Letter of the Week: No More Enriching the Rich

Posted inOpinion

Letter of the Week: No More Enriching the Rich

Source Weekly

This week's letter comes from former chamber president Mike Schmidt who questions the authenticity of claims that new business and top earner taxes will derail economic recovery. Thanks for the letter, Mike. We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Oh wait, we did. Regardless, you're entitled to a bag of Strictly Organic Coffee on us. Collect your caffeinated spoils at our office, 704 NW Georgia.

Bravo to your Oct. 7 “Boot.” Your excellent commentary on the taxes our state legislature passed on corporations and high-income households. Raising the corporate minimum tax and adjusting the taxes on households making over $250,000 was a bold move to help ensure Oregon has the funding for education, public safety and other much-needed programs. Let's hope all thinking Oregonians will vote “Yes” to keep these nominal tax increases. Remember, this time you do want to vote “Yes.”

Posted inOpinion

The Official 9/11 Lie

Source Weekly

Young parents are wowed by their children's abilities on the computer. Older parents are agog at their teenagers' facility with the cell phones, iPods, remote control devices and other gadgetry. Americans are enthralled with new technology.
Is ability to use technological gadgets an indicator of a person's overall intelligence? Ironically, at the same time that we have more and more technology at our fingertips, our knowledge of science appears to be on the wane.

Posted inOpinion

City Wasted Its Surplus

Source Weekly

It comes as no surprise to me that Bend's real estate taxes have gone up, even in these extremely difficult times. Deschutes County has the highest foreclosure rate in Oregon. Many homes that can't be sold are sitting vacant with untended yards, causing an even bigger decline in neighborhood property values. A very large number of commercial buildings are also vacant. Judging by the signs in front of these properties, their owners are desperate for someone to take these properties off their hands. It's obvious that Bend is dying on the vine, which makes it a lot less attractive to potential buyers, resulting in less sales and even bigger decreases in property values. What is our local government doing to help Bend get back on its feet? Why, raise taxes of course!

Posted inNews

Bend UGB Decision Forthcoming

The Source Staff

 
 
The city of Bend sent notice this week that the state is ready to give Bend a final word on its 25-year growth plan, which the city submitted to the state earlier this year after several long years of work by city staff, the planning commission and the council.
However, it looks as though the plan is likely to be kicked back to the city for a major re-work, according to one person with close knowledge of the formal process, who spoke to me off the record about the project.

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