Posted: Friday, August 22, 2008 12:00 am
Evanite's goal is tall condos on the river
The proposed plan by Evanite Fiber Corporation raises troubling questions about the conversion of public resources into private profit.
Even though Evanite owns the property along the river, the state identified the land as a valuable natural resource.
That's why the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development placed the Willamette River Greenway designation on all of the property over 30 years ago.
Now that protection is an obstacle to building 45-foot-high condominiums near the river.
Most of the new construction would be at the north end of the property, which is within the 100-year floodplain.
In an age of global warming and increasing floods, it would be reckless to build on low ground at the junction of two rivers.
But the Gazette Times editorial in support of development failed to mention the floodplain.
Proponents of a "Downtown Urban Renewal District" would have us focus instead on a potential 12-foot-wide strip of asphalt along the river.
The Gazette Times ironically referred to the proposed easement for a path as a "huge payoff," while failing to discuss the millions at stake for Evanite and developers.
Why would Corvallis leaders consider diminished protection of the river? Is this not a Faustian bargain?
Perhaps conflict of interest is a problem. How many decision-makers own property within the proposed Downtown Urban Renewal District?
Fortunately, such a district would require voter approval.
If there were truth in advertising, the title of the ballot measure could be "Condos in the Floodplain."
Mark Knapp, Corvallis
Metal thieves and oil drillers similar
Lately metal thieves have been a scourge for the mid-Willamette Valley.
These people will steal catalytic converters for the platinum, bleacher stands for the aluminum, streetlight wiring for the copper, even artists' statues for the bronze.
They are not concerned with the beauty or the value of the things that they destroy. Even if they put lives at risk, that doesn't matter. They just want to put a few milligrams of methamphetamine in their veins.
At the same time, we're seeing letters that call for oil drilling in our oceans and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. These people are not concerned with the beauty or the value of the things that they would destroy, just to put a few more gallons of gasoline in their tanks.
It's time for all of us to stop acting like oil junkies. Let's spend transportation funds on public transportation - buses, rail, and bike paths - instead of squandering them on road-widening projects like the Philomath duplex or more bridges in downtown Corvallis.
There is no quick fix to our oil addiction, but we can start building a better life if we act today. Just say no to offshore drilling, and say yes to better regional public transportation.
Joel Geier, Corvallis
Bush has made us almost miss Nixon
I had to laugh out loud at Jean Nelson's Aug. 15 letter, "President finally getting respect," castigating Chris Foulke's Aug. 8 letter, "Sen. Smith backs Bush all the way."
Actually, I find the most obscene bumper stickers (and they're still out there in "beautiful Corvallis") blaring BUSH/CHENEY '00 and BUSH/CHENEY '04. Makes you almost long for Nixon … crook though he may have been, at least he knew something about how to conduct foreign policy.
President Bush sure gained my "appreciation," listening to his recent statements lecturing Russia about not invading a "sovereign nation without provocation in the 21st century." Look in the mirror, W.!
Barbara Boudreaux, Corvallis
Cocoa mulch can be lethal to dogs
Please. In some way, get the information to people that the use of Cocoa Garden Mulch can kill your pets.
I was in a local nursery Saturday morning and overheard a woman asking about cocoa garden mulch. I had to ask her if she was a dog owner because of the dangers of the product to dogs. See www.avma.org/
onlnews/javma/jun06/060601b.asp for more information.
The nursery didn't have any warning signs up, the clerk didn't know about the danger, and neither did the customer. I was so glad I was able to stop this before it happened.
I know this product is sold in many stores in this area. I would like to be able to stop the possible heartbreak before it happens.
Suzanne Randall, Corvallis
Russia's attack must rally NATO to action
The Russia vs. breakaway state of Georgia mess is disturbing. How did it come about? Without going back to the dead-weight collapse of the USSR, significance rests squarely with the Donald Rumsfeld and neocon "Project for the New American Century" crowd.
They labeled Eastern Europe as "the New Europe," with France and Germany downgraded to "the Old Europe." As soon as possible, "the New Europe" should be brought into NATO, even though far removed from the Atlantic. Then major military bases would be built and manned mainly by the U.S., with NATO for the cover story.
The Russian reaction to all this? Strong opposition, about like the U.S. opposition had been when the Russians built a powerful military base in Cuba, precipitating the major crisis in 1962. Clearly the Russians are as opposed to NATO-U.S. strong military bases on territory bordering them as we were about the Cuban base.
As we proceed with our military expansionism into "sovereign states" such as Georgia and Ukraine, as our chieftains refer to them, will Russia set about establishment of a massive military base in "the sovereign state" of Cuba once again, to shield Cuba from U.S. perversion of Cuban national rights? Would the U.S. accede to Russian bases in Cuba? A comical question. But we define ourselves as the One Super Power, with a natural or God-given right to dominate the world in our "American Century."
If one is to even partially understand our present thrust into a new Cold War, it is crucial to see the mess for what it is: geopolitical maneuvering much more than questions of human decency. Disturbingly, but not surprisingly, all of our political and media mouthpieces find it expedient to merely rally around the flag.
Floyd McFarland, Corvallis
Don't steal gasoline or mail, please
I would like to comment on the gas prices. Even though they are coming down, will we ever see the price go back to $2.95 or even $2.75:
As gas prices had gone up, so too did the increase of gas theft, as well as the price for locking gas-fuel caps.
Now that gas prices are coming down, there is still gas theft going on.
What I feel is unfair is that the gas in my car came through help, so that I can get to doctor appointments and such.
Having someone possibly tamper, steal gas or worse put things into my gas tank (I don't have proof, just some blue gunk that was on the door to the gas cap), I can't afford to buy a locking gas cap, which are not cheap, either. I have done some price checking, and still at $20 and more, that is still $20 that I do not have.
I wish there was a security camera on the cars in my area, I wish there was a neighborhood watch here. Maybe there will soon be some.
We are all suffering from these hard times.
So please do not steal from someone's car, no car parts, especially no gas.
Remember, if you steal gas from someone's car and that person has an emergency and needs to get to ER, they won't be able to, if you steal their gas.
And please don't steal mail, either.
Rhyanna DeTuathana, Corvallis