At last week’s City Council meeting, the debate over how to manage short-term rentals began to take more focus when City Council voted unanimously to support the first reading of ordinances that include a new short-term rental licensing program and changes to land use code that limit the concentration of what are frequently referred to […]
The Boot
Posted inOpinion
Pipe Dreams
For the past few years, the City of Bend has been trying to push forward a plan to replace the two pipelines that draw water from Bridge Creek and carry it 10 miles to a treatment center before entering into the pipes in town. One of the pipes was installed in the 1920s and the […]
Posted inOpinion
Creating Affordable
During last year’s campaign season, nearly every candidate we interviewed for local offices declared that “affordable housing” is the most pressing issue for Bend, and for the region. With the population in Central Oregon surging, housing prices have been steadily climbing and pricing out more and more levels of income from purchasing homes here. The […]
Posted inOpinion
Open Your Ears
Last Thursday, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission hosted the first official “listening session” on Measure 91 in Central Oregon. The ballot measure legalizing the recreational use of marijuana was passed by statewide voters in November (and passed in Deschutes County 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent), and will take effect on July 1. As evidenced by […]
Posted inOpinion
Strange Bedfellows
A week ago, the Oregonian made a rash declaration: A month into his new term, Governor John Kitzhaber should resign. The editorial threw fuel on a smoldering fire. For the past four months, the governor has been dogged by questions about his ethics and responsibilities for some questionable, if not outright illegal, decisions made by […]
Posted inOpinion
We Do Need an Education
The high school class of 2013 in Oregon had the worst on-time graduation rate in the country. The rates for the class of 2014 climbed slightly higher, to a “historic high” of 72 percent, as reported in the Oregonian. But still, it’s a dismal rate and has Oregon public schools scraping at the bottom of […]
Posted inOpinion
Trouble in Paradise
On the whole, Bend residents are happy with their quality of life, according to a 2015 survey conducted by DHM Research and presented during a work session at last week’s City Council meeting. The survey polled 400 Bendites by cell phone and landline, and revealed a general upward trend in many major indicators (livability, economic […]
Posted inOpinion
Bigger Than Troy Field
At first glance, Troy Field is not terribly impressive—a flat field surrounded by chain link fence. But it is an invaluable space for many residents. On most days, there is at least some activity there: someone tossing a tennis ball to a golden retriever, or a soccer team practicing. Largely informal, but occasionally the space […]
Posted inMusic
No ‘Wagon Wheel’ Covers
The Harmed Brothers attempt to dodge clichรฉ
The front men of The Harmed Brothers, Alex Salcido and Ray Vietti, frequently recount how lucky they are to have found their musical soulmate in each other. “It’s a person who speaks your language of ideas and hopefully challenges you to learn and embrace new ones,” said Salcido in an interview with the Source. Paired […]
Posted inOpinion
Road rage?
For the past decade, the concept—and its faint shadow of reality—of public transportation in Bend and, more generally, Deschutes County, has been notoriously pitiful, with anemic service. But, Cascades East Transit (CET) is stirring to bulk up the level of public service—and not a moment too soon. With current funding, CET is able to support […]