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League of Women Voters® of Deschutes County |
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Evaluating Initiative Petitions
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Recent Guest Speakers
Our most recent speakers at the First Thursday Luncheons are listed below:
January 7, 2010
Scott Langton, Deschutes County Tax Assessor, discussed the changes in residential and commercial property values and their taxation and plans for handling these changes in the future.
December 3, 2009
Delores Reynolds, the Regional Technician for the
Bureau of
the Census, spoke about the upcoming 2010 Census (the
census forms will be mailed out in mid-March 2010). She
touched on the history of the census and what type of
operations will come out of the Redmond office (there are
six different types).
The purpose of the census is to count every person in the
U.S. The numbers give political representation to those who
are counted; and federal dollars are distributed based on
the population count for services like education,
transportation, health care and job training. Her mission is
to make it as easy as possible for people to be counted
using the mail-in forms provided for this purpose. If that
doesn’t happen then the census bureau employees must go out
and collect the forms personally.
Dolores has lived in the Redmond area for 50 years. She
retired some years ago from the insurance and accounting
industries. In 1988 she signed on with the census as a “lister”,
bottom of the totem pole at that time. She has risen in the
ranks and in 2000 was at the Redmond office as the local
census office manager.
November 5, 2009
Kathie Eckman, Mayor of the City of Bend, discussed these topics:
--The continuing budget shortfall and how the City is dealing with it; and what changes are being implemented so that the city is better positioned for the next recession?
--What is happening with the idea of Bend public transit joining a more regional public transit system?
--Where is the City on reaching an agreement with ODOT about the Cooley Road Interchange which would allow the city to move forward with development in Juniper Ridge?
--What are the latest discussions on whether and/or how to fund the dredging of Mirror Pond?
--Are there any ideas coming from the City on where the Shepherrd’s House may be able to place its new “homeless housing units?”
October 1, 2009
COCC President Jim Middleton discussed the Central Oregon Community College bond on November ’09 ballot and change of zone request for COCC property.
September 3, 2009
Scott Johnson, Health Services Director, spoke about the consolidation of the County Health and Mental Health Departments, how county health services have been impacted by the recent legislative session, and how the county is preparing for the swine flu.
May 7, 2009
April 2, 2009
Alan Eisenberg, Central Oregon Community College Political Science Instructor, discussed the History, Background and Conflicts of the Middle East
March 5, 2009
Jeff Freund, Deschutes County
Environmental Health Department spoke on Thursday, March 5, 2009:
Jeff Freund has been with the Deschutes County Environmental Health
Department for ten years. He previously worked for Jefferson County and the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
He currently administers the drinking water program for the State of Oregon
within Deschutes County. His duties include inspection, enforcement and
technical assistance for 180 public water systems serving approximately
40,000 people.
He has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Oregon State University
with a Minor in Wildlife Biology. He has done post graduate work in Soil
Science and Rangeland Hydrology.
February 5, 2009
Pam Fortier, CASA of Central Oregon Executive Director, shared the story of a family currently in the child welfare system, the history of CASA, and the impact of Family Find in relationship to Governor Kulongoski's recently released 6 goals for safely reducing the number of children in foster care.
January 8, 2009
Tammy Baney, Deschutes County Commissioner, spoke on a variety of topic regarding county issues.
December 4, 2008
Nancy Blankenship, Deschutes County Clerk discussed a variety of matters related to the county clerk's office
November 6, 2008
Erick King, Bend City Manager, addressed several issues related to the city including: The Transit District Measure, the Cooley Road Interchange, the dredging of Mirror Pond, possible budget shortfalls and actions considered by the city and signs regarding economic conditions in Bend.
October 2, 2008
Dr. James Middleton, President
of COCC, spoke about the upcoming bond measure.
September 4, 2008
Taffy Gleason, Manager of the Bend Community Center, spoke about what is happening in Bend with regard to food, shelter and donations to help people in need.
June 5, 2008
Kolleen Yake spoke on Water Issues. Ms. Yake is an education coordinator with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. She has led environmental education courses educators, community leaders, and students throughout Alaska, Washington and Oregon for ten years.
May 1, 2008
Anne Philiben spoke on Veteran's issues.
April 3, 2008
Steve Esselstyn will discuss the Forfeiture Ballot Measure to be on the May Ballot.
March 6, 2008
Sheriff Larry Blanton discussed the Deschutes County Jail
February 7, 2008
Michael Gaston, Director of Deschutes Public Library, will present "The Changing Face of Deschutes County." This is a commissioned report by demographer Marc Futterman. The result is an extremely detailed and informative piece of information on how our community is evolving.
