lahaina

I’m a75 yo grandma, why the h___ should I, creaky body and all
have to ride a bike on streets that are SO unsafe!

The personal jibes and jabs made in other statements are a reflection of what has happened to "We the PEOPLE" democracy...the last 15 years of unbalanced rhetoric by unrepresentative factions on far right and left continue at every level of government today. The bickering about personal beliefs, not respectful conversations and decisions to make laws that work for everyone, have supressed the MORAL MAJORITY of US Citizens (not in any religious sense). A democracy means citizens actively working together for what is best for ALL; it means that each of us needs to obey laws and REPORT the fraud, waste and abuse we see every day (local, unelected officials 'giving' tax $ deemed 'extra' back to developers; medical/dental practitioners who commit insurance fraud leading to increased medical costs) . We all must pay taxes and, when they seem unbalanced, fight for better, legally. Democracy that works requires us to communicate what we experience as unintended consequences from poorly written laws, to those who made them. Note: As I read the voter's pamphlet several years ago, one side in an issue had provided intentionally incorrect info to persuade voters of their side...I called our county election official to question this. Her reply: "AS LONG AS 'THEY' PAY THE FEE, THEY CAN SAY ANYTHING".....This Central Oregon attitude and lassitude is THE problem

Congratulations to the Burtons for: 1) getting immediate care for their family member (!) 2) reporting (!) this abuse to authorities! Too many people (here) just say, oh well, we'll just take care of our dog and never go back to that business 3) being wonderfully pro active in researching the problem, finding no industry controls, and following up on working on a solution All of your actions DO take work and continue your stress; you serve as a great example of what all of us need to do: HOLD GOV'T AND BUSINESSES ACCOUNTABLE. When they are not, we need to take action as you have!!!!! (8 years ago, I boarded my dog there. I paid extra for the 'extra walks and human attention' package. When I retrieved him, he was 'off', but I couldn't identify an !) I hope you all recover soon. I plan to check your web site and join you in your efforts! Thank you

Mr. Miller, I spoke with Des. Co. Ass't Tax Collector on Friday, 10/23. I questioned the taxes WE ARE ASSESSED on Bend Urban Renewal (hasn't that rec. FEd. Funds?) + the messed up Juniper Ridge + THIS year, Murphy Road Crossing...WTF? Sonja, thru OR Law, can add anything she wants to our 'special tax' assessments....isn't that taxation without representation? We didn't elect her nor does it seem 'we' citizens have any say in $$$. I'm still trying to live on same $$ as I had 10 yrs ago: why aren't local gov'ts required (by their employers--US) to live within their means!!!!!

FYI: As a realtor you should know that this city and county of ignorant, corrupt, and incompetent PUBLIC SERVANTS who are now crying 'poor us'; took the 20%+ excess of public $$ and, not knowing what to do with it, gave it back to the developers and builders here. I still live on the same fixed income of 10 yrs ago. The sneak fees the local gov't keeps adding to utilities is making it harder for me to stay here. Maybe the realtor assoc. can get the state and feds to come here and audit all the sneaky stuff going on.