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Slant: Short opinion pieces and rumor-chasing notes News: News: Happening Person: Cindy Ingram AIR QUALITY STILL TOXIC During LRAPA's 37 years stewarding Lane County's air, the local airshed has improved in some regards and degraded in others (see cover story, 4/21). While the levels of sooty particulates from wood burning have declined dramatically since the '70s, the county's airshed remains among the worst in the nation in terms of several major pollutants. First and foremost, LRAPA works to keep the county's air in compliance with the EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the six criteria air pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Particulates — including dust, soot and smoke — are divided into classes based on their diameter size in microns, with the smallest being the most dangerous to human health. PM10 and PM2.5 are small enough to pass into the respiratory system, sometimes triggering or exacerbating health conditions such as asthma and chronic respiratory disease. In the 1980s, the EPA planted a red flag over the Eugene-Springfield area for exceeding national air quality standards for carbon monoxide and PM10. The region's PM10 and carbon monoxide levels have dropped by at least 50 percent in the past 20 years, and in 1994, the EPA declared Eugene-Springfield in attainment for carbon monoxide. But the cities officially remain a nonattainment area for PM10, though average concentrations have been within the federal limits for more than a decade. While carbon monoxide and PM10 levels have improved, Eugene-Springfield's average PM2.5 and ozone levels have remained relatively stagnant since 1999. In 2003, Eugene-Springfield's peak PM2.5 concentration was higher than in notoriously polluted metropolitan areas such as Cleveland, El Paso, Chicago and Detroit. According to Scorecard.org an online pollution database compiled by Environmental Defense, Lane County is among the worst 10 percent of U.S. counties in terms of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, PM2.5, PM10 and known carcinogen emissions. In 1999, Lane County vehicles, residences and small businesses emitted nearly 400,000 tons of criteria pollutants. The American Lung Association reports that the rate of Lane County residents hospitalized for asthma increased from 4.5 per 10,000 in 1999 to 5.3 per 10,000 in 2001. LRAPA also requires local industries to report their emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), chemicals that can cause damage to human health or the environment. The EPA has identified 188 HAPs that are correlated with increased risks of cancer and other cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, developmental and reproductive ailments, but due to a lack of definitive health and monitoring data, the EPA has not established standards for them. Using conventional risk assessment methods, Scorecard estimates that 2.6 per 10,000 Lane County residents will contract cancer due to exposure to locally emitted HAPs — a rate among the worst in the nation. Scorecard reports that in 1999, Lane County industrial facilities emitted almost half a million pounds of known or suspected carcinogens, 1.6 million pounds of known or suspected developmental toxicants and more than 2 million pounds of suspected neurotoxicants, with some pollutants falling into more than one category. Top industrial polluters in the area include Weyerhaueser, J.H. Baxter, Monaco and Hynix. — Kera Abraham
AGREES ON TREES The Westmoreland medical facility at 17th and Chambers plans to cut down 31 trees to make room for a 10,000 sq. ft. addition. The city granted a tree cutting permit without a public hearing in March and the Far West Neighborhood Group and nearby residents appealed, trying to save the grove of up to 130-year-old oaks. The dispute was set for a clash at a hearing on April 27, but then something unusual happened. The neighbors and the Eugene Tree Foundation sat down with the developer to reach a compromise and join in criticizing the city's permitting process. In an April 12 letter to the city, Oregon West Management and its architect, John Lawless, agreed to give the Tree Foundation $2,000 for nearby tree plantings to help mitigate the loss of trees, and pay careful attention to landscaping at the site in exchange for the neighbors withdrawing their appeal. The developer then joined with the Tree Foundation and neighbors in calling for: • "Greater community participation in the early stages of plan development for tree removal," including better public notice. • Elevating the importance of tree removal permits and giving them the same rigorous review that goes into building permits. • Clearer tree removal regulations that define how to assess the scenic and wildlife values of trees and how exactly to mitigate for their loss when permitted. The joint letter noted that the city's efforts to increase density to avoid urban sprawl increases the need for such clear regulations. "To fail to develop these rules, procedures, and protocols will lead to irretrievable and unfortunate losses of important natural values in our city. It will also lead to more confusion and delay for developers." Local environmentalists have been pushing for better tree protection laws ever since the city pepper-sprayed and gassed protesters to cut down 40 of downtown's oldest trees for the Broadway Place development in 1996. Developers have so far largely blocked stricter tree rules, but the new city council now has a more progressive majority. — Alan Pittman
