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Bend Chamber Weekly
October 9, 2009
By Courtney Linville, Communications Coordinator
This Week's Highlights
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Train horns will continue to blow in Bend
Despite requests from area residents, the trains traveling through Bend will continue to blow their horns. On Wednesday, the Bend City Council told residents they understand the concerns surrounding the train noise, however, the city can't afford to do the research and safety improvements needed at this time.
Councilor Mark Capell said while he supports making Bend a quite zone, he is "fully opposed to the City of Bend spending a penny on it."
The city has nine crossings that would require upgrades if the city was made into a quiet zone. There are at least four different options with price tags ranging from $315,000 all the way to $1.8 million. The options involved different gate systems to block each direction of traffic or the construction of raised medians which would prevent drivers from going around existing gates.
Transportation Engineering Manager Nick Arnis told councilors to start the process, the city would have to hire a consultant to do an analysis of all crossing which could cost at least $7,000 to $10,000 and additional $10,000 to $20,000 might be needed for further surveys.
Arnis also reminded councilors the analysis is necessary to comply with the federal rule about quite zones.
Councilors questioned if grants were available for a project like this. City staff replied, they are not aware, nor have they found any potential funding sources.
"I'd like to see a citizen's group get together and raise the money because we don't have it," Councilor Tom Greene said. "I'd like to speak directly to the citizens out there: If this concerns you, get together and come up with the $7,000 to $10,000 needed to get things kicked off."
Mayor Kathie Eckman echoed Greene's sentiments stating the city and the council have already made their goals and priorities for the year. "We're being asked to bump everything off and make this a priority, and I don't know if we can," she said. "It's been such a struggle to get those goals and priorities (accomplished)." |
City Council Highlights
Council approves Fire Mitigation Resolution: The Bend City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support the efforts of the Forest Service in regards to efforts of fire mitigation in the watershed. Councilor Jeff Eager explained the intent of the resolution and how it's important to preserve not only the watershed, but also the recreation lands around Mt. Bachelor and Century Drive. The original version of the resolution (posted on the City's Web site) talked about creating a Fire Mitigation Planning Group that would develop a mitigation plan for the watershed, present a draft to the city council, and coordinate and monitor the plan. The resolution was amended prior to the meeting to exclude this working group. As the resolution stands now, the city will just support the one working group, the Forest Service. Eager also pointed out the newest version also expands the focus of mitigation beyond the watershed to "address high value recreation lands."
City works to update City Code: During this down time, the City of Bend is working on updating its city code. According to City Recorder Patricia Stell, the code has not been updated since 1983. Staff from police, fire, public works, the municipal court, the Downtown Manager, Code Enforcement, and more are working together to revamp the city code. The first sections of focus were Bend Code Chapter 5 (Offenses) and Chapter 6 (Traffic Code). The staff is looking at a variety of language changes, reclassification of penalties, and reorganization of the layout. The City Council was asked to provide direction on the noise restrictions. As stated right now, the city has three different standards for noise restrictions. Staff requested the council go with a more universal standard of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. While several councilors agreed with one standard, they would still like to hear from the general public before providing further direction. |
Vote now for next year's Board of Directors
There is still time for members to cast their vote in the 2009 Board of Directors Election. Each membership has one ballot to vote for four board members. Those who are selected will serve a three-year term.
The candidates for this year's election include the following:
- Natasha Henderson, Saxon's Fine Jewelers
- Patrick Kesgard, Principle Broker, Steve Scott Realtors (Incumbent)
- Jason Moyer, Principal, Cascadian Group, LCC
- Dave Rathbun, President & General Manager, Mt. Bachelor, Inc. (Incumbent)
- Karen Shepard, Senior Vice President of Finance & CFO, Cascade Healthcare Community, Inc.
