LET’S GROW BEND BETTER, NOT “BREWTAL”
Some dots for all of us (including city council, [Oregon Liquor Control Commission], [Oregon State University], public health) to connect, and quickly: Bend’s rapid shift from a hospitality-based economy to a “hops-economy” (most breweries per capita in the USA; more ale trail map downloads than city maps; increasingly creative beer-based services including “Brewtal Festivals” promising “excessive amounts of beer,” and beer chug race finishes) + rising college age drinkers + land use infill/development code changes for commercial zones adjoining neighborhoods hollowed out with vacation rentals. Our elder neighbors spend mornings sweeping up broken beer bottles; our children play outdoors as ale-trailer tourists make their way from brewery to brew pub to growler fill, cutting through our streets with open containers, profanity and property damage. Oregon brew stats: 175 brewing companies, 214 brewing facilities in 70 cities. Total state economic impact from the beer industry: $2.83 billion. According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), alcohol is one of the most abused drugs worldwide, particularly in developed nations. Excessive alcohol consumption cost the United States $223.5 billion in 2006, about $1.90 per drink. Through community-based prevention strategies, alcohol abuse and its costs can be reduced, says the CDC. It recommends evidence-based strategies: alcohol excise taxes; reducing alcohol outlet density; reducing the days, hours of alcohol sales; holding alcohol retailers liable for injuries or damage done by their intoxicated or underage customers. To date, Bend’s OLCC commissioners and the City DO NOT consider “saturation” when issuing liquor licenses.
—KM High Desert
IN REPLY TO “THE WHEEL THING” (8/20)
Thanks for the Clipless Slipper! Super fun!
A couple notes: 1) Jeff Monson and Commute Options are amazing. They have repeatedly stepped up to promote alternative transportation in Bend, not to mention creating a viable offering to replace the ill-conceived and poorly implemented governmental Bike Commuter Act. Bravo!!!!
2) As a bike commuter of two decades (half on the east coast, half here), I feel compelled to say that the issue with bike commuting isn’t where to park your bike. From talking to folks who don’t commute, it’s, well…everything else. Trust me…parking in front of Deschutes is an afterthought—safely riding down Bond to arrive at Deschutes is the challenge. I’m not sure that novice commuters feel as comfortable. Perhaps the city should offer commuting classes?
3) I believe Portland is more often listed as “Bike Town, USA” in (partially subjective) polls. Again, Bend’s a great place to commute and ride for fun, but we’ve got some work to do.
Rubber side down, y’all.
—Sean
IN REPLY TO “WHY THE WEED BILL COULD FAIL” (9/10)
“According to an oft-cited but rarely specified poll, eight out of 10 Oregonians believe that legalizing pot is a matter of not if, but when”…This poll has still not been specified …Does it even exist? Or is this simply modern American “journalism?” This article is more appropriate for the Bend Bull’again, where innuendo, BF [bovine feces], and conjecture masquerading as fact rule.
—Sanity Claus
The last sentence of the story is good but I’m not too sure about the Oregonian being increasingly conservative? Having said that, it does not matter to me if weed has any medical uses or not. Weed has been around long enough that pretty much anyone knows that long term daily use does not seem to make people’s limbs fall off or heads explode. However, people also understand it’s not the best motivator or memory aid. At the same time, it doesn’t seem to make people overly hostile, aggressive or violent either. It’s just weed and it should be up to each individual if they want to smoke it, eat it, vaporize it or whatever else. Just like candy, ice cream, steak, tofu, broccoli, tobacco, oat bran, booze and multi vitamins!! When you legalize it, you’re inviting government to the party. Inviting government to the party could lead to scenarios both good and bad for weed lovers. If not for taxes there would be no chance of it becoming legal and if those taxes get large enough you’re right back where you started from only worse!
—Sameday
IN REPLY TO “STEPPING STONES” (9/10)
This will be a great addition to Bend. It will bring meaningful change to the lucky few who get a home this way. A solution that will bring affordable housing to many, many more people would be to restrict vacation rentals to owner-occupied properties.
—Elephant
IN REPLY TO FALL FICTION COMPETITION
Several years ago a short story of mine was published in the weekly newspaper in Louisville, KY, in its fiction competition. It contained around 1,200 words. When I moved to Bend I was interested in trying again, having several short stories. But—250 words? The shortest thing I have is one and a half pages, triple spaced. It takes less than 5 minutes to read. It wouldn’t take a third of a column in the Source. My word processing program says it has 610 words.