COLD WAR IN LATIN AMERICA May 5-7 at UO is a symposium "Smoldering Ashes: Revisiting the Legacy of the Cold War in Central America," organized by the Latin American Studies Program and co-sponsored by nearly a dozen local cultural and educational organizations. The keynote address at 3:30 pm Thursday in the EMU Ballroom is by Bishop Raul Vera López of Saltillo, Mexico, on "The Mission of the Catholic Church for Human Rights and Justice in Latin America." Friday are panels on "Human Rights in Central America," "From the Cold War to the War on Terror," and "Testimonio and the Politics of Witnessing." Poet and activist Margaret Randall will give the keynote address at 7 pm Friday at the EMU Ballroom. The entire program can be found at http://las.uoregon.edu<http://las.uoregon.edu
HOW WOULD JESUS PEE? A proposed ordinance to allow transgendered people to use the restroom of their choice was shot down three years ago by the Christian right, but it is headed back to the Eugene City Council. In 2002, Christian conservatives attacked adding protections based on gender identity to the city's anti-discrimination code and then-Eugene Mayor Jim Torrey threatened to veto the measure, forcing its withdrawal. Opponents denounced transgendered people as "from Satan," "sick" and "sexually deviant" threats to children and told the council that they risked the wrath of God if they enacted the anti-discrimination ordinance. Supporters called opponents biased and irrational. More than 70 other cities including Portland and Bend have enacted similar transgender ordinances with little incident. Molesting anyone in a bathroom would continue to be illegal. Transgender people fear bathrooms and are more often the victims of violence rather than perpetrators, supporters said. The Eugene Human Rights Commission plans to hold a public information session on the proposed gender identity code provisions at 6 pm Thursday, May 5 in the Eugene Council Chambers, 777 Pearl Street. — Alan Pittman
NEUTRAL ON BIAS A Eugene City Council subcommittee voted last month that the city lobby in support of a bill that critics oppose as discriminatory against Hispanics and unsafe. After being targeted with criticism, the city Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IGR) voted for the city to take a neutral stance on HB 2608, which requires proof of citizenship for driver's licenses. But the IGR committee and full council declined to oppose the bill. City human rights and police staff recommended that the IGR oppose the bill. "This bill codifies discrimination," human rights staffer Greg Rikhoff commented. Officer Ellwood Cushman warned, "if a group of people are denied the possibility to obtain driving privileges, some will certainly operate vehicles anyway, and will not be able to obtain the insurance required by law. This creates a situation in which traffic safety, as well as financial protection to drivers and others using the roads, is reduced." City lobbyist Jason Heuser pointed out that driver's licenses are frequently forged and making them de facto proof of citizenship documents could make them a tool for terrorist groups. City Councilors Betty Taylor and Gary Papé voted on the IGR committee to support the bill before voting to take a neutral stance. Councilor Bonny Bettman voted against the bill. Bettman tried to get the full council to vote to oppose the bill last week, but failed. "I feel pretty strongly about this. It's discrimination," Bettman said. The ACLU of Oregon testified against the bill in Salem. "Preventing immigrants from getting driver's licenses is not going to protect our roads, and it will not protect us from terrorism. What HB 2608 does accomplish is to continue a regrettable practice of demonizing immigrants in times of national emergency." Right now, HB 2608 appears stuck in committee in Salem, but similar legislation is moving through the U.S. Congress. — Alan Pittman
