The September referendum on the southern bridge and road alignment is a non-binding, or advisory, vote only. The seven members of the Bend City Council will have the final say on whether the bridge will be built and, if so, which road alignment will be used.

As of last week, the councilors took the following positions:

Bruce Abernethy

Bridge: ”I’m leaning toward supporting it.”

Preferred road alignment: Southern.

Referendum: He will vote according to the referendum results.

Kathie Eckman

Bridge: Supports.

Preferred road alignment: Northern.

Referendum: She will vote according to the referendum results.

Bill Friedman

Bridge: Supports.

Preferred road alignment: Neither. He thinks either will work, but the northern option is better because it doesn’t take any houses.

Referendum: He’ll decide how to vote after the referendum. If the vote is clear, he will likely go with the will of the people. If the vote is close, he will likely make his own decision on what is best.

John Hummel

Bridge: Opposes.

Preferred road alignment: Southern.

Referendum: If voters say no to the bridge, then he will vote no. If voters say yes to the bridge and prefer the northern alignment, then he’ll vote no on the bridge. If a majority votes yes on the bridge and prefers the southern alignment, then he’ll vote yes on the bridge with the southern alignment.

Kyla Merwin

Bridge: She supports it only if the southern road alignment is used.

Preferred road alignment: Southern.

Referendum: She will vote exactly according to the public’s wishes, even if the vote is close.

John Schubert

Bridge: Opposes.

Preferred road alignment: Southern.

Referendum: He won’t know how he will vote until after the referendum. He doesn’t know how he will interpret the results.

Oran Teater

Bridge: Supports.

Preferred road alignment: Northern.

Referendum: If there is a clear majority, he will go with what the public wants. If the vote is close, he is not sure what position he will take.