A tower crane is used in the construction of the Jackstraw project in Bend.  

Erosion of what made Bend special

Almost every day when I drive around, I am shocked and saddened by the rampant development which is proceeding, like wildfire in Bend. Driving from one place to another was once a drive in the countryside, with forests of trees and open spaces. Going to Shevlin Park was a journey into the wilderness. Now it is a suburban journey of deforestation, traffic circles and development, Once pristine space have fallen under the ax of the loggers and earth movers. Most recently, seemingly overnight, piles of felled trees and scar earth have replaced forested plots along Simpson Avenue. I shudder to think of what appalling development is planned for this corridor!

The sprawl of development has eliminated scores of acreage extending toward Tumalo Falls and heavily reaching its scourge eastward into the desert. Views and skylines of our mountain scapes are being replaced by ugly, jail like multistory apartments. Heavy loud trucks endlessly make there way back and forth on roads not built for such use. The infrastructure never designed for this rampant development can no longer bear the burden. Needless to say what has followed is a loss of the quality of life that made Bend a special place.

This is all heartbreaking to many of us who have lived here a long time. To the newcomers, they see things differently not knowing what it was like.

Sadly I guess this is an inevitable fact of life. The need for housing continues and the economic pressures and greed cannot be stopped as more people are looking for a better life. This is coming at a considerable cost, as the very thing that has made Bend special is being destroyed. Well, let’s look on the bright side. This all means more restaurants.

— Robert Huberman, Bend

Breast cancer awareness

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time, for many survivors, to reflect on their courageous journeys. For me, the end draws near, for a promise held dear. It has been 9 years and 5 months since I made a 10 year commitment to my daughter, Jessica, before she died 8 years ago.

My idea, an original solution for the health of it, began out of the frustrations that I experienced as an athletic, bilateral mastectomy survivor. In 2014, I asked the late Jack O’Neill for help to develop high performance swim and athletic wear for women like me and we are many. This need for prosthetic garments, that promote confidence in motion, was what I promised to design, patent, manufacture, and wear myself one day.

By happenstance, NEO’PROS, LLC was founded in Bend, Oregon. The start up company is working with The Evans Group, a design team located in Los Angeles, California. The finished prosthetic garments will be made in the USA. The human foundation of this startup with all the bits and pieces are now resulting in entrepreneurship at its finest. That being NEO’PROS may help survivors manage the physical, mental, and spiritual challenges of breast cancer.

— Uriel Fox, Bend

A call for more bipartisanship

The letter writer who complained that the current administration spends money on saving fisheries vs saving hungry children is an example of how too many people have chosen party loyalty over looking at true facts and their own values. How can we have conversations over differences when one side points out anything and everything as proof of wrong? Biden can’t scratch his nose without someone criticizing his motives. I have been a life-long Democrat but admired discussions with Republicans over conservative fiscal policies and some social programs. For the last 15 years, discussions are not possible as Republican friends compare every action of Democrats as the work of the enemy or devil.

Billions are spent on helping hungry children and we all agree that more should be done. There is no fish vs children. Put aside the over-the-top cultish party loyalty and learn to listen to one another again.

—Jim Reichle, Bend

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