BILL SUPPORTS TOXIC BAN Soon the foam in your furniture won't be poisoning you. At least that's the hope, with the recent passage of a state Senate bill that bans two of the three forms of a toxic flame retardant called PBDE (see "The Ever-More-Toxic Northwest," EW 12/23/04). PBDE (in its penta-, octa- and deca- forms) has been used for years to reduce the flammability of products such as furniture foam, carpet pads, dashboards and computer casings. A 2004 Northwest Environment Watch study found the chemical in every sample of breastmilk collected from more than 40 women in the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon women's PBDE levels were twice as high as the study's average and 20 to 40 times higher than levels found in Japanese and Swedish women. Two U.S.-based companies produce all of the world's PBDE, and Americans buy more than half of it. PBDE doesn't just affect humans. Researchers also found high levels of the chemical in Oregon salmon, Puget Sound orcas and San Francisco seals. PBDE builds up in fat cells, accumulates up the food chain and persists in the environment without breaking down. Studies have found that even low levels of PBDE can impair memory, attention, motor skills, learning, behavior and sexual development in laboratory animals. The chemical isn't necessary for fire safety; several companies have developed flame retardants that are just as effective as PBDE. SB 962, which passed in the Oregon Senate on April 20 with a 25-2 vote, bans penta- and octa-PBDE and instructs the Oregon Department of Health to recommend a ban of deca-PBDE. The phaseout will be in effect by 2006. With the support of 18 medical, environmental and educational nonprofits, the bill will now move on to the Oregon House of Representatives. — Kera Abraham
ZAPATISTAS REVISITED
While much of the world has been focused on the conflict in the Middle East, the struggle for democracy, justice and liberty is ongoing for the indigenous people of Chiapas and all of Mexico. Eugene photojournalist Kurt Jensen traveled on a Pastors for Peace caravan to Chiapas last month, visiting schools, clinics and refugee communities. He says he and 19 other activist from the U.S. met with non-governmental and religious organizations who work with indigenous communities in Chiapas, where they delivered 8 tons of medical and school supplies, 35 bicycles, 8.5 tons of corn and one ton of beans. They delivered corn, purchased from a local co-op, directly to the Zapatista community of Polho, a village of 5,533 refugees. Jensen says the villagers are "unable to return to their fields due to the low-intensity war being waged by the military and paramilitary groups." Within minutes of delivering the aid, Jensen says, he and the others were "stopped, searched and questioned by military personnel." The state of Chiapas is very rich in natural resources, agriculture, oil and electricity, but has the poorest population in the country. Jensen will be speaking of his experiences and showing slides of the Chiapas caravan at 7 pm Tuesday, May 10, in room 175 at the UO Law School. Jensen's trip was sponsored locally by Eugene PeaceWorks and CISCAP, which will be holding a bake sale from 9 am to 4 pm May 10 in front of the UO Bookstore to raise money for the displaced people of Polho.
Divided
on Diversity This spring, three of the five seats on the Springfield School Board are up for re-election. Sally Hales challenges incumbent Jonathan Light for Position 2, Jeff Bantz takes on incumbent Al King for Position 3, and Wade Richardson opposes incumbent Bill Medford for Position 5. Bantz and Richardson's campaigns, in particular, have captured the attention of local media. Yard signs popping up in Springfield display the two names, Bantz and Richardson, together. Local Christian conservatives laud Bantz and Richardson — both Mormons — as heralds of overdue change, while the Oregon Bus Project characterizes the pair as religious extremists trying to take over a moderate public school board. The most contentious issue in the campaign seems to be the district's developing diversity policy, which aims to identify relevant issues and assist with the development and implementation of a diversity action plan. According to Springfield High School Assistant Principal Carmen Gelman, the plan is sorely needed: Kids are bullied for their race and orientation, among other things, and neo-Nazi graffiti defiles student lockers. About a dozen core members of a diversity committee crafted the original diversity plan over the period of two and a half years, finally presenting their proposal to the school board in fall 2004. The plan offered this guiding principle: "Establish an understanding of diversity that encompasses a wide range of differences, including but not limited to age, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical appearance and physical and mental abilities." 4J's policy identifies similar diversity guidelines. The plan didn't go over smoothly at the October 25 school board meeting. Eighteen people spoke explicitly against the plan — mainly due to the sexual preference language — and 12 spoke in support. The board voted to scrap the original plan and convene a new committee composed of a wider cross-section of community members. The result was the Safety and Respect for All (SRA) committee, which aims to reach a consensus and present its recommendations to the school board for approval by mid-June. EW had to take candidates' words regarding contributions because campaign finance reports are not due until May 5 — past deadline for this issue. Look for a follow-up next week. Ballots are due by May 17, and elected board members' terms begin on July 1.
