IN REPLY TO “WHATCHA DOING CANDIDATE? JODIE BARRAM SAYS SHE’S BUILDING CONNECTIONS TO BRING JOBS” (6/26) I cannot recall the last time someone ran for office on a platform calling for low-paying jobs. They all say they want “living wage” jobs. Duh. Voters deserve specifics. What is Jodie Barram’s definition of a “living wage”? I […]
OSU Cascades
Posted inOpinion
Letters 6/12-6/18
BADLANDS BADASSES Are you one of the people that go out to the Badlands Wilderness area to destroy trail signs, damage information kiosks or otherwise wreak havoc? If so, you are doing more damage than you realize; not only wasting a lot of good work volunteers and dedicated BLM staff have contributed, but you are […]
Posted inNews
Pregaming for the Town-Gown Showdown
Opposing sides in OSU land use debate reveal their colors
Crossing guards stationed outside the Bend Police and Municipal Court building assisted a slow but steady stream of visitors as they made their way across NE 15th Street from the parking lot by Lava Lanes. Inside the courtroom, a sea of neon green and orange clad concerned citizens packed into the room, standing along the […]
Posted inNews
City Council Roundup: New Fees, New Jobs
Assistant City Manager Jon Skidmore explains the role of city staff in the planning of OSU-Cascades. The City of Bend is slowly, but surely, rebuilding its staff following the recession of 2008. Last night’s City Council meeting provided a considerable boost to those efforts with the unanimous approval of nearly 21 additional full-time staff positions, […]
Posted inOutside
Old, But Not Slow
Bend Don’t Brake bike race kicks
senior citizen racing into gear
When I was a 17-year-old punk, I was not old enough to race in the Nordic ski marathon, the Birkebinder, but I was eligible to ski its 30 km half-race for teenagers. I did well, and the evening after the race sat at the winner’s table with a few other teenagers, and with an equal […]
Posted inNews
Huffing and Puffing
Citizen group’s challenge to OSU-Cascades a bit too quick on the litigious trigger
Becky Johnson, vice president of Oregon State University-Cascades, says she wants to be a good neighbor. As the lead proponent for the university’s expansion to a full-service, four-year college, that sentiment has placed her on the frontline with neighbors. And, since last April, the university has convened a board of community members the school calls […]
Posted inNews
Don’t Just Stand There, Bus a Move!
Transportation is one of the biggest issues facing OSU-Cascades’ expansion
In recent months, Bend city councilor and Mayor pro tem Jodie Barram has repeatedly faced the same questions. No, not Mirror Pond. And no, not the city’s surface water improvement project. Nope, not the sewer system overhaul. Give up? The queries Barram has fielded have less to do with her capacity as a city councilor […]
Posted inOpinion
Process Poopers
November has been a cruel month for public process in Bend. Last week, we reported on the continued drama surrounding the City of Bend’s major $69 million project to modernize Bend’s water delivery and treatment system. Namely, city council's Nov. 6, city council approval of a membrane filtration system to keep the city’s water safe. […]
Posted inOpinion
Build It, and They Will Ride
Nobody asked us, but had they, we would have said: “Put a bond measure or property tax increase or something on the ballot to raise some revenue to fund a quality transit system in Deschutes County, or at least in the City of Bend.” Yes, we need funding for a bus system. And now! A […]