Photo sent a clear message
The April 21 front page photo says it all: Three grim-faced Oregon Transportation Commission members, one with arms crossed, squinting in disbelief at the presenter. How dare you question their (not-so-brilliant) decision!
Lee Darling
Eugene
Name change an abuse of power
I’m against changing Belt Line Road’s name; for that matter, I’m against changing any existing road’s name. Changing the name of a well-established road is simply wrong and an abuse of power.
The cost is much more than just signage, although it’s appalling that our government was willing to spend $250,000 for the 50-plus road signs when there are roads and bridges in dire need of fixing. The new proposal reduced the initial cost, but we’ve lost our faith in transportation officials; we don’t trust them to make a wise and fiscally sound decision in regard to spending money in the name of “honoring Randy Pape!”
This change also wastes more than our tax dollars, money no one has to waste in this economy — money for updating Web sites, maps, brochures, advertisements, etc. We also have to consider tourism and returning visitors — how confusing it will be when that major road they need to use, and have been using, doesn’t exist!
The way officials have gone about this has done Randy Papé a grave injustice. Shame on them all.
If the process used to plan and implement this change is standard operating procedure, then we need to look at changing that procedure — clearly it is not in the best interest of Oregonians.
I appreciate Papé’s contribution to our community and would support naming a future (unnamed) road, bridge, park, building, etc., after him. He was a part of our community. Let the community help to decide how to honor his efforts.
Charlotte Lingo
Junction City
Rust stands out for West Lane
What a contrast! It was truly inspiring to hear West Lane county commissioner candidate Jerry Rust’s presentation at the April 12 candidates’ forum in the River Road/Santa Clara area. Rust provides a detailed economic recovery plan for Lane County, a wealth of experience, a warm and responsive presence — and he is justifiably proud of his 20-year record of service as a commissioner.
During those years, he strengthened human services and law enforcement; protected farm lands and waterways; saved historic covered bridges that otherwise would have been destroyed, and brought an open door and a listening ear to the courthouse. Rust’s deep roots in Lane County are well known. His tree planting and creation of 2,000 reforestation jobs are legendary. He reaches out to the wider world of national policy and international trade, understanding the importance of these relationships to our well-being in Oregon.
The other candidates operate in smaller spheres — either focused almost entirely on one issue, or relying on public antagonism toward government. For example, candidate Jay Bozeivich said in a contemptuous tone, “We don’t need a white paper.” Actually, what we don’t need are his negative clichés and generalities about the evils of government, with no sense of planning or positive governing experience.
I hope that West Lane County voters will hear upcoming candidate debates and look for the contrasts — positive proposals and proven performance vs. negative rhetoric and no apparent plan.
Elaine Weiss
Eugene
Coffee party seeks civility
In The Register-Guard’s tea party article April 18, I was identified and quoted inaccurately. Also by giving an inaccurate perception of the coffee party, my work as a De-Confuser is harmed.
The reporter said: “A liberal activist with the name Wintergreen attended numerous town hall meetings over the years and encountered tea party activists. ‘They really seem to be there to disrupt things,’ said Wintergreen, who recently helped form a coffee party chapter, meant to provide an alternative to the tea party movement.” I do not and never will identify myself as a “liberal activist.” If the reporter had asked, I would have said: “I am a caring American.”
I attended town hall meetings last year. People did disrupt them. I returned in May after living overseas for 20 years as a director for an international not-for-profit group and was shocked. This disruptive tactic seemed to imply, “He who shouts loudest is right and the only ones who care.”
I care. I did not support health care insurance reform. I’ve lived with Direct Service Health Care in New Zealand.
The coffee party is not an alternative to the tea party. Rather, it’s a civility movement, discussing issues affecting Americans, and it supports legislators in our representative democracy who will work together.
America has a Constitution: “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union …” To me, this means we need to work together. Our Constitution is not based on “I the person” or “we the corporation.”
Virginia Lubell
Eugene
Dog owners ignore the law
The Bethel area scofflaw dog owners have discovered that the fields around Peterson Barn are great for unleashed dogs.
The city’s dogs-must-be leashed sign disappeared some time ago. When reminded that they are breaking the law, the owners react with an arrogant stare or a cavalier shrug; meanwhile, their free-range dogs are dropping their bombs on the bike paths, forcing some fancy footwork on the part of walkers.
Shame on those dog owners.
Ken Capron
Eugene
Race-based sessions are racist
As a parent of eight children of color, I recently received an invitation to attend four interactive sessions designed for parents of African-American students. My children frequently are solicited by teachers, counselors and by mail to attend race-based events and meetings.
I am offended that the Eugene School District would promote racism. Any organization or meeting that is race-based is by definition racist.
Would the school district promote interactive sessions with the parents of white students? Absolutely not! The district would be taken to task for promoting racism. Any district employee that promoted such an event would be disciplined, and perhaps appropriately terminated.
In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. said he dreamed that his four children one day would live in a nation where they “will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Further, he said he hoped that our country would be “transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.”
Are these principles lost to the educators in our community? The civil rights movement was about integration and equality. Shame on the Eugene School District and anyone who promotes racism and the separation of races in the name of education.
Racism is fundamentally wrong and should not be taught, promoted or tolerated in Lane County schools.
Rick Jackson
Eugene