2011-01-27 Eugene Weekly

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by  Eugene Weekly

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2 JANUARY 27, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
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WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 27, 2011 3
lleetttteerrss TO THE EDITOR
SINISTER PLOT? Sorenson and Rob Handy is enormous.
In the case against three Lane County Pete has been a competent public official
commissioners, Judge Gillespie did not for years. Rob worked hard to win the
see “a bright line” in the law — that was privilege of representing his district,
his phrase. So he invented unprecedented meeting virtually every constituent. Since
new law, finding violations by four then, he has devoted his considerable
commissioners in sequential, one-to-one energy and commitment to navigating
conversations. The Register-Guard has the sharp learning curve in a new
relentlessly criticized Handy and Sorenson, commissioner’s life. Both attend many
minimizing the judge’s finding that, community meetings, contributing to the
“even Stewart participated in the process discourse and staying informed about
in violation of the Public Meetings Law.” issues that affect us all.
This was not what the plaintiffs intended The basis of the decision in the
when they targeted three commissioners, commissioners’ case is not obvious to
including Fleenor. They intended to me. Can conversations among any pair
paralyze a progressive majority. of people with the same challenging job
It was impossible at first to know description be illegal? Everyone who
who the plaintiff really was. Dumdi and works with others solves problems by
Anderson didn’t pay for the case and chipping away at them in odd moments
wouldn’t say who did. Seneca Lumber in the workplace. Some may be willing
Company couldn’t be a plaintiff, as to spend hours deliberating at meetings.
its interests would come up in county But most of us try to keep these formal
deliberations. Without revealing her occasions more efficient by investing
sponsor, Dumdi pretends to be concerned in the personal conversations that allow
about open process — a claim that defies open expression. Our goal is to keep
credulity. public utterances civil and brief, making rights to a private life outside of politics? board, guard and supervise people who
When they spoke outside meetings, decisions in public without wearing out Is every meeting considered a “quorum” raise mushrooms to sell to adults who
never as a quorum, the commissioners did the audience. resulting in character assassination? eat them at hippie music shows. We
not reach any decisions. The case probes “Respectful of citizen time” and The Gillespie ruling, the law of do not have money to fund adequate
personal emails, dwelling on Handy’s “efficient” are terms that apply to public public meeting loosely defined, and the education programs for the children of our
exuberant anticipation and advocacy as if officials who do their homework so allegations against Handy and Sorenson community. We’re more than $20 million
it were some sinister plot. that their transparent, on-the-record leave me dizzy. I am outraged when short of a very poor job in Eugene alone.
Following routine procedures performance is focused on the public politicians in Washington, D.C., get away How can we afford prevention laws and
essential to effective functioning of good, as they see it. “Sham” is not the with lining up votes, and Bush gets away forces for Deadheads dancing under the
any government, three commissioners word used for this intelligent approach in with murder never being sent to trail for influence of mushroom intoxication, and
provided support for constituent services. other settings. war crimes while Handy who works his not afford to educate our children?
Administrator Spartz has referred to the I look forward to continued excellent butt off for the people is being slammed Who are the crazy people making
dollar amount as “trivial.” service from Sorenson and Handy and to by this ridiculous court ruling! these choices? We are making bad
Incidentally, assistants for constituent their vindication in the appeal. Firm in democratic principles, Rob choices; education leads to good choices.
services could be employed for years at a cost Mary Leighton Handy is the last person to do a backroom It would be better to use our resources to
far below the price of this malicious lawsuit. Eugene deal. fund education for our children than to
Elaine Weiss Ceila Levine give a damn about Deadheads, one way
Eugene DIZZY BY GILLESPIE Eugene or another. Mushroom-inspired hippie
It is hard to be a politician behind dancing is not a big problem in my life.
EYE ON PUBLIC GOOD progressive ideas, a representative of EDUCATION VS. MUSHROOMS How about yours?
The value of the honest and thoughtful underprivileged people vulnerable to We have the money to police, arrest, Daniel Betty
service offered by Commissioners Pete society. Does Rob Handy resign his human prosecute, lawyer up, defend, room, Eugene
lliivviinngg oouutt
BY SALLY SHEKLOW
with a plastic cup of beer, not likely his my boyfriend! Queers really are everywhere,
Seeing Joan
first of the evening. Brewski sloshing even among the heckling riff-raff.
in one raised hand, rhinestone clutch Ushers swarmed down, broke up
waving in the other, he sidled to the fight, and escorted the offending
Bring on the comedy his seat. He and his friend talked couple out. An armed cop hauled away
and fussed. Shushing from nearly the husky assailant. More OMG! looks
It ook a seat with my three gal pals in the everyone in our section proved exchanged.
wheelchair row. This vintage concert hall was useless. We missed most of “The Pink
old, ornate and fabulous, like the performer we’d Beer Boy was not happy. In a Panther.” I felt a special bond with our
come to see — Joan Rivers. Yes, THE Joan Rivers, the booming slur he hollered Where’s section, though. We’d been through this
Emmy-winning, Can we talk? force-of-nature comedy Joan? We Want Joan! I didn’t come traumatic incident together, understood
diva gay icon, at the Schnitz, one-night-only. to listen to no fucking orchestra! each other’s suffering, and now we were
The lights dimmed and the audience cheered, An usher tromped down the united.
