The Register-Guard.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Alpha moms? Ugh!

I must admit that I was angered by the April 16 story in The Register-Guard, "Type A with tots." A personal chef and housekeeper? Give me a break!

Along with the privilege of living and raising her children in that kind of comfort and with that kind of support, the subject of the story designates herself "Alpha." One of the definitions, I read, is "socially dominant." Again I say, "Ugh!" I thought that kind of classist snobbery was out of fashion in this century.

This woman's grandiosity is an insult to all the genuinely hard-working, productive and successful mothers who have juggled the demands of children, jobs, homes and community, and who have earned our regard and respect. They are the ones who deserve the honored title "Alpha" - as in accomplished, admirable and adult.

PATRICIA M. ROSS

Springfield

Come on over the bridge

MountainGate, Thurston Hills, S-town, whatever you call it, it is happening everywhere. People moving into ready-made, gated communities where their status - mostly financial - is declared by their residences.

I am happy to see that Springfield residents, and even the mayor, are trying so hard to be welcoming to these insecure, needy people. In Eugene, we can learn from such graciousness and not let the door slam behind them. Instead, let's leave the door open for all the Springfield

residents who prefer character in a community over the quality of landscaping.

Come on over the bridge. We can eat a little humble bagel, and admit that Springfield is the little sister that grew up and made it big. But, really, who woulda' thought? Springfield, prosperous and pretty? Eugene, a funky backwater? Have I been too long at the fair?

ANNE BADEN

Eugene

Poage is thoughtful, diligent

Bethel School District patrons have been well served by Ginger Poage's thoughtfulness and diligence during her tenure as a member of the Bethel School Board. She is clearly interested in the education of our children and has been a consistent voice for fiscal prudence.

Poage is vocal in her support of educational excellence and makes clear position statements when faced with tough decisions regarding resource allocation or resolution of difficult problems. She works well with other board members to develop consensus if possible. She knows she is representing the Bethel community and has no personal agenda other than: do what is best for the children.

Poage has earned our continued support on election day. Please vote.

GERALD BETTS 

Eugene

School bus was speeding

On April 13, my husband and I were returning from a baseball game in Coos Bay between North Eugene and Marshfield high schools. Upon entering Interstate 5 from Highway 38, we noticed a school bus some distance ahead of us.

I, who tend to drive between 70 mph and 75 mph on the interstate, couldn't help but notice that we were not gaining any ground on this bus. I immediately wanted to know if this bus was a Eugene School District bus, so I caught up and found that it was - not an activity bus, but a full-sized bus.

I was shocked that a school bus was flying down the freeway at 75 mph and would have been furious if my son were on a bus going that fast. Not only was the driver traveling considerably too fast but was tailgating me as we were passing a long group of big rigs. I was still driving between 70 mph and 75 mph, which apparently was not fast enough for this driver.

When we returned home I checked to see which school had activities south of Eugene and found that the Sheldon junior varsity and varsity lacrosse teams had been in Roseburg. It's bad enough that Sheldon and South have farther to travel for their sports activities, let alone that parents have to worry that their children are with an unsafe bus driver.

MARGIE DEMOSS

Eugene

Get moving on climate change

As governor of Texas, George W. Bush, of whom I am no fan, signed a mandate in 1999 that required Texas energy companies to produce 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2009. This target was met in 2005, primarily by wind turbines. This mandate was increased by the Texas Legislature to 5,000 megawatts with a target date of 2015, and this target is expected to be exceeded. Currently, thanks to then Gov. Bush, Texas is now the No. 1 wind-power state in America.

However, as president, Bush has failed to require similar mandates for gasoline conservation and clean energy. Cheap energy prices will continue to give Americans a false sense of security. This will allow American companies to unnecessarily delay, when time is of the essence, research into reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Countries with $5 per gallon plus gasoline prices, such as Japan, will remain leaders in much needed new automobile technology.

Thomas Friedman, one of the most forward thinkers of this era, believes that the current energy-climate debate is between current generations and generations yet unborn. It is also a debate between those who wish to remain in the Victorian carbon era and those who believe that there is the potential for cleaner, more efficient energy technology.

Parents, in addition to worrying about the future of their children and grandchildren, need to transfer some of this concern to the very real threat of human-induced global climate warming and get the politicians off the dime.

MONTY WILSON

Blue River

Just follow the money

Measure 37 is not what you think.

I moved to Oregon 20 years ago, as I was drawn to its natural beauty and the common sense and self-reliant nature of most Oregonians. The way that I see it is that most folks were deceived by the special interest groups that sponsored Measure 37 - greedy developers, just follow the money - to think that it was protecting our right to build an extra house on the back 40 for Grandma or build a retirement dream house.

I really don't think that most people would have voted for a law that allows someone to either work with a developer to turn hundreds of acres of prime farmland into a sprawling subdivision or have the taxpayers pay for the supposed property devaluation. What we have on the books now is a law that fosters greed and unrestricted development.

I worked hard for years to purchase a little bit of Oregon paradise six months before Measure 37 passed. I purchased the property with the understanding that it was zoned for exclusive farm use, thinking that these restrictive zoning laws would protect the natural beauty that my neighbors and I enjoy. However, I have just found out that our neighbor has filed a Measure 37 claim on 221 acres that border our property and Fern Ridge Lake. I guess greed will end up changing what we all love about Oregon unless we take action. Please contact the Lane County commissioners and let them know how you feel.

JOHN H. ZEMEK

Elmira

Hall's experience is vital

Lane Community College is facing some critical decisions. State funding has dropped dramatically, forcing raises in tuition and reductions in staff and services. A strong, informed board is essential as LCC addresses these problems.

Roger Hall deserves your vote in the upcoming election. His 16 years of experience on the board, his understanding of the issues, and his ability to work cooperatively with all parties involved make him the ideal candidate for Zone 6. Hall understands and supports the mission of the college. He is familiar with the programs and services the college provides. He has no personal agendas, and always makes decisions based on what is best for the college. Because three of the present board members will be retiring, Hall's experience is even more important.

As a former LCC board member, I have had the opportunity to work with Hall and see first-hand the vital role he fills on the board. Please cast your vote for Dr. Roger Hall for Zone 6.

KATHLEEN SHELLEY

Vida

Extension programs vital

The importance of the Extension programs in shaping our lives cannot be overstated. The values of hand work and giving back to community that my husband and I learned through nine years of 4-H shaped our career choices and our choice to do volunteer work in every community in which we have lived.

For my husband's farm family, the information that the Extension Service provided was instrumental in having food to eat and an income to provide necessities. The program is as important a part of our community as it was 30 years ago.

I work with the master gardener program. It touches so many lives. People of all ages and economic levels benefit.

The Oregon State University/Lane County Extension Service master gardener program and all the services provided by these volunteers could be lost to Lane County if the income tax measure fails in the May 15 special election. The master gardener hot line is open year-round to answer home gardening questions for the public, in addition to sharing gardening information at numerous events.

Should Measure 20-129 not pass due to public resistance to a Lane County tax for public safety, Extension services will be severely impacted. Money from property taxes would be shifted to fund Extension services after mandated public safety programs are funded from the income tax.

JOAN OJERIO

Eugene

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