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Data Driven Future of Transit Committee
The Bend Chamber is at the table of the
newest public-private committee for the
city of Bend. This Future of Transit
Committee is charged by the City Council
to examine the current Bend Area Transit
(BAT) system, costs, funding, and
riders; determine ideal organizational
structure, service levels, area of
service, budget, funding sources, and
implementation strategy; and what
strategy – if any – to recommend to the
voters. The committee is moving into its
second meeting next week; first looking
at existing service area and levels of
service, and what possible expansion of
BAT does the data indicate riders and
those contacting BAT are requesting. The
data shows it looks like there are a
number of possible expansion options.
They are:
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To increase the hours of operations
by two hours, starting at 6:15 a.m.
and ending at 8:15 p.m. (BAT
currently stops running at 6:15
p.m.)
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To expand routes through the
employment centers off Colorado
northwest of the Old Mill District
running up to Touchmark
A Bend to
Redmond airport service
A new north-south route from Juniper
Ridge down through Knott Road and
Deschutes River Woods
To create a loop route from the new
Riverhouse Convention Center to
downtown and the Old Mill District
To improve the current north-south
and east-west routes with pickup
frequencies shortened from 40
minutes to 20 minutes.
The committee consists of a number of
business representatives including: two
business owners, St. Charles Hospital,
the Old Mill District, Cessna Aircraft,
and the directors of the Bend
Downtowners and the Bend Chamber.
Between now and mid-March, when the
committee’s work must be completed, we
are to come up with a recommendation to
the City Council. I will keep you
informed as we move through the work we
are doing. Stay tuned!
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Gallon of Regular Unleaded
Gas
As we cope with $3.00+ for a
gallon of unleaded gas, have
you ever wondered what the
rest of the world is paying?
Here is a sampling of gas
prices from around the globe
for a gallon of unleaded
fuel:
Oslo, Norway - $6.82
Hong Kong - $6.25
Brussels, Belgium - $6.16
London, UK - $5.96
Rome, Italy - $5.80
Tokyo, Japan - $5.25
San Paulo, Brazil - $4.42
New Deili, India - $3.71
Sidney, Australia - $3.42
Johannesburg, South Africa - $3.39
Mexico City - $2.22
Buenos Aires, Argentina - $2.09
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - $0.91
Kuwait - $0.78
Caracas, Venezuela - $0.12.
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Shakin’ it up at City Hall
In recent weeks, we have seen a number
of staffing changes at City Hall, and
the changes just keep on coming! In the
past few years, the City Council has let
three City Managers go. The police chief
and fire chief have elected to retire
and now the interim City Manager Eric
King has accepted the resignation of Ken
Fuller, the city’s Public Works
Director. Ken came to the city in 2003
and during his tenure, the Public Works
Department received accreditation from
the American Public Works Association (APWA),
joining only a handful of Oregon cities
with such honors. This accreditation
commits the department to continuous
improvements in the delivery of public
works operations. I knew Ken to be a
conscientious city employee, caring
deeply about this city and taking pride
in his department’s contributions to the
community. His leadership in obtaining
the APWA accreditation is a testament to
his professionalism. As the city looks
for a new City Manager, Police Chief,
Fire Chief, and now a new Public Works
Director, we are fortunate we have an
experienced interim manager, chiefs, and
directors capable of stepping in and
maintaining city operations without
missing a beat.
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Green Building of the Year for 2007
Yes, it’s true! For the second year this
builder does it again! Their peers have
selected Palmer Homes as Green
Builder of the Year for 2007. The
Central Oregon Builders Association
gives this award. With 100%
participation in the Earth Advantage®
green building program and the Energy
Star®
building program, as well as
neighborhood-wide Water Wise program,
Palmer Homes has led the construction
industry towards environmental
consciousness in Central Oregon and the
state. We extend our congratulations
from over 1,500 chamber members, our
Board of Directors, and staff, to Vernon
and Gretchen Palmer for being recognized
for two years in row as the Green
Builder of the Year - 2006 and 2007, the
only company in Oregon to have that
distinction.