January 3, 2008
Heather Cordie, Chief Academic
Officer, Redmond Schools, explained "How Public School Standards and
Curriculum are Developed"
December 6, 2007
Scott Johnson, Director of County Mental Health, and Robin Henderson, Director of St. Charles Mental Health, spoke on "MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES"
November 1, 2007
Ben Westlund, Senator (D-Tumalo District 27) spoke on SB 329 "Health Care Reform." For more information on Senator Westlund and Health Care Reform visit these links: Senator Westlund's page on the Oregon Legislature web site, Healthy Oregon Act, SB329, and Coalition for a Healthy Oregon.
October 4, 2007
Mark Pilliod, Deschutes County Legal Counsel discussed "Legislative Referral Would Modify Measure 37"
September 6, 2007
Allan Bruckner, former Bend Mayor spoke on Juniper Ridge.
Allan Bruckner is a long-time resident of Bend (1970). He is retired after having been a mobile home dealer (15 years) and a property manager and investor (20 years). He has a B.S. and M.S. in economics from the University of Oregon and worked in economic development for Pacific Power and Light for five years prior to moving to Bend.
May 3, 2007
Judge Alta Brady spoke on Deschutes County’s New Family Drug Court
Judge Alta Brady recently started hearing drug cases in a new family court format. Come and hear how the program is working and whether it is producing the results that were expected. [more on Judge Brady]
April 5, 2007
Lane Roberts, Director of 9-1-1, spoke on April 5, 2007 about their upcoming replacement levy which will be on the May ballot.
March 1, 2007
Don Weber of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Department spoke on Emergency Preparedness in Deschutes County. He is the head of Emergency Services for the Sheriff's Department and a local resource for disaster planning, including work with Homeland Security.
February 1, 2007
Robin Gyorgyfalvy and Mike Ficher were the speakers. They are both members of the Bend 2030 Vision Corps which was formed to promote the Bend 2030 Vision to the community and to give people a chance to learn more about it and how they can get involved.
Robin is Chair of the Vision Corps, a member of the Quality Environment Action Planning Team and a former member and community liaison for the Vision Task Force. She is a licensed landscape architect with a background in regional planning, transportation and urban design and is a member of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science
Mike moved to Bend in the summer of 2003; he and his family have become active in numerous community organizations, including the Women’s Resource Center, the Kid’s Center, working Wonder Children’s Museum, Commute Options and Bend 2030. Mike is owner/operator of Dance Express, a mobile dance/DJ company since 1986.
January 4, 2007
Our First Thursday Luncheon for
the New Year hosted Marilyn Forrestel, Board Chair, and Brad Porterfield,
Executive Director, of the Latino Community Association who spoke on the
activities of their organization and its role in Central Oregon.
December 7, 2006
On December 7th the League hosted two speakers discussing Mass Transit in Bend and Central Oregon: Nicki Pistacchio, Community Outreach Coordinator for Bend Area Transit (BAT), and David L. Foote, consultant for the Central Oregon Mobility Consortium, who discussed Improving Mobility Choices for Central Oregon.
November 2, 2006
Joe Hayes, Director of Cascade
Youth and Family Center, provided an update and overview of the status of
homeless and runaway youth in Deschutes County.
October 5, 2006
In a debate on home rule for Deschutes County, Ed Fitch, Home Rule Charter Committee Chair, spoke in favor of the Charter proposal, while Lee Smith, former Home Rule Charter Committee member, spoke in opposition to the charter proposal.
September 7, 2006
The Bend-LaPine new school bond was the topic and the presentation was led by Superintendent Douglas M. Nelson. The bond will raise $119 million for the school district but will not increase the current bond rate because an existing bond will be expiring at the same time the new bond is implemented.
June 1, 2006
John MacInnis of Cascade
Community Development and a representative from Housing Works (formerly
CORHA) discussed "Providing Affordable Housing"
May 4, 2006
Rod Hanson, a teacher at Redmond High School, presented the topic "How to Motivate Student Involvement in Civic Live"
April 6, 2006
Sheriff Les Stiles will discuss the proposed sheriff's levy on the May ballot
March 2, 2006
Matt McCoy, COCC Vice President, talked on the topic of "How Our Federal Government Works?"
February 2, 2006
Nancy Blankenship, Deschutes County Clerk, will talk about changes for voters (Note article on redistricting)
January 5, 2006
Judge Michael Sullivan, back by popular demand, continued a discussion of our judiciary, with an emphasis on threats to judicial freedom.
December 2005
This event was cancelled because of unfavorable weather conditions.
November 3, 2005
Circuit Court Judge Michael Sullivan spoke on the Judiciary.
October 6th, 2005
Tyler Deke, Manager, and Board
Member Jim Clinton gave a presentation about the Bend Metropolitan Planning
Organization
September 1, 2005
September 9, 2005
Katherine "Kappy" Eaton (State Action Coordinator for Governance and Fiscal Policy for the Oregon League of Women Voters) discussed accomplishments and disappointments of the Oregon Legislature's 2005 session.
