We Need This Music. Now, more than ever, we need it. Want to connect with your fellow citizens? Music. Want to escape the dreadful news happening in our country and the world? Music. The element of “fun” is something we all need in our daily lives. Music is just that… FUN! And here in Bend […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
After the Latest Sheriff Revelations, More Questions Than Answers
Residents deserve far more from their top law enforcement official
As the public learns new damning revelations about the newly elected Sheriff, Kent van der Kamp, lots of questions remain. But one thing is certain: The residents of this county deserve far more from their top law enforcement official than they’ve been getting thus far. The string of lawsuits stemming from the actions of former […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 04/17/2025
Guest Opinion: Fool’s Gold As a communications counselor for 40 years, working with large, complex organizations like IBM or Aetna, I have a lot of experience with “downsizing” efforts. The Trump administration claims that the actions they’re taking to cut jobs and eliminate functions will improve the efficiency of the Federal Government and save money. […]
Posted inOpinion
One-Two-Three Punch to Food Programs Mean More Suffering for Oregonians
Another week, another realization about how the federal government affects local people’s lives
Another week, another realization about how the federal government affects local people’s lives. Last week, local nonprofit NeighborImpact sent out a warning about its ability to help keep people fed. Recent cuts to food programs would mean a 17% reduction in the amount of food it can provide to the tens of thousands of people […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 04/10/2025
Guest Opinion: A Path Forward My origin family has been Democrat since my grandmother worked with the FDR administration as one of the country’s first cohorts of social workers. We’re educated, progressive and global. I should be freaking out like the rest of the people in my choir. Trump’s integrity, temperament and many of his […]
Posted inOpinion
Freedom Isn’t Free, But Speech Is Supposed to Be
There’s only so much despair and languor one can take
This weekend’s “Hands Off!” demonstrations, which reportedly took place in over 1,400 locations, were an encouraging sight. Not only did they highlight the varied responses to the current president and his administration, but they reminded us once again of the importance of the First Amendment to the Constitution — which says that the government may […]
Posted inOpinion
Bucking Bend’s Tree Code in the Name of Affordable Housing Sets a Poor Precedent
After it’s been in place for a year, the Bend City Council will look at how well the code is meeting the goal of preserving trees, while also assessing whether it’s allowing development to progress.
When a City of Bend committee crafted the City’s tree preservation code, it was nothing if it wasn’t a community-driven process. Developers were among those represented on the committee that eventually came up with various means for large developments to handle the big trees on a given plot of land — preserving some of them […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 04/03/2025
Save the Bees Oregonians have a unique opportunity to help Oregon’s pollinators, wildlife and ecosystems. HB 2679 is currently proceeding through the legislature. This bill would reclassify neonicotinoids (neonics) as a restricted-use pesticide and would limit their application to licensed professionals only. This measure would significantly reduce the prevalence of neonics in the environment where […]
Posted inOpinion
Flexibility in Room Tax Income Could Come in Multiple Forms
When it comes to tourism and room taxes, much has and will be said about how those funds should be used.
This week, leaders in local government and destination management organizations alike submitted testimony about a bill moving through the Oregon Legislative Assembly, which seeks to make some changes in how future monies garnered by tourism are used. HB 3556 “extends the permissible uses of net revenue from a new or increased transient local lodging tax […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor
Guest Opinion: Bentz Defends GOP Budget that Hurts His District At a recent town hall, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-District 2) was asked to explain and defend the federal budget proposal put forward by House Republicans. That proposal calls for drastic cuts in a number of critical services, and even more tax breaks for corporations […]
