Fix the dam leak

This is not swearing. A leak in a dam can be referred to as a dam leak!

Our Mirror Pond problem is like our problem with illegal immigration. Both problems involve a two-step solution: (1) stop the leaks and (2) develop a comprehensive plan.

Regarding illegal immigration, our government has been struggling with a comprehensive plan for four decades while failing to take step 1, secure the “leaky” border. As a consequence of trying to take step 2 first, we have spent billions of dollars, we have millions of illegals, and we have no comprehensive plan yet — after 40 years.

Regarding Mirror Pond, we are also approaching the problem backwards, step 2 before step 1. As a consequence, we have had six months of unsightly mud and stink and no hope for a comprehensive plan in the immediate future. How about taking step 1 first? Fix the dam leak and restore Mirror Pond to its original beauty. Then let the various commissions, boards and other bureaucrats squabble over the alternatives and come up with a “comprehensive” plan that the voters can approve (or disapprove). Maybe they can come up with something better in less than 40 years — but don’t count on it. So how do we accomplish step 1? Get two or three bids to “plug the hole” and pick the best one. Split the nominal costs among the city, the park district, and the power company, and get on with it. This is not brain surgery.

Fix the dam leak!

Philip Peoples

Bend

More of same old, same old

As stated in the Jan. 27 article “Midterms in Oregon,” Jennifer Duffy of the Cook Political Report proudly places Oregon in the “solid Democrat” column for 2014. Whew, what a relief that is, knowing that Oregon has not yet come to its senses. What does it take?

I am not saying that either party will do any better; things are so broken. But the current group in power has convinced voters that the alternative is women haters, racists and bigots, and many other labels that historically are far from the truth.

Ask yourself, how is the “Democrat” state doing with the war on poverty, Obamacare, crony capitalism, government’s complicity with labor, education (ranked 43), the nanny sustainability, weed, water and carbon patrols. And why was it such a big deal for the governor visiting Central Oregon? Tell him to go back and fix Salem first. Government is not the answer because it doesn’t create anything. Ask small businesses about new regulations every year.

Why does Oregon want more of the same old, same old? Because the special-interest groups continue to benefit off the backs of taxpayers. But eventually “they will run out of other people’s money,” and then what?

Carol Orr

Crooked River Ranch

Thanks to Wyden

I recently attended Sen. Ron Wyden’s public town hall forums for Jefferson, Deschutes and Crook counties with several other community members who are interested in conservation of our public lands.

Local business owners and members of the Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (FANs) attended the meetings to thank Wyden for his successful efforts to protect the Oregon Badlands and Spring Basin Wilderness Areas and to encourage him to continue working to permanently protect places like Cathedral Rock, Horse Heaven and the Whychus-Deschutes area right in our backyards.

Our congressional delegation has worked to fairly represent economic and conservation interests by finding compromises that encourage businesses to develop as well as preserve our cherished public lands. But Wyden recognizes that these two things go hand in hand. Protecting our most scenic public lands stimulates the outdoor recreation economy, bringing new businesses and jobs to our area. I am grateful to Wyden for his efforts to protect our wild and scenic public lands and help strengthen our economy in the process.

Cindy Murray, president of FANs

Terrebonne