In the next few weeks, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters will be endorsing political candidates running in elections in November. Oregon's elected officials have made drastic attacks on our public forests that will benefit a handful of wealthy corporate timber families while costing the rest of us clean air, fresh water, and the beauty of the Oregon outdoor lifestyle. The OLCV needs encouragement to refrain from co-signing the green wash we are being sold by these politicians.

Concerned Citizens Against the Pipeline represents community groups up and down the proposed path of the PennEast pipeline who oppose its construction. Pipelines pose significant safety hazards, destroy woodlands, and contaminate waterways. For property owners, the most immediate impact of pipelines is vulnerability to eminent domain. Local governments can't step in to help. They are exempt from the siting process under federal rules. The PennEast pipeline is a bad deal for everyone on its path.

The Arctic is an amazing place, home to whales, polar bears, and other amazing creatures. We need to act now to protect it for future generations.

I first wrote the Mayor and City Commissioners on June 22, 2014 in regards to a jetty pollution/smell issue at Smather's Beach. I received respectful and much-appreciated emails back from Mr. Wardlow & Mr. Weekley, for which I am grateful. Mr. Wardlow forwarded my letter to Public Works, from which in turn I received a dismissive email response that didn't at all address or attempt to resolve the issue. Please see below for my original email nearly 2 months ago and my responses from Mr. Wardlow (thank you) and Mr. Greg Veliz. This area has continued to smell and be an eyesore. This issue also happens not just during the summer, but during the other 3 seasons as well. It just is at its worst "smell-wise" in the hot summer months. This area is filthy 365 days a year, except for the infrequent, very few days when the trucks come and pick up some (never all) of the trash/seaweed. This was a problem well before I moved to my current location across from Smather's Beach 6 years ago. I have lived in Key West for over 25 years, where both my children were born and raised. My issue remains unsolved. My issue, again, is the jetty that is situated at the furthest east end of Smather's Beach, near the airport, on S. Roosevelt Blvd. across from the bridal path. This area is located in both districts 3 and 4, I believe. This jetty collects massive amounts of seaweed and trash, and my issue is how infrequently it is cleaned. When I heard back from the two commissioners, one shared my concern. Commissioner Weekley (thank you) even told me he took the other commissioners to that spot once to let them witness this smell and eyesore. When I received an email back from Public Works, the email said the beaches were cleaned 365 days a year and the trash and seaweed collected there was blamed on the summer winds. I am not talking about the beaches being cleaned, which I am aware includes raking or cleaning the beaches every morning. I am well aware that a truck comes on a too infrequent basis and picks up this seaweed and trash that collects by this jetty. My issue, and the issue of my neighbors and neighboring Sheraton Hotel and Best Western and the issue of every tourist and Key West citizen who walks along S. Roosevelt Blvd., is that this seaweed pick-up is not frequent enough and not thorough enough. Any one of us could take a walk or bike ride tomorrow night, or any night or day, along S. Roosevelt from the airport to the start of Smather's Beach and we would: 1. Gag on the SMELL, which the rotting seaweed and TRASH are emitting. This is unhealthy to breathe in. We can get scientists to prove that the ammonia released by this is unhealthy for humans to breathe. 2. Be disgusted by the SIGHT of all the trash there and think that Key West is a city that doesn't care about it's cleanliness. 3. Not in any way want to TOUCH our feet or body in the water by wading into our ocean in this area, due to the filth. I'm not just talking about the seaweed, which of course I realize is natural, but the trash that collects in it and sits there for weeks at a time. 4. NOT want to live in my condo complex at Key West By the Sea, because the stench can be smelled from even the back C buildings every time one steps outside or opens a window. This stench and eyesore also hurts our property values. No way could anyone sell a condo here in the summertime; no buyer, unless they had lost their sense of smell, would buy here at that time. The majority of tourists would also not choose to stay at The Sheraton, again, and probably not the Best Western, Doubletree or any motels/hotels along S. Roosevelt, especially any tourist who chose to take a walk to Smather's Beach from their motel, as I imagine a huge percentage of them do. 5. Wonder if this pollution and garbage were unhealthy for the sea life as well, including our sea turtles. I am sure we could get scientists to prove this as well. I realize the Homeless population is a huge issue this election, and I am not complaining at this point about the number of homeless on Smather's or Higgs Beaches. This problem with the jetty trash and pollution is just as big as an issue as the Homeless issue. I do intend to follow this up with a petition signed by all my neighbors and board members of Key West by The Sea as well as the management of Sheraton Hotel and the hotels/motels by the airport, as well as every concerned citizen I can find in Key West. I am now semi-retired and have the time to do this and intend to focus on this until the November election and beyond. I just submitted this email to the Key West Citizen and I intend to see if I can get this issue and petition in the paper (update: it was in today's paper dated 8/20/14). I also intend to stop everyone I see walking on the beach, tourist and locals alike, to sign this petition, which I have already drawn up and made sure it is legally binding. I intend to ask to be placed on the agenda for up-coming city and county commission meetings (update: I was allowed to speak for 3 minutes at last night's, 8/19/20, commission meeting and am being sponsored by 3 of our commissioners: Wardlow, Weekley and Vaniz (thank you!!!), to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting on 9/3/14.) In conclusion, this jetty is often the first thing all Key West visitors see when they leave the Key West airport. It does not make a good impression on 3 out of our 5 senses. I personally have had friends and relatives visit who commented such things as "Why doesn't Key West care enough to keep this area clean on a daily basis?" I realize cleaning this area on a more frequent basis, in a thorough manner (which means completely at each seaweed/trash pickup) on, for example, a twice a week basis, will cost money. As a taxpayer, I, and many others, believe it will be money well spent. There is no doubt in my mind that Key West is losing tourist dollars due to this eyesore and smell. I also would like to believe that...

