Re: Duck Disgrace

Thank you for bringing attention to the deeply troubling University of Oregon rape case. Kudos to the two counseling center employees who blew the whistle on what ended up being a privacy law loophole that allowed the school’s lawyers to access the victim’s records, and to Wyden and Bonamini for pushing for tighter regulations. Unfortunately the damage could already be done when it comes to students feeling comfortable talking to their school’s clinics and counseling centers after they’ve been assaulted. University officials protecting the accused and discrediting victims was already a well-known problem around the country, but this case made it clear just how far they will go to protect themselves. Victims of assault are well aware of the risks and consequences of going to the police with accusations, now they believe that what they tell their therapist can be used against them. This could easily result in fewer victims accessing support and treatment, adding to the tragedy of the college rape epidemic. Seems like a good time to turn our attention to preventing rape from happening in the first place instead of simply accepting it as part of campus life.

Tammy Wilder
Talent, OR

Re: Forest Management

When I moved to southern Oregon in 2005, struggling with leukemia, I found refuge in the quiet woods of the Little Applegate valley. Hiking nearby trails I also found healing, eventually regaining enough strength to help clear the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail. In 2009 I moved to Talent, where I now envision a hiking trail linking Talent to the mountains that mean so much to me.

The benefits to our communities from hiking and other outdoor activities are manifold. According to a recent report, outdoor recreation contributes more than $5.8 billion annually to Oregon’s economy and supports 73,000 jobs across the state. With numbers like these, I was disappointed to see the Bureau of Land Management’s new plan to manage 2.6 million acres of public land in western Oregon prioritized streamside logging over recreation.

I want to continue to find healing and solace among these hills and to share the ancient forests and wild rivers with my grandchildren as a legacy we are preserving for future generations. It’s time to adopt forest management practices that protect clean water and a growing recreation economy.

Elizabeth Zwick,
Talent, OR

Re: Resource Management Plan

As a mother, a carpenter, a gardener and resident of the Little Applegate I urge the BLM to “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations,” as this is it’s mission statement.

With the pending changes to the Resource Management Plan (RMP) I am profoundly disappointed to see that a continuation of the Applegate Adaptive Management Area is NOT represented in any of the “alternatives.” The AMA is a crucial tool for both the BLM and denizens of the Applegate to collaborate on how the lands that we inhabit and depend on are managed. This leaves us at a loss if any of the current proposed “alternatives’ are accepted, as there is no “no action” alternative that would leave the protections of the AMA in place. For the Applegate and beyond, the current “alternatives” diminish critical stream buffer protections vital for various important species, encourage more road construction, and do little to insure rural residents that fuels reduction will be a priority. With higher summer temperatures becoming the trend, the business as usual plans of the proposed alternatives to the new RMP don’t add up to healthier, safer watersheds in Oregon.  The best alternative for the proposed changes to the RMP is a “NO ACTION” alternative.

Sincerely,
Lydia Doleman

Re: Lawn Watering

In response to Cynthia Rucryst’s letter in lawn watering: Hi Cynthia, I found the tone of your letter and your attitude towards other people that live here to be very rude and condescending. I know you are not from Ashland as you said, but I actually am. I have about had it with anal, oppressive baby boomers taking over our community. You asked what Jesus would do, and I believe he would encourage you not to be a nosy neighbor. I don’t even disagree with your watering preferences, but I have huge issue with your attitude. We are not exclusively a retirement community as many newbies to our town seem to believe, and other people’s properties not your personal retirement playground. They are actually none of your business. If I catch you loitering outside my home writing down my address you might just get a foot up your you know what. 

Sincerely,
None of Your Business

Re: Go Here

Just wanted to say that my boyfriend and I had an awesome time “touristing the sh*t” out of Crater Lake last weekend. Thanks to the article you printed, we were able to see a lot of sites in one day (although we didn’t go swimming because it was cold). We’re both from Portland so it was an ideal trip for us. Also checked out some of the breweries while we were in Medford/Ashland. I included a photo of our little adventure. Loved reading the RVM and I hope you guys keep publishing!

Hasta leugo,
Joseph Sedillo