Walden understands younger generation

Recently, myself and about 30 other college Republicans from universities around Oregon came to Bend to hold our annual conference. First of all, wow. Bend is a beautiful place, and the weather that weekend made it even better. We will definitely be back.

Although I had a wonderful time exploring Bend and meeting my fellow college Republicans, one moment during our convention really stood out to me. Congressman Greg Walden delivered to the convention a personal and inspiring message about his work and our organization. While I am not lucky enough to live in Congressman Walden’s district, I certainly consider him to be my representative. Unlike so many others, I know that Congressman Walden truly understands the issues younger generations faces when jumping head first into a stormy job market. He is fighting tooth and nail to ensure that my generation is afforded the same opportunities that have fostered prosperity for hundreds of years and for that he has my sincere appreciation.

Thank you, Congressman Walden, for all that you do for the 2nd Congressional District and for the entire state of Oregon.

Nicholas Seymour, co-chairman, Oregon Federation of College Republicans

Eugene

Don’t stifle the Internet

Why, when so many critical issues facing our country are in need of solutions, do some in our government insist on fixing what is not broken? That would be the Internet. It’s one of the fastest-moving technologies in history but not fast enough to outrun the bureaucrats of the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC has issued a rule to rein in the Internet and box it into a regulatory structure crafted for telephone networks of the 1930s. The ruling will likely result in higher state and local fees for Internet access. That means the government will get more control and revenue and you and I and a lot of other users will foot the bill for diminished broadband services. This is unacceptable, but what action can we take?

Oregon’s 2nd District Representative Greg Walden is chairman of the House Energy Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and he understands the workings of the FCC. Rep. Walden has introduced legislation calling for more transparency from the agency, and it’s clear in light of the latest FCC ruling that more hard questions need to be asked.

I believe the Internet should be free of regulation that stifles innovation, increases fees and discourages investment. If you agree, let’s tell our elected representatives that we support efforts to achieve real net neutrality that acts in the best interest of all businesses and consumers.

Ken Taylor

Prineville

Campus needs more land

This is in regard to David McGee’s letter about the location for the OSU-Cascades campus. I look out my window and see beautiful pine trees, nature, animals. I live one half block from the 10 acres. You stated, “There is a large volume of raw land within walking distance of the proposed west-side location that can be used for multi-unit housing.” This land you mentioned is surrounding the senior apartments I live in.

Do I want to see trees come down, construction everywhere, students living around us? The answer is no. Would you like student housing next door to you, literally? The west side is full of beautiful trees and they are coming down more and more so the west side won’t be the beauty it once was. I see what has happened to Bend in the last year and a half. Every lot is having huge houses, buildings, trees down and the houses looking over the river on Reed Market boggles my mind. When will it stop?

The town was the cleanest, and now debris is on almost every street. Add OSU on the west side and good-bye to a way of living. I want to keep my quiet neighborhood; not seeing a zillion cars park on our street. Put the college on more land, not a postage stamp.

Irene Gillette

Bend