Challenging to drive downtown My wife and I live on the SE side of Bend. Over the past five years we have just seen the changes to the downtown area make it progressively more unpleasant to drive to the area for dining. The latest, and perhaps the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back”, has […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Public Input Matters. Sometimes It Even Works.
In these highly unusual political times, some battles will be won; some lost
For a lot of people right now, hope is in short supply. Whether it’s inflation and the price of eggs, the cuts to federal budgets — and in turn, the looming ones to state budgets, the threats to Medicaid or Social Security or the Veteran’s Administration or the perceived abandonment of the rule of law, […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 05/15/2025
Local law enforcement’s stance on cooperation with the Trump administration. I think it would be interesting to hear from the leaders of our local, county and state law enforcement agencies regarding their opinions of the overreach by the current president and his administration. Especially with regard to honoring sanctuary status, or cooperating with the federal […]
Posted inOpinion
Allowing RVs as Dwellings on Rural Properties is a Good Step. And Yet.
Some 7,500 properties in Deschutes County would qualify to be part of the program
As of last week, it’s now legal for people in rural areas of Deschutes County to rent a portion of their property to someone living in an RV. The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners approved this change in line with a state bill from the 2023 legislative session that authorized the use of RVs […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 05/08/2025
Local law enforcement’s stance on cooperation with the Trump administration I think it would be interesting to hear from the leaders of our local, county and state law enforcement agencies regarding their opinions of the overreach by the current president and his administration. Especially with regard to honoring sanctuary status, or cooperating with the federal […]
Posted inOpinion
May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 4
Vote Cary Schneider for Bend Metro Park & Recreation District Board, Pos. 4
Cary Schneider has been serving as an appointed member of the Bend Park & Recreation District board since last year, when he filled the place left by Zavier Borja. Voters should support Schneider continuing in the work. Having served on the BPRD budget committee prior to his service on the wider board, Schneider has displayed […]
Posted inOpinion
May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Pos. 1
Vote Ashley Proctor for Redmond School District 2J Board, Position 1
Ashley Proctor is a person Redmond voters should be proud to welcome to the school board. She cites the support of educators and other community leaders in motivating her to see beyond her at-risk childhood — enlisting in the Army, and later, into a career as a social worker helping those with intellectual and mental […]
Posted inOpinion
May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Zone 6
Vote Ross Tomlin for Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors, Zone 6
Voters have two quality candidates in this race. Theo Wilhelm is a K-12 classroom teacher with 25 years of experience; Ross Tomlin, the incumbent who was appointed by the board last year, is a career educator with administrative experience at the community college and education service district level. Both would serve the students, teachers, support […]
Posted inOpinion
May 2025 Electoral Endorsements: Zone 7
Vote Kina Chadwick for Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors, Zone 7
In this race, the incumbent, Kina Chadwick, is most prepared to serve. From their years on the school board, Chadwick has a clear vision of the challenges ahead: funding cutbacks, a need for more early childhood literacy, engaging students and chronic absenteeism among them. They should have a chance to continue their work. Chadwick’s opponent, […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 05/01/2025
Battle of the Burgers Having spent the past seven decades compulsively grading and ranking every item I have experienced in every category of everything — 45’s, movies, albums, album covers, breads, beers, salads, breakfasts, and muffins, to name just a few — I must add my voice to those who have chosen Bend’s best burger. […]
