Ariel Méndez
@amendez.bsky.social
City of Bend Councilor building walkable, bikeable, kid-friendly communities. Associated Faculty, Poli Sci @ OSU-Cascades.
My sense is the people that signed don’t realize they’ve just cut winter plowing, maintenance, transit, and basic safety measures. Going to be a rough year.
The legislature *could* pass something else, but it would have to be substantially different than HB 3991.
The legislature *could* pass something else, but it would have to be substantially different than HB 3991.
Where's the progressive push back on this anti-tax campaign / gubernatorial gambit? Even Trump’s gov't closed DOGE, yet Oregon's anti-gov't extremists want to drag us backward by defunding our transportation system.
I feel like a lone voice in the wilderness on this. www.opb.org/article/2025...
I feel like a lone voice in the wilderness on this. www.opb.org/article/2025...
Opponents of Oregon gas tax increase say they’ve cleared key hurdle to let voters weigh in
The initiative needed roughly 78,000 signatures by Dec. 30 to qualify for next year’s election. Backers say they have more than 150,000.
www.opb.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
My sense is the people that signed don’t realize they’ve just cut winter plowing, maintenance, transit, and basic safety measures. Going to be a rough year.
The legislature *could* pass something else, but it would have to be substantially different than HB 3991.
The legislature *could* pass something else, but it would have to be substantially different than HB 3991.
Looks like the latest Bulletin editorial inspired some cars vs bikes emails to council.
Often missed is that more people riding bikes = less traffic.
I had high hopes that the subject “Bikes Rule” would be about how awesome bikes are, but it was not to be…
Often missed is that more people riding bikes = less traffic.
I had high hopes that the subject “Bikes Rule” would be about how awesome bikes are, but it was not to be…
November 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Looks like the latest Bulletin editorial inspired some cars vs bikes emails to council.
Often missed is that more people riding bikes = less traffic.
I had high hopes that the subject “Bikes Rule” would be about how awesome bikes are, but it was not to be…
Often missed is that more people riding bikes = less traffic.
I had high hopes that the subject “Bikes Rule” would be about how awesome bikes are, but it was not to be…
Seems common in other countries to charge non-residents a higher rate. I bet visitors are happy to pay a little extra to keep the National Park Service going.
The spike in fees for non-US residents comes as the National Park Service budget faces potential cuts next year.
US will charge non-residents $100 to visit its most popular national parks
The spike in fees for non-US residents comes as the National Park Service budget faces potential cuts next year.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Seems common in other countries to charge non-residents a higher rate. I bet visitors are happy to pay a little extra to keep the National Park Service going.
Some people think Reed Market Lane should be widened to 4 lanes. What if we did this, instead?
And if you think this is unrealistic, is it realistic to think Bend can accommodate 50% more drivers in the next 20 years?
Better transit, land use, safer walking, wheeling, and biking. We have a choice.
And if you think this is unrealistic, is it realistic to think Bend can accommodate 50% more drivers in the next 20 years?
Better transit, land use, safer walking, wheeling, and biking. We have a choice.
Three years ago, Utrecht completed the transformation of the Sint Josephlaan and turned an unattractive, unlivable car sewer into a green city boulevard.
It shows that even Dutch cities were not always like they are today and have often come a long way in becoming better versions of themselves.
It shows that even Dutch cities were not always like they are today and have often come a long way in becoming better versions of themselves.
November 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Some people think Reed Market Lane should be widened to 4 lanes. What if we did this, instead?
And if you think this is unrealistic, is it realistic to think Bend can accommodate 50% more drivers in the next 20 years?
Better transit, land use, safer walking, wheeling, and biking. We have a choice.
And if you think this is unrealistic, is it realistic to think Bend can accommodate 50% more drivers in the next 20 years?
Better transit, land use, safer walking, wheeling, and biking. We have a choice.
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project say the maps give Republicans an advantage, even though there are more Democrats countywide.
It’s worth asking what problem were the two Republican county commissioners trying to solve with this process? bendbulletin-or.newsmemory.com?publink=106d...
It’s worth asking what problem were the two Republican county commissioners trying to solve with this process? bendbulletin-or.newsmemory.com?publink=106d...
County mappers deny claims of gerrymandering
The process of creating district maps for the Deschutes County Commis
bendbulletin-or.newsmemory.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project say the maps give Republicans an advantage, even though there are more Democrats countywide.
It’s worth asking what problem were the two Republican county commissioners trying to solve with this process? bendbulletin-or.newsmemory.com?publink=106d...
It’s worth asking what problem were the two Republican county commissioners trying to solve with this process? bendbulletin-or.newsmemory.com?publink=106d...
“If early returns are any indication, No Tax Oregon will likely succeed in their signature-gathering effort”
Just heard this morning they’ve gathered 55,000 signatures. How many signers know they just cut winter maintenance and transit?
Just heard this morning they’ve gathered 55,000 signatures. How many signers know they just cut winter maintenance and transit?