including our back-row gang of four — four Jews, aisle, snapped her fingers, pointed her The guest conductor, oblivious, launched
three chubby AARP card-carrying dykes, two breast flashlight and told the noisy boys they’d have into the orchestra’s last number, a rousing rendition
cancer survivors, one wheelchair user. Bring on the to leave. The 30 or so of us within earshot of this of “The Stripper.” Applause spread to a full-on
comedy! good news applauded, leading the conductor to think ovation when Joan made her grand entrance. She
The Oregon Symphony was the opening act. we especially appreciated his witty introduction to grabbed the conductor’s baton and led the symphony
A faggoty guest-conductor in a tux and shiny shoes The NBC Theme. to the song’s bumping and grinding finale.
pranced onto the stage and had the crowd laughing Beer Boy and his date, a lanky, goateed guy, How we cheered. Joan Rivers! Foul-mouthed
in no time. A quick check-in with my posse verified obeyed Madame Usher. People stood to let them woman of power, still working at 78, still making it
we were loving the conductor. He introduced the first pass, but the burly man who had the aisle seat in a man’s world, still headlining, still poking fun at
piece, the overture from Gypsy. shoved Beer Boy, toppling them both to the floral Jews, lesbians, old people, fat people, breast cancer
While the musicians played “Everything’s carpet. From the dark floor arose an audible thud survivors and, as she delicately puts it, fucking
Coming Up Roses,” two men in our section proved to and a responding oof. We gal pals exchanged OMG! cripples.
be, shall we say, courtesy-challenged. A short, shiny- faces. Thanks for recognizing us, Joan. We see you, too.
headed fellow a few seats in front of us, stumbled The lurching date wobbled in the aisle yelling Award-winning writer Sally Sheklow and her as-yet-unlawfully wedded wife
along his row, staggered up the aisle and returned Get your hands off my boyfriend! You’re assaulting celebrated 23 years together last November. They live with their two cats in
Eugene.
4 JANUARY 27, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
lleetttteerrss TO THE EDITOR
EXPLOITING PETS does the best he or she can to look after
I am writing in response to the last it, better off than a puppy in a euthanasia
section of your Slant (1/13). In it, the chamber because no one wants it? I think
editor describes a situation in which an it is, and I also think that the sooner
attorney’s concern for the welfare of a we recognize, and act on, how we can
puppy owned by a homeless person is help each other rather than how we can
called “harassment” by another Eugene make ourselves feel better by criticizing
citizen. The issue of homeless people someone else, the better off we will be.
having pets has been bothering me for Victoria A. Williams
as long as I’ve lived in Eugene. I’ve seen Eugene
many kittens strapped to backpacks
so they cannot run around like normal LCC FALLING SHORT
kittens. People are drawn to pet them and Regarding “Tutor Time” (cover story,
the homeless person then gets attention 1/3): What do we get from under-funded
(and often money). This exploitation of education? More struggling, fewer chances
animals interferes with them having a to make it in life? More prostitution, more
normal life. crime, more violence? I believe that it is
I have wanted to cry seeing kittens all of the above.
treated this way. I wonder what happens I live in the middle of Whiteaker,
to these kittens once they become arguably one of Eugene’s lower-income
“inconvenient.” A couple once walked areas, and while I see a lot of awesome
by my apartment and the woman said she modded fi sh-fi n cars; I also see a lot
needed help because she was “trying to of desperate homeless teenagers. If
feed her new kitten.” I gave her my whole education’s goal is to prepare our children
bag of cat food. She hesitated, not even for the world, we are falling painfully
saying thanks, and said, “Uh, we need to short. The LCC campus is fl ooded with
eat too. Do you have money?” new students at the beginning of each term,
I’ve been asked for money for dog who drop out after two or three weeks but
food as well, and I just want to scream at collect their fi nancial aid anyway (which
people. If they can’t feed their dog, they Lane has fi gured out, so don’t try it).
should give it to someone who can — but Looking around at LCC’s clearly
that would be “harassment” in some eyes. underfunded main campus, I can’t help
True, a poor person might care for an but wonder: Are they dropping out with
animal better than a rich one, but a person the sole purpose of collecting the fi nancial SSAAYY SSOO LLOONNGG TTOO
with no shelter for themselves or ability aid, or do we have a bunch of kids who
to reliably get food even for themselves can’t hack it even at the community
should reconsider having a pet. I’m asked college level? I don’t know, but I really
to pay for the meals of homeless people and hope someone follows up and gets the BBIIGG BBAANNKK CCAARRDDSS..
their cats and dogs. Expressing concern numbers. Maybe seeing something more
for the animal welfare is harassment? concrete would kick the powers that be
A dog might lend a lot of comfort to a into action.
homeless person sleeping under a bridge, Rachel Hooper
but good pet owners take care of their Eugene
animals. To exploit a pet to assist in your AANNDD BBIIGG HHEEAADDAACCHHEESS..
own survival should be considered a form POSITIVE PIT PRESS
of animal abuse. I cannot express how grateful I am to
Laura Paxton EW for giving positive press to the pit bull.

