SPEND TO SAVE It was at the very bottom of the R-G's article, so you might have missed it: DA Doug Harcleroad saying, "If we had adequate jail space in this county, she would not be dead." Paula Benitez was mercilessly, relentlessly stalked by her ex. She went through all the proper steps. He went to jail, got out early for space, almost immediately fixed on her, and killed her and himself. What terror and pain she and her family and friends have suffered. What grief the survivors still will suffer. Springfield businesses, schools, traffic were disrupted. Police, who did a great job, were deployed for several hours. All that cost lots of money. This is going to keep happening while we don't provide adequate funding for our county's needs. Lane County Animal Regulation kills thousands of healthy animals just because they haven't got enough space. The kennels haven't been expanded since the 1970s, though the county sure has. We have got to learn that you have to lay out money to save money. And pain and terror and grief. Rita Castillo, Springfield   KALI'S ALREADY GONE Repeatedly the Mother Kali's board has asked the community to prioritize financial matters over all other values. Severe financial problems arose because the board drove out a staff (Tova, Lezlie, Carrie and Aurelia) that had steadily boosted sales and cultivated inclusive community networks while challenging classism and ageism in board-staff dynamics and protesting misuse of power. Now, after at least two livelihoods are destroyed and the store's modest financial momentum squandered, we are asked as "good feminists" to revive Mother Kali's yet again, and to believe that some time in the future, the feminist principles in that labor issue may be addressed. But my "feminist" bookstore is already gone. The request in the March 4 letters that we the community help the board find "affordable" resolutions to the 17-month-old dispute was disingenuous. Last year I proposed that an independent panel of impartial community members review all documents, interview relevant parties to clarify unanswered questions, and recommend a resolution. When the board finally responded, rejecting my proposal by claiming confidentiality concerns, my suggestions for allaying those concerns were ignored. It was also surprising to learn that not supporting Mother Kali's means supporting Bush and mega-corporations. Although I tremendously miss my once-feminist bookstore, Eugene has other independents that can order feminist books from independent progressive presses. Pressuring workers, the community, or anyone who challenges those in charge, while postponing accountability indefinitely, won't create social change. I know my bitterness and frustration won't either. Let's move on from Mother Kali's. Ellen Rifkin, Eugene   LET KALI'S GO While I often spent money at Mother Kali's Books last year, I see less and less reason to do so any more. Mother Kali's may have been unique in 1977, but today, everything you can get there, you can get at any other independent bookstore in Eugene, let alone at the chain stores. Mother Kali's could be a good place, an asset to the community, but that's not just a matter of who they are; it's a matter of what they do. What they have been doing at Mother Kali's, however, has been more than just disappointing. The store has chewed up and spit out a dozen women in the last two years; this is fostering feminism? Is threatening lawsuits against newly unemployed single mothers progressive? With allies like these, what need have progressives of enemies? And how, exactly, does Bush benefit when we choose to spend our money at stores where workers are treated like human beings? I'd like to express my appreciation for the solidarity the Graduate Teaching Fellows' Federation has shown toward my fellow Wobblies at Mother Kali's, and for the support other community activists have shown. I encourage others to join me in not shopping there until the store does right by its wronged workers. To any students whose professors have ordered books at Mother Kali's, remember that you have the ability to order your own textbooks, either online or at other community bookstores, particularly the University Bookstore, which is your student cooperative. Patrick R. Wade, Treasurer, IWW Lane County   COUP D' MANNIX I'd like to offer my congratulations to our new shadow Governor, Kevin Mannix. How proud he must be that he's managed (with out-of-state financing from a Tom DeLay group) to successfully overturn the compromise budget from the longest session in Oregon legislative history. He surely must be pleased as punch that he and his gang of Republican thugs and talk show demagogues have successfully managed to take a group of Oregon legislators — who put their home lives, personal fortunes and sacred honor at risk by actually engaging in representative democracy and compromise over nine long months — and let them know that their efforts were entirely wasted. Heartened, no doubt, by the successful coup d'etat in California, I can only imagine how pleased our new shadow governor must be at his own successful coup right here in Oregon. What an achievement this is for Mr. Mannix: No longer will losing an election be an impediment to holding elective office! I look forward to watching him as he appoints his shadow cabinet and proceeds with