In an unprecedented showing of Republican solidarity spearheaded by dynamic leadership, the House GOP has voted unanimously to repeal the recent killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. If the Senate fails to pass this measure by midnight on May 13th it will automatically become law. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia explains:
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Show some real courage, Mr. President
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Posted inOpinion
Street Bond Merits Scrutiny
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I just received my ballot to vote on whether or not Bend should authorize another $30 million to be spent on road improvements. I think there are serious questions we should all be asking before this money is approved or not, but it seems that no one asks them. I've lived here for almost 20 years. But like almost everyone else, I come from elsewhere in the country, which, in this case, gives me enough perspective to ask some questions. While there is no disagreement that something needs to be done about the state of repair on these roads, and I'm sure that safety could be improved, there is a very serious need to examine what “we” get for our money. And yes, I say “we” because even though I wasn't born here, I still pay taxes here.
I have watched several road projects, such as the debacle on Brosterhaus and Murphy roads. I'm sure there are technical difficulties with this type of construction in this type of environment. But here are some basic issues: Roads around these parts certainly seem to fall apart quicker than elsewhere in the country, including areas such as Vermont that get much worse weather. Construction of roads in this area takes much, much longer than in other areas of the country, such as New York where I have seen entire highways built in less time than it has taken to “improve” Murphy road. The planning of improvements in other areas such as New Jersey is done to standards that work, as opposed to the limited access bypass that has been built with stop sign entrances, lack of, or blind, merge lanes and painted pedestrian crosswalks that literally kill people.
Posted inOpinion
For Bend Parks Board Position 2: Scott Wallace
We see no reason that Wallace should be unseated from his position on the park board, which is why we lend him our endorsement.
There are two words that really stand out in the race for the parks board between incumbent Scott Wallace and newcomer Justin Gottlieb: goose poop. The fecal matter paving the paths and covering the lawns of our public parks is near the top (or perhaps at the top) of Gottlieb's agenda. He wants to hire a special “Goose Poop/Goose Population Manager” and cites the fact that Wallace sat on the parks board while more than 100 geese were euthanized last summer as a reason for the public to make a change on the board.
Wallace didn't spend much time discussing goose droppings during our meeting with him earlier this month, opting rather to hit on some of his key interests. One of his focuses is indoor recreation opportunities in the district, an area in which he feels the community is underserved. A youth baseball coach and an avid ice hockey player who organizes the local Steelheaders club team, Wallace recognizes that the current budgetary situation in the district doesn't provide many expansion opportunities. However, he would like to see the community get more mileage out of its existing facilities.
Posted inOpinion
For Bend Parks Board Position 1: Dan Fishkin
We're throwing our support behind Dan Fishkin for Position One on the Bend parks board.
We love our parks here in Bend – like really love our parks. In fact, the only thing that we love more than our parks is probably our pets, or our Subarus. So it's probably no great surprise that our parks district isn't without its politics. However for the last few years, the politics of parks has been thankfully devoid of partisanship. We'd like to keep it that way with board members focused on maintaining the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District's (BMPRD) award-winning programs and responsible management of the park district's coffers. To date, that approach has allowed the district to largely meet the growing needs of the Bend community through land acquisition and park development while focusing on improving indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities for residents.
Posted inOpinion
Shut Up and Drive, Oregonians
Shut the hell up and drive, people. And to reinforce the message, here's THE BOOT.
Once upon a time not all that long ago, in a kingdom not much different from Oregon, there were no cell phones. And life was hard. But somehow, because they were tough and resourceful, the people of the kingdom managed to get by.
And then the Good Fairies Motorola and Nokia appeared and bestowed the wondrous gift of the cell phone upon the people, and they rejoiced. For behold, now they could call up and order a pepperoni pizza or text their BFFs and ask them what they thought of Justin Bieber's new haircut anywhere and at any time, even while driving around in their cars.
Posted inOpinion
Straight Poop Direct from Our Far-Flung Reporters to You
Scoop Lewis, Ace Reporter, covers all of the past week’s most newsworthy events in one column.
Monday, April 18
Need a bill-payer loan? Standard & Poors lowers long-term credit outlook for US from “stable” to “negative.” Republicans in Congress stick out their tongues and go “Nyaaah, nyaaah!” … Chew on this: Pentagon investigation of Rolling Stone article in which Gen. Stanley McChrystal said, among other things, that Vice President Joe Biden could “bite him” clears McChrystal. Rolling Stone stands by its story … Haven't we seen this movie before? European Union seeks approval from UN to move ground troops into Libya to “secure sea and land corridors inside the country” … Move along, nothing to see here: Scientists surveyed by AP say health of Gulf of Mexico is back to normal one year after BP oil spill disaster … More green shoots: Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for three Central Oregon counties fall, though all are still in double digits and Crook County's remains highest in state at 15.4%.
Posted inOpinion
This Week’s Number: 33%
The number of Oregon high school students who will not graduate on time this year, according to a report issued this week by the Oregon Department of Education.
That's the number of Oregon high school students who will not graduate on time this year, according to a report issued this week by the Oregon Department of Education. While the state's drop-out rate is actually much lower, under four percent, the numbers show that a large percentage of students who enter high school don't finish on schedule in Oregon.
Posted inOpinion
Don't Criticize It
In support of a Bend city declaration and resolution to legalize marijuana.
In these financially challenging times when Bend Residents are concerned that we cannot afford basic city services, we look to our fiscal conservatives and rational businesspeople on our Bend City Council for simple and decisive action.
Because of our tightening economy and already stretched budget, the plan to hire 25 new police has been shelved. That puts the burden on the men and women in uniform that already serve this city to a greater and unfair demand for their time and experience. Our police are clearly understaffed. And if we have concluded that we need to hire more but cannot, then we must reduce their workload.
Posted inOpinion
Streets Bond Deserves a “No” vote
As you think about how to vote on the proposed bond issue, ask yourself, if you are to give the city additional money now, are new streets the greatest need?
Over the past several years our city has made its share of mistakes, and failed to properly prioritize spending programs. This has proven very costly to essential services. For example, now, after talking for several years of the underfunding for police and fire, they are asking the public to go in debt for $30 million for Reed Market Road and more traffic circles, instead of addressing public safety and street maintenance needs first.
As you think about how to vote on the proposed bond issue, ask yourself, if you are to give the city additional money now, are new streets the greatest need? Some relevant points: