It seems the county commissioners don’t realize that the commission is the first level of government for all rural, non-incorporated areas of Lane County. They represent the first line of defense for those citizens protecting their health, safety and welfare.
They have failed as a body over the years to assume the just response to this citizen alert: Aerial toxic spray victims are no less than collateral damage to industrial logging. There is no other place under our system for effective redress of invasion by toxic drift. In 40-plus years of herbicide spray, the liability for such a horrendous invasion has failed to be established.
Where is government’s protection of its people? Where is our treasured initiative system giving the people the right to direct democratic vote regarding our health, safety and welfare?
Simple truth No. 1: Fifteen thousand people want to vote on their right to be free from aerial toxic trespass.
Simple truth No. 2: The Lane County Commission can refer the charter amendment to the ballot as an initiative.
Linda Kanter
Deadwood
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519