- Betsy Skovborg, Vice President, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Bend
- Katherine Tank, Attorney & Shareholder, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt (Incumbent)
All ballots must be mailed for faxed (385-9929) back to the Bend Chamber by October 15, 2009. The results of the election will be published in an upcoming edition of the Chamber Weekly and the Business Journal. |
Get your Blitz Update!
October marks the Bend Chamber's first Annual Membership Drive. The Bend Chamber Board of Directors is in competition with the Ambassador Council to see which team can develop the most new memberships. As of Thursday, October 8, the Ambassador Council is leading the membership drive 2 to 0.
Both teams will be featured, along with the results, on the cover of the December Business Journal. To keep things interesting and to provide a bit of inspiration, the losing team will be required to dress in costume for the photo.
The 2010 Preferred Business Guide will be wrapped up by the first part of November. It's important for new members to get signed up by the end of October to ensure they are listed in the annual guide. As an additional incentive, we are waving the setup fee for all new members this month.
If you would like to help a business become a member and be included in the 2010 Preferred Business Guide, please call or email Greg Ford at 382-3221 or greg@bendchamber.org. Please let him know if you would like credit for the membership to go to either the Board of Directors or the Ambassador Council. |
Update your profile today
It's time once again for the annual Bend Chamber Preferred Business Guide to be published. To provide the best possible product to the Chamber membership as well as the local community, the Chamber has sent out profile information for you to review.
The Chamber wants to make sure the upcoming Preferred Business Guide is as accurate as possible. If you see any changes or corrections that need to be made, please update your information as soon as possible.
Please mail, email, or fax your profile back today! The final deadline for all changes and corrections is October 12.
If you have any questions about your profile, please contact Kelly Charon at 382-3221 or by email at kelly@bendchamber.org. Once you have updated your information, please send it via one of the following methods:
Mail:
Attn: Kelly Charon
Bend Chamber
777 NW Wall St.
Bend, OR 97701
Email:
kelly@bendchamber.org
Fax:
(541) 385-9929 |
Town Hall, Get your questions answered
This month, the Town Hall topic is "Focusing on Business - Attorney General John Kroger." Attorney General John Kroger will discuss how the state needs to be more accessible, the availablity of more resources for businesses, and how ideas can be generated. He will also discuss how he plans to continue to help businesses.
If you have a question surrounding this topic, please send them to courtney@bendchamber.org by Thursday, October 15. The answers to questions we receive will be published in the Chamber Weekly on October 23.
For those who would like to attend the event, Town Hall will take place at the Bend Golf & Country Club on October 16 at 7:30 a.m. More information about the event can be found in the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter. |
In the News
Open Line with the Bend City Council: The next Open Line with the Bend City Council is scheduled for October 12 at 7 p.m. This event will be hosted by the Southeast Bend Neighborhood Association and take place at Jewell School, 20550 Murphy Road in Bend. Open Line is intended be an interactive and informal gathering where residents and members of the public have an opportunity to speak with Bend City Council members. Chat informally with Councilors about anything concerning the City that's on your mind. For more information, call 388-5505.
National unemployment rate rises: A recent report released by the U.S. Department of Labor, shows the national unemployment rate increased in September to 9.8 percent. The report states employers cut 263,000 jobs during September (these numbers are seasonally adjusted). The sectors hardest hit in September included construction, manufacturing, retail, and government.
