Recycling Deschutes County leaders have shown their complete lack of environmental responsibility when they recently announced that they would be shutting down the West Bend - Simpson Road recycling depot on July 31st due to revenue/funding shortfalls.
Hundreds of west Bend residents who recycle and used the nearby depot will now have to make a 14-mile roundtrip to the Knott Landfill on 27th Street. I am sure they will all be purchasing carbon offsets to cover the fuel/carbon footprint for this adverse county action. This ludicrous government decision (can cancelling high school football be far behind?) is from the same Deschutes County that "found the funding" to consider opening an onsite health clinic for county employees and is spending heavily on upgrades to roundabouts that are only a few years old.
Coupled with the Deschutes National Forest (I know it is a different government branch) opting to spend $1 million for an unwanted 1,500 square foot Welcome Center, it sure gives you confidence in the ineptitude of our government officials!
Do you think I will see a reduction in my property taxes since I (and not the county) will now be incurring the recycling transportation costs to the Knott Landfill?
- Bruce Dechert, Bend
