Huge motive for landslides lacking from report
Miranda Cyr is often such a fantastic investigative journalist that I used to be stunned to see her four-page article on landslides (R-G Sunday, Nov. 9) didn’t as soon as point out the scientifically attested No. 1 explanation for slides in Western Oregon: clearcut logging.
Cyr attributed the slides primarily to rainfall. That is what Forest Service officers of the Mapleton Ranger District insisted in 1975, after a rainstorm launched 245 slides. They commissioned a scientific examine to show them proper. The examine revealed solely 4% of the slides had been “pure” occasions, attributable to the rain alone. Fourteen % had clearly been triggered by roadcuts, primarily from logging roads. An astonishing 77% of the slides had originated in current clearcuts.
The Forest Service didn’t wish to imagine the examine. They commissioned a second examine in 1978. That examine investigated 99 landslides and located 77 of them had been associated to clearcuts, confirming the sooner outcomes virtually exactly.
When the Forest Service insisted extra research had been wanted, environmental teams sued – and received. The U.S. District Courtroom shut down your complete Mapleton Ranger District till they might develop stricter pointers for clearcuts and logging roads.
Cyr additionally misrepresented the tragic slide that killed 4 folks in Douglas County in 1996. The Roseburg Information-Assessment lined that story appropriately on Nov. 18, 1996, below the headline “Clear-cut might have aided slide.”
Clearcut logging is reasonable, and timber is a strong business, however the function of a journalist must be to inform the entire fact, even when it’s painful. Landslides in Western Oregon will not be primarily pure disasters.
William L. Sullivan, Eugene
Peace is coming to Cottage Grove
There are sturdy indicators that peace is coming to Cottage Grove. The legal guidelines of physics and the mathematical equation for important mass to happen means just one half of 1% of the inhabitants is in unison on one explicit matter, then a tipping level naturally happens, and the momentum of power creates change. This has been the sample for humanity for hundreds of years. The important mass quantity for Cottage Grove is barely 50 folks! The important mass tipping level for peace in Cottage Grove is going on increasingly day-after-day.
The newest (and maybe essentially the most measurable signal) is the prayer vigil held just some ft from the Peace Pole on Nov. 10. The tipping level of important mass was far surpassed at this gathering. It was a night of truth-telling for the townspeople. Every individual holding a candle heard the unlucky true story of how our beloved residents had been violated in our personal city for no crime apart from the colour of their pores and skin. This story was very unhappy and laborious to listen to. Nonetheless, if we glance in our hearts for the actual, true story of progress to peace, it’s how the folks got here collectively in unity and prayed for peace collectively. This heart-wrenching story modified the folks’s language from the phrases “hoping for peace” to the phrases “believing in peace.”
The very fact we have now surpassed the tipping level in Cottage Grove is proof peace is coming via the next actions:
-
The Peace Tree planted in Coiner Park in 2021.
-
The Peace Pole 2024, our everlasting signal for peace that silently watches over our city, saying “Might Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight languages.
-
Vital mass has greater than tripled on Sept. 21 prior to now three years on the UN World Day of Peace that befell just some ft from the Peace Pole. This occasion shared interfaith prayers and songs for peace in a number of languages. All generations attended.
-
The Peace Slogan marketing campaign is designed to assist the residents attain “a second of peace” as they discover the indicators all through city. This venture is destined to achieve important mass with peace indicators.
-
Nov. 1 marks the primary Share Honest occasion, occurring all day, each Saturday, at 1133 E. Principal St. (behind Filth Low cost Printers’ new location). Individuals carry potluck lunches, a chair, and issues in automobiles to share without cost with our residents. Bringing consciousness to the significance of holding our cash and sources native and caring for our folks.
-
Some measurable milestones for peace are proven via nice organizations on the town that stand for peace: Constructing Bridges, Earth and Social Justice, The Row River Grange, Buddies of Democracy, and ROP, to say just a few.
So, neighbors, there are some nice alternatives for change popping out of the ashes in our city. Let’s attempt to deal with the oneness and maintain reaching important mass collectively!
Peace Begins Inside.
Ananda Reeves, Cottage Grove
Time for Oregon’s kicker regulation to get the boot
The regulation requiring the State of Oregon to return $1.4B in extra taxes to the residents (RG, 11/10/25, “Oregonians will obtain a part of $1.4 billion…”) when the state cannot cowl fundamental companies — roads, bridges, and fireplace, the state hospital, personnel wanted within the Public Defenders’ Workplace, and particularly faculties — must be modified.
Some proof being a endless want for bond points every election, and the present transportation invoice. That is ridiculous. The Structure wants altering.
What made sense within the ’70s would not make sense now.
Charles O. Lugg, Florence
Figuring out subsequent steps for Lane Fireplace Authority
On behalf of Lane Fireplace Authority, thanks to everybody who participated in the Nov. 4, 2025, election and engaged within the dialog about native fireplace and emergency companies. Whereas voters didn’t approve the native possibility levy, we recognize the dialogue and stay dedicated to transparency, accountability, and cautious administration of public sources as we transfer ahead.
The levy would have maintained present service ranges throughout our 282-square-mile service space, the place name volumes proceed to rise. As a result of the measure didn’t go, Lane Fireplace Authority should now establish cuts wanted to align operations with obtainable funding.
Our Board of Administrators will likely be conducting their usually scheduled assembly on Tuesday, Nov.18, at 1 p.m. at Veneta Station 101 (88050 Territorial Hwy in Veneta) and can start to debate subsequent steps. As all the time, the general public is invited to attend. These conversations will deal with the place and easy methods to cut back prices whereas persevering with to supply important emergency response.
We encourage neighborhood members to remain knowledgeable —go to lanefire.org/localoptionlevy or attend a Board assembly to study extra.
Dale Borland, Fireplace Chief, Lane Fireplace Authority
This text initially appeared on Register-Guard: Letters on Cottage Grove vigil, Oregon kicker, landslides, fireplace dept