Eugene The media really needs a boogie man to
sell its wares and pit bulls have become
WHO DECIDES? a target in the past decade, resulting in
The Slant (1/13) about Steve people who do not know this breed to have
Cornacchia’s apparent harassment of a a skewed view.
homeless pet owner really boils my blood. Case in point: The very same day
This is what I know from my own life: that the positive article was released in
I am lucky enough to say that I have a the Weekly, there was an incident in Mt.
home to live in and a job to go to, and the Vernon, N.Y. where a man was mauled
resources to care for several companion by two Rottweilers and a Wheaton
animals. In my case, I am able to provide terrier. Although the article clearly says
high-end food, routine health care, and that the dogs in question were not pit bulls, Northwest Community Credit Union’s Visa cards offer terrifi c low rates.
unexpected expenses. the headline declared “Pit bulls maul …”
But as great as the rates are, the features are even better. So visit us and
I love my animals very much, and I because really, most people read only the
apply for one today and discover what Northwest of Banking is all about.
believe that they love me; regardless, my headline. This is a very common devious
relationship to them keeps me connected “marketing strategy” that is perpetrated
to something that is outside of myself. on a daily basis across America. At the NORTHWEST VISA® CARDS VVIISSAA RRAATTEESS AASS LLOOWW AASS
They give me some “one” to care for and end of the day, they changed it to “Dogs 66..2255%%
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fi nd it almost impossible to believe that the comment section and everybody was AAPPRR
• Generous grace period
people who are homeless cannot enjoy talking about pit bulls.
the same relationship with their pets A study a few years ago found that • Same rate for purchases, cash
that I enjoy with mine. They may not be this misreporting happens 33 percent advances and balance transfers
fi nancially able to provide for their pet of the time. I’ve seen similar inaccurate • All from a local lender serving
in the way that I am able to, but that in reporting in The Register-Guard. Thank Oregon communities since 1949
no way discounts the mutually benefi cial you, EW, for being a step above, it is much
nwcu.com
relationship that exists between pet and appreciated!
guardian. On a side note, the website dogsbite.
If it is all just a matter of degree, who org is really formed by a group whose 15 Branches in Oregon • 4200 Shared Branches • 28,000 Surcharge-Free ATMs in US/Canada
gets to decide the benchmark? Isn’t a expressed purpose is to ban pit bulls in
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to excellent credit conditions. Some credit card products have a variable rate. Your rate may be higher. Federally insured by NCUA.
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 27, 2011 5
lleetttteerrss TO THE EDITOR

slime trail BY SLUG QUEEN SCARLETT O’SLIMERA
factual information and will not retract for people to get educated on the reality
something even after its fallacy is brought abused people face. We need a cultural
to their attention. change viewing women and all people as
Sondra Arrache valuable whole human beings who are no
Eugene one’s commodity. We need to support, on
all fronts, our elected officials like Kitty
IT’S A LOCAL ISSUE Piercy and Rob Handy, both of whom I
Should we be impressed that 70 know firsthand to be great advocates for
like-minded people attended a Jan. 18 women and other minorities. I can vouch
meeting of what normally is a sparsely for Rob Handy on what he says in his
attended session of the Eugene Human Viewpoint Jan. 6.
Rights Commission? We should not when Ceila (Starshine) Levine
they are there to defend brutality of one Eugene
country against another. That is the case
when a crowd that large dominated the A CHILD’S CRY
meeting to object to a proposal for Eugene Lori B. Havas’s letter (Dining Disaster,
to reprimand Israel for its attacks on 1/13) highlighted a conflict between two
Gaza and the Turkish ship bringing Gaza essentially conservative values. On the
humanitarian aid. one hand, we have a socially conservative
The suggestion had been made by a family value, namely, how as a community
Ducks Stick representative of the Lane County Al- we can support families in raising their
Nakba Project that supports justice for children. On the other hand, we have a
Palestine, a global human rights issue. fiscally conservative value, namely, the
Together
Pro-Israel objectors said the commission claim that one can spend one’s money
should not be bothered with issues that are as one wishes, and that nothing should
We wanted overtime, but still got not local. interfere with that personal consumption.
Not local when 70 people show up to While Ms. Havas seems to favor the
the parade
speak out? latter, I find myself more swayed by the
George Beres former. Parenting is the most important,
I
do declare — in the big picture — we are winners! OK, it’s true, it would Eugene and frequently the most challenging,
have been more fun had we won. I realized while flying back with all aspect of any person’s life, and deserves
the other Duck fans, at least we don’t have to land in Alabama. We get A HUMAN FAILING the community’s fullest support. I
to go home to our grand, fertile, majestic Oregon. I read Robert Simms letter (1/13) understand that it can be distressing to
Oh, and don’t you just love a parade! You missed a real doozy if you regarding the prayer vigil on behalf of the listen to a young child cry for a sustained
weren’t on the streets of downtown Eugene last Saturday. The other SLUG persecuted Bahá’í believers in Iran. While period of time; however, in doing so we
Queens and I were delighted and honored to be a part of the procession I can understand his cynicism of religion listen to the future and might best work
with many of the other “Champions.” as a value system, any belief system, towards supporting the family. I am
But, back to The Game. Having been born and bred in Nashville, I know religious or otherwise, is subject to abuse often delighted when I see people smile
all about hospitality. I was, and continue to be, cordial to the Auburn and manipulation. That various religions reassuringly at parents in such situations
Tigers. I try to live by my intentions to uplift and unify. Whether traveling have contributed to pain and suffering is a or engage them with a brief word of
to Arizona or keeping the home fires burning, we Duck fans stick together human failing. support. At minimum, I believe that we
like birds of a feather. The possibilities were ours. We had hope in our
The great religions of the world ought not add to a parent’s challenge by
hearts!
are, at their heart, based on love and complaining or expressing irritation.