Survey finds young adults don't trust financial institutions: According to a recent survey commissioned by Microsoft Corp, young adults between the age of 18 and 29 years old don't trust financial institutions. Two-thirds of respondents stated they wouldn't invest money in the stock market, and over half said they wouldn't invest in a retirement plan or a 401(K). Less than 22 percent stated they wouldn't deposit money in a bank. The survey encompassed 500 individuals and was conducted by KRC Research in Washington, D.C. Another surprising finding of the study revolved around the future of financial institutions. Over 80 percent said they believed financial institutions would fail in the future. Eighty percent also stated they felt financial institutions should not receive anymore bailout money. |
Upcoming Events
October 13 - Professional Development Series - Why Don't Zebras Get Ulcers? - Prolonged stress causes or intensifies a range of physical and mental afflictions, including depression, ulcers, colitis, heart disease and more. When we worry or experience stress, our body turns on the same physiological responses that an animal's body does, but we usually do not turn off the stress-response the same way. Over time, this chronic activation of the stress response can make us literally sick. Join Peggy Huetten of Heart to Heart for this Professional Development Series to learn about stress management. This presentation will combine cutting edge research with a healthy dose of good humor and practical advice on sleep, gender differences, anxiety, weight gain, and more. Huetten has been teaching adults for the past 15 years. As a former vocational counselor for the community college system in the State of Washington, she taught a variety of classes on study skills, self-esteem, workforce retraining, and job development and employment. In addition, Huetten subcontracted with other colleges and community schools to offer trainings in Stress, Habit Control, Pain Management, Change Process, and Overcoming Fears and Anxieties. If you are interested in attending this free presentation, please RSVP by October 12 at www.bendchamber.org.
October 16 - Town Hall Forum - Focusing on Business - Attorney General John Kroger - How can state offices help small businesses grow? What is the state doing to help businesses thrive in Oregon? Who is leading the charge? Attorney General John Kroger feels state offices need to make it a priority to help small businesses, and businesses in genera, grow in Oregon. At this month's Town Hall, Kroger will discuss how the state needs to be more accessible, how ideas can be generated, and the resources available to business. Kroger also plans to discuss how he, as Attorney General, plans to continue to help business. Attend this Town Hall and get your questions answered by the Attorney General. Please RSVP for this event by October 15 at www.bendchamber.org.
October 20 - Professional Development Series - Using Business Technology to Your Advantage - Presenters: Shannon Strait, BendBroadband Business Sales Manager; Mark Capell, CMIT Solutions; and Julie Muller, Peace of Mind. Technology is ever changing in today's business climate. With a multitude of choices from hardware to software, how do you pick the right tools for your business? How do you ensure you get satisfied customer or client responses? Is there a way to use your dollars effectively? In this month's Professional Development Series Luncheon, join our panel of experts as they explore technology and how businesses can use it to their advantage. Learn how you can choose the right tools and connectivity for your business, help improve productivity and efficiency, and reduce overhead costs. You'll also receive insights on how to create a satisfactory customer experience and how to make the most of your IT budget. This session is a great way to get your questions answered from the experts. If you are interested in attending this event, please RSVP by October 19 at www.bendchamber.org.
October 21 - Young Professionals Network - Clear One Health Plans - Come join us as we celebrate our new name, Clear One Health Plans, and brand promise, which represents a significant milestone in the company's history and further emphasizes our commitment to customers. You'll have the opportunity to meet other members of our community, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, and enter to win one of many great door prizes. Since 1995, Clear One Health Plans has offered affordable health plans to meet the needs of employers, providers, and consumers. The company provides health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, commercial plans, individual plans, and administrative services to individuals and businesses throughout the West. The company also offers life, disability, dental, vision and voluntary benefits programs, as well as employee benefit services to self-funded employers, associations, and Taft-Hartley Trusts. Clear One is dedicated to the development of community-based employee benefits programs, health insurance, and ancillary plans. Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 20 at www.bendchamber.org. If you have trouble signing up, call 382-3221.
October 27 - Business Showcase/Business After Hours - Bend Golf & Country Club - Would you like to have your business "showcased" at a Business After Hours? Then you should sign up for the Business Showcase! Once a year, the Bend Chamber offers this opportunity for businesses to co-host a Business After Hours. These extremely successful events "showcase" businesses that would often otherwise be unable to "host" a networking event due to the size of their facilities. This event provides great visibility as well as an opportunity to highlight your products and services while networking one-on-one with potential new clients. The cost for members to host a space is $150. We have a limited number of booths available, so if you are interested in the details of participating, please contact Chris Boyle at chris@bendchamber.org or call 382-3221. |
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