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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2015)
4 A The First Amendment Letters to the Editor: C ongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com Press Releases: PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com SATURDAY MARCH 7 • 2015 YESTERDAY’S NEWS LETTERS No judgment intended In response to the Feb. 28 letter signed by Sharon Stiles on “Suspend Judgment”: It was not my intent to judge the ille- gal immigrants who are streaming across our borders unchecked, but to point out the fallibility of our leaders in Washington to make responsible deci- sions on these matters. One question I have is: Why didn’t the Democrats pass immigration reform when they were in charge? Could it be that they didn’t want to lose the Senate? The stats I use are only to stimulate the reader in looking up this info for themselves and justly make there own judgments. Yes, I have lived in many states and traveled overseas, so I do know some- thing about this country and other coun- tries as to how individuals are treated. “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Jimmie L. Moe Florence Who will benefit? News in Saturday’s Siuslaw News regarding the intent of Howard and Lisa Charnock to apply herbicides to their property on a hill above Collard Lake in the Clear Lake watershed was disturbing (“North Florence Prepares for Herbicide Spray,” Feb. 28, A1). This land was cleared of trees in 2013 and is being treated to aid newly planted trees in their competition for growth with undesirable plants, particularly Scotch broom. This plan can be faulted for several reasons. First, the use of herbicides in a watershed that provides water for several thousand people is questionable in concept; should not this desig- nation limit the pollution inherent in such treatment? A second factor is that this area was origi- nally treated with an herbicide, glyphosate. The present plan is to utilize the herbicide tri- clopyr, a compound that has been shown to produce mammary tumors in both rats and mice. (Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document: mark of carcinogenicity that should not be ignored. The use of well-conducted studies in experimental animals is a reliable approach to evaluate the carcinogenicity of a compound. Given the situation in which it is proposed that triclopyr be used, it is unlikely that it would be possible to prove tumor induction by this agent in humans. That most human tumors result from exposure to many carcinogens over years usually precludes the identification of individual compounds, but does not mini- mize concern. The Charnocks are quoted as saying that the removal of the undesirable vegetation could be accomplished without the use of herbicides, but it would be expensive. This begs the ques- tion as to who will benefit, and who will potentially be adversely affected? Charles M. King Florence Triclopyr; EPA-738-R-98-011; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, D.C., Oct. 1998; 3-58.) Herbicide-infused water A carcinogenic response is often character- ized by three effects. 1) The percentage of treated animals that develop tumors is increased. 2) The number of tumors per ani- mal is usually greater than in untreated ani- mals. 3) These tumors reveal themselves at an earlier age. In my experience, that spans more than a half century in carcinogenesis research, the induction of mammary tumors in rats is a hall- It was with dismay and not a small measure of disgust that I read the article about the Charnocks’ plans for a second round of spray- ing of the land they logged in 2013 (“North Florence Prepares for Herbicide Spray,” Feb. 28, A1). There were several important points left out that the public should be aware of. Said logging is what led to the explosion of the Scotch broom, which, Mr. Charnock points out, is an invasive species. His “responsibility to the land” should have started by examining the consequences of logging his property. Mr. Charnock portrays his actions as heroic in taking on the Scotch broom problem — a problem created primarily by his action. Scotch broom does not do well in forested areas. If Mr. Charnock feels this responsibility, why did he not work with the Heceta Water PUD which offered $40,000 to help defer the cost of manually clearing the land? Or to name a price at which manual clearing would have been an acceptable alternative? There are federal programs that can help with the cost. So, I take issue with his statement, “We went with the most benign option we could.” They clearly did not. A large herd of goats is possibly the most benign, and I haven’t heard the Charnocks discuss the merits of becom- ing goat herders or burning or any of the other more benign options they could have chosen. It would appear that the Charnocks feel no responsibility to the possible effects this poison has on humans and animals living within harm’s way of their spraying. There is plenty of docu- mented information on the health con- cerns related to the ingestion of the sub- stances they are using. And while there are studies showing it is safe, there are also studies that question how safe it is for the elderly, the very young and the infirm. Think about the overarching demo- graphics of our community population. It is my understanding that the first time they sprayed, they used aerial spraying, and due to the fact that there are streams on this property that feed into the water source, it should never have been allowed. How was that doing everything right and by the book? Anecdotally, one nearby resident who tem- porarily left the area during the spray window was inadvertently exposed to an aerial spray- ing when she went home to water her yard. Clearly the overspray affected more than the Charnocks’ targeted property. Leaving a 20-foot buffer from streams that feed Clear Lake (the one we get Heceta Water from) is a joke. I implore your readers to read for them- selves about overspray and drift with these applications. This isn’t just affecting the unfortunate property owners near the Charnocks’ property, but each and every one of us who consume Heceta Water. For reasons unknown, the Charnocks are forgoing the glyphosate (the active herbicide in Roundup) from the previous spray for a new chemical. For those of you that shrug this off and say “I’m not concerned,” wake up and smell the triclopyr. Bryan Bradley Florence SESSION UPDATE: FAST AND FURIOUS Dear Friends and Neighbors, With the first four weeks of session behind us, we’ve accom- plished quite a bit. There have been over 2,000 bills introduced so far and I am adamant that when voting on bills before us, we prioritize expanding opportu- nity, rewarding hard work and ensuring fairness for all Oregonians. Today, Feb. 27, was a perfect example, as the House passed a bipartisan