Marvelous Marv, husband of 40 years plus, and I headed for the
tolerance. The Bahá’í faith recognizes this A crying child is neither a “societal
game with one ticket that he gifted to me! He’s on a roll in the giving
essential truth. problem” nor indicative of “poor
department, as only six months ago he donated his left kidney to our
His “research” of the Bahá’í faith parenting, lack of manners and concern
dear daughter Dawn. (For the record, they are both thriving and we are
would reveal an enlightened, democratic for others.” When we are privileged by
all celebrating this glorious, miraculous life! )
institution without a professional clergy any expression of a child’s humanity, be
With excitement and anticipation we flew over hills and dells to Las
promoting human rights, compassion it joyful or painful, we are gifted beyond
Vegas, certainly the most surreal, over-stimulating city this side of the
toward animals, the legitimacy of science, anything our privatized consumption can
Mississippi River. We continued the trip by auto and crossed over the
ecology and education for all. Especially give us.
Hoover Dam. I’ve never seen the likes and frankly, we do give a damn. We
significant is the Bahá’í ‘s nonpartisan John O’Donoghue
love our Ducks — such powerful, prepared, precious young men in their
political stance. Eugene
prime. I was feeling comforted that Chip Kelly strategically had all his
The Bahá’í faith provides a non-
ducks in a row, demonstrated by their victorious accomplishments.
threatening model upon which we can reflect TEMPORARY JOBS
Full of pride and joy, I packed my old green Queen dress, crown, and
sash, adorned with extra green and yellow accessories. A darling vendor tolerance, kindness and love. If the vigil We are a busy society always on the go
at the Holiday Market sent me off with unique, emerald horseshoe increases that awareness, we all benefit. and always in motion in different forms of
earrings. Lucky charms and all, everything seemed to be fittin’! All Mark Murphy transportation. But as I have witnessed as
“ducked” out, sure enough, the photo opportunities were aplenty. Both Creswell of late, there is a lot more road work going
Auburn and Oregon fans were thrilled to pose close to royalty amidst the on surrounding the Eugene-Springfield
giant stadium. STOPPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE area, and I question for a moment how it
I was pleased as punch to be in with the in crowd. We may have been I appreciate Darlene Selzer’s letter is truly helping our economy. I know that
outnumbered, but we will and still hold our ground. So with smiles Dec. 30 regarding the dangers one it is providing jobs, but it only provides
aglow, the cheering and shouting only got louder with each play. I barely faces when wanting to leave an abusive jobs for a few months. What about the
recognized my usual slick, sluggish mannerisms as the testosterone relationship. To add to her letter, Debra Oregon budget shortfall that is affecting
kicked in and intense feelings of rage took over. Dixon has written on the Stockholm our educational system?
Overwhelmed and breath taken, like the rest of y’al ... quittin’ time Syndrome in battered women (see http:// As a new driver and a recent graduate
came too quickly. We all wanted an overtime. We wanted all those smug, wkly.ws/10l) that reveals how many people from a 4J high school, I see the great
orange colored Auburn tigers to be frowning all the way back to their who berate people in abusive relationships effects that the economic downturn has
dens. Now I know it’s all about the Ducks, but what a hoot and a quack it do not understand the dangers they face, had on the local school system.
was to find out I made it on national TV for a few brief seconds while “God
and also the gradual process of traumatic Is fixing the road in Oregon really
Bless America” was being sung.
bonding. The abuser gradually gains going to provide great benefit? Twenty
Alas, as I write these thoughts of this big game of life, with its ups
control through growing investment and years from now, we may have new leaders
and downs and all arounds, I am inspired to give thanks for all that is.
dependence on them. If abusers were to in this community who have not been
There is next year to look forward to. Oh fiddle de dee, I’ll think about
show their true colors in the beginning, provided with a high quality education
that tomorrow.
their partners simply would not tolerate because the state government cannot find
Scarlett O’Slimera is Eugene’s Old S.L.U.G. Queen from 2004. being assaulted. the money to keep worthy educators and
The way to end domestic violence is leave open many needed schools. All I ask
6 JANUARY 27, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
lleetttteerrss TO THE EDITOR
is that the local government takes a look Depending on the accuracy of various
at where they are distributing their money, available yet sketchy estimates, the budget
and fi nd a worthy solution to fi xing defi cit approximately oscillates between
the insuffi cient funds that threaten to $650,000 and a whopping $8 million.
demolish quality education as we know it. Although according to The Register-
Alicia Luck Guard 85 percent of the funding is
Eugene virtually guaranteed through the issuance Open Everyday 11am to 9pm
of bonds and state and city of Eugene
TEA PARTY OF THE ’20S funding, moving forward in spite of $1 OFF
Glenn Beck has repeatedly claimed the as much as an $8 million funding hole
HULI HULI CHICKEN
National Socialist German Workers’ Party during this extraordinary economic time,
were liberals. This is comparable to saying may expose the Board of Education to an with this coupon. Regular or Tsunami Size.
the law of gravity states when you drop even more on-point charge of governance CATER WITH RON’S
something it will fall to the ceiling. The entropy than recently leveled against the
Great Prices (cid:129) Short Notice
Nazis were not liberals, on the contrary, college’s administration. Lest LCC’s
Open Everyday (cid:129) All Events
they were the Tea Party of the 1920s — board panic, reasonable taxpayers may
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far-right conservative militant nationalists consider embracing a PAYGO or similar
who blamed all of their earthly woes on, funding methodology. 4 GREAT EUGENE LOCATIONS
you guessed it, liberals. Jose Ortal 2506 Willakenzie Rd. | 342-3006
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destroying America, Adolf Hitler
401 W. 3rd Ave. | 344-3324 (11am-4pm)
described Germany’s enemies as Jüdische ENFORCEMENT LACKING
Bolschewistizchen intelligenz, or the I would like to respond to the two Celebrating 12 Years!
