• Happy new year - not so much for the Chamber Journal
• New Year also brings new mayor, councilors, other government officials
• Good, bad happened to businesses in 2006
• Oregon minimum wage now $7.80 but it's higher elsewhere
• New bus service connects Bend, La Pine
• This week's survey question

Happy new year – not so much for Chamber Journal

     All of us here at the Bend Chamber wish you a happy new year. Unfortunately, for us, 2007 begins where 2006 ended: The January Business Journal will be even later than we expected. The computer that contains all the content for the Journal still is out of action, with a crucial part on back order. So, we can’t yet tell you when the Journal will be out. We’ll get it to you as soon as possible. Meanwhile, all of the January events are available on our Web site, www.bendchamber.org – or feel free to call us here, 382-3221, if you have any questions.

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New Year also brings new mayor, councilors, other government officials

     Bruce Abernethy was unanimously elected Bend mayor by his fellow councilors at the Bend City Council’s first meeting of the year Wednesday at the Tower Theatre. Linda Johnson was elected mayor pro-tem by a 6-1 vote, with Chris Telfer voting no. Sworn in were three councilors elected or re-elected in November: Telfer, former mayor Bill Friedman, and Mark Capell. Outgoing councilor Dave Malkin took the opportunity to warn his former fellow councilors that he believed they are going down a wrong track, losing focus on providing services such as police and fire protection and building infrastructure.  "Please step back, pause and refocus,” he said. “The council has pumped a lot of time and money into special interests and social issues.” In other election news, Tammy Baney this week was sworn in as the newest Deschutes County Commissioner. She replaces Bev Clarno, who was appointed last year to fill an unexpired term. Also, three incumbents from Central Oregon return to the Legislature, which convenes its 2007 session on Monday. They are Representatives Chuck Burley and Gene Whisnant, both Republicans. Ben Westlund returns to the Senate, but as a Democrat instead of a Republican.

     Last week’s survey question was, “What’s the best or worst thing that happened to you or your business in 2006?” We received some interesting replies. A sample:
     “The worst thing to happen to my business was trying to negotiate a lease with my landlord, as well as a rental rate that would not put me out of business after two decades of being a stellar tenant downtown. … The best thing has been my supportive and understanding employees. We are like a family.”  
     “The best thing to happen to me was opening a business in Bend. The people here are unbelievably nice. Coming from California, it’s a breath of fresh air. Business is good and life is too.
     “Two bad things happened to my business in 2006: The spike in fuel prices, which continued the entire year, and an inability to hire employees. My business is very sensitive to fuel prices and we were about 25 percent over budget by the end of the year. And I had to turn down jobs because I couldn’t hire qualified employees. Heck, I couldn’t even get applications!”

     Because of a ballot measure passed four years ago, Oregon’s minimum wage automatically increased to $7.80 in January, up 30 cents from last year. The minimum wage goes up each year based on any cost of living increase in the Portland area. The federal minimum wage, unchanged for 10 years, remains at $5.15 per hour, although that could very well change with Democrats in change of both the House and Senate this year. The highest minimum wage in the nation is in San Francisco, at $9.14 per hour, up from $8.82 per hour.

     A newly formed non-profit organization, Central Cascades Lines, Inc., is providing transportation from La Pine to Bend. Vans depart two La Pine locations beginning at 6:45 a.m., stop in Sunriver at 7:15 a.m., then go to eight Bend locations. Fares are $8 round-trip, with discount fares of $6 for students and $4 for seniors and the disabled. Monthly passes are available. For information, contact Central Cascade Lines at CCL@bendnet.com or 536-0200. As a non-profit, the organization is accepting donations at any U.S. Bank or directly to: Central Cascade Lines, P.O. Box 3362, La  Pine, OR 97739.