Opinion: Oregon faces dead end if Republicans lead transportation conversation
With paltry gains likely headed for the ballot, it's time for Democrats to stand up and fight back.
bikeportland.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:34 PM
“If early returns are any indication, No Tax Oregon will likely succeed in their signature-gathering effort”
Just heard this morning they’ve gathered 55,000 signatures. How many signers know they just cut winter maintenance and transit?
Just heard this morning they’ve gathered 55,000 signatures. How many signers know they just cut winter maintenance and transit?
Gas stations putting up “No Tax” signs to help gather signatures to overturn the transportation bill:
No thank you. Winter plowing and well-maintained roads are actually good. All those ODOT layoffs? Coming right back if they gather just 78,116 signatures by Dec 30th.
Don’t sign.
No thank you. Winter plowing and well-maintained roads are actually good. All those ODOT layoffs? Coming right back if they gather just 78,116 signatures by Dec 30th.
Don’t sign.
November 20, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Gas stations putting up “No Tax” signs to help gather signatures to overturn the transportation bill:
No thank you. Winter plowing and well-maintained roads are actually good. All those ODOT layoffs? Coming right back if they gather just 78,116 signatures by Dec 30th.
Don’t sign.
No thank you. Winter plowing and well-maintained roads are actually good. All those ODOT layoffs? Coming right back if they gather just 78,116 signatures by Dec 30th.
Don’t sign.
Not much to investigate. He should’ve been fired years ago.
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Summers Will Not Finish Semester of Teaching as Harvard Investigates Epstein Ties | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Not much to investigate. He should’ve been fired years ago.
NOT JUST PARIS!! Villerbanne and Grenoble (pop. ~160k each) and other French cities are also shifting away from car traffic.
Digging in to Rennes (pop 500k, not in the list), the story is better transit and bike access provides good alternatives.
ici.rennes.fr/actualites/2...
Digging in to Rennes (pop 500k, not in the list), the story is better transit and bike access provides good alternatives.
ici.rennes.fr/actualites/2...
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
NOT JUST PARIS!! Villerbanne and Grenoble (pop. ~160k each) and other French cities are also shifting away from car traffic.
Digging in to Rennes (pop 500k, not in the list), the story is better transit and bike access provides good alternatives.
ici.rennes.fr/actualites/2...
Digging in to Rennes (pop 500k, not in the list), the story is better transit and bike access provides good alternatives.
ici.rennes.fr/actualites/2...
Bend now has over 50 roundabouts. We say they are safer and promote better traffic flow.
However, a resident reminded me last night that for blind people they are a nightmare. US Access Board has some research on more accessible designs, feel free to share more (or your own experiences!)
However, a resident reminded me last night that for blind people they are a nightmare. US Access Board has some research on more accessible designs, feel free to share more (or your own experiences!)
U.S. Access Board - Research and Resources
The U.S. Access Board is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards for ...
www.access-board.gov
November 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Bend now has over 50 roundabouts. We say they are safer and promote better traffic flow.
However, a resident reminded me last night that for blind people they are a nightmare. US Access Board has some research on more accessible designs, feel free to share more (or your own experiences!)
However, a resident reminded me last night that for blind people they are a nightmare. US Access Board has some research on more accessible designs, feel free to share more (or your own experiences!)
"So there would be an ongoing subsidy — just like that mail system is subsidized, just like Amtrak is subsidized.”
And streets. Public parking lots. Police. Fire. Many many public services are "subsidized." That's the point: Provide a public service where the private market would fail.
And streets. Public parking lots. Police. Fire. Many many public services are "subsidized." That's the point: Provide a public service where the private market would fail.
City-owned grocery stores were one proposal of Zohran Mamdani’s winning mayoral campaign. So, how have they fared in the past? Results vary, but some stores knocked prices down quite a bit.
NYC may get city-owned grocery stores. Do they work?
The idea has a mixed record.
www.marketplace.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
"So there would be an ongoing subsidy — just like that mail system is subsidized, just like Amtrak is subsidized.”
And streets. Public parking lots. Police. Fire. Many many public services are "subsidized." That's the point: Provide a public service where the private market would fail.
And streets. Public parking lots. Police. Fire. Many many public services are "subsidized." That's the point: Provide a public service where the private market would fail.
Reposted by Ariel Méndez
Right? Not a single US City took advantage of the pandemic to hard wire roll, stroll, and transit into our urban places.
Anne Hidalgo is one of the most courageous mayors in history. They sued her. Said she was attacking Parisian heritage. Said she would make traffic worse.
And yet she persisted. She seized an opportunity and delivered.
And yet she persisted. She seized an opportunity and delivered.
Ridership on Paris region transit systems is now generally at or higher than pre-pandemic levels. Bike use is much higher than pre-pandemic.
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Right? Not a single US City took advantage of the pandemic to hard wire roll, stroll, and transit into our urban places.