Brink
of Disaster Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, a five-year U.N.-commissioned study by 1,300 prominent scientists from 95 countries, reports widespread degradation of oceans, tropical forests, plains, and other ecosystems, and events of sudden irreversible decline: collapse of fisheries and coral reefs, introduction of new diseases and invasive species. The study warns that Earth's systems are "on the brink of disaster" (Independent). While the Bush administration pushes nuclear energy, Russians and Ukrainians observe the anniversary of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster with fears about the crumbling sarcophagus above Chernobyl's still-active core. If the sarcophagus collapses, it will cause another nuclear disaster (Independent). Meanwhile, nuclear debris from closed U.S. bomb materials factories and nuclear plants is heading for west Texas, where a company called Waste Control Specialists has planned a massive radioactive disposal and conversion complex that will earn billions of dollars in dumping fees. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has scheduled nuclear waste shipments over the protests of Texas environmental officials (Dallas Morning News, Olive Hershey). The Navajo Nation, living atop one of the world's largest uranium deposits, has outlawed uranium mining and processing anywhere on its 27,000 square miles. "This legislation just chopped the legs off the uranium monster," said Navajo Norman Brown (Arizona Republic). An Algerian detainee at Guantanamo has alleged that U.S. military guards nearly drowned him in a toilet, and jumped on his head, leaving his face paralyzed. The military has not responded to his attorney's requests for the videotapes (Washington Post). The American Civil Liberties Union is urging Congress to review Section 218 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which allows the government to obtain search warrants for primarily criminal searches, in secret and without proving that a crime has probably been committed. Section 218 was the basis for detention of Brandon Mayfield, a Portland lawyer wrongly linked to the Madrid train bombing (ACLU). In 1995, the Chinese government abducted Gendun Choekyi Nyima who was then 6 years old and had just been recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama, the second most prominent holy man in Tibetan Buddhism. The world's youngest political prisoner recently turned 16, still in custody (Democracy Now). The U.N. World Food Program says that increased aid is urgently needed to continue to feed 1.5 million Ethiopians. In southern Ethiopia, many children have dropped out of school to look for food and work, and in eastern regions, 5 percent are severely malnourished, with children dying every day of hunger (Addis Ababa Daily Monitor). Women and girls fleeing the ethnic cleansing of Darfur are being raped by Sudanese security forces deployed to protect them. Human Rights Watch calls on donors and humanitarian agencies to give a greater emphasis and more resources to preventing sexual violence in refugee camps (Human Rights Watch). Tom Hayden wrote a letter to Howard Dean, asking him as Democratic Committee chairman to make the party respect its anti-war majority and start working to get out of Iraq. You can read this document at commondreams.org/views05/0429_23.htm Iraqi civilian casualties climbed after the Jan. 31 elections, from 785 - 854 in January to 916 - 983 in February. Figures for March and April are still incomplete, but April looks bad (iraqbodycount.org). Coalition casualties have decreased as foreign troops stay near their bases and train Iraqis; most reporters stay in their hotels for fear of kidnapping. Many violent incidents go unreported by both press and U.S. troops. "Our generals want to hear about the number of attacks going down not up," said one soldier. The Pentagon counts 152,000 Iraqi soldiers and police preparing to take over security, but many desert when attacked and others cooperate with the insurgency (Independent, Telegraph).
Ahmad Chalawi, convicted of 32 counts of fraud, fabricator of WMD tales, and spy for Iran, is acting minister of Iraqi oil (truthout). Marla Ruzicka, a young California activist, founded Innocent Victims of Conflict and did door-to-door surveys of casualties in Iraq. She persuaded the U.S. Congress to give $17.5 million to victims in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ruzicka recently obtained evidence that the U.S. military actually does record civilian deaths and wrote an article about it for Human Rights Watch, then was murdered near Baghdad April 16, reportedly by a suicide bomber. "A [casualty] number is important not only to quantify the cost of the war," Ruzicka wrote, "but to me each number is also a story of someone whose hopes, dreams, and potential will never be realized, and who left behind a family" (civicworldwide.org). Various groups within whale and dolphin species teach each other cultural customs. Humpback whales feeding in the Gulf of Maine slam their tails against the water to stun fish and krill. South Pacific sperm whales defend themselves against orca attacks by forming a circle with tails facing out, and Australian bottlenose dolphins wear sponges on their snouts, perhaps to protect their skin while foraging on the ocean floor (National Wildlife Federation). Undercovered this month is written by Michael Carrigan, Brooke Robertshaw, and Kate Rogers Gessert.
CINDY INGRAM
When Cindy Ingram was a grade-schooler in Dublin, Calif., her teacher, Ms Olsen, channeled Ingram's excess energy by having her read to younger kids. "She set me on the path to community service," says Ingram, a state volunteer-of-the-year at age 12 for her work with developmentally disabled children. A year out of high school, she moved to Jasper, Ore., and found work with at-risk kids in Harrisburg and Crow-Applegate-Lorane schools. "I found myself wanting to do more than my job description," she notes. Ingram gave birth to a daughter and a son in '98 and '99, started her first non-profit, the Land of Awe Children's Museum (now part of the Science Factory), with friends in '00, and entered LCC in '01. She co-founded Network for Reproductive Options in '03, after Eugene's only abortion clinic closed down. Ingram currently has four part-time jobs. She's director of the Non-traditional Student Union and manager of the band Silas (www.silasband.com),where her partner Stephen Arriola plays lead guitar. "I get 10 percent," she says. She's looking for new work in the fall, when she begins her second year of grad school at UO in planning and public policy management. –BY PAUL NEEVEL |
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