We've got issues.
BEST USE FOR TREES? The debate about logging public lands is like a Hatfield/McCoy feud — it just goes on and on. Over the past 30 or more years we have heard many of the same arguments over and over and over. Continue reading
A TALL TALE In his June 20 letter to the editor, “Join the Fight,” Jason Gonzales grossly exaggerated the impact of HB 2596. Rather than giving the timber industry “unfair” rules, the bill simply allows the prevailing plaintiff in a forest practices case to collect reasonable attorney fees and costs. The allowance is neither unprecedented nor special. Under ORS 20.080, a prevailing plaintiff is already able to collect attorney fees in certain small tort claims cases. Continue reading
UNDERMINING OUR NATION Since we are now entering the patriotic season, it would seem reasonable to consider who are the real enemies of our republic and how to defend it. We citizens have been told for years that our prime enemy is al Qaeda, perhaps with some reason. But the time has come to consider the following: Continue reading
PEOPLE WANT STADIUM Continue reading
DECLINE GRAVEL PERMIT On June 11, the Lane County Board of Commissioners will have a hearing to help determine whether the board should review the Lane County hearing official’s decision to deny Delta Sand and Gravel a special use permit to mine gravel on land that is zoned for exclusive farm use. Continue reading
TAKE BACK THE BUDGET Thank you to everyone who voted, helped, and supported the No City Fee Campaign. People stepped up from all over our community to write letters, go door to door, make phone calls and contribute skills or resources — we could not have prevailed in this election without your activism. Together, we fought City Hall and won. Continue reading
CONTROLLING OUR FOOD Our busy lives leave us little time to consider the sources of our freedom. In a world awash with iPads, smart phones and other technological marvels brought to us by global corporations, our tendency to leave the thinking to others is understandable — but there are moments when things change, when the way things are going just feels wrong. Continue reading
BILL OF GOODS Voters should reject the proposed city services fee on the May ballot. It is regressive and open-ended taxation subject to change at the whim of a future City Council. Lower income folks, renters and small businesses will pay the same as wealthy citizens and large corporations. Continue reading
NO, YES, ONE TERM Having just read the city of Eugene Voters’ Pamphlet, here are my opinions. Continue reading
DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE Frequently, significant events are supported by a long history of effort. That is true with the upcoming visit of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. In 1998, members of a diverse community formed under the name of the Universal Peace Celebration Committee. Many civic, business and political leaders endorsed our efforts to bring the Dalai Lama to Eugene and to Oregon for a second visit. Our efforts are now coming to fruition. Continue reading