Anne Hidalgo is one of the most courageous mayors in history. They sued her. Said she was attacking Parisian heritage. Said she would make traffic worse.
And yet she persisted. She seized an opportunity and delivered.
And yet she persisted. She seized an opportunity and delivered.
Ridership on Paris region transit systems is now generally at or higher than pre-pandemic levels. Bike use is much higher than pre-pandemic.
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
At the same time, car traffic in Paris and on its ring highway is substantially lower than it was pre-pandemic. www.institutparisregion.fr/mobilite-et-...
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Anne Hidalgo is one of the most courageous mayors in history. They sued her. Said she was attacking Parisian heritage. Said she would make traffic worse.
And yet she persisted. She seized an opportunity and delivered.
And yet she persisted. She seized an opportunity and delivered.
Thank you Sarah and Annie for courageously sharing your stories of losing your adult children to traffic crashes. I am so sorry.
Local action can buck national trends. Together, we can save lives! #wdor
www.centraloregondaily.com/news/local/b...
Local action can buck national trends. Together, we can save lives! #wdor
www.centraloregondaily.com/news/local/b...
November 16, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Thank you Sarah and Annie for courageously sharing your stories of losing your adult children to traffic crashes. I am so sorry.
Local action can buck national trends. Together, we can save lives! #wdor
www.centraloregondaily.com/news/local/b...
Local action can buck national trends. Together, we can save lives! #wdor
www.centraloregondaily.com/news/local/b...
This is very clear sexual harassment. Is @harvard.edu OK with this? Aren't mandatory reporters obligated to report this kind of behavior?
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 1:31 AM
This is very clear sexual harassment. Is @harvard.edu OK with this? Aren't mandatory reporters obligated to report this kind of behavior?
If you want to have a productive conversation with a city councilor, don’t come right out and say “I’m going to be your worst nightmare.”
Nobody likes nightmares!
Nobody likes nightmares!
November 14, 2025 at 6:02 AM
If you want to have a productive conversation with a city councilor, don’t come right out and say “I’m going to be your worst nightmare.”
Nobody likes nightmares!
Nobody likes nightmares!
Melissa Steele is City of Bend’s new Deputy Fire Marshall for Wildfire Preparedness, a result of council’s wildfire prevention goals.
The Flat Fire at the end of summer threatened 800 homes but only destroyed 5 thanks to home hardening.
“Own your zone!”
www.bendoregon.gov/government/d...
The Flat Fire at the end of summer threatened 800 homes but only destroyed 5 thanks to home hardening.
“Own your zone!”
www.bendoregon.gov/government/d...
November 14, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Melissa Steele is City of Bend’s new Deputy Fire Marshall for Wildfire Preparedness, a result of council’s wildfire prevention goals.
The Flat Fire at the end of summer threatened 800 homes but only destroyed 5 thanks to home hardening.
“Own your zone!”
www.bendoregon.gov/government/d...
The Flat Fire at the end of summer threatened 800 homes but only destroyed 5 thanks to home hardening.
“Own your zone!”
www.bendoregon.gov/government/d...
Heard from a 45-year resident that he remembered the first time he was driving in Bend and hit enough traffic for him to miss the light.
“It was 1988. In front of Wagner’s on 3rd and Revere,” he solemnly recalled. “What *is* this?”
Interesting person to talk to.
“It was 1988. In front of Wagner’s on 3rd and Revere,” he solemnly recalled. “What *is* this?”
Interesting person to talk to.
November 14, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Heard from a 45-year resident that he remembered the first time he was driving in Bend and hit enough traffic for him to miss the light.
“It was 1988. In front of Wagner’s on 3rd and Revere,” he solemnly recalled. “What *is* this?”
Interesting person to talk to.
“It was 1988. In front of Wagner’s on 3rd and Revere,” he solemnly recalled. “What *is* this?”
Interesting person to talk to.
Who has the most influence on transportation safety in Oregon:
A) ODOT director
B) an Oregon Transportation Commissioner
C) advisor to the governor
D) a legislator
E) someone else?
Seems like people think agency staff is more influential than they actually are.
A) ODOT director
B) an Oregon Transportation Commissioner
C) advisor to the governor
D) a legislator
E) someone else?
Seems like people think agency staff is more influential than they actually are.
ODOT director Kris Strickler announced on Wednesday he will step down at the end of this year, as the agency continues to grapple with cost overruns on major projects and seeks permanent funding for the state’s highways, bridges and maintenance workers.
Leadership exodus continues at Oregon’s transportation agency
Agency director Kris Strickler is the latest high-ranking official to leave the state transportation department in the past year.
www.oregonlive.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Who has the most influence on transportation safety in Oregon:
A) ODOT director
B) an Oregon Transportation Commissioner
C) advisor to the governor
D) a legislator
E) someone else?
Seems like people think agency staff is more influential than they actually are.
A) ODOT director
B) an Oregon Transportation Commissioner
C) advisor to the governