAME Big banks are the super-predators. Chris Pender Eugene Johnny Clegg ! ght i Ton w/ Jesse Clegg Thu, April 28 Trio Brasileiro Anat Cohen Tuesday, May 3 Chico Schwall’s American Roots Karen Warren concert sponsor Wed, May 4 Hillbilly Blues & The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll Con & Mary Sheffer concert sponsors Dick Hyman Evan Christopher Thursday, May 5 eugeneweekly.com • A pril 28, 2016 7