Jewish-Bolshevik intelligentsia. Jews are recent letters regarding pedestrian safety
the very origin of modern liberalism and in crosswalks from Dave Heying (1/6) and
their contributions to arts and sciences so Leila McElroy (1/13).
far out of proportion to their population Driving through a crosswalk while
intimidated Nazi eugenicists. a pedestrian is in it is a Class B traffi c
The truth is plain to see in the makeup violation under ORS 811.028, “Failure to
:
of inmates in those concentration camps stop and remain stopped for pedestrian.” BUY ONLINE
Glenn Beck is so worried about. With strict As ODOT explains the law on its www.HultCenter.org
Teutonic attention to detail, each group website, “When turning at a signal,
:
of inmates had a different color uniform it’s your lane plus six feet: Stop for the OR CALL FOR TICKETS
patch. The Jews wore the infamous yellow pedestrian, who must clear the lane into 541-682-5000
stars; Roma gypsies got brown; Jehovah’s which the vehicle is turning and at least six
Witnesses — who were killed for being feet of the next lane, before you proceed.”
pacifi sts, not for their religion — got However, as Heying pointed out, EUGENE SYMPHONY PRESENTS
purple; homosexuals got pink, of course; Eugene police will not enforce the law. An Evening with Itzhak Perlman
communists and intellectuals got red; They did not when I was hit by a truck, in Saturday, January 29 at 5:00 PM –SILVA– Tix: $139-$62
habitual criminals, green; and vagrants, a crosswalk, with the walk light, sustaining Legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman returns to Silva Concert Hall
honoring the Eugene Symphony’s 45th anniversary season.
alcoholics and others of no economic two fractures which took a few months to
Join us for this unforgettable gala evening.
value to the Reich got black. They were heal. No citation.
BALLET FANTASTIQUE PRESENTS
called arbeitsscheu, meaning “work-shy.” If you are hit by a car, get the driver’s
Bossa Brasil
There were no patches for the elderly name, contact and insurance info. If
Saturday, January 29 at 7:30 PM –SORENG– Tix: $33-$27; St, Y, S & YP
and children, those who couldn’t work paramedics come, and you have health
A delightful, passionate concert includes jazzy bossa nova, as well as exploring
were sent to the gas chambers. No patch insurance, accept their offer to take you Brazil’s American Indian, Portuguese, and African roots. Ballet Fantastique
for black Africans, they were shot on in an ambulance to the hospital. Not only shows off its artistic virtuosity and range in the intimate Soreng Theater.
sight. No one “came for” conservatives; will that get you checked out and start a WELLS FARGO BROADWAY IN EUGENE PRESENTS
they were the ones coming for everyone medical record, but it will make the police Legally Blonde
else. fi le a report. Otherwise, you have to call Saturday, February 5 at 3:00 & 8:00 PM
Warren Weisman them to get an interview and a report fi led. SILVA– Tix: $52,50-$30.00; St, Y
The hilarious MGM fi lm is Broadway’s new smash hit musical,
Eugene Go to the police station downtown and buy
and now Legally Blonde the Musical is coming to you. Elle Woods
a copy. proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
LOOMING DEFICIT FOR LCC Call the driver’s insurance company and
EUGENE BALLET COMPANY PRESENTS
LCC’s Strategic Plan (2010-14) in start a claim. They’ll give you a number to
Alice In Wonderland
part promises to “Promote responsible pass on to your doctors. Then see a lawyer.
Saturday, February 12 at 7:30 PM, Sunday, February 13 at 2:00 PM
stewardship of resources and public trust They’ll take a percentage of the settlement, SILVA– Tix: $48-$22; St, Y
[and] ... apply principles of sustainable but you’ll probably get more that way Alice’s trip down the rabbit hole introduces her to the White Rabbit, the
economics, resource use, and social than dealing with the driver’s insurance Mad Hatter’s wacky Tea Party, the court of the Queen of Hearts and ends in
a lobster quadrille with the Mock Turtle and Gryphon. Join the Ballet
institutions to Lane’s learning and working company yourself. Insider pre-talk in the Horn Lobby prior to each performance.
environments.” Lastly, the 2010—11 There is a lot that could be done about
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
budget commits to “focus on our mission this, but I don’t see Eugene doing it. Cars are
Sunday, February 13 at 12:00 PM –THE STUDIO– Tix: $25; Y
of teaching and learning.” king, and it’s open season on pedestrians. When Alice drops into the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party the result is the strangest tea
Reports on the best current available Be very careful what crosswalks you use. party in Hult Center history. Ticket includes a light lunch and entertainment.
estimate for LCC’s combined downtown Lynn Porter Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the fun?
projects of $52 million pencil out Eugene
to approximately $294 per sq. ft. ENTERTAINMENT ON SALE:
LETTERS POLICY: We welcome letters on all topics
Problematically, remaining downtown and will print as many as space allows, with priority
projects’ construction costs unfunded given to timely local issues. Please limit length to 200 n’t ITZHAK PERLMAN EUGENE SYMPHONY PRESENTS Scheherazade (SILVA - Feb. 17)
words, keep submissions to once a month, and include
liability attach to the 90,000 sq. ft. learning SHO PRESENTS Third Annual SHO Wine Tasting (LOBBY - Feb. 19)
your address and phone number for our files. E-mail to
facility planned at the former Sears site. [email protected] fax to 484-4044, or mail to
1251 Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
HULT TICKET OFFICE HOURS:
Tue-Fri, 12-5 PM; Sat, 11 AM–3 PM
follow us on twitter: ONE HOUR BEFORE PERFORMANCE MON-SAT, TWO HOURS BEFORE ON SUN.
