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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2016)
LET TERS VAL’S VALUES I am proudly casting my vote for Val Hoyle, a pragmatic progressive running for Oregon secretary of state. Under Val’s leadership as Oregon’s house majority leader, we got expanded sick leave coverage, we closed a giant loophole that used to allow people to purchase guns without having a background check and we passed a clean fuels bill. She led all this while successfully representing a rural, blue-collar district. This last point is critical — this isn’t just about who can win the primary, but who can win this important statewide office. I know Rep. Hoyle to be smart, dedicated and strategic. She shares many of my values and I trust her to have the health of our families and our state’s long- term future always at the center of her focus. Please join me in voting for Val Hoyle for Oregon secretary of state. Dawn Lesley Eugene SEMPLE FOR EUGENE I enthusiastically endorse Emily Semple for Eugene City Council. Emily has spent barely a minute begging for campaign contributions. Instead, she has spent all of her time and energy actually listening to her future constituents. She possesses the humility to listen with an open mind and the courage to take a stand. I have carried her brochures and signs and witnessed her great respect for her neighbors in Ward 1. Emily Semple’s short platform is concrete and meaningful. In my opinion, it reflects the consensus in Ward 1. This contrasts starkly with the typical stew of self-aggrandizing, vague generalities served up by politicians. Elect Emily — she will represent you instead of lecturing you. Paul Nicholson Former Eugene city councilor Eugene YES FOR EXTENSION I’m writing to urge you to vote “yes” for Ballot Measure 20-239. Why? Because Lane County needs extension programs. 4-H, extension’s flagship program, teaches young people leadership, problem solving and how to be a productive community member. Today, 4-H is only available to those who can afford the $100 registration fee per club member. As an extension master gardener, I routinely help others grow their own food and garden sustainably. Master food preservers literally save lives by providing accurate advice on food safety and preservation. Both these programs continue to exist only because of the generosity of volunteers. Meanwhile, vital extension services in forestry, commercial agriculture and small farms are scarce or non-existent due to lack of funding. Only 1.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value would stabilize these and Open House! Saturday, May 21st 10am—12pm LCC Main Campus Buildings 24, 25 & 26 Reggio inspired, high quality preschool education for the entire community! NAEYC accredited & the highest rating by Oregon’s Quality Rating Improvement System! 4 May 12, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com other high-priority programs. Isn’t it worth paying a few extra dollars a year to make 4-H more accessible and restore services in forestry, small woodlands, commercial ag, small farms, gardening, food preservation, food pantries and nutrition education? Vote “yes” on 20-239. You will be doing yourself and Lane County a favor. Leigh Rieder President, Lane County Master Gardners Association Creswell NO ON HOYLE I am surprised and dismayed at Eugene Weekly’s endorsement of Val Hoyle for secretary of state. Hoyle showed her real colors when she not only supported but was the co-sponsor for Oregon House Bill 2666. This bill was cunningly designed to make it nearly impossible for citizens of this state to fight against the gravel industries converting Oregon’s most productive farmland into gravel pits. Many of these gravel companies are owned by the Irish-based CRH building materials conglomerate. Hoyle’s sponsorship of a bill that so clearly supported this special interest’s short-term exploitation over the long term security of locally sourced food shows who she supports. Hoyle has already shown what she will do if she becomes one of the only three members of the Oregon State Land Board. I am supporting Brad Avakian for secretary of state. Please do not vote for Val Hoyle! Jon Williams Eugene SKOV FOR THE JOB It is encouraging that all of the Ward 1 city council candidates this year are talking about homelessness, and several are talking about broader housing issues. But so far, Joshua Skov is the only candidate to offer a detailed strategy that addresses housing affordability and homelessness. Skov’s housing affordability strategy takes an integrated approach, addressing homelessness, provision of affordable and workforce housing, land use and more. In particular, his strategy uses renter protections and new financing tools enabled by the state Legislature that would contribute to funding low-income housing. To learn more about his strategies for affordable housing and homelessness, check out joshuaskov.com/housing. The Ward 1 candidates all share wonderful progressive values. But we need someone who understands policy and will solve problems with innovative solutions. Joshua Skov is the only candidate who has demonstrated this ability through his extensive civic service and community involvement. As a renter in the Friendly area neighborhood who one day hopes to own a home here in Eugene, this is an
