Well, it finally happened! Last night by a vote of 5 to 2 in favor, we now have the "Peace Bridge of Bend!"
I want to thank all of you for helping to convert this "loony idea" into a symbol for peace. When you have a chance, take a stroll downtown and head for the Portland Avenue Bridge. While there visit Pacific Park, which we adopted last year and is adjacent to the bridge. This is a special place. Think about what it means to have a peace bridge in our town. What does it mean to you?
Check out the My Nickel's Worth pieces by Janet Whitney and Meg Brookover in the Bulletin (12-18). Think about writing your own letter. Then see what the Bulletin had to say about this bridge vote under their coverage of Wednesday night's city council meeting. But you'll have to look real hard, because it rated a mere single sentence at the end of their article (Local section, page C5).
One final note: I was told last night that the new council can easily overturn this proclamation. Let's hope they don't try. But we need to stay alert to the possibility.
Again, thanks to all for supporting this 17-month long struggle. Now think about peace bridges...everywhere!
Peace,
John Schwechten
