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In the Land of the Angry Republicans: Talking with the new Deschutes Democratic Chairman

Jim Thomassen was elected in November to chair the Deschutes County Democratic Party. A graduate of the University of Oregon, he was a professional economist
The Source Staff

Jim Thomassen was elected in November to chair the Deschutes County Democratic Party. A graduate of the University of Oregon, he was a professional economist for state government before working in marketing in the high-tech field. He and his wife moved to Bend in 2004. This is an edited transcript of a conversation with him by Source Senior Writer H. Bruce Miller.

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The Hook Has Landed

Steve Novick, the Portland progressive activist who’s fighting Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, has beaten his rival to the
H. Bruce Miller

Steve Novick, the Portland progressive activist who's fighting Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, has beaten his rival to the punch by launching the first TV ad of the campaign - and it's a real grabber.

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Not an Honor Roll Performance

Rep. Chuck Burley of Bend has been making noises like a moderate since he was narrowly elected to the state legislature two years ago, but
H. Bruce Miller

Rep. Chuck Burley of Bend has been making noises like a moderate since he was narrowly elected to the state legislature two years ago, but according to SEIU Local 503 he's voted like a Republican, at least on four issues the public employees' union rated the lawmakers on.

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Hawks Singing in Harmony

The day before the New Hampshire primary resurrected John McCain’s faltering hope of winning the Republican presidential nomination, Oregon Democratic Party Chair Meredith Wood Smith
H. Bruce Miller

The day before the New Hampshire primary resurrected John McCain's faltering hope of winning the Republican presidential nomination, Oregon Democratic Party Chair Meredith Wood Smith challenged Gordon Smith to drop his support for the Senate's most prominent Iraq war hawk.

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A Historic Lay Off: City of Bend cries poor, lays off historic preservation watchdog

Pat Kliewer had been called the historic preservation “sheriff” for her dogged efforts to protect Deschutes County’s historic and cultural resources. And she’s been called
Eric Flowers

Pat Kliewer had been called the historic preservation "sheriff" for her dogged efforts to protect Deschutes County's historic and cultural resources. And she's been called other things too - not all of them flattering - for her unwavering enforcement of the county's sometimes strict historic codes.
But come March she's being called something else - unemployed.

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New Year, New Problems: City Council tackles budget and ethics laws

In a unanimous vote last week, the City Council authorized adjustments that cut back on funding for fire and police service, as well as road
Mike Bookey

In a unanimous vote last week, the City Council authorized adjustments that cut back on funding for fire and police service, as well as road maintenance, while backfilling a shortfall in planning revenues that will temporarily stave off additional layoffs.
The council has previously discussed how the slumping housing market is the reason behind a downturn in revenue from the city's engineering, planning, and building departments. These revenue shortfalls were also cited as the reason for the city dismissing 10 employees by March of this year.

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Video & photos: Back Door Slam & Smokin’ Trainwreck

Back Door Slam’s Davy Knowles, cold workin’ it.Much like Costco and Burger King, the Blender Shakycam Alliance always brings you more of what you want
The Source Staff

Back Door Slam’s Davy Knowles, cold workin’ it.Much like Costco and Burger King, the Blender Shakycam Alliance always brings you more of what you want — bonus photos and video clips of your favorite hometown and worldwide artists rockin’ and/or rollin’ local venues. Use them to torture yourself for missing the show, or to reinforce the sweet memories if you did make it in person. Either way, you win. Everyone knows sweet memories and torture are equally awesome.

Read on for the goods. This week we bring you video and photos of Back Door Slam — plus photos of Smokin’ Trainwreck — from their January 7 performances at the Domino Room.
P.S. Leave a comment at the bottom if you think this stuff sucks, rules, or something in between. (Or if you just have a proclamation, pronouncement or poem you need to get off your chest.)

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Property Rights and Property Wrongs

As Oregon’s “Big Look” task force resumes its job of re-evaluating the state’s land use regulations, it might want to take a close look at
H. Bruce Miller

As Oregon's "Big Look" task force resumes its job of re-evaluating the state's land use regulations, it might want to take a close look at a couple of new studies that seem to shoot holes in the accepted (well, accepted among conservatives) view that the state's land use regulations have depressed property values and made property owners into paupers.

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Bigotry’s Last Gasp?

Gay and lesbian couples in Oregon suffered a setback at year’s end when a federal judge in Portland, in response to an appeal by an
H. Bruce Miller

Gay and lesbian couples in Oregon suffered a setback at year's end when a federal judge in Portland, in response to an appeal by an anti-gay religious coalition, delayed implementation of the state's new domestic partnership act for at least a month. Hundreds of gays and lesbians protested, but blogger Kristin Flickinger on BlueOregon saw it as a teaching opportunity.

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Mugged by Wal-Mart

Erickson’s Thriftway Market is closing after 50 years of operation in downtown Redmond, and management is blaming it on the new Wal-Mart “Superstore” that opened
H. Bruce Miller

Erickson's Thriftway Market is closing after 50 years of operation in downtown Redmond, and management is blaming it on the new Wal-Mart "Superstore" that opened on the edge of town in September. The news prompted some musings from Duncan McGeary, Pegasus Books proprietor, blogger and philosopher.

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