IN REPLY TO "OSU-CASCADES PLANS TO BREAK GROUND" (6/18)
If it is the responsibility of elected officials and those who would influence public opinion to ensure judicious disbursement of public funds then how do we explain siting of the new OSU-Cascades on Bend's west side when more and better land can be purchased for much less cost on the city's east side?
Parcels of land for the university were purchased at what some people believe above the prevailing market value on Bend's west side where land prices are already among the highest in the city. Despite the potential for this becoming the largest civic development in the area there was no public debate to consider Juniper Ridge and other areas on the east side that would have been better locations for several reasons and much less expensive as explained by the Truth In Site citizens organization at www.truthinsite.com.
Concerned citizens, not surprisingly, suspect the decision-making process was more one of deal making.
The initial ten acres to begin the university are obviously not enough land so OSU took an option for 46 acres (at a cost of $30,000/month) on an abandoned pumice mine. The purchase cost and the high-end estimate for remediation of this land exceed $15 million according to one estimate. Another more likely estimate suggests anywhere between $10 and $26 million for remediation alone. For considerably less than that kind of money OSU could have purchased much more land at Juniper Ridge or other sites on Bend's east side where there would be no problems with soil conditions.
A question now needs to be asked. Will legislators in Salem, as guardians of the public fisc, initiate an independent study to ensure that public funds being allocated for this new and necessary university are being spent judiciously?
—Bill Bodden
Why would you put a college on a road that leads to most of the major recreation in Bend, that makes no sense. This will ruin everything, all athletes will move, lazy people will stay, Bend will be lame.
—joemoetoe22 via bendsource.com
BREAK OUT THE EAR PLUGS
Seriously, doesn't anyone in this town drive a vehicle with a muffler? Is it even required? Does anyone really care, or is everyone in this town auditorially impaired? This little hamlet has to be the most noisy place per capita on the face of the planet. Perhaps Bend should start touting itself as the next great destination resort for the auditorially impaired.
—Marco
DOGGIE DOO DUTY
I have a dog and thoroughly enjoy all the great parks that Bend Parks and Recreation maintains. They also do this great thing of providing biodegradable plastic bags to pick up your doggie doo in. But here is the kicker...if you pick up your pets poo via the plastic bags, then "throw it away!" OMG, I am so sick of everywhere I go, I see plastic bags of dog poop just laying there in the bushes or next to the trail. What are people thinking? That just because you placed your dog's poop in the bag, and leave it on the ground it will magically disappear? The doggie bag dispensers in the park, kindly let us know the bags are biodegradable, but I guess large lettering must be put on the sign to say " put your dog poop in the trash can." There are many trash receptacles in our parks or carry it home and put it in your own trash can.
—Do your duty in Bend
IN REPLY TO "MEAN STREETS" (6/17)
After a few thousand miles of pedaling in and around Bend, I have to agree with the author. I've had diesel drivers spew black smoke (intentional slow down, downshift and stall out the engine), pickups and SUVs (in general) are the bigger vehicles that dont give room and ride the white line, even with fresh oil/gravel signs out. It can be hair raising in what we call traffic here... Much more dangerous feeling than Portland, Eugene, or major metro areas I've toured.
—Local Cycler via bendsource.com
IN REPLY TO "SIDE NOTES: SHARING THE ROAD" (6/17)
This is great info, and unfortunately not common knowledge for many cyclists and drivers. One thing I would add is concerning crosswalk usage by bicycles: as mentioned [in the article], cyclists can use crosswalks at walking speed. But what many people are unaware of is that there is a virtual crosswalk at every intersection—it does not need to be marked. So be an awesome driver and stop for all pedestrians and cyclists trying to get across crosswalks—marked or not.
—DirtSnake via bendsource.com
I would add one. If you are passing a cyclists at 35 mph or greater, and there's no bike lane, you're required to pass at a distance sufficient to avoid them if the cyclist fell over. Say at least six feet. Please don't try to squeeze between the cyclist and the center lane. And also, it's legal to cross a solid yellow center line when passing a cyclist.
—wheelie via bendsource.com
IN REPLY TO "LETTERS" (6/17)
TO THE SOURCE: Please stop posting anonymous opinions. They hold no value to your loyal readers. If a person can't put their name on it, why should I waste my time reading it?
—Rondo
Rondo: I'll give you a couple good reasons why anonymous opinions are relevant—some of us have positions in the community or are associated with nonprofit groups that rely in large part on the good will of the majority. Anonymously I can still speak freely without my personal opinions being associated with my work or the organizations I volunteer with.
The basis of that is similar to having confidential sources in the news or protecting the identity of witnesses. Do you dispute the value of that to our society?
And the second reason I, like others, prefer anonymity is that as the civility of our society has degraded some of us have had to deal with harassment or threats for speaking controversial opinions openly. It's a sad state of affairs when this becomes necessary simply to exercise our rights as guaranteed under the First Amendment. Regardless, it's a precaution I've learned is necessary. —Anonymous Citizen
IN REPLY TO "THE PRICE OF GREEN GRASS" (6/17)
I think we all should think about keeping this high desert a high desert... We don't need this area to look like Vermont or any other area except what it is/was naturally. We will be in serious trouble soon enough without water, we don't need to waste it on who has the greenest grass growing on their lawns.
—mfaccone via bendsource.com