UO TICKET OUTLET IN THE EMU:
twitter.com/eugeneweekly
Mon-Fri, 9 AM–5 PM
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 27, 2011 7
teachers, boost some class sizes to 50 or State law prohibits the school system from INCOME GAP
more, and cut schools to four days a week. passing its own tax increase to fund school
The council plans to discuss details of operations. PLAGUES
the measure on Feb. 14 and take a final The 4J District, however, has been
vote. The 4J School Board may vote Feb. 9 considering a May measure to fund not OREGON
on whether to support the additional city operations, but school construction. Russell
funding and how much. said he is unsure whether the two measures Oregon Center for Public Policy
Hillary Johnson, a parent helping lead should be on the same ballot. A May bond recently released several studies looking
the grassroots effort to fund schools, said measure could allow the district to get $15 at income inequality in Oregon. OCPP is
school advocates will continue to push the million in federal matching funds. a nonpartisan research institute in
council and School Board for final But voter confusion could hurt the Silverton that does in-depth analysis of
GOV CALLS approval. “We’re very happy we had an 8-0 chance of passage for both measures. budget, tax and economic issues. Their
vote to put it on the May ballot,” she said. People may not understand that 4J cannot goal is to generate material that improves
HUDDLE ON “It was a victory.” use its construction bond measure to pay decision-making, thus generating more
Several conservative councilors teachers, according to Russell. “I’m not opportunities for all Oregonians. They
SCHOOL TAX appeared to indicate they may ultimately sure folks will get the difference,” he said. can be found at www.occpp.org and
oppose referring a school funding measure Another unresolved issue is how soon contacted by phone at [phone]
The Eugene City Council voted 8-0 Jan. to a May ballot vote, but a majority of four 4J could start using the money to avert A recent Oregonian story by Jeff
24 to pursue a May ballot measure on an councilors and the mayor spoke in favor of budget cuts if the measure passed in May. Manning summarized the rising income
income tax for schools struggling with a May measure to save local schools. The district may be able to use its limited gaps in Oregon. Inflation-adjusted
drastic budget cuts. That majority could shift, however, if reserves, borrow from city reserves or annual wages for Oregon’s top 2 percent
But now the governor appears to be the Eugene School Board somehow borrow commercially in anticipation of the of earners hit $153,480 on average in
getting involved. This week Nancy Golden, opposes getting money from the city. revenue, a common government practice. 2008, a 29.5 percent increase from 1990.
Gov. Kitzhaber’s new advisor on education, School advocates and the city have been Details remain undecided, but school Median workers wages stood at $32,659,
called a Feb. 2 meeting between Kitzhaber discussing the revenue measure for the last supporters have discussed a graduated a 2.4 percent increase. The lowest
and local school officials around the state two months, but the 4J and Bethel school income tax starting at 0.5 percent and income percentile saw an increase from
considering local tax options. boards have yet to take an official position. increasing to 1.5 percent for the wealthy $15, 512 in 1990 to $16,622 in the same
Eugene District 4J Superintendent Asked if he supported the May revenue that would raise at least about $10 million time frame, an increase of 6.6 percent.
George Russell will attend the meeting measure as opposed to calls by some for 4J and $4 million for Bethel schools per OCPP’s most recent release was on
with Kitzhaber, 4J spokesperson Kerry councilors to delay a vote until November, year in proportion to the number of Eugene the economic impact that Oregon’s
Delf said. 4J Superintendent George Russell children they serve. The income tax recent increase in the minimum wage
Mayor Piercy has also been invited, responded, “Obviously, the sooner the discussed would exempt those below will have. Oregon’s minimum wage rose
along with Joy Marshall of Stand for better.” Russell said a November vote $50,000 in annual income and sunset in six by 10 cents on Jan. 1 as a result of
Children. It’s unclear whether Kitzhaber would force the district to implement years. Measure 25, which passed in 2002.
will support or oppose local efforts to fund another year of deep cuts because by state School supporters say their polling “A strong minimum wage is good for
schools. law the district must plan a budget by June shows such a tax could pass if voters are low-wage workers and is good for
The Eugene tax measure could raise $14 30. given a chance to vote. A state income tax Oregon’s economy,” says Chuck
million or more a year to reduce the impact Russell’s proposed budget includes $10 on the wealthy passed in Eugene last year Sheketoff, executive director of the
of huge budget cuts that could lay off 100 million in revenue from a city tax measure. by a 3-1 margin. — Alan Pittman OCPP. “The extra dollars help low-
HEAVY HAUL TO ROLL ON?
transport could be affected by the slow moving loads that take up both sides of the roadways.
