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SOMEONE GOT LOST Everything looks good from a distance. Following the I-5 corridor to Eugene to relocate was easy and felt natural. From a distance, I could see the nursing degree I would soon have in my hand, the community I would celebrate, and the life-pounding hiking trails that run like veins and arteries on this sweet cheek of our Mother Earth. "It's a hippie town." "It's organic." "It's liberal and left-wing with active politics." Good, I like that. Somewhere amidst all these wanderings, someone got lost and found themselves in a toxic kitchen pouring Drano and rat poison and cold medicine and took it to get high. A good high, I hear. It probably makes you feel very beautiful and omnipotent, and from a distance one may think it can sustain you. Not such a good high, when in fact it can crack the community into a black hole of disease. I live a simple life and try to maintain that. I work as a nurse at Sacred Heart, I go to yoga class, I bike around town, cook and eat well, get eight hours of sleep at night, and I keep crank out of my life — crank, crystal meth, speed, ice. Yet as I try so hard to keep it out of my life, how did it creep into my backyard, smash into my house and go riding off into the full moon street on my bike with my camera, my power tools, my belongings that I worked for, only to end up at a pawnshop in exchange for a demonic fix? If only drug addiction could be a personal choice, and to each their own, but it has become like an epidemic, and good people get caught in the proverbial cross-fire of passive violence. And active violence. This is not a victimless crime. Drug use has a lengthy and ill journey to find its way to your veins, and there is horrific violence involved — economically, spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially. I feel as though this town is quickly morphing into a science fiction horror full of pod people and shells of people who once were and who are now taken over by a virus that must continuously feed itself this poison. How beautiful are you when your soul is shattered into hollowness from a drug that will permanently alter your brain function into such a state of irrevocable atrophy? How beautiful are you when you need to steal from other people to maintain your beauty, your drug, your disease? I feel sad, and from a distance I can see this once genuine and beautiful "organic and hippie" town disintegrating from the lack of law enforcement and legislation to stop this epidemic. It seems ironic that I am moving to New York to live in a safer place. Kesa Emi Nomiyama, Eugene
SELECTIVE STATS Alan Pittman's recent news brief railing against Hynix (5/19, "Hynix Nixes Paying Taxes") set a new low in the selective use of statistics. In a recent memo requested by Mayor Piercy from city staff, it was confirmed that Hynix is not only the largest taxpayer in Eugene, but actually pays more in taxes than the next nine largest taxpayers combined. The tax savings that Hynix received under the enterprise zone temporarily waived taxes that would never have been owed in the first place if Pittman and opponents had their way and Hynix had never located here. Last year Hynix paid $6.9 million in property taxes. That was more than 6 percent of all the taxes paid to all jurisdictions in Eugene. Enterprise zones were created in part because of the recognition that large industrial investments produce far greater tax revenue than the costs they impose on local service delivery systems. By agreeing to forego this tax windfall for a few years, local governments not only help create jobs, but also secure future tax windfalls such as those that Eugene and other taxing entities are collecting now from Hynix. By concentrating only on the loss of phantom taxes that would never have been collected if Hynix hadn't come here, Pittman is engaging in the pessimist's favorite pastime: turning lemonade back into lemons. The readers of Eugene Weekly deserve better. Jack Roberts, Eugene
FRIENDLY BAR In response to "What a Drag" (5/19), I would like to say that the only truth to that slanderous letter is that the Playboyz will not be performing at Sam's Place any longer. Sam's Place is a very friendly bar and we welcome all people no matter their sexual preference, race, creed or religion. As most know, we held a benefit for HIV Alliance's Riverwalk this past Saturday. We walked 32 miles and raised a lot of money for the cause. We have a new Drag Troupe called Sam's Bad Boys and we hope that people will come and see how friendly and fun it is here at Sam's. They will debut on Saturday, May 28 at 10 pm. Please form your own opinions and don't listen to a disgruntled ex-employee. Sarah Mallon, Bar Princess of Sam's Place