In addition to being a unique and beautiful place on its own terms, the Arctic has a strong influence on weather worldwide. Protecting it is a matter of survival not just for polar bears, but for all of us.

According to the North Pacific Research Board, the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas “sustain some of the most productive and highly diverse ecosystems in the world.” In order to maintain the same level of diversity and productivity that we find now, we believe that the Arctic must be protected from rampant development, which will not only degrade the ecosystem but also accelerate the warming of our earth.

The streets were a "river of fire" and "the whole sky was burning." That's how citizens of Lac-Mégantic, Canada described the scene after an oil train derailed and exploded in their downtown last summer. 47 people died that night. The Obama Administration is accepting public comments until September 30 on its new proposed oil train regulations. These new rules are not nearly strong enough and actually protect Big Oil's profits, while sacrificing the safety of threatened communities and the environment. After a record year of oil trains exploding, derailing, and spilling, it's time to stand up to Big Oil before the next disaster strikes.

If humans continue cutting or removing trees, without replacing them, causing more damage to the already tainted air supply for earth, then humans will eventually be extinct.

This is certainly not what we need to be doing. Instead, the administration should be announcing federally subsidized rebates for solar panels and a revenue-neutral carbon tax. Did you ever watch a dolphin as it gracefully arcs in the water, or a whale as it surfaces? Have you ever seen a seal as it swims its way northward? Oil and gas exploration are not the answer. We do not need to rely on oil. Solar energy is a much cleaner, safer solution. Have you ever heard of a solar spill? Will you let your child build a sand castle next to an oil spill? It is time for positive change. It is time to stand up to protect our oceans and our environment. Our children are counting on us. As are the sea mammals.

Roseway neighbors are eager to continue to develop a neighborhood center that encourages walking, biking and transit use. Walgreens is planning to build a one story, stand-alone, drive-thru pharmacy at this location, moving us further away from Portland's goal of enhancing livability, preserving distinctive places and planning for a resilient future. Under the new Comprehensive Plan, in 2016, a drive-thru will no longer be allowed. Why let Walgreens build one now? Please help Roseway neighbors encourage the kind of responsible growth that makes Portland a great place to live.

To protect the arctic for future generations and to strive to protect the arctic as a wildlife refuge!

The Arctic is a special place: inhabited by creatures like polar bears and whales, full of magnificent vistas, and home to people who maintain the traditions of their ancestors. For millennia, it has remained untouched by oil-drilling or industrial fishing. But as the ice melts from climate change, that special status is at risk. Multinational corporations like Shell are chomping at the bit to be the first to exploit this amazing area. That's why I'm asking you to do something a little different for the Arctic.