LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Red light runners endanger lives

The blatant disregard for the safety of others demonstrated by red light runners in Eugene is something that never ceases to astonish me.

Just the other day, as I was waiting on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to turn left on to Coburg Road, I saw seven - count 'em, seven - cars run the red light at that intersection. Four of them were headed north on Coburg and the other three were turning right off Club Road toward the Ferry Street Bridge.

I had to wonder how many of those drivers who ran that light are right-to-life proponents, or voted against the death penalty, or are even perhaps members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals?

BOB KENNEDY 

Eugene

Citizens can make a difference

It was great to see the editorial acknowledging Julia Clark for her hard work on Senate Bill 579 (Register-Guard, April 12). Citizen involvement in the legislative process is important. SB 579 was introduced in remembrance of Chapin Clark, former dean of the University of Oregon School of Law and a remarkable Oregonian who died in a boating accident.

The bill will require whitewater river guides and outfitters to be trained in river rescue techniques. It also requires throw bags in every boat and everyone to wear life jackets in Class III or greater rapids. It should be noted that Julia Clark worked cooperatively with the Oregon Guides and Packers Association to address its concerns with the original bill.

I would also like to acknowledge Don Corson, a close friend of the Clark family who worked with me and Rep. Phil Barnhart in drafting SB 579. These two individuals have shown that citizen involvement is important for the process and that citizens can make a difference in Salem. The bill passed the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives for consideration.

FLOYD PROZANSKI

State Senator, District 4

Eugene

Organic food isn't any healthier

In The Register-Guard's April 20 article about organic farming, Laura Barton was quoted indirectly saying that organic food supporters are "affluent, college-educated consumers who don't mind paying higher prices."

As someone in this demographic, I would like to make a few points as to why I haven't fallen for a marketing campaign to pay more of my money to chic restaurants and gourmet grocery stores.

Here are some facts: Organic produce is not proven to be healthier or safer than traditionally grown produce, just more expensive. Non-organic produce is grown in nitrogen fertilizers. The air we breath is 78 percent nitrogen. There is no proof of deaths from pesticides. Produce grown in cow manure, aka fecal matter, is crawling with bacteria.

Even Catherine DiMateo of the Organic Trade Association, when asked if organic was more nutritious, answered, "It is as nutritious as any other product," not more so. As far as the argument that organically grown produce is better for Mother Earth, the reality and facts seem to support the opposite belief. Organic farmers waste more land because weeds and insects damage so much of their crops.

For those families who can't afford the high price of organics, relax. Your kids aren't deprived. Cheaper is just as healthy. Organic food is more expensive, not more nutritious.

TODD WERDEBAUGH

Eugene

Cutting old growth no solution

The April 19 guest viewpoint by Sean Smith of Starfire Lumber Company, "Current timber boom just passing Oregon by," wants us to believe that if timber companies don't log our public lands, the trees will just rot or burn. That is a pretty convenient belief for a mill that depends on old growth and mature forest trees cut from our public lands.

I'd invite Smith and any other residents of Eugene to hike places like Rebel Creek, Lookout Creek or any of the other old growth forest hikes in the McKenzie River and see for themselves that old growth and mature forests are doing just fine, thank you. The most certain way to degrade forest health in our public forests on the west side of the Cascade crest is to cut the old growth trees out of them.

JEREMY HALL

Northwest Field Representative

Oregon Natural

Resources Council

Eugene