Find a new site for OSU

I read with great interest Mike Walker’s letter in the March 8 edition of The Bulletin. This was the most accurate summary of the issue at hand regarding the Oregon State University-Cascades Campus project. If the original 10-acre site was all that was being debated, the project could be successfully completed in a very short period of time. However, the next phases of the plan, which are still not clearly defined, are the issues. Anyone who has climbed the short bank on SW Chandler Avenue just east of Mt. Washington and looked in to the old pumice mine can easily see that the costs of preparing the 46-acre site are going to be enormous. This is the only area where I disagree with Mr. Walker’s analysis. I believe that the cost of site work to comply with all codes could easily grow to $50 million, not the $30 million that he has forecast.

The state of Oregon should listen to the taxpayers who are going to pay for this project and subsequent cost overruns and analyze the costs to build in this site versus other green fields east of Bend.

Robert Carrick

Bend

Mental health needs emphasis in prevention

When I read the article about District Attorney John Hummels’ strategy for crime prevention, I found no mention of mental health. It is well-known, after many studies, that mental health issues can be a contributing factor to acts of crime. It can also lead to drug use, homelessness and other problems that place some of our most vulnerable citizens in danger and unable to care for themselves. While many of our officers are receiving crisis intervention training, I believe that awareness and working together with a mental health component must be part of any strategy.

There is a critical need for mental health services in Central Oregon. There is a shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists, facilities, resources and trained personnel to deal with this problem. National Alliance on Mental Illness Central Oregon has been trying to find a way to address all these problems for a few years, so it seems they should be represented and could play an important role in any discussions concerning crime prevention and alternatives.

Gloria Fleming

La Pine

The wealth of billionaires

The March 3 edition of The Bulletin stated that Bend is worth a billion dollars and Los Angeles $51 billion. It is also interesting to know that some billionaires living in this country could buy 40, 50 or 60 Bend, Oregons, and some could buy Los Angeles plus a number of Bends.

Mary Jane Newton

Bend

Bend’s sign problem

Bend is showing many signs, some subtle and unnoticed, that the fabric of the city is fraying. One example is incipient disorder engendered by the rampant proliferation of portable and temporary signs on our commercial streets. A good example of this problem can be seen on SW Century Drive (14th Street) between Simpson and Galveston and more and more on Newport Avenue on the west side.

In the first instance, I believe that these portable signs are prohibited by the City of Bend Sign Code, Sec. 9.50.070 H, “All other nonexempt signs that are not expressly permitted …” Collectively these signs are visually incoherent — nothing but clutter. They are unproved to be of any economic value. Building owners are in position to design and erect more effective and aesthetically acceptable signage that is compliant with city regulations.

I believe in judicious “broken windows policing.” Broken windows policing abides by the principle that disorder and crime are usually inextricably linked, “if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken.” Stop disorder early and avoid a more profound and serious deterioration of a block, a neighborhood, or a city.

Temporary signs eat at the natural beauty and sense of harmony in Bend. They signal emerging disorder. For the good and welfare of Bend, the City Council should pay attention and have the sign code diligently and widely enforced. Prevent broken windows and our living here will be better for it.

Jeff Lebowitz

Bend