Four years ago, the Corvallis City Council rezoned the 6.2 acre-parcel at Seventh Street and Western Boulevard from "General-Industrial" to "Medium-high density residential" with a "Planned Development Overlay (PD/RS 12). Guaranteed with this zoning change were public input via the planned development overlay (PD/RS 12) and restrictions on the development, which was subject to certain conditions for approval.

We have worked with developers and city planners to find the right development for this important acreage. Now based on a state mandate calling for "needed housing," the city planning department has retracted this PD overlay, thus removing our public voice.

Two large and incompatible development plans have been submitted in the last five years. Through the process offered by the PD Overlay and hearings in front of the Planning Commission and appeals to the City Council, certain defined constraints have been placed on this property. With the removal of the PD Overlay, we stand to lose ALL clear and objective standards that have previously been set. This is NOT process. This makes a mockery of all PD Overlays.

We in Avery Addition are appealing City Planning's decision to hush our public voice. We are not anti-development, but we are against large, incompatible developments, such as those already built at Jefferson and 11th, and 10th and "A" Avenue. "7th Street Station" is the largest undeveloped parcel (6.2 acres) in the downtown area. It needs careful care. It deserves public input in its conception and completion.

Leslie Bishop

Corvallis

Bowling for gay rights? You can

I thank Russ Gammon for his letter of June 7. He amply demonstrated why the Legislature passed the Oregon Family Fairness Act and the Oregon Equality Act (HB 2007 and SB 2 respectively), and why the governor signed them into law this year. The kind of naked prejudice exhibited by Mr. Gammon should be a thing of the past in Oregon, but in fact isn't.

The Oregon Family Fairness Act prevents families from being broken up and children being put in foster care (as Mr. Gammon suggests they should be) for no other reason than their parents are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). The Oregon Equality Act outlaws the enforcement of others' ugly prejudice against any who are, or are perceived to be, LGBT.

For this reason, the LGBT Faculty Staff Network at Oregon State University has formed a fundraiser. Instead of being like Mr. Gammon's bowling ball at home - buried in the back of his closet - we're going to dig our own bowling balls out and have a bowl-a-thon! My friend Todd suggested that we name it after Mr. Gammon and call the event the "Russ Gammon Out-n-Proud Bowl-o-Rama," but he was outvoted. Instead, we cordially invite Mr. Gammon to join us as we raise funds for worthy LGBT charities and causes.

In fact, we invite the whole community to join us! Here is when, where and how: http://oregonstate.edu/

lgbtqqia/bowlorama.php.

Steven Leider

Corvallis

Walkers should not have to dodge cars

Unlawful drivers are an issue I am forced to face daily. It is truly scary to cross the streets, even in a marked crosswalk. I cannot count how many times I have almost been hit while crossing in Philomath.

People everywhere need to learn the crosswalk laws. Just because you're driving doesn't mean these laws don't affect you. The Oregon law reads, "You must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing at a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) when the pedestrian is:

"In the lane in which your vehicle is traveling; in a lane next to the lane in which your vehicle is traveling; in the lane adjacent to the lane into which your vehicle is turning, if you are making a turn at an intersection that does not have a traffic signal; less than six feet from the lane into which your vehicle is turning; if you are making a turn at an intersection that has a traffic signal or in a school crosswalk where there is a traffic patrol member and the traffic patrol member signals you to stop.

"You must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians on the sidewalk when entering or leaving an alley, driveway, or private road."

If you're driving, you may think crosswalk laws don't affect you, but the truth is they do. If our police would enforce the crosswalk laws and if people who are driving would obey the crosswalk laws, then our streets would be safer for pedestrians.

Shalah Leckie

Philomath

There's no public right to scenic vistas

The recent Witham Oaks discussion brings to mind a point I have written about before that I wish to revisit.

Adjacent to nearly every city or town is a vista held dear to residents; a hillside covered with trees, perhaps. Should the owner there-of dare to try to alter or obstruct their view, the town's citizens rise up in a strongly held belief they possess an ownership or right to what I call a "scenic easement" on the property. "It must not be violated"! They may even feel they have a right to hike or picnic on it.

I ask, what in the world is the legal basis of such a "right" that your neighbor must keep his property for your enjoyment?

Please note, I am not suggesting the owner be allowed to harm the environment or do something that causes physical damage beyond his boundaries.

P. M. deLaubenfels

Corvallis

Whiteside recalls long-ago memories

I was so thrilled and excited after reading the May 23 "As I see it" column by Susan Morre, "Why gutting the Whiteside wastes riches," representing the viewpoint of the Friends of the Whiteside preservation group.

I was saddened to hear of the theater's closing after all these years, and that a group from Portland planned to turn the property into a mini-mall.

I have many fond memories of the Whiteside Theater and Corvallis, where I grew up.

I am 100 percent in support of preserving Corvallis history, and would hope that the city fathers will see fit to recognize the history this grand theater represents.

Thank you, Susan!

Elizabeth Whiteside Cross

Houston

Being gay does not violate any laws

Regarding Russ Gammon's June 7 letter, "Gays should get back into the closet":

Gammon misses the target completely! What makes this country great are such things as the opportunity for him to speak openly and freely. This is called exercising your civil rights. Yet he chooses to ignore the point that gays want to exercise their civil rights. Being gay does not violate any laws. Gays merely want to be entitled to their equal rights under the law.

Morally, he may find homosexuality abhorrent and, therefore, to that I strongly say he should not become a homosexual. I would like to suggest to him - and to those who think as he does - that his moral compass is a personal choice, and I don't think that he wants to go down a road that declares only his moral compass is the absolute answer for everyone - regardless of ethnic, religious other beliefs - because you run the risk of a more powerful group dictating that you must change your moral beliefs to theirs!

I would like to clarify what I believe is a fundamental error espoused by Christian conservatives (not claiming Mr. Gammon is of that persuasion, because I don't know). Our country was not founded on Christian beliefs. It was founded on religious freedom by those wishing to worship as they saw fit! Establishing a Christian community was coincidental to religious freedom. Can Mr. Gammon wrap his mind around this analogy: He is the reincarnation of the Church of England (circa 1600s), and the Pilgrims be damned!

Ed Lipton

Corvallis