Has anyone else noticed that the jumbo political signs popping up around Central Oregon for Republican candidates (Tim Knopp, Jason Conger, Gene Whisnant, etc.) fail to mention their political affiliation? I would be naive to assume they are so ashamed of what the Republican Party has become that they want to distance themselves from it.

The issue of enforcement of local noise ordinance won't go away, at least until we come up with a solution that makes more sense. Why not lessen the standards for local musicians instead? This is the issue as I see it. On one hand, we have a group of entertainers whose prosperity and success is vital to the life of our city. On the other hand, we have residents who have the right to live the quiet life that makes them happy. Or do they?

There's no question that our parks are exceptional and a source of pride for Central Oregonians, but I suggest Mr. Horton and members of the BPRD board step outside their comfy digs in Dreamland for a stroll through our local economic zone.

They'll meet the unemployed, the barely employed, and the employed at a fraction of the salary they once earned and are qualified for. Certainly they won't be able to avoid bumping into some of our recent homeless and suddenly impoverished, as well as many seniors barely surviving on Social Security while paying property taxes not based on the shrinking value of their homes.

Bend Parks & Rec Bond 9-86 proposes many fine recreational opportunities that are “nice-to-have” but in this economy, and with critical water, sewerage and school obligations, not essential for Bend. I recommend that Bend citizens vote against the bill. Alternatively, BPRD should then reprioritize, redefine some projects and then resubmit the bond as a set of smaller proposals that will allow voters a fair evaluation of each project.

For example, the proposed purchase of three properties in the North Deschutes Canyon, adjacent to BPRD- owned Gopher Gulch, includes the 28-acre “Jeffers property.” For approximately $3.5 million, BPRD plans to purchase this charming house and barn on acreage with a great view of the canyon. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to simply purchase a right of way in which to cross the river and extend the DR trail?

Tis’ the season for nastiness. There is no “polite” in politics. Why does politics cancel civility? It looks like the white man is still trying to lie to the Native American Indians. Oregon reached an agreement some years back that each tribe could have a casino on their land to help with the financial stability of their communities and in return they donated/paid a sum of money to help other Oregon needs. This provided jobs on the reservation and for the local economy. AND “There was peace in the valley.”