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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2018)
LET TERS SMOKE AND MIRRORS A ban on public smoking is clearly a positive factor in enhancing public health. However, actual enforcement of this ordi- nance is certain to be imposed dispropor- tionately as a lever of gentrification and discrimination, rather than equally across the community. I agree with Eugene City Councilor Emily Semple that any smoking ban should have been applied citywide. It is the essence of unfairness to allow opt-out exceptions for commercial interests in the downtown core, which will continue to expose the public to clouds of secondhand smoke wafting from the outdoor sidewalk seating downtown. Public health excuses are directly at cross-purposes with the hypocrisy of these opt-outs. Such inequitable citywide policy cre- ates an ever-changing, honeycombed checkerboard of different jurisdictions across the city, all of which invite capri- cious enforcement. This ban has good in- tentions wrapped around a terrible policy formulation, a saccharine coating of altru- ism disguising less benevolent purposes. Mike McFadden Eugene UBER-CONVENIENT As an Uber user when visiting family in Los Angeles, I can say it’s a friendly, convenient and cost-effective way for me to navigate the notoriously heavy traffic. It our streets, it will behoove LTD to partner wherever they can. I also would like to see LTD purchase smaller electric vans and provide many more frequent trips, like I see in underdeveloped countries. I am one of many who would prefer to hop on public transit if it gets us where we need to go in a reasonable amount of time. Eva Kronen Eugene THIS IS AMERICA is no surprise that it is a popular way to get around. However, there is an environmental price we pay for convenience, and Uber is no exception. A recent study of ride-hailing services (UC Davis Institute of Transporta- tion Studies) determined that Uber reduces riders on public transit and also adds cars to the road. Darn, why can’t we have our cake and eat it, too? Here at home, Lane Transit District is poised to receive millions in payroll taxes and seeks public input on what improve- ments are needed. I would much prefer to ride LTD to work. But I live on River Road, and getting to Springfield takes me an hour and a half by bus, whereas my car gets me there in 20 minutes. Therein lies the challenge. If Uber makes a successful dig into Remember a few weeks ago when the first news of families being separated at the border appeared? The stories and im- ages were horrifying, and our repugnance toward Trump grew even greater. But some of the liberal voices in re- sponse were pretty repugnant, too — those who moaned that splitting up families like this “isn’t us, this isn’t who we are, this isn’t the American way.” I guess it’s good to be reminded that liberals can be just as historically ignorant as conservatives. De- nial comes easy, and has many motivations. But do those folks really know nothing of how slavery in America operated? The separation of families was central to that institution, and that institution was central to what America was. And I guess even fewer know of what happened to millions of Native American families through the boarding-school sys- tems, the Relocation Act of 1952, long-term cultural depredation and the destruction of traditional means of livelihood — and NEED A NEW FENCE? Reese Landscapes offers many styles of private and semi-private custom fences that are both quality and affordable! Cedar fencing - whether you want Good Neighbor, Dog Eared, Picture Frame, or many more cedar styles. We can create the perfect fence for your needs. Asian Food Market Now Featuring AUTO REPAIR Serving Lane County since 1986 541-485-1575 FREE ESTIMATES! SERVING L ANE CO. FOR 35 YE ARS 541-485-1217 Middle Eastern Food & Vegetarian Items reeselandscapes.com LCB #9431 Including Vegetarian Seafood, Meat Substitutes & Snacks Fence Installations Asian Groceries Seaweed, rice, noodles, frozen products, deli, snacks, drinks, sauces, spices, produce, housewares, and more. Sushi & Asian deli take-out 29TH AVENUE OAK STREET SHOPPING CENTER WILLAMETTE STREET Woodfield Station Starting at $21 per foot Sunrise www.sunriseasianfood.com M-Th 9am-7pm•F 9am-8pm•Sa 9am-7pm•Su 10am-6pm 70 W. 29th Ave. Eugene • 541-343-3295 4 A ugust 2, 2018 • eugeneweekly.com CERT IFIED T ECHNICIAN 160 N. JEFFERSON 1 Month FREE Maintenance service with a 12 month contract.* * Residential only Reese Landscapes • LCB #9431 Reese Landscapes • LCB #9431 541-485-1217 541-485-1217 reeselandscapes.com reeselandscapes.com SD905727Y14 BOB JAMES
