Since Oregon voters approved recreational marijuana and it became legal in 2015, the industry has seen a lot of changes. What started as a grassroots, largely local industry has begun its corporatization. Oversupply—due at least in part to the fact that Oregon businesses can’t export their product out of state, like other businesses can—prompted a […]
Editorial
Posted inOpinion
A Growing County Needs More Services, Not Fewer
It’s no secret that Deschutes County is growing—moving from 157,733 people counted in the 2010 U.S. Census to a population estimate of 191,988 people as of July 2018. The Bend-Redmond metropolitan area landed at #9 on the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of Top 10 Metropolitan Areas in Percentage Growth for between 2017 and 2018, and […]
Posted inOpinion
Mirror Pond: Instead of another groundhog day, let the people vote
It’s political groundhog day, as the issue surrounding Mirror Pond resurfaces in the news. In this month’s version of the story, the Bend City Council has stated that they believe it is Bend Park and Recreation’s responsibility to manage Mirror Pond. One could argue that Mirror Pond—or, as we affectionately refer to it here – […]
Posted inOpinion
Wilderness areas protect wildness. If limiting their access achieves that, so be it.
This month, officials from the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests announced their Final Decision in the Cascade Wilderness Strategies Project, aimed at addressing overuse around some of the most well-used trails in the area. Under the new plan, people will be required to obtain day-use permits at 19 of the busiest trailheads in the Mount […]
Posted inOpinion
Shimiko Montgomery for Administrative School District No. 1 Director, Zone 3 (Bend-La Pine Schools)
It’s a high bar to unseat an incumbent in any race. In this one, however, Shimiko Montgomery simply has more knowledge and on-the-ground experience in schools, making her a candidate who can rise to the bar. We like Andy High. We really do. For the past six years, he’s been a solid presence on the […]
Posted inOpinion
Ariel Méndez for Bend Metro Park & Recreation District Director, Pos. 1
Two Bend Park and Recreation board spots are open this election, with Brady Fuller vacating Position 1 and Ellen Grover vacating Position 2. In a city with so many changes and so many needs happening all at once, it’s unfortunate that the Position 2 race is unopposed. We’ve endorsed the candidate in that race, Deputy […]
Posted inOpinion
Don Hedrick for Sisters School District 6, Director, Position 4
Don Hedrick, running for another term on the Sisters School Board, has already served eight years on the board, including four as chair. After taking two years off, he says he missed serving and wants another chance. As a former high school teacher and principal who’s worked in both suburban environments in Illinois as well […]
Posted inOpinion
2019 Redmond Park Ballot Measures
Redmond Area Park & Recreation Measure No. 9-126: YES Bonds to construct new community recreational facility to expand programs The momentum in Redmond at the present moment is palpable. Valuable new businesses are investing in the city. The City of Redmond and the Redmond Chamber of Commerce are both hard at work making the city […]
Posted inOpinion
Vote Jeff Smith for Sisters School District Director, Pos. 3
Voters have two solid choices in the Position 3 race for the Sisters school board. While both candidates have already served on the board, Jeff Smith is the incumbent. Stephen King told us he decided to run in this seat when it looked like no one else would—but then, Smith also added his name to […]
Posted inOpinion
Jim Clinton For Central Oregon Community College Director, Zone 5
Unlike the two other races for the Central Oregon Community College board, Zone 5 has two candidates. One of them, John F. Short, says he decided to run, at least in part, so there would be more than one candidate. Short, who has experience teaching in agriculture at the community college level, says his priorities […]