his already-delineated shadow legislative agenda. But I have to wonder if he's thought this entirely through. Having already ensured that no Oregon legislator in a generation will have the gumption to actually propose any meaningful budgetary legislation, I am curious as to why he is now calling for a special session. It rather seems as if, having gelded the stallion, Mr. Mannix is now attempting to stand it at stud. Something is missing from the equation, certainly. Hart Williams, Eugene   DEMONIZING DEVELOPERS As a local realtor with some semblance of social conscience, I appreciate very much EW's perspective on land use and city planning. I'm particularly concerned about the Eugene City Council's recent de-prioritization of the effort to establish a reasonable mechanism for renters to air grievances against landlords. Residents of the university area have identified the need to enforce codes related to health and safety issues. Our city government should acknowledge the importance of this effort and act to ensure that real estate investors are held accountable to building codes and requirements related to income properties. This will help our city, our residents, and our property owners by encouraging all landlords to establish and maintain safe and healthy conditions within their rental properties. Regarding development of residential and commercial real estate, however, I find that EW's consistent demonization of developers and "speculators" ignores some basic economic principles. In fact, these principles may be playing out right now with negative results for our area residents. My team has represented builders in the acquisition of land for development. I can tell you that land suitable for affordable entry-level housing is becoming extremely scarce. This is resulting in fewer new housing starts and a focus by developers to move upscale with hillside development of homes far beyond the economic reach of the majority of Lane County residents. The lack of affordable new housing has already put upward pressure on the price of existing homes and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Against the backdrop of a slow economy, the double-digit percentage rise in local residential real estate values last year cannot be attributed to low interest rates alone — the factors of supply and demand must also be at work. Rather than the polarizing struggle against "sprawl" and "speculators," I would encourage a dialogue which acknowledges the reality of growth while insisting on livability and affordability for all Lane County residents. Rich Gaston, Eugene   DEANIES FOR DENNIS Now that Howard Dean has dropped out of the race, I want to encourage all of the "I really like Dennis but" people to show their support for the candidate who is most clearly speaking their truth. The fact that Dennis Kucinich can pull more than 5 percent in any state is absolutely amazing when you consider that (because of a virtual media blackout) most voters have no idea who he is or what he stands for, and he stands for quite a lot. Dennis Kucinich is the only qualified (I don't think that Sharpton has the experience to be an effective president) progressive voice left in this election. If you're progressive and you want your voice to be heard, please support Kucinich. Maybe there is a threshold above which the media will have to admit that we exist. If you haven't yet checked out the Kucinich website, www.kucinich.us,please do. Check out his positions on the things that matter to you. You'll probably be quite amazed, and you will start to understand why the corporate media have shunned him. It's obvious; he simply doesn't serve corporate interests. Thomas Rose, Cottage Grove   TAYLOR DESERVES VOTE Last year as a county commissioner, I had the pleasure of working alongside Eugene City Councilor Betty Taylor on a number of issues. I found Betty to be a wise and resourceful public servant. We both served on the Human Services Commission at a time when declining revenue presented some very difficult choices. Betty took a leading role in insisting the commission should not eliminate programs that were urgently necessary to help destitute people in our community. Betty came up with ideas to reallocate the commission's budget in a way that maximized the value of our scarce resources. Betty and I also served together on the McKenzie Watershed Council. This group brings together representatives of government agencies, the timber industry, and environmental organizations to craft consensual strategies that will protect the McKenzie River. I was impressed by Betty's ability to work with people of all perspectives, to keep an open mind, and to find common ground. Betty is one of the most principled and ethically consistent people I've seen in public life. I think people admire Betty for her character, even if they don't necessarily support all of her votes. I hope Betty wins re-election to the City Council in 2004. Tom Lininger, Eugene   LETTERS POLICY: We print as many letters as space allows. Please limit length to 250 words and submissions to once a month. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity, and must include address and phone number. E-mail to editor@eugeneweekly.com, fax to 484-4044, or mail to 1251 Lincoln, Eugene 97401.
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