Dear Reader,
On Monday - after my English classes - I attended the Work Session of the City Council at the City Hall. The three items on the session’s agenda were safe streets through access management, federal surface transportation program and the Police Auditor’s report on taser case involving a Chinese student. (A Chinese student was tased by a Eugene policeman in September. The officer reported that he had fallen to the ground – we don’t know why -, and the student was coming at him, but he couldn't see the student's right hand which was covered by a blanket. The officer says he told the guy to get back then stood up and shot him with the taser when he wouldn't comply… the student didn’t understand the warnings because he didn’t speak English at all.)
On Tuesday in class Environment and Pollution we were discussing the state water quality standards and comprising the rules on federal facilites pollution control in CWA (Sec. 313.) and in CAA (Sec. 118.).
In Svitlana Kravchenko’s class we talked about the national plan which was prepared by the Clinton Administration to address climate change based entirely on voluntary incentives and measures. (The plan was criticized as having no chance of achieving ’90 levels of emissions.) Finally, we tried create arguments that the U.S. was out of compliance with the UNFCCC.
On Wednesday we had a very interesting discussion with Jen about land using. Next week we are going to attend a court hearing. I am looking forward to that… the case is related to the regulations on land using and zoning in Eugene.
This week I also met Scott Altenhoff who works as an urban forestry technician and offered his knowledge and connections in defense of urban trees.
On Saturday evening I was at the Chinese New Year Celebration with Ji Young and Ai (my classmates). The party was organized in the EMU’s Ballroom and it was amazing … and sometimes quiet funny. The traditional as well as the contemporary dances were the most enjoyable performances for me; the music was really catchy and I liked the traditional costumes of the performers.
Favorites of the week:
- topic: “Measure 37” and “Measure 49” (land using)
- book: Environmental Law by Jeffrey Gabba
- room: living room in ELAW house from where you might see a nice grove of bamboo-trees
- building of UO: Knight Library
- dessert: ice cream with cheesecake at Dairy Queen
- day: Friday
Happy Tiger’s Year!
Agnes