June 2, 2005
Greg Phillips, Manager Bend Airport, Long range plans; funding; development
May 5, 2005
Anna Lemmon, Executive Director, County Victims Assistance Program
April 7, 2005
Professor Jon Bouknight
Associate Professor of Communications at Central Oregon Community College
Topic: Our Waves or Their Waves? The Struggle Over Public Airwaves in the
U.S.
March 3, 2005
Jay Casbon, CEO and Vice-Provost of the OSU-Cascades Campus
Topic: How the program is working compared to expectations
February 3, 2005
Laurie Craighead, Deschutes County Assistant Legal Counsel - Topic: What's What About Special Taxing Districts
January 6, 2005
Bend Mayor Bill Friedman and County Commissioner Tom DeWolf - Topic: Home Rule Charter vs. General Law
Thursday, December 2, 2004
County Tax Assessor Scot Langton Topic: Everything you wanted to know about your property tax
November 4, 2004
Senator Ben Westlund (Dist. 27) Topic: Our Tax System Has Jumped the Tracks
October 7, 2004
Dennis Luke, Deschutes County Commissioner on Land Use Measure 37: "The Bad, the Ugly, and the Uglier"
Bev Clarno, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jan Griffin, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Central Oregon
Topic: Humane Society activities and programs
Scott Johnson, Director of Deschutes County Commission on Children and Families
Topic: How things have change for children over the last ten years and currents challenges and critical issues facing our community.
Les Stiles, Deschutes County Sheriff
Topic: Proposal to form two sheriffs taxing districts with two different maximum taxing rates
Marty Wynne, Deschutes County Treasurer
Topic: How the county budget works
Becky Jackson, Deschutes County Parole and Probation
Topic: Treatment of women and girls in the county's criminal justice system; Are we less safe in Deschutes County now than in past years because of state budget cutbacks; how we rank nationally in the ratio of officers to clients under supervision; and how can the community be of support?
The Honorable Stephen Tiktin, Presiding Judge
Topic: Judicial Independence: What is it, and why should we care?
Nancy Blankenship, County Clerk of Deschutes County
Topic: First impressions of her new job and how the election process is working in Deschutes County. She also addressed federally funded proposal to have a statewide voter registry in place by 2006 and other federal funding to upgrade our election system due to HAVA (Help America Vote Act of 2002) which needs the approval of the Oregon legislature.
Madelaine Mader, Program Director for Citizens for Oregon's Future
Topic: The basic facts about Oregon's tax and budget systems at the Deschutes Historical Museum. She discussed the question as to how we can get a tax system that is fair, stable and adequate to meet Oregon's needs and introduced us to the range of options and the pros and cons of each.
Cate O'Hagan, Executive Director of Arts Central, held a question-and-answer session for guests with questions related to art in public places and the general state of art in the region.
Judge Michael Sullivan and Mr. Jacques DeKalb, Attorney
Topic: Judicial and legal matters and how they are being affected by budgets in Deschutes County on April 3, 2003.
Suzanne Johannsen, a former board member of the Energy Trust
Topic: The role of the Energy Trust.
Brian Shetterly, Bend Long Range Planner
Topic: Land use, expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to include industrial use and will give an update on the Waterway Overlay Zone (WOZ)
Representatives from the Central Oregon Council on Aging and the Deschutes County Commission on Children and Families spoke on possible impacts in the region if Measure 28 fails and steps they will be taking to cope with cuts to regional budgets.
Gary Smith, Director of Deschutes County Mental Health Department
Topic: The initiation of mental health and drug courts, the establishment of a crisis resolution center in Bend, and assuring that the county receives it fair share of state and federal funding which it has not had in the past.
Wanda Gray, City of Bend's Transportation Operations Manager
Topic: How Dial-A-Ride is presently working and the future prospects for the system.
Les Stiles, Sheriff of Deschutes County, spoke on Measure 18 on October 3, 2002
Larry Blanton, Deputy Sheriff, discussed the 911 system on September 5, 2002
Bruce Abernathy, City Councilman, spoke in June, 2002 on the Central Oregon Partnership and its role in combating poverty in Central Oregon.
Dr. Bob Barber, President of Central Oregon Community College spoke on May 2, 2002, on the need to pass a bond measure for expansion of the college facilities.
Patrick Griffiths, Water Program Specialist for the City of Bend, discussed on April 4, 2002 the past, present and future uses of water in and around Bend as well as the city's planning regarding water conservation.
Neil Bryant, local attorney and former state senator, spoke on The Status and Effects of Ballot Measure 7 on March 7, 2002
Tom Carroll, Professor of Economics at COCC, was our guest speaker in February. His topic was the Impact of International Trade on the United States and Oregon