LOVE HANDLES I picked up EW on my way to school this morning, as I do each Thursday, and was both amused and bothered by the tongue in cheek article "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Summer Fashion" by Vanessa Salvia. Although I agreed completely with the comments about "the boob curtain," her comments on the pinch and pucker, which is described as "the lovely effect of fat girls wearing too-tight low-rider jeans with the flab fluttering in the wind" really deserved my response. As a fat (though healthy and extremely stylish) girl who lives in Gap Ultra Low Rise jeans, I find this ridiculous to imply that only fat girls have rolls when they wear such pants. If you look around, you notice just as many size 6s with Gateway Mall-worthy hip love handles as size 16s. The point Salvia made is well received with me otherwise, I just think a reconsidering of her language and generalized thoughts is needed. In conclusion, fat ladies have just as much right as thinner ones to wear whatever (trendy) clothes they want, and I think everyone should pull their damn pants up. Amelia Kimball, Eugene
SINGLE SOURCE The White House blasted Newsweek for reporting a story based upon a single anonymous source. Fifteen people die from riots reacting to story. Newsweek apologizes. The White House attacked Iraq based upon information from a single "curveball" source. Tens of thousands people have died, billions of dollars have been wasted. The White House will not apologize. To put it in presidential spokesman Scott McClellan's own words, "This was a report based on a single anonymous source that could not substantiate the allegation that was made. The report has had serious consequences. People have lost their lives. The image of the United States abroad has been damaged. I just find it puzzling." Amen, Scotty. Michael T. Hinojosa, Drain
EMPTY BUSES Three cheers for Senator Bill Morissette and his Senate Bill 558. The citizens and employers of Lane County deserve representation of their hard-earned money. The Lane Transit District has hand picked their own board members to be rubber-stamped by the governor since the beginning. Rapid transit between Eugene and Springfield at a cost of millions. Give me a break! A decade ago, I tried to get self-propelled streetcars in Eugene/Springfield. It would have cost far less for three miles of railroad that would have tied the Fairgrounds, Sacred Heart, The UO, Autzen Stadium and the 5th Street Public Market together than LTD wants to spend on this high-speed 2-mile route between the two cities. We also would have had access to OC&P tracks from Eugene to Drain and Coos Bay. More than 150 miles of rail for pennies of what LTD spends — for what? Mostly empty buses that compete with rush hour traffic on main thoroughfares. It's time for some truly local representation. We have a right to say how the federal and local tax monies presently being squandered on high-tech buses and palace-like buildings should be spent! Ray Robinson, Deadwood
REPREHENSIBLE I am writing this letter in response to last week's letter from "The Playboyz." I would like the entire community to know that I have never been treated with anything other than respect while at Sam's Place. From what I have observed, the staff members treat each other with respect also. Julie, the owner, has gone out of her way at great expense to help this community have yet another venue to feel comfortable in and be able to enjoy themselves at. Julie and her staff have helped multiple people, group and organizations in Eugene. Her boldest example was the work she put toward this year's Riverwalk for HIV Alliance. Sam's Place will also be a proactive force of support at Gay Pride. It is absolutely reprehensible for one gay organization to publicly attack another. The only way for us as a community to grow and earn the respect of our straight neighbors is to work together and show goodness to each other. I would also like to add that in my years as an entertainer I have learned a valuable lesson. The only thing that can disappoint my fans are my own actions. Please consider that. Chandler Jordan, Eugene
CHEMICAL CRIMES Another Mother's Day has come and gone. On May 2, U.S. Highway 101 was being prepared for mothers — with herbicides. Many shoulders of our state highways were being sprayed. The coastal state parks also showed their appreciation for mothers one week early by spraying herbicides. A growing number of people who have been chemically injured are being denied access to travel. I am one of those people. It has been six years since I have spent Mother's Day with my mother. It has also been difficult for my daughter and her family to spend the day with me. Not only can I not travel on sprayed highways for weeks, but others can't come to me after traveling them. Vehicles, people and groceries will have residue of herbicides on them due to powerful sticker oils and surfactants. How would you feel? What would you do? I could feel sorry for myself and others who suffer terribly from this unnecessary criminal act of spreading poisons on our state highways. I don't. Instead, I shout out loud to the Oregon Department of Transportation to stop denying access of travel to those who are disabled because of chemical sensitivity. Stop using herbicides on our state highways. Find an alternative to herbicides for controlling vegetation. I encourage others to help the chemically injured and sensitive to regain the freedom of travel that I used to take for granted. Diana Lynn Purdy, Seal Rock