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Best Buyers Market in 20 Years
With rates for 30-year fixed mortgages
at the lowest level in four years, and
the largest inventory of new and
existing homes on the market in 20
years, now is the time to support our
local economy and look into buying a
home. Did you know the data demonstrates
that businesses with employees who own a
home make for better employees, are more
stable on the job, and have a higher
level of commitment to the community and
their employer? Did you know that
Central Oregon and Bend are not plagued
with a large number of sub-prime
mortgages or a glut of foreclosures? Did
you know zero down mortgages are
available and you do not need perfect
credit to qualify to borrow? Did you
know that when a new or existing home is
purchased, especially by a “first-time”
buyer, this purchase ripples through the
economy, contributing well beyond the
initial home purchase? So join the “No
Recession In Bend Club” and check
out that home you always wanted,
encourage your employees to understand
that they too can own a home – there are
a lot of programs to help “first-time”
homebuyers. You might even purchase that
new car, hire those professional
services you never had time for when
business was so hot you couldn’t stick
your head up for a breath of fresh air,
or shop and buy at your favorite
retailer, or just go out to lunch or
dinner and enjoy time with family and
friends. We control our own economy. Now
is not the time to keep your wallet in
your pocket or purse – support our local
economy by investing in our economy –
buy something you need, want or just
can’t live without.
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Coming
events
Feb 15, 2008: Second
Community Affairs Council (CAC) – Town
Hall Luncheon - February's
Town Hall will explore what
effect ODOT's Madras decision is
having on Central Oregon's economic
development. Is a state agency
interfering with individual property
rights and
cities abilities to expand their
local economy or is ODOT just protecting
a state asset by controlling the number
of new trips allowed on a state highway?
Bob Bryant, Region 4 ODOT Director, will
be joining us, presenting ODOT’s view,
and answering questions. Join in on the
Q & A and discussion. Is this a property
rights issue? Should a state agency have
the ultimate word on local highway
access? Is economic development in
Central Oregon going to be subject to
who can afford to pay for transportation
studies? Let your voice be heard at the
Bend Chamber Community Affairs Council
Town Hall. The CAC Town Hall luncheons
are held at Touchmark at Mount Bachelor
Village in the Terrace Lodge Forum
Theater from noon to 1:30 p.m. To join
the CAC Town Hall luncheon series,
register online:
www.bendchamber.org or call Lindi to
reserve your spot: 382-3221.
Feb 25, 2008: Real Estate
Forecast Breakfast – This year's
speakers are Sandy Garner of The Garner
Group Realtors and Development, Dana
Bratton of Bratton Appraisal Group, and
Stephen Trono of The Trono Company.
Please join us to hear these experts
talk about the pulse of the residential
and commercial real estate markets and
marketing trends as they relate to
Central Oregon. Where is your real
estate investment headed in 2008? Be
sure to attend to hear the latest
predictions. Register online:
www.bendchamber.org/REFB or
call Lindi at the Bend Chamber,
382-3221. Corporate Tables ($595) offer
reserved seating for ten and are the
best way to ensure that you and your
co-workers sit together. Individual
seats are just $45 and are first-come,
first-served, open seating.
March 11, 2008: Business
Showcase - Once a year, the Bend
Chamber offers the opportunity for small
and/or home-based businesses to co-host
a Business After Hours. These extremely
successful events "showcase" small
businesses that would otherwise be
unable to "host" a networking event due
to the size of their facilities. This
event gives great visibility as well as
an opportunity to highlight their
products and services while networking
one-on-one with potentially 200+ new
clients. The next Business Showcase is
coming up on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at
Bend Golf & Country Club, and we have
openings for hosts. The cost is $125 for
new Chamber members or non-profit
organizations, and $150 for all others.
We have a limited number of booths, and
we’re filling up fast, so if you are
interested in participating, please
contact Lindi DeWolf at lindi@bendchamber.org
or 382-3221.
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