Letters in the Editor's Mailbag.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Money provides access

I read with concern The Register-Guard's April 25 editorial endorsing Lane County Commissioner Anna Morrison. We, the little people of Fire Road, have a different perception of Morrison.

When we were taking the attempted development of the Siuslaw flood plain at the end of Fire Road through Lane County's land use process, Morrison was our commissioner. Our block captain wanted to talk to her about the problems with the attempted development, and Morrison promptly informed him that they couldn't communicate due to a prohibition on "ex-parte contacts" by commissioners.

Lane County's representative in the case of Maxwell vs. Lane County got to talk to all the commissioners and even officially briefed the board of commissioners on the Fire Road case. For some reason, there was no ex-parte contact problem there.

More recently, the Eugene Sand & Gravel case demonstrated that while Eugene Sand & Gravel President Michael Alltucker has diplomatic immunity from ex-parte rules, the little people of Thistledown and Lone Pine farms do not.

What we have here is a recurring pattern of people with money having access to Morrison, while people without are denied access. We have since been gerrymandered out of Morrison's West Lane District, into Commissioner Cindy Weeldreyer's East Lane District. I guess this is an improvement.

If you don't have money, know that Morrison will not represent you when you need your commissioner. Vote for Dianne Burch for county commissioner.

SANDE MAXWELL Lorane

Where was coverage?

We just returned from a weekend in San Francisco where we participated in the April 20 march to protest U.S. policies on terrorism and the Middle East. That march and another in the nation's capital got considerable coverage in San Francisco and elsewhere in the country, but not a line in The Register-Guard.

The San Francisco Chronicle estimated that over 20,000 participated in the California event, and 30,000 to 50,000 in the Washington, D.C. event. These are the largest protests in years, but again, not a line in The Register-Guard. How does the newspaper explain that?

DONALD and CAROL VAN HOUTEN Eugene

Preference no 'scam'

An April 21 business page story titled "Private insecurity" was unsettling from several aspects. Is it so hard to believe that qualified and competent individuals can work for Goodwill Industries? Goodwill has served this community for over 55 years, and has an impeccable reputation within the local business community.

Security Solutions and Personnel Solutions are fund-raising arms for Goodwill Industries. All profits from these two organizations goes to fund Goodwill's workforce development programs, low-income child care, and other programs throughout the area. These programs have a positive impact on people's lives in the community.

A lobbyist used the word "scam" to describe qualified rehabilitation facility preference on government contracts. State pricing is based on fair market value; the QRF does not dictate the rate. This ensures that the state is getting the best price and product for our tax dollar. In these times of budget cuts, funding is being reduced to nonprofit organizations that help the disabled and disadvantaged. Organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill need government contracts just to keep existing programs from being cut back or eliminated.

Ask yourself: Who would you like your tax dollars to most benefit? Your community? Private or out-of-state interests? Our government should be using services and products that benefit this community; our tax dollars are spent most wisely when they are used to help those less fortunate.

Goodwill serves through employment, training and education centers. The agency's mission is to develop a qualified work force by creating job opportunities for people with disabilities and assisting their quest for greater dignity and self-sufficiency.

JAMES R. KOCH JR. Eugene

Health outlook grim

Recent reports are that the rising cost of health insurance is forcing employers to drop health benefits or pass cost increases on to labor, and that the Oregon Health Plan is unraveling. I have spent days as a volunteer signature-gatherer for the Health Care for All Oregon initiative.

If you have felt smugly secure with your coverage in the past, the recent changes are a rude reminder of the fragility of that advantage. Our current situation is grim. Those who are covered pay exorbitant rates for limited services with caps, exclusions, rising co-pays and deductibles. The number of uninsured is rising. Could you afford insurance if you were unemployed or not covered in a group plan? Can you accept the fact that those without coverage are that way because they are not cost-effective for the profit-motivated insurance companies? Is there a chance that you may become a liability for them?