More than 30 pieces of massive tar sands equipment from Imperial Oil made their way The Idaho Transportation Department decided last week to let the ConocoPhillips loads
up the Columbia River to the Port of Lewiston and have been sitting at the port since go through. Those loads are being moved by Oregon-based Emmert International and are
December. The river is currently shut down for repairs to the dams, but at least 170 more destined for an oil refinery in Billings.
loads are planned for when the locks reopen. The Montana Department of Transportation has said once Idaho gives approval it would
Four similar megaloads belonging to ConocoPhillips seem to have cleared a legal hurdle issue ConocoPhillips permits for the four loads. MDT has not yet released a final
in Idaho that could set a precedent for the Kearl Module Transport Project loads, but environmental assessment on Imperial Oil’s 207 megaloads, though EW found a draft of that
opponents are still working to get the plan stopped before Imperial Oil’s mega-sized oil assessment on the internet dated August 2010 issuing a “finding of no significant impact.”
machinery makes its way through Montana. Trish Weber of AATH says the group “considers the Imperial Oil rigs to be a different
Groups such as Oregon and Montana-based All Against the Haul (AATH) have objected situation than the ConocoPhillips rigs, largely due to the fact that the construction necessary
not only to using the Columbia/Snake river system and scenic byways in Montana to to allow passage of the Imperial Oil rigs would constitute permanent improvements that
facilitate turning Canada’s boreal forests into strip mines; they are also concerned about the would allow future passage of other megaloads.”
effects the massive loads — some are 210 feet long, 30 feet high, 24 feet wide and weigh The Port of Lewiston has indicated hopes it will become a gateway to a permanent high
more than 500,000 pounds — will have on the roadways themselves and on nearby forests and wide load corridor.
and rivers. Local residents in Montana and Idaho fear vital services such as ambulance Weber says that it remains unclear exactly how the ConocoPhillips rigs are
actually going to navigate the Montana
portion of the route. She says that that there
does not appear to be sufficient turnouts in
place for the loads to pull into to allow the
rigs to stop and allow other traffic to pass,
as required by state law.
“AATH has groups in both Montana and
Idaho who are organizing to perform
monitoring of the ConocoPhillips loads, if
and when they roll,” she says, and she
adds, “If the rigs do no meet the delay
times that are stated in the respective state
transportation plans, it will provide further
ammunition in the legal cases.”
The group has recently published a
book on the issue, Heart of the Monster,
written by environmental writers Rick Bass
and David James Duncan, which is
available at http://allagainstthehaul.org
— Camilla Mortensen
8 JANUARY 27, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
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income families make ends meet. They highest-paid CEOs of Oregon-based
also help maintain and create jobs, public companies in 2009 earned an
because low-income earners tend to average salary of $1.9 million — nearly
spend that money quickly and locally.” 40 times the average annual earnings of
Last October, the state Employment Oregon workers, says OCCP.
Department reported that there were OCCP sees union membership as an
about 121,000 jobs which paid wages aid in battling income inequality: “Data
less then $8.50. The wage increase will for 2003-07 show that the typical worker
mean these workers will earn $208 more in Oregon got a 16.5 percent wage boost
in 2011. by being in a union, while the lowest-
Earlier in 2010, OCCP reported on paid workers saw a wage gain of 21.1
the rising income inequality in Oregon, percent.” OCCP sees a rise in Oregon’s
saying, “While CEOs in Oregon are still unionized workers force (last year was
cashing huge paychecks, the fallout from the third year in a row that Oregon’s
the Great Recession has ratcheted up the unionization rate rose) as a “ray of hope”
pressure on Oregon workers.” in Oregon’s gloomy economic times.
2836 W 11TH AVE | 877 368 0782 | AQUASERENE.COM
The OCCP report detailed the stagnant OCPP does note that only 17 percent of
wages that Oregon’s workers face: “The Oregon’s workforce is unionized.
average hourly wages for median-wage Unionization is clearly a tool of
workers was $15.85 in 2009, down from equality; and income equality, according
LOCALLY OWNED
$16.09 in 2001 and lower still the 1979 to Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, is FOR OVER 20 YEARS
levels of $16.12,” when both figures are about more than just economics; it's WE CARRY THE BEST IN
ORGANIC SOILS
adjusted for inflation. They compared about how income equality brings us
ORGANIC AMENDMENTS
this with the pay levels of the top 1 closer to our democratic ideals. HYDROPONIC NUTRIENTS
percent of Oregon’s economy. The 40 — Philip Shackleton PLANT LIGHTING
GREEN HOUSE SUPPLIES
PEST CONTROL
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
lighten up
PRESENTS
Have you heard the latest idea from congressional Republicans for lowering medical
costs? If an X-ray reveals a serious medical problem the insurance company will only
have to pay to have the X-ray touched up.
— Rafael Aldave, Eugene
The Eugene Waldorf School & the Eugene Public Library present
the th Annual
Alternative Education Fair
Saturday, January , -
pm
1
at the Eugene Public Library, Downtown
 West th Avenue
1 1

HomeSource • Eugene Waldorf School • West Lane Technical
Learning Center • Willamette Leadership Academy • Oak Hill
School • The Little French School • Ridgeline Montessori
Public Charter • Eugene School District 4J • The Village School
Network Charter School and many more!
Find out about the educational alternatives available
in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information,
call the Eugene Waldorf School, 541-683-6951
WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 27, 2011 9
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55 SILVER LN. 1211 ALDER
SINGLE-PAYER Portland.
654-0603 COUPONS GOOD UNTIL 686-9598 Keynote speakers will be Congressman
N FEBRUARY 10, 2011 C
O O CONFERENCE John Conyers of Michigan and Dr.
