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Letters to the editor: Concerned about waterway access Dear Senator Hannon; I want to voice my strong objection to SB 293. As presently crafted I fear it would severely restrict the rights of Oregonians to lawfully access and enjoy our states waterways. Further, I believe that it raises a serious issue under the Federal Supremacy Clause, and would likely be struck down as unconstitutional. I urge you to oppose the bill in its present form, protect the rights of our citizens to access and lawfully use the state's waterways in any proposed legislation. Oregon is losing its unique qualities at a rapid rate. It would truly be a crime for the average citizen to lose the right to enjoy our waters because a handful of wealthy and/or selfish individuals want to monopolize our rivers and shores for their own benefit. I urge you to adopt the historic approach taken by Oregon years ago concerning access to Oregon beaches. That law has not created any significant problems and has preserved the resource as well as the citizens rights to use it. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Michael Balocca, Ashland Time to pony up for the OPC "Were sorry. You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service." Beginning July 1, that is what Oregonians can expect to hear if they dial the Oregon Poison Center. OPC has no funding past June 30 and is scheduled to close. Calls will not be forwarded; people looking for answers to poison questions will have to look elsewhere. Why do I, a Washingtonian, care? Some would say my concern is self-serving, because I work at OPC. While I don't want to look for a new job, as an RN I shouldn't have trouble finding one. Last year OPC answered 70,000 calls. As of July 1 these calls will likely go to already overburdened emergency rooms, clinics and doctors offices, or poison questions will go unasked as people hope for the best. However, there is a way to keep the poison center open. House Bill 2709 would fund OPC by using a few cents of the 75 cents every Oregon phone line already pays monthly for 911 service. Bill sponsor Rep. Rob Patridge of Medford believes the 911 fund has adequate annual revenues to continue current services, fund future system needs, and also fund OPC. Passage of HB 2709 would keep OPC open at no increased cost to Oregonians. Let your state senator and state representative know you want to keep OPC open, and urge them to support HB 2709. You can find their contact information at: www.leg.state.or.us, or by calling 1-800-332-2313. Sincerely, Marc McDermid, Battle Ground, Wash. Guest forum: Local events will promote peace By Steve Traisman Talent On June 21, people will gather on sacred sites around the world to pray for peace and celebrate life. Here in Ashland, World Peace and Prayer Day will be held at the Wellsprings. The event is an opportunity to create peace through raising consciousness, speaking with eloquence, and being joyful. "Love is the most durable force in the universe", said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace, it seems to many of us, can only come by loving one another, whether we agree politically or not. I love certain members of my family, for example, but disagree fervently with their politics. The above philosophy - peace through love - was recently explained to me by Rabbi David Zaslow, a 2003 mediations peace-award winner. Rabbi David will share his stories and music with us on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Havurat Shir Hadash, 185 N. Mountain Ave. The event is a fundraiser for Walk In Peace - the non-profit organization that is sponsoring Ashland's 5th Annual World Peace and Prayer Day (see www.walkinpeace. org). This gathering is in support of chief Arvol Looking Horse, the Lakota Elder who started World Peace Day in 1994. The intent is to create a shift of awareness to restore the balance of life on Mother Earth. (see www.worldpeaceday.com). In addition to Rabbi David, Joseph Bornstein will read his poems for peace at the Havurat Saturday evening. Counting Coup Drum and Elk Thunder Drum will sing ancient songs for peace. The Eagle and Raven Dancers will dance for peace. Ronen Geffen, an Israeli native, will speak for peace, as will Theresa Ann Stuesser from the Beloved Community. Sol Survivor will rock out for peace. Together we can remember that peace once did prevail on this land. All races at one time lived in harmony with each other and with the environment. And what has happened before will happen again. We don't need to burn flags or rage against the machine. Babylon is destroying itself. We are here to create. An old shaman I once lived with said, "We couldn't beat the white man on the field of battle, so now we're going to love them to death." Remember the love you take is equal to the love you make. Please join us Saturday at the Havurat, and June 21-22 at the Wellsprings. Both events are free. Let's liberate America, and liberate our minds from colonial thinking. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -