In the June 1st Bulletin, a front-page story appeared regarding the city of Portland’s Transportation Plan going forward.

In my opinion Bend, should pay close attention and follow (Portland’s) leadership in this area.

People ask, when did one need to be in Bend to experience the “real Bend culture?” My answer is in 1990.

Shortly thereafter, city managers and council members realizing, they had a relatively low tax rate and few prospects for citizens to provide more money, decided to take the approach of “turning raw dirt into development” as fast as possible.

They decided to sell out Bend to the special interest groups, the Bend Chamber, builders, developers and Realtors for the increased tax revenue. Today, these special interest groups give us relatively unqualified candidates and load them up with $100 grand in campaign cash, hoping they will somehow get elected to the (City) Council and other local boards.

Fortunately, citizens are smarter than that, and candidates for council, like Sarah McCormick and Andrew Davis in the November election, flamed out.

Sadly though, our first directly elected mayor in 90 years, Sally Russell, and Councilor Bruce Abernethy came to the special interest’s aid, by defying the will of the majority of voters and giving us their chosen candidate by “appointment” in Chris Piper.

The Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) a 25-member group, heavily represented by local special interest groups and primarily selected to avoid public opposition to a general obligation transportation bond, apparently are planning to send to voters a $100M bond measure for infrastructure improvements in 2020.

I have been in community meetings over the past three years where city officials, like former Mayor Casey Roats, were out seeking support from neighborhood associations, citizen advisory committee’s and civic groups to support this proposed measure.

In my opinion, this is wrongheaded and should be defeated soundly by voters. When 40% of our emissions come from transportation, why are we building more streets and roads?

Their answer is clear, just look at the heavy traffic on NE 27th Street, Empire Avenue, Greenwood Avenue and Third Street north and south from Bend, every morning and evening.

Instead we need a “Catch Up Bend” $100 million bond measure for seven miles of unpaved city streets, 300 miles of nonexistent sidewalks, about 5,000 or more curb ramps, installation of more traffic signalization, construct urban trails and literally hundreds and hundreds of speed humps to slow down traffic in our neighborhoods.

All of this infrastructure that the city of Bend has failed over the past 30 years to provide while going hellbent toward the expanded UGB, which would make Bend a more friendly, walkable, safe and livable community for years to come.

A recent survey of Oregon cities with populations over 50,00 found Bend to be one of the least “walkable” cities in our state.

A national organization of Realtors, has reported that the ability to walk to local neighborhood services is a top priority of new homebuyers.

The city should also tap in to the $5.3B transportation package, the 2017 Legislature passed for funding that could help lower these costs for local residents.

If Bend continues on its current path towards increased traffic congestion, higher prices and lack of parking, soon despite the natural resources we enjoy, people will simply stop coming to visit and recreate.

The city of Portland is committed to allocating $1 billion towards improving its infrastructure shortcomings; certainly Bend can afford $100M.

Before we stagger down this poorly advised path being proposed by CTAC, let’s “Catch Up Bend” first!

“Bend is Lost.” Within 10 years, I predict the billionaires will arrive and kick out the millionaire’s, just like in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

But, what do I know? I am just an east-side guy.

— Brian M. Douglass lives in Bend.