OUP 11AM-10PM DAILY 11A1M1-AMMI-D1NAIMGH FTR SI-USNA-TTHU UPO Margaret Flowers of Physicians for a
CSERVING DELICIOUS NEW YORK PIZZA BY THE SLICE AND BY THE WHOLE PIZZA PIE N IN PORTLAND National Health Program (PNHP). Conyers
$2.00 FREE LARGE has presented HR 676, a plan for a national
® SODA Should Oregon be among the first in single-payer system, at every congressional
O F F W/ PURCHASE OF the nation to lead the charge to single- session of the last decade. Flowers was
2 SLICES payer health insurance? A Eugene one of many activists arrested at the 2009
ANY 18” LARGE
contingency is planning to attend a hearings of the Senate Finance Committee
NOPUOC
statewide conference on single-payer for demanding the committee hear
insurance from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm testimony on Conyers’ bill.
Saturday, Jan. 29, at the First Unitarian “The single-payer movement is alive,
Church, SW 12th and Main in downtown getting organized and growing in Oregon,”
ssllaanntt
• One point is clear after reading Coos County Judge Gillespie’s opinion
against Lane County Commissioners Rob Handy and Pete Sorenson on the Oregon
Open Meetings Law: This opinion cries out for further clarification by at least the
Oregon Court of Appeals. What’s an acceptable use of email in coming to decisions?
What are the hazards of serial conversations, one on one, in finding a way to a vote?
A quorum on this board is three, but Commissioner Fleenor was excused from the
ruling, so how can just two commissioners violate quorum rules?
Maybe it was the judge’s intent to seek clarification in this technological age,
and maybe rewrite the rules. But as the opinion stands, it defies understanding and
logic and will certainly discourage good candidates from running for any public
office in Oregon. The financial and political risks from chatting with your colleague
around the water cooler or on the drive to Salem are too serious. Lane County has
a duty to appeal and protect all its commissioners from financial ruin.
• The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is surveying its members to see if the
chamber should support or fight an income tax for Eugene’s two public school
districts. The short survey asks if members think education is important to them
and if the quality of local education has an affect on recruiting, training and
D D J
ONALD EXTER R DMD LLC retaining employees. Another question: Is education important to the quality of life
DENTISTRY in our valley? The survey is for chamber members only, so we won’t give out the
web address and skew the results; but if you know people who are members, it’s fair
to lobby them. Keep in mind that our local chamber fought the passage of Measures
66 & 67 last November. The chamber has, over the years, alienated many small
Our vision is simple – we believe business owners by touting the standard Republican dogma that government is the
enemy of business. The chamber board could build a bigger membership if they
in integrity above all else, and we ever recognize that a strong infrastructure, including education, creates a fertile
environment for enterprise. Some small business owners balk at chamber
serve those who are seeking a membership because they don’t want to see their dues fund lobbying efforts
against their best interests. This survey is a good idea and gives us hope for a more
trusted source for their dental care enlightened approach from this conservative business organization.
Browse our website or call if you have any questions! • The R-G lost another 2,008 subscribers in 2010, according to the weekday
circulation numbers posted in the new directory of the Oregon Newspaper
We look forward to providing your care.
Publishers Association. This is good news considering the daily lost 6,300 weekday
subscribers in 2009 and 3,350 in 2008. We buy multiple subscriptions for our
2233 WILLAMETTE ST, BLDG B • 541-485-6644 offices and many of us subscribe at home. We’re trying to keep the daily afloat,
www.drdexter.com despite our nearly constant criticism of the R-G for pretending to be objective while
pursuing a malicious vendetta against some of our most conscientious public
servants. The latest round of diatribes, including a silly “me-too” op-ed Jan. 23
from former R-G reporter Mike Thoele, could lose the paper even more subscribers.
The anger against the R-G on progressive listservs is palpable and builds on many
years of complaints.
Hey, EW is far from perfect as newspapers go, but we are now printing about
40,000 papers a week, up from 30,000 a decade ago. The new year is starting off
well for us, and at this rate we’ll catch up to the daily’s 57,068 subscribers in a few
years. Scary thought for them — and for us. Every community needs at least two
strong newspapers with divergent views.
• Activist and Author Van Jones brilliantly challenged UO students filling the EMU
ballroom Jan. 24 to “change the way we deal with fuel and food,” creating green
jobs with “our workers producing the products of tomorrow.” One of his fascinating
numbers: The U.S. has 80,000 coalminers, and now 80,000 workers in the wind
power industry. Best-selling author of The Green-Collar Economy, Jones
reminded the students that their voter bloc provided the winning margin
for President Obama in 2008, but didn’t turn out in 2010. He was part of the
Oregon Humanities Center’s “Sustenance” series, a yearlong campus wide
exploration of the things that sustain us and the earth in every sense: body, mind
and spirit.
• Check out Garrett Epps’ essay in The Nation (www.thenation.com) called
“Stealing the Constitution.” Epps is a constitutional scholar from Eugene and his
3,500-word piece is all about “reclaiming our Constitution from the lunatic right.”
He writes, “Americans today are frightened and disoriented. In the midst of
uncertainty, they are turning to the Constitution for tools to deal with crisis. The
far right — the toxic coalition of Fox News talking heads, radio hosts, angry ‘patriot’
groups and power-hungry right-wing politicians — is responding to this demand by
feeding their fellow citizens mythology and lies.”
SLANT includes short opinion pieces, observations and rumor-chasing notes compiled by the EW staff. Heard any good
rumors lately? Contact Ted Taylor at 484-0519, [email protected]
10 JANUARY 27, 2011 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM