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Today’s National Methamphetamine Awareness Day focuses on problem
Today is National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, called for by the Bush Administration to focus attention on the problems meth causes. As Chamber members should be aware of by now, the Bend Chamber has been a state leader in helping businesses deal with drug-use issues. Earlier this year, the Chamber’s Drug-Free Workplace Initiative was chosen as one of several pilot programs in the state to try to end drug use in the workplace. Meth still is a serious problem – for example, 100 percent of all cases in Oregon last year when children had to be removed from their families by the state, involved meth use and/or trafficking. But there is some good news as well: In 2005, the number of meth lab seizures declined by nearly 30 percent and has continued declining this year. Meth use among youths is down 36 percent in 2006 from 2001, and positive tests for meth in the workplace have declined 45 percent since 2004. Oregon was one of the first states in the nation to pass a law now requiring a prescription for cold medications containing pseudophederine, an ingredient used to make meth. Your Bend Chamber in 2007, through its Healthcare Council, will continue to offer workshops to help businesses form drug-free policies.
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“One Voice” trip to D.C. designed to provide diversified but unified front
The Bend Chamber’s second annual “One Voice” trip to Washington, D.C., has been scheduled for March 27-29, 2007. The trip is designed to let selected lawmakers know what issues are important to Central Oregon and what help we need from them. The trip will be especially effective if we can get representatives from several areas of the private and public sectors. We’ll plan on visiting as many congressmen and congresswomen as possible in the 2½ days we’ll be there. If you’re interested, or have some issues you’d like us to bring to the Washington, D.C., contact Jeff Nielson at 382-3221 orjeff@bendchamber.org.
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Santa needs help collecting food and clothing
The 13th annual Santa Express, a partnership among the Bend Fire Department, Bend Firefighters Association and the Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and toys to needy families in Central Oregon, is adding something new this year. A one day coat and blanket drive will be held on Friday, Dec. 8, at Sportsman’s Warehouse in north Bend off Robal Road. From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., volunteers will collect new or good condition used coats and blankets, which the Salvation Army will distribute to those in needs. Donations of non-perishable food and new, unwrapped toys also are welcome. As in the past, city of Bend fire trucks in December also will be going through neighborhoods collecting food. Information: Cindy Kettering with the Bend Fire Department, 322-6381.
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This and that …
The second annual Holiday Magic winter musical celebration will be held the evenings of Dec. 8 and 9, with a matinee on the 10th, at the Tower Theatre. Tickets are $15. This fund-raiser for Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living sold out last year, so buy your tickets now. … The Sparrow Clubs will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Bend with an anniversary breakfast from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 at the new Riverhouse Convention Center, 3075 N. Hwy. 97. Tickets are free, but are limited. Information: 312-8630. … The Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Moxy Salon-Spa Essentials, scheduled for Dec. 14, has been postponed because of construction issues. Once open, the business will hand out gift cards valued at $20 for future services because of the inconvenience. … Because the Downtown Bend Economic Improvement District was declared void by a Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge last week, merchants will be responsible for removing snow from in front of their buildings. The Downtowners Association is working on how to move forward with the EID being ended. … After construction delays for various reasons, the Newport Avenue Bridge is scheduled to open in time for the Bend Christmas Parade, set for Dec. 9. The parade’s Grand Marshal will be Michael Gesme, an Associate Professor of Music at Central Oregon Community College and conductor of the Central Oregon Symphony.
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Give legislators pay raises? Opinions vary
Last week’s survey question was, Should legislators get a pay raise? If so, how much? Some replies:
“No.” (Several of these.)
“Our legislators should get a pay raise to a comparable level of other states our size. In conjunction with this, we need a yearly legislative session that is restricted to 60 days per year.”
“Yes, they should get a raise. Oregon is supposed to have a “citizen legislature,” but few citizens can afford to give up so much time at their ‘regular’ jobs to serve in the Legislature. That leads to an elite Legislature where only rich people or retirees can serve.”
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This week’s survey question
Nationwide, retail sales for Christmas aren’t meeting expectations. Are you spending more, less or the same as last year? Please e-mail your responses to:jeff@bendchamber.org.
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