Most of us live here because Central Oregon contains a unique mix of businesses, beautiful lands, healthy rivers, and great communities who share a passion for this quality of life. The 15 percent of lottery dollars from Measure 76 supports the quality of life we all love. Just in the last 2 years, lottery dollars have provided over 10 million dollars right here, for restoring our local rivers, creating jobs for water conservation and projects for our irrigation districts, and providing outdoor education programs for our region’s youth.
We must continue to prioritize these local opportunities that sustain our quality of life and support our region’s economy. Measure 76 provides money for park infrastructure, habitat for our fish and flowing water for our boats, and watershed education for our kids. These dollars create jobs here, support a diversity of workers who are caring for our future lands and rivers, and provide a boost to our economy, which will circulate far and wide within our businesses. Join me in celebrating where we live and investing for our future – vote yes on Measure 76.
– Darek Staab, Bend
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 6, 2010.
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Sorry–I’m voting no on 76. I love our parks, etc., but the funding is there for the next four years and I see no need to make a decision now when budget priorities may change drastically in the next few 48 months. To present this as an issue that must be dealt with now is disingenuous. Te money isn’t going anywhere next year, or the next, or the next! What’s the rush?