CENTRAL POWER My wife read me an article in the paper the other day about nuclear power. It seems that the Bush administration wants to push nuclear development. The article she read made me think about a book that I read in the early '70s, titled Small is Beautiful. My memory is that the author spoke eloquently about power. I believe EF Schumacher's point was that centralized power in the hands of a few will strengthen their control over the people. The book went on to talk about small family or neighborhood-controlled power sources. I find it interesting that alternative power such as wind and solar is only looked at as a viable solution if it is centralized, making it easy to sell and control. Nuclear, of course, is the ultimate because of its complexity. The person who controls the power, sadly, controls us! The technology for small, locally controlled sources is becoming more and more affordable. We must keep our eyes open! George Bush is only interested in power that can be sold to enrich his friends, and we are the ones who will pay the price! John Anderson, Marcola
HOPE FOR EPD I appreciate Alan Pittman's cover story (5/12) on the Eugene Police Department questioning if we will have a civilian review, but I feel he left out the positive hope many of us have in our rather new Police Chief Robert Lehner. It was a great surprise to have him apologize for police behavior a few days after becoming chief. I don't believe anyone in Eugene had ever heard an apology for mistakes or misdeeds by the police or by any city official. This was new! This apology was like someone breathing fresh air into our community. This also gave us hope that the police and citizens could finally work together. Then I believe Chief Lehner said that the public must be more involved with processing police complaints. This has happened in hundreds of other communities, and I hope our chief will continue to work with the Police Commission and concerned citizens to bring us a fair and effective Citizen Police Review Board. If Alan Pittman can keep us informed and enough citizens study how other boards have worked and take part in discussions, maybe we will surprise Alan! Ruth Duemler, Eugene
SAVING HOME CARE I've been a home care worker for 30 years. I've seen a lot of changes in home care plans and even hospital closures. I've taken care of people who had to make a choice between medicine and housing. Now the Oregon House and Senate are proposing more budget cuts. The recent revenue forecast makes it clear that there is enough money available to fund Senior Services, and that these proposed cuts are not necessary! Things need to change for both our clients and for home care workers. I believe that in order to have quality providers, there have to be decent wages and benefits for home care workers. Cutting these programs or home care workers' wages would have a devastating effect on the people we care for in this state. Cathaline L. Fielding, Springfield
HOMECARE IN DANGER I am concerned about the proposed state budget cuts to the Seniors and People with Disabilities programs. The Oregon House and Senate are proposing more budget cuts. I've been working as a home care provider for more than 20 years and know the devastating effect a $10 million cut to our clients' services would have on the people of our community. I encourage people to do everything they can to protect these vulnerable Oregon citizens. Please call your legislators and urge them to fully fund the Homecare Program! Violet Bowen, Springfield
PREVENTABLE I am writing this hoping that no human or animal will have to experience what I recently did. I recently came home to the cries of what I thought was a lost or hungry cat. After searching my yard and with the cries getting louder, I finally located it, only it was not lost or hungry; it was a kitten with horrific injuries. Her left leg had been ripped away below the shoulder, leaving shredded muscle and bone exposed; there was a large wound in her side and her lung was punctured. Thanks to a dear friend who dropped everything and raced to my house, I was able to get the kitten to my vet and euthanized. I had assumed the injuries were caused by a dog, but the vet informed me it was a fan belt injury. This little kitten had crawled up into an engine block to escape the cold and wet. Like others, I'd heard of this happening, but never knew anyone who experienced it, and I hope never to experience it again. It is preventable, and simple to remedy: before getting in your car, simply smack the hood a couple of times, honk the horn and then wait 10 to 15 seconds before starting the engine. Remember: It's not only stray kittens that crawl up inside engine blocks for warmth. If you or your neighbors let your cats outside, it could easily be one of your own pets you're saving from a horrible death. Kelli Cole ,Springfield
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