Letters in the Editor's Mailbag.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Don't bother council

In "Free Parking Needed" (letters, Aug. 30), Joseph Siekel points out that there will be no free parking available at the new Eugene Public Library and asks the public to make our City Council aware of the situation.

Too late! I have been in touch with the mayor and the council going back to the original vote to start construction. I sent up flares warning them that the city is tripling the size of the library and going from some 127 free adjacent parking spots to zero spots. I received no response from any of them.

Our mayor and council have been and are aware of the plight the library users will be in come the arrival of the white elephant on 10th Avenue. They authorized less than 85 pay parking slots for public use under the library, and they made that pittance of parking conform with the payment system used at the city garage on Charnelton between 9th and 10th avenues where meters are the collection devices.

Don't bother to hassle the mayor and council. They knew all and refused to heed warnings. The parking monies collected will be recycled to help develop still more garages to benefit downtown merchants. Start collecting quarters for the parking meters rather than writing to an unresponsive and heedless city government.

ARTHUR E SHAPIRO Eugene

Schools at crossroads

A large democratic nation can be sustained over the course of generations only by having a high-quality public education system. Although private and parochial primary and secondary schools are a legitimate expression of free speech, they are fundamentally incapable of educating the population en masse.

Each generation of citizens has the responsibility, perhaps even the constitutional obligation, to ensure that succeeding generations will be educated by the highest quality teachers in the highest quality schools. To refuse that responsibility, or to attempt to evade it through political or ideological chicanery, imperils both the coming generation's level of education and the future of the democracy itself. The past and present are littered with the tragic consequences of undereducated people drawn in and oppressed by tyrants.

The future and quality of the education of Oregon's children stands at a critical point. It is time for Oregon's legislators to accept their constitutional responsibility to design and fund public education so our children can be taught by the highest quality teachers in the highest quality schools. It is time, as well, for Oregonians to demand from their elected officials that the future of public education will never be compromised by design or evasion. It is our responsibility as voters to elect those who will champion that cause and to vote for the funding initiatives to ensure the best teachers and schools for our future generations. That is what I require as a citizen and that is how I will vote.

DAVID C. WAGGONER Eugene

Police initiated violence

I am writing this letter in response to some factual discrepancies in The Register-Guard's Aug. 23 coverage of the protest in Portland. Perhaps I can clear some things up.

First of all, it should be obvious to anyone who was present that the number of participants was closer to 2,000 than 500. Secondly, there was no general dispersion of protesters, as the action occurred on streets surrounding the Hilton and not just at the location that The Associated Press described as the rallying point.

Thirdly -and this is in response to the quote printed by Portland Police Bureau representative Brian Schmautz - any violence that occurred was initiated by the riot police. Protesters did not throw anything until the highly volatile Darth Vader squad began pepper spraying and firing non-lethal weapons at retreating participants.

A correct and honest media is the cornerstone of freedom in this land, and I think The Register-Guard should be ashamed of itself.

JONATHAN BENTLEY COX Eugene

Repeal state 'kicker'

Taxes may not be popular but Oregon needs to realize that you cannot run a state without adequate income. An exorbitant tax increase on one minority, smokers, is neither right nor adequate.

When the economy improves, the "kicker" refund should be eliminated. Taxes collected above projections in one biennium should be banked at least until it can be seen that the next biennium is on track.

ALAN REID Springfield

CAPTION(S):

The Register-Guard welcomes letters on topics of general interest. Our length limit is 250 words; all letters are subject to condensation. Writers are limited to one letter per calendar month. Mail letters to Mailbag, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]