bill to dissolve the trou- bled Cover Oregon program after continual missteps and technolog- ical failures. This move is the right one for Oregon, and will allow us to improve our health USPS# 497-660 GUEST VIEWPOINT B Y C ADDY M C K EOWN S TATE R EPRESENTATIVE , H OUSE D ISTRICT 9 care system for Oregon families while increasing public accounta- bility, oversight and transparency. Moving forward, I am commit- ted to focusing on access to post- secondary education. This week I signed on to HB 2623 and HB 2624, which aim at preparing stu- dents for the high wage, high demand jobs that our communi- ties need. It is good bipartisan ideas like this that will help expand economic development along the south coast. I also car- ried HB 2279, which ensures that utility companies with access to sections of the Coos Bay Rail Link have to pay their fair share of right-of-way fees. Session has been fast and furi- ous, and from day one has been keeping me very busy. My week begins with Higher Education, Innovation and • On March 15, 44 B.C, Gaius Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome, is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate house by 60 conspirators, who believed that his death would lead to the restoration of the Roman Republic. However, the result was to plunge Rome into a fresh round of civil wars, destroying the republic for- ever. • On March 11, 1888, one of the worst bliz- zards in U.S. history strikes the Northeast, dumping up to 55 inches of snow in some areas. In New York City, drifts reached the second story of some buildings and stranded passen- gers on elevated trains. Enterprising residents with ladders offered to rescue passengers for a fee. • On March 14, 1919, Max Brand, perhaps the most prolific writer of Western stories, pub- lishes his first novel, “The Untamed.” Max Brand was one of 21 pen names used by Seattle-born author Frederick Faust. Unlike many Western authors, Faust made no pretense to historical accuracy in his works. • On March 10, 1926, “Lolly Willowes,” the first Book-of-the-Month Club selection, is pub- lished by Viking Press. The Book-of-the-Month Club’s 4,000-plus members were not pleased with the tale of a spinster who takes up witch- craft, as the author was an openly gay woman. • On March 12, 1930, Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi begins a defiant march to the sea in protest of the British monopoly on salt. Britain’s Salt Acts prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt, a staple in the Indian diet. By picking one salt crystal off the shore, Gandhi had committed nonvio- lent civil disobedience. • On March 13, 1969, “The Love Bug,” a Walt Disney movie about the adventures of a Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie, opens in theaters. The film centered on a down-on-his- luck auto racer who goes on a winning streak after teaming up with Herbie. • On March 9, 1985, the first-ever Adopt-a- Highway sign is erected on Texas’s Highway 69. The highway was adopted by the Tyler Civitan Club, which committed to picking up trash along a designated 2-mile stretch of the road. (c) 2015 King Feaures Synd., Inc. he Siuslaw News wel- comes letters to the edi- tor on subjects of general interest to its readership. Brevity is mandatory, and let- ters are subject to editing. Libelous letters and poetry will not be published. Thank- you letters are generally inap- propriate. Publication of any letter is not guaranteed. Handwritten or submitted letters via mail must be signed over the writer’s name. All letters must include an address and phone number of the writer for verification. Email letters to: Editor @TheSiuslawNews.com T Copyright 2015 © Siuslaw News Publisher, ext. 327 General Manager, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 313 Advertising Director, ext. 326 Office Supervisor, ext. 312 Production Supervisor Press Manager DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Friday 5 p.m. Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Thursday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Thursday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Wednesday 5 p.m. Soundings, Tuesday 5 p.m. NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Lane County — 1-year subscription, $71; 10-weeks subscription, $18; Out of Lane County — 1-year subscription, $94; 10-weeks subscription, $24; Out of State — 1-year subscription, $120; Out of United States — 1-year subscription, $200; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year subscription, $65. Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: www.TheSiuslawNews.com WHERE TO WRITE Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the National Newspaper Association and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Periodicals postage paid at Florence, Ore. Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439. Phone (541) 997-3441 (See extension numbers below). FAX (541) 997-7979. John Bartlett Jenna Bartlett Ryan Cronk Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Jeremy Gentry Workforce Development at 8 a.m. on Monday morning, and ends on Friday at 4:45 p.m. after Transportation and Economic Development. Then I make a run for the coast for a few hours in House District 9 (and a little time with my husband, my dad and my dogs). This coming month I will be scheduling various community events and I hope to hear from you while I’m in the area. In the meantime, follow us at the contact below and, as always, please feel free to reach out to my office. Warm regards. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel Pres. Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 FAX: 202-456-2461 TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213 www.whitehouse.gov Gov. Kate Brown 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. Salem, OR 97301-4047 Governor’s Citizens’ Rep. Message Line 503-378-4582 www.oregon.gov/gov U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden 221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5244 541-431-0229 www.wyden.senate.gov FAX: 503-986-1080 Email: Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley 313 Hart Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997 541-465-6750 State Rep. Caddy McKeown (Dist. 9) 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1409 Email: rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.) 2134 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6416/ 800-944-9603 541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732 www.defazio.house.gov State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5) 900 Court St. NE - S-417 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 West Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich 125 E. Eighth St. Eugene, OR 97401 541-682-4203 FAX: 541-682-4616 Email: Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us