12A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 27, 2016
E ARTH
T AX
Among the more progressive
booths was the Freedom from Aerial
Herbicides Alliance represented by
Rob Dickinson. Dickinson says that
the alliance has drafted a charter
amendment to ban the aerial spray-
ing of herbicides in Lane County.
“Timber companies will spray
forest lands with hazardous chemi-
cals (to prevent plant growth from
areas that have been cut), but the
herbicides can drift away and con-
taminate crops and even people,”
Dickinson explained.
Another big feature promoted
the economic benefi ts of industrial
hemp, a booth where Loretta Hus-
ton educated passers by on the over-
Continued from page 1A
“It’s just nice to help out and teach
them some community values,”
Basting said. Her three girls, Macey,
Olivia and Eleanor picked up fallen
leaves and put them in a trash bag
that their mother held for them.
Back at Coiner Park, local ven-
dors such as Urban Honey, run by
Francis and Frannie Rothauge,
caught the eye of man passers by.
The beekeeping couple displayed
their various jars of honey along
with an enclosed honeycomb fi lled
with bees while they explained the
importance of bees to the local en-
vironment.
all benefi ts of hemp.
“Hemp fi ber is one of the stron-
gest natural fi bers on earth and can
be grown with out any pesticides or
chemicals,” Huston said. While the
benefi ts of the use of hemp were
highlighted, the more staggering
aspect of Huston’s presentation was
the importance of a domestic hemp
supply. Currently the United States
out sources its hemp from other
countries due to DEA enforcement
of growing hemp. The hemp indus-
try in the U.S. is thriving with es-
timated annual retail sales of $400
million, which is money not going
to domestic farmers.
These were just a few examples
of over 50 booths available at the
Earth Day celebration. Community
Services Coordinator Teresa Cowan
was pleased with the turnout despite
several booths dropping out.
“We originally had 75 booths
planned, but as we approached the
date, many dropped out,” Cowan
said.
A big part of the day was the ad-
dition of a children’s arts and crafts
booth that displayed art done by lo-
cal children in support of environ-
mental conservationism.
“That’s one of the most important
booths because that’s our future,”
Cowan said.
photo by Greg Lee
The Lorax takes a break from
speaking for the trees to bond
with a canine friend.
photo by Heather Campbell
Annabelle Stinnett interacts with
Pablo the rooster at the 4-H tent.
photo by Sam Wright
Linda Olson talks bees with Jennings Albrecht.
Continued from page 1A
Councilor Mike Fleck said that he worried that
if Eugene did not enact a similar tax, it would put
Cottage Grove’s businesses at a disadvantage. He
added, though, that he could support a tax dedi-
cated to certain spending such as roads and water
infrastructure.
“I’ve heard both sides, and I can’t help but think
this is just a sin tax,” added Mayor Tom Munroe.
“And that’s up to the population if they want to do
that. It should be put on a referendum.”
Several members of the public indicated a simi-
lar desire to see the issue decided with the bal-
lot, and the Council next tackled the question of
whether to have the revenue dedicated for a spe-
cifi c purpose or simply going into the City’s gen-
eral fund.
“I think general fund a good idea, so we don’t
tie up the money,” Gowing said.
Boone responded that he believed it rare that a
tax on a small portion of the population to benefi t
a larger group is usually supported by the larger
group.
“This is wrong,” he said. “We need a more ra-
tional reason for taking more money from those
people specifi cally. We’re not even taxing all busi-
nesses, we’d be taxing retail businesses only, and
not even growers. We’d be picking specifi c busi-
nesses and pretending we’re washing our hands
of it by putting it to the voters so that four specifi c
businesses can pay more tax than their counter-
parts in Eugene.”
Munroe responded that “practically everything”
that can be purchased includes a tax.
“The customer is going to pay the tax, so we
should leave that up to the public,” he said.
With that, four of the councilors voted not to
dedicate potential tax revenues specifi cally, and
city staff will now work to draft ballot language
for the November election.
She’s the center of the family, so treat Mom to a
special dinner celebration featuring her favorite
people and her favorite food.
Mother’s Day Special
Sunday, May 8 11am - 10pm
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
725 Gibbs, Cottage Grove, (541) 767-0457
Book your next family gathering in our beautiful banquet
room and enjoy delicious El Tapatio dishes.
Mother's Day Brunch
Sunday, May 8, 2016 | 9am- 2pm
Celebrate your mom this year with a delightful
Mother's Day Brunch buffet at the Village Green Resort!
We will be serving a variety of salads, carving stations, and desserts.
CARVING
Baked Ham served with a bourbon brown sugar glaze
Slow Roasted Top Sirloin served with horseradish and au jus
SALADS
Fresh Fruit Salad • Caprese Pasta Salad tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, bowtie pasta and pesto vinaigrette
Tossed Green Salad • Four Bean Salad
MAIN BUFFET
Salmon Quiche • Quiche Lorraine bacon, onions, and swiss cheese
Potatoes O’Brien • Sausage Patties • Honey Glazed Carrots • Fresh Green
Beans
Biscuits and Gravy • Baked Cod and Wild Rice in a mushroom wine sauce
Moroccan Chicken Over Couscous
DESSERTS
Assorted Cheese Cakes - New York style, fruit fl avors & chocolate
Assorted Cupcakes - red velvet, carrot cake & lemon meringue
Prices are $26.95 for adults, $23.95 for seniors,
and $13.95 for kids 12 and under.
Please call 541-942-2491 for reservations.
Village Green Resort
725 Row River Rd., Cottage Grove | 541-942-2491
villagegreenresortandgardens.com