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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 2017)
FURTHER REDUCTIONS troleum, pesticides, arsenic, asbestos, lead and volatile organic chlorinated solvents were found in the rail-yard soils. Under Eugene City Code (section 6.340-6.365), if these contaminants were found in a residential or commercial prop- erty, the city would make the owner reme- diate the property of toxins whether it was for sale or not. In the state of Oregon, Union Pacific does not have to file emergency response plans, does not pay taxes on oil by rail shipments to fund disaster preparedness, does not have to show whether they can cover the cost of a worst case oil train spill or clean up their contaminated rail yard. In no state do they have to alert fire depart- ments of shipments of volatile crude oil by rail unless there are more than 35 rail cars or 1,000,000 gallons. The Resolution to Oppose the Move- ment of Crude Oil by Rail through the city of Eugene submitted to the mayor and city council by 350.Eug on Nov. 28, 2016, ad- dresses these impacts to the public. Jim Neu Eugene UNITED WE MARCH I am so proud of our women across the nation and here in Eugene for organizing the Women’s March on Jan. 21. I feel we are missing an opportunity. I was told on several occasions that, as a man, I was not welcome to participate in the event. What? Just think of all of us coming together for this march — people of color, people with disabilities, LGBT and, yes, men. To do otherwise is playing into “his” hands. Separation leads to fear, fear leads to weakness. United we stand, divided we fall. Jerry Vrzak Eugene Editor’s Note: The official stance of the Women’s March is that it was open to those who believe in and support the rights and humanity of women and girls, and that includes those who identify as men. KING GEORGE It was nice to read Alex V. Cipolle’s positive interview with outgoing city coun- cilor George Brown [EW, Jan. 5]. I got to know George through his support for the cause of preserving Civic Stadium and can attest to the energetic, thorough and con- scientious approach he takes to work. I believe George ran unopposed for his two council terms, but when he announced his departure, two well-qualified candi- dates vied to take his place representing Ward 1. I like to think it’s because George helped restore a good name to civic ser- vice. I’ll miss him from the council. Dana Magliari Eugene FEDERAL WAR POWERS Five years ago, Obama signed into law the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which controversially au- thorized the indefinite military detention of American citizens inside the U.S. without charge or trial. Over the past five years this law has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge, reinstated by the Court of Appeals and officially denied for review by the Supreme Court. This leaves the Trump ad- ministration with one of the most uncon- stitutional war powers since the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. As fears grow over the unpredictability of the Trump administration, Americans are relearning the constitutional powers that states and local communities have to protect their rights. Unfortunately, in 2014, when citizens attempted to pass county and state laws that attempted to guarantee Or- egonians the right to a trial, not only did Lane County officials refuse, but top state officials and their legal representatives said it would be unconstitutional to do so! To see a new three-part documentary that fully explains these unconstitutional war powers and the documentation and analysis of Oregon’s attempts to stop them, search “Federalism in the Era of Terror” on YouTube.com. Colin Farnsworth Eugene Take an exTra 20 % OFF all sale shoes LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND discover bigger savings now-T u es , Ja n 2 6-31 Downtown Eugene • 181 E Broadway • 541.342.6107 Facebook/footwiseeugene • Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 11-5 INITIATIVE OF THE PEOPLE Local direct democracy is on the chop- ping block again. After his endorsement of the Lane County Commission usurping the people’s initiative authority failed, old-boy attorney Stan Long has now sued Lane County to stop the same initiatives now in circula- tion. He wants to keep Lane County vot- ers from having a say at the ballot whether aerial herbicides should be banned and if we have a right of local self-government. Please join Community Rights Lane County and other supporters of local de- mocracy at a hearing at 1:30 pm Friday, Feb. 3, at the Lane County Circuit Court. We the People must witness and shine the light on the continued backdoor efforts to dismantle the people’s initiative power. Join us! 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