I realize we live in a world that demands brevity, but 250 words isn’t a short story. It might be a haiku. Or a note on your windshield to the meter maid—but it’s not a short “story.” I have grocery lists longer than this.
Why bother?
—Kay Cox
IN REPLY TO THE BEND CHAMBER’S POLITICAL EVENTS
To the Bend Chamber,
I write this to you, not as a member, but as a voter, and as a candidate. I am a candidate because I am a disenfranchised voter.
A few weeks ago, Sen. Wyden visited Bend, and I was kept away from the meeting by an RSVP fee I cannot afford.
A week after that, our County Commissioner candidates Tony DeBone and Jodie Barram met for public debate, and I was kept away from the meeting by an RSVP fee I cannot afford.
A week after that, I was invited to participate as a candidate in a meet-and-greet that requires an RSVP fee of guests that many voters cannot afford.
Reluctantly, I accepted the invitation. I was then told that I needed to…wait for it…pay an RSVP fee that I cannot afford.
Dare we wonder why voters are disenfranchised and apathetic?
I challenge the Bend Chamber to reconsider its role as a leader in the community. I challenge you to make the change that we want to see.
—Rondo Rondo – Thank you for your civic engagement, and candidacy, and for pointing out the democracy should not have a price tag. It takes enough to drum up interest for voters to pay attention to campaigns, let alone setting a price for it. We have something that won’t cost you anything – and will keep you moving on the campaign trail: A $5 gift certicate to Palate Coffee. Stop by to pick up your letter of the week prize.
This article appears in Sep 18-25, 2014.
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Hey Ron, your bio lists you as a “community activist and volunteer”, which is a choice you made. If you are so concerned about not being able to afford things, you should get a job. You apparently can’t run your own life without expecting others to pick up the tab (including the Source buying you coffee); how can tax payers and residents of Bend expect you to help run the city?
Thank you for your opinion, and for your question, Getaclue.
You are correct. I chose a less financially-rewarding path.
These last four years I have been a student and volunteer,
attending SAIG Committee meetings, BEDAB Committe meetings,
MPO Committee meetings, Budget meetings, UGB meetings,
even three or four County meetings every month.
I have attended every City Council meeting this year.
These last four years, I have devoted my time and focus and energy
to become the best City Councilor I can be. I LOVE BEND, my home.
The residents and businesspeople of this city
deserve qualified and informed candidates.
Getaclue.
Some additional points to make clear my intent,
and clear some of your confusion.
1) The point of the letter to the Chamber was that democracy should not have a price tag.
Your point seems to be that only people with money should meet their candidates, or
become one. Is that what you meant to say?
2) The point of my campaign, and my third application this season, is to be hired for -this- job.
I have been dedicated to learning -this- job, and forming relationships in City Hall. Your point seems to be that I should get a job, to be qualified for this job.
I’ve been a waiter, a cook, food-service manager, a collection-agency manager and owner.
I served as a Communications Technician in the US Navy, Petty Officer. (IC3)
Worked and lived on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea.
Firewood delivery manager, aka Woodchuck.
Sales and Marketing for most of my adult life.
I was a paperboy at age 14.
I have chaired 20 blood drives.
I’ve worked for Cannabis Decriminalization.
I’ve worked for Equal Marriage Rights.
•Community Theater Volunteer
•Community Radio Volunteer
•Community Baseball Park Volunteer
…and I am a City of Bend Volunteer.
3) I am qualified for this job because I invested in my community as a way of life..
I am qualified for this job because I have a comprehensive vision for Slow Smart Growth in Bend.
My philosophy.
indieBENDence: economic and environmental sustainability.
For four years, through all-seasons, I have moved myself throughout Bend on my bicycle.
Every Bend City Councilor commutes in a car. It is my opinion that we need a unique
perspective in the conversation as we manage the growth of our city. Bend needs
commute options, and creative thinking from a different pedal.
I am qualified for this job because I show up.
4) This is a non-partisan race, and of eight candidates, I am the only non-partisan.
I hope that this answers most of your questions.
Now you have a clue.