LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Criticizing Bush doesn't help

I am certainly glad that Gov. Ted Kulongoski took the opportunity during his State of the State message to take potshots at President Bush.

At a time when we have the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation and the eighth-highest hunger rate in the nation, it's a good time for partisanship. What we have been doing in the past hasn't worked to improve our unemployment and hunger problems. If we are not going to do anything different in the future than we have in our past, taking potshots at the president is as good a way as any for the governor to pass his term in office.

JIM SMITH

Springfield

Let ratepayers decide on sale

I'm not usually a great fan of Arlie & Co., but I think the company's idea to develop the riverfront at the Eugene Water & Electric Board site is a good one.

I have a modification to suggest that would make it a better idea. Why doesn't EWEB keep its administrative headquarters right where it is, move utility operations to an outlying area and sell all the land except the headquarters building and parking to Arlie or another developer?

Doesn't it make sense to keep a perfectly good building for administration instead of incurring all the expense of a new building at today's high costs and the expense of moving?

Doesn't it make sense to sell the remaining prime waterfront land to a developer who would probably pay as much for that part as Triad was willing to pay for the whole site?

Doesn't it make sense to develop the remaining land as a residential and commercial and recreational mix that all the people of Eugene could enjoy?

EWEB does not have an obligation to make Triad happy, but it does have an obligation to make their ratepayers happy, and I think that this idea would make ratepayers very happy. If the commissioners aren't sure what to do, I suggest a referendum. Ratepayers should decide.

HARLAND HURD

Eugene

Coburg police enforce all laws

In response to Leonard Vance's Jan. 11 letter regarding the Coburg Police Department enforcing traffic laws in the city limits: The Coburg Police Department has a policy that requires officers to stop and assist all disabled motorists in the city and outside the city unless they have a priority life-threatening call. They routinely assist motorists by helping to change tires or calling for roadside assistance.

All officers are equipped with cell phones that have all of the roadside assistance numbers available in the area. There are many letters from motorists who were passing through and ran into difficulties on Interstate 5 who were very pleased with the quick response of our officers. Coburg officers enforce all traffic laws, not just those relating to the speed limit.

The officers in the department are discouraged by the negative publicity that surrounds our town. They do far more than they are given credit for. They assist in after-school activities and are involved in community activities outside the scope of their employment with only thoughts of helping the community as a whole.

They respond to all fire calls received by the Coburg Fire Department where there are vehicle accidents. They are one of the few departments in Lane County that will respond to all traffic accidents. Oregon State Police prefers to take the lead on accidents on Interstate 5, so the Coburg Police Department offers assistance, including directing traffic and interviewing witnesses.

DARREN FOX, Motor Officer

Coburg Police Department

Coburg

Unfertilized egg is not a life

Plan B prevents the woman's egg from implanting into the uterine lining to be fertilized. An egg is just an egg until it is fertilized. If an egg is a life, then we all need to stop the practice of eating live chickens.

Just as ridiculous: Plan B is not an abortion pill. You need a fetus to abort a fetus. Plan B prevents a fetus from being aborted. Just wanted to clear that up.

KELLEY L.S. JORDAN

Eugene