Here’s a review of some of the issues our editorial board tackled this year—which we also expect to see pop back up next year. “This is Not Your Land” Jan 7, 2016 and “Malheur Verdict: A Slap in the Face to Law and Order” Nov 2, 2106 January brought the occupiers; November brought their stunning […]
Editorial
Posted inOpinion
New School Bond: Paying the Piper, One Way or the Other
In November, voters turned down Measure 97, an admittedly-vague measure that would have added billions to state coffers, and ostensibly more money to Oregon schools. Voters approved Measure 98 to fund career and technical education and college prep in all Oregon high schools. The passage of Measure 99, meanwhile, created an Outdoor Education Fund to […]
Posted inOpinion
What’s Next, Legislature?
Governor’s budget works to protect seniors and students, but it can only go so far
Early this month, Gov. Kate Brown released her recommended budget for the 2017-19 biennium. The budget’s title: “Strategic Investments for Challenging Times.” “Sustaining hard fought gains is nearly impossible with a tax system that is unstable, inadequate to meet our essential needs, and fundamentally out of balance,” said Gov. Brown. In November, voters approved Measure […]
Posted inOpinion
Activism Is More Than A Click
It was Sunday afternoon at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bend. Chairs were placed in a circle, ready for a meeting to plan for the Women’s March on Washington (and local marches in Portland and Bend) Jan. 21. Attending the meeting were activists of many ilks—committed and earnest, all. What was missing, however, were the […]
Posted inOpinion
Time for Uber
Uber was forced to pull out of Eugene because it did not meet specific codes, and we believe consumers are the loser because of that disagreement. It’s time to allow Uber to conduct business in Central Oregon. Both the cities of Bend and Redmond will soon consider adding the San Francisco-based technology company into the […]
Posted inOpinion
Oregon’s Republicans Should Get a Thumbs-Up for Coming Out Against Hate
On Nov. 16, Oregon House Republican leaders issued a statement urging Oregonians to stand together in the wake of a divided election season. House Republican Leader Mike McLane and Deputy Leader Greg Barreto’s press release included these statements: “Over the past week our state has witnessed an increase in ugly rhetoric and violent behavior. Protests […]
Posted inOpinion
Septic-to-Sewer Tansition Shouldn’t Bankrupt Some of Our Most Vulnerable Bend Residents
When we heard about outrageous costs associated with state-required sewer connections in southeast Bend’s Old Farm District, we were skeptical. A $50,000 bill to trench a 91-foot line to connect a SE Tapadera Street home to the city’s sewer seemed outrageous. We initially thought it simply couldn’t be accurate. It is. Bend City Engineer Ryan […]
Posted inOpinion
Way to do just OK, U.S. of A.
If you voted during this election season, thank you. As a citizen of this great (and flawed) nation, you’ve done the minimum that all of us should do this season. Way to do your part. As we write this, it is Tuesday afternoon—mere hours before the ballot boxes close. As you read this, some of […]
Posted inOpinion
Malheur Verdict
A Slap in the Face to Law and Order
Last week’s stunning acquittal of Ammon Bundy and six of his followers who last winter took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns was not only a slap in the face to law and order, but a dangerous precedent that sends the wrong message: that anyone who has an ax to grind over […]
Posted inOpinion
Endorsements: State Representative District 53 & Oregon Secretary of State
So you thought we were done with elections coverage for the year? Nope. Here are our last two endorsements.
State Representative District 53 Gene Whisnant We would love to support a more independent or progressive candidate in this race, but our hands are tied. Democrat opponent Michael Graham, an educator and paralegal, has said his reason for jumping into this race was that no one was opposing Republican Gene Whisnant—but apparently “jumping in” didn’t […]