Lane County Area Spray Schedule 6-25-15

Spray Schedule • ODOT is currently spraying roadsides. Call Tony Kilmer at ODOT District 5 at 744-8080 or call (888) 996-8080 for sometimes inaccurate herbicide application information. Highways recently sprayed include I-5, 126 near Santiam Pass and Territorial near Lorane. Though all of Highway 36 was sprayed in May, not all of this spray was reported on the ODOT information line.  Continue reading 

Slant 6-25-2015

• The death last week of nine people at the hands of a racist in a Charleston, South Carolina, church that was founded by Denmark Vesey, a man killed for planning a slave revolt, is not unthinkable or unspeakable, as an excellent essay in Esquire by journalist Charles P. Pierce points out. Someone did think to sit through an hour of Bible study and then kill a pastor and his parishioners. Someone did think to sell Dylann Roof a gun, someone did think —  and talk and act —  to ensure the Confederate flag flies over South Carolina’s Capitol. Continue reading 

Activist Alert 6-25-2015

• The BLM is considering revisions to the Northwest Forest Plan and according to Oregon Wild, all of the options proposed would reduce logging setbacks on streams and rivers. The next riparian workshop will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday, June 25, at the BLM office at 3106 Pierce Parkway in Springfield. Another public meeting is planned for June 30 in Springfield. See the BLM schedule at wkly.ws/216. Continue reading 

Slant 6-18-2015

• Fans of Eugene’s Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption turned out to voice their support at the Eugene City Council meeting June 16 in a repeat performance of an unofficial MUPTE public forum June 8. The council will meet again on the topic July 8. We predict the 10-year tax breaks for developers will be reinstated with some added restrictions, but probably not enough restrictions to deal with our chronic need for affordable housing. We question some underlying assumptions about MUPTE. Continue reading 

Activist Alert 6-18-2015

• Electing judges is the topic at City Club of Eugene at noon Friday, June 19, at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette Street. Speakers are W. Michael Gillette, retired justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, and James Huffman, dean emeritus of the Lewis and Clark Law School. $5 for non-members. See cityclubofeuegene.org. The following week, June 26, the topic will be “The Future of Collegiate Athletics at the UO” with professor Bill Harbaugh and professor emeritus Dennis Howard. Continue reading 

War Dead 6-18-2015

In Afghanistan • 2,355 U.S. troops killed (2,355 last month) • 20,071 U.S. troops wounded in action (20,068) • 1,592 U.S. contractors killed (1,592) • 16,179 civilians killed (updates NA) • $704.7 billion cost of war ($704.7 billion) • $281.9 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($281.9 million)   Against ISIS • $4.7 billion cost of military action ($2.5 billion) • $1.9 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($1.9 million) Continue reading 

Biz Beat 6-18-2015

We hear the Redoux Parlour at 780 Blair Blvd. will be closing its doors soon. Redoux has been home to Laura Lee Laroux and Revival Clothing and has participated in and produced many fashion shows. The business is planning a celebration and farewell party the afternoon of Sunday, June 28, with its neighbors and friends, Falling Sky, Laughing Planet, Of the Earth, Sweet Life, Kitsch 22 and others. Call Briah Izreal at 342-1942 for more information.  Continue reading 

Slant 6-11-2015

• Eugene’s Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) was portrayed in a public forum this week as the salvation for downtown, both past and future, even though MUPTE has had a much bigger impact on the West University area than it has had on downtown. Continue reading