Those orange-shirted volunteers out gathering signatures are attempting to do all Oregonians a favor. They are not paid or acting on behalf of any political party. They are need-driven, acting out of compassion, attempting to bring some sanity and social justice to our state. Even if you feel secure now, remember that most of the uninsured used to have that feeling, too. Sign the petition, become informed at www.healthcareforalloregon.com and be part of an effort that acknowledges we are all in the same boat, together.

JANE MOODIE Eugene

Control people, not guns

Gun control in Germany is very strict, much more so than here in the United States. This apparently did not prevent an expelled student from taking the lives of 17 people.

This only proves that what we really need is better "people" control and better gun education in our classrooms and in our homes. Restrictive and poorly written gun laws do nothing but prevent honest citizens from defending themselves and pursuing legitimate purposes such as target shooting, and hunting.

If you are a bank teller and a couple of hoods come into your bank with an AK-47 or some other terrorist type of weapon, ask them if they have filled out all the required paperwork, completed the necessary registration requirements, and paid the appropriate fees to legally own such weapons.

Of course, they will tell you that it must have slipped their minds, and then, after you tell them to hand over their guns to the bank manager, they will probably ask you to tie them up until the police arrive.

See, gun control really does work!

DON R. CARSON Oakridge

Beyer has experience

Springfield voters have an opportunity to send an experienced and dedicated representative to our state Legislature. Terry Beyer has a long history serving Springfield, including six years on the City Council and nine years on the city's budget committee. This experience at the local level of government is vitally important as a state representative. In today's economy, Oregon needs legislators who know the history and the implications of their decisions.

We have known Beyer for over 16 years. She has lived in our neighborhoods and sent her children to our schools. She knows the issues that are important to our community, and will stand up for our values. She will advocate for a strong educational system, and she recognizes that Oregon needs to make difficult decisions about a tax system that is not working for anyone. I encourage you to vote for Terry Beyer as the Democratic representative for House District 12 in the upcoming May primary election.

KEN and LINDA JOHNSTON Springfield

Kelly not to blame

Here's how it works, folks! Become a Eugene city councilor, work your tail off for neighborhoods, small businesses and wise use of resources. Then get kicked in the head by the editors at The Register-Guard. Or: Become a city councilor, make sure your rich buddies get sweet deals, do your best to chew up our few remaining resources, focus on big business and screw the little guys. Then receive the almighty praises of the editors at the Register-Guard.

To try to pin the blame of PeaceHealth's move to Springfield on Councilor David Kelly is ludicrous, stupid and malicious. The Register-Guard's own reporters and columnists made it abundantly clear that PeaceHealth, its lawyers and developer John Musumeci had their scheme figured out long before they started spinning the City Council and the citizens at the end of their greedy strings.

Vote for David Kelly. He's been working extremely hard for us for years and we can count on him to continue doing so. Besides, The Register-Guard editors need something to grind their guts on for four more years.

CHARLIE MAGEE Eugene

Sex not required

Darrell Rothauge (letters, April 24) asks what's next for the Eugene Human Rights Commission. Finally, the commission is considering the long known fact that not all true families are composed of a married male and female. It has long been the case that there are many different types of family units, including not only same sex unions but also siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends. Nowhere does this registration require that those committed to this "domestic partnership" have sex.

Therefore, the Human Rights Commission is not accepting or condoning alternative lifestyles. The commission is recognizing that these various family units exist and should be entitled to the same rights and privileges as those who have legal marriage certificates.

SANDI YBARRA Springfield

Fulfillment of prophecy

In response to all of the letters about Israel and Palestine, it is tragic that people have to die, but read Revelations and the rest of the New Testament for the reason behind the violence. It isn't man destroying himself; it is the fulfilling of prophecy.

I can't tell you if these are the end times, maybe not, but trust that if it is, the end result is better than any man on Earth has ever experienced. Don't be afraid of the violence and the hate. Learn from it, for if in your heart there is concern, tolerance and genuine care for your fellow man (and woman), you will live a fulfilling life.

The best we can do is have compassion for the innocent people involved, and let the judgment of both sides fall on the hands of God. Don't get me wrong, I fully support a timely and peaceful resolution of the violence and pray that the loss of life will end, no matter if Israel or Palestine is correct in their actions.

PHIL BARKER Veneta

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