Despite bounty of drama, session proved productive
The 2019 Oregon Legislative Assembly accomplished something few if any of its predecessors did: It became famous for not meeting. That’s too bad, because in some ways, this year’s session ...
Mark Davis: Local rate-setting process off limits to the public
In early 2017, Recology Western Oregon’s monthly rate for a typical weekly household garbage pickup in McMinnville ran $35.45. With city council approval last month of yet another hike, the rate ...
Jeb Bladine: More than numbers for former assessor
My old friend Linda Stephenson died on June 30 after a long, courageous and graceful confrontation with health and mortality. That date also was the last day for Oregon governmental bodies to certify their ...
Jeb Bladine: 2019: That was the year that is!
Highlights of 2019 will become their own Year in Review, merge into stories about the end of a decade, and slowly fade into extended histories of a generation and more. Whatchamacolumn Jeb ...
Author shares glimpse into life on the street
Jason Peterson, 32, was shot and killed Feb. 20, 2017, outside the Golden Key Insurance Agency office in Portland. He left some belongings in front of the business just as the owner decided that ...
Jeb Bladine: Mixed stories relay care center issues
Long-term care centers are in the news, but we should resist over-mingling the stories. Whatchamacolumn Jeb Bladine is president and publisher of the News-Register. > See his column One ...
Jeb Bladine: McKay Road deaths require speed limits
Decades ago, McMinnville citizens demanded action after 10 deaths in 10 years on the Three Mile Lane Bypass. Who will match that level of outrage after 12 deaths in 12 months on McKay Road? Whatchamacolumn Jeb ...
Jeb Bladine: Creating need for affordable housing
Nobody testified at this week’s public hearing on the city of McMinnville’s 2019-20 budget. Whatchamacolumn Jeb Bladine is president and publisher of the News-Register. > See his ...
Jeb Bladine: Plenty of questions about homeless law
The homelessness roller-coaster wild ride continues. McMinnville’s forbearance of homeless camping hit the wall with passage of Ordinance No. 5064. Beginning June 27, it is a crime to camp on public ...
Jeb Bladine: Too many topics to choose just one
Occasionally, exploring ideas for this column ideas reveals too many options to choose just one. Thus, this week’s surplus of topics. McMinnville isn’t alone in its meandering mission to treat ...
Jeb Bladine: Sneaky try to slow tax bill referendum
Oregonians revere — and will defend — their rights to access an initiative and referendum process that dates back to 1902. Consider these excerpts from 200-plus submissions of testimony on ...
Jeb Bladine: Viewpoints-style 'Vintage Photos'
Past McMinnville Chamber Chair Stevie Whited is an upbeat, optimistic person. Still, her recent letter to community leaders showed there are limits to her tolerance for unwanted change. Here are ...
Jeb Bladine: Civility set aside in state’s political war
A Viewpoints editorial today urges the “return to moderation and civility” in political discourse. So, what about the caustic message last week from state Sen. Brian Boquist to Oregon Business ...
Jeb Bladine: Sales tax on move; carbon cap next up
Battle lines are drawn in Salem, but legislative Republicans still are brandishing knives in a gunfight. Democrats number 38 of 60 representatives and 18 of 30 senators. Both totals meet the 60 percent ...
Jeb Bladine: Lawmakers engage in state money-grab
Oregon lawmakers have successfully diverted $108 million from the “kicker” that otherwise would have been returned to Oregon taxpayers as per the state constitution. But don’t even try ...
