Student/resident conflict just goes on

In response to Jerry Rooney’s June 6 letter, “Students changing city neighborhoods,” others that have addressed the effects of students living in Corvallis. I, too, was attracted to the proximity to community events and owning a historic home. Also, as a new business owner downtown, it is great to be so close.

However, the last few years have been disappointing, to put it politely; all the garbage, abandoned furniture and noise. It’s scary to see entitlement to do whatever; such blatant disrespect.

I can’t count how many times I have filled my own garbage can with trash from the street. And what is up with allowing furniture to be dumped on the parking strips? I don’t know about you, but I just love having friends and family come into town and see people’s trash and furniture alongside the streets. We all see it.

Just come into town on Harrison. You can say, “Well, living near the university, what do you expect?” I say, “This is part of our community and just because you don’t live in this area doesn’t mean it won’t be near you soon.”

As I have walked across town just beyond the college area neighborhoods, I see the same trash/rental issues spilling over to other areas. This isn’t just a neighborhood issue, it is a community issue. Property owners and tenants need to be held accountable.

Corvallis is supposed to be a “green” city. I’d say we still need to work on that. Any suggestions?

Jody Olson, Corvallis

Respect for planet a common thread

I realize that Warren Sisson Jr.’s June 4 letter, “New religion based on fear, redemption” was meant to be a condemnation of environmentalism.

Although I find his conclusion silly, he raises some important points for consideration. We as sentient beings enjoy the rights of freedom not because we killed somebody for them, nor because we were clever enough to drill into the ground to extract them. All humans have the rights of freedom because we have the ability to predict the consequences of our actions.

If one examines those consequences beyond a step or two, he must realize that “driving our SUVs” into oblivion is the moral equivalent of poisoning the water off the coast of Angola, breaking a strike in Nigeria, propping up totalitarian monarchism in Saudi Arabia or driving migratory birds summering in Alaska to extinction.

A moral being, regardless of political or religious affiliation, cannot do those things.

The practitioners of science have failed to impress upon our citizenry the gravity of the situation we face. Perhaps incorporating some degree of environmentalism into other ethical frameworks — like our faiths — is the solution. The environment could be the common cause that brings (among others) monotheists, polytheists, immanent naturalists, and atheists together.

Tucker Selko, Philomath

Friend asks public to show compassion

The Gazette-Times ran an article June 6, “Chase ends in crash,” about a local man involved in a crash (on June 2).

The article detailed a police chase and listed the charges pending against him. A juicy story for sure.

As I see the inevitable firestorm of public opinion rising, I would like to invite each person to take a look around before casting their doubts and shadows upon another.

I have known Len Gerken for many years. He has coached my son and perhaps he has coached yours.

He is heavily involved with youth sports in Corvallis and generously gives his time. He is a welcome face in a boardroom and always is willing to lend a hand. He is an involved and gentle father to his children and a loving husband to his wife.

He is a friend, a professional and gives of himself without a thought to his own schedule or needs. This is the man I know and care about. I don’t condone drinking and driving under any circumstances. I don’t know what happened that night, but this is not the Len that I know well.

I would ask that before we vilify him in the press and at the watercooler, please take a moment to consider the man behind the article. He is just that, a man ... a man who many are proud to call a friend.

Gretchen Cuevas, Corvallis

Take care with lethal nylon netting

Nylon bird netting kills birds. Every year we release several birds in our neighborhood caught up in it. Please don’t use it. If you must, please check it often during the day and just before dark.

Diana Scribner, Corvallis