IN REPLY TO "TIRED OF NEWCOMERS" (1/29)
I have lived in both Bend and Portland and have heard all the griping about newcomers for years. I have now chosen to make a life in the small town I was born and raised in and I could not be happier. I never lock my doors and don't need to worry about my kids running around outside. I am on City Council and run a small business that I believe adds to the culture by creating a place for people to gather, eat, drink and listen to live music parallel to what is found in big cities. We can walk down any side street and quickly get into nature and can also be at the beach in 30 minutes or in Portland in an hour. All this and some of the best real estate prices in western Oregon, and the best part is we welcome newcomers with open arms. Spread out and find a place that appreciates the part you can play in a real community.
—Katie Kendall via bendsource.com
I grew up in Bend. We had all the Californians come up here in the '70s, bought a pickup truck, got a dog to ride in the truck, undercut our local construction bids, uncontrolled growth until times got tough and some of them left, but not for long. That was nothing compared to now.
They fall in love with our town, love our lifestyle and way of life so they move here, only now they buy a Subaru instead of a truck, yes, get a dog and tell one and all that they don't like the duck sh-- in Drake Park, so what happens to our ducks, geese and swans in Drake Park? They are euthanized, yes murdered, to keep these city people happy. They look around some more and decide they need to change EVERYTHING. They would be welcome here if they would adapt to our lifestyle, but they DON'T. They are trying to make Bend like the city they just left. Newsflash city people: You were miserable where you were and you will be miserable here because you don't know how to adapt. We happen to like duck shit on our shoes.
Same thing up on the mountain. We raised our boys skiing Mt. Bachelor. The first thing we instilled on them, even before how to load and offload the lift, was the etiquette of the mountain. My boys are now grown and I quit skiing the mountain I too was raised on because of these arrogant, inconsiderate people in their designer outfits that cannot ski. A few weeks ago a kid fell about 20 feet from the chair and the parents were blaming the lift attendant and everyone but themselves. It was the end of the day and this kid was tired and too young to be dumped on instructors for the day. I told them so but they didn't want to hear it.
Last year was my ex-husband's last year on Ski Patrol. He said 20-plus years of transporting ungrateful, obnoxious people safely down the mountain after they endanger everyone and get hurt was enough. They don't even thank them for helping them, they EXPECT it and it's NEVER their fault.
There is a reason for everything that happens. The reason is because they are stupid and don't belong here!
GO AWAY!
BEND IS CLOSED!
P.S. IF IT'S TOURIST SEASON WHY CAN'T WE SHOOT 'EM??
—BENDITEGIRL via bendsource.com (two comments consolidated into one)
Wow, Benditegirl. What a rough life you guys have. There are people in this Aspen-wannabe-of-a-city that can't afford the ludicrously rising rent because none of the successful businesses here want to pay an adequate wage (how else will the owners afford to ski so much?), and your biggest complaint seems to be the ambiance of your favorite ski resort. #firstworldproblemsmuch?
—makelocalmarketing
IN REPLY TO "NO MORE KILLING COYOTES FOR SPORT" (1/28)
I think its hilarious that these "animal rights" groups come up with non-existent statistics which can be easily debunked with a visit to the fish and wildlife service website and view their published scientific data, which is based on facts. This story mirrors that of other stories being published under different author names. Each and every story claims hunters are targeting babies and pregnant animals in order to stir up anger and resentment towards licensed hunters. This author is just another keyboard commando.
—SSFguy
Great article and kudos to Mr. Anderson.
I fail to understand why [a] commenter is tripping over herself in an effort to protect ranchers. Perhaps she misinterpreted and should re-read the article, since the emphasis seems to be on "sport shooters."
Ask any coyote hunter why he/she is so quick to run to these "slaughter festivals" and you will hear one of two commonly used excuses for coyote killing: "They kill livestock so we're helping the ranchers" or "They're killing our deer"(antelope, or any other species du jour).
If Ms. Bentz has a bone to pick with anyone and speaks "only for ranchers," I'd strongly suggest she get the word out to a particular breed of "sport hunter" to immediately cease and desist using ranchers and livestock as their perpetual excuse to kill coyotes en masse. Sport hunters are inaccurately and publicly portraying ALL ranchers as being the catalysts of their carnage, their buddies who support and encourage mass slaughter of coyotes and other important predators.
—Gail Clark
IN REPLY TO A REPLY TO "THE MODERN PRIMAL FOODIE" (1/15)
For most of my 60-plus years I have made it a point to eat nutritious food and make exercise my first priority in life. I climb mountains, ride a mountain bike, backcountry ski, hike, run marathons and I commuted by bicycle for 25 years. But the past year I was not well and unable to do all my activities. The culprit was non-celiac gluten sensitivity. For those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity the "food fad associated with gluten sensitivity" has enabled some of us to have gluten-free food choices. We are unable to enjoy ALL the great beers made here in Central Oregon as well as some of the great bakeries in town. So buddy, as you sip on that IPA and munch on an Ocean roll, take a moment to look out the window and see us biking down the highway. We are munching on a gluten free bar as we finish our 50-mile bike ride.
—Chris Evensen
IN REPLY TO "TROUBLE IN PARADISE" (1/28)
Viva la Boot! We have seen the enemy, and it is us. I hear that sucking sound, and it is the cost of transportation infrastructure, fuel and vehicles bleeding us dry (no offense, Ford). Let's us all start with a small step. How about one less road trip or driving excursion in the month of February? Bicycle, walk or take a bus instead. Next month we can talk about one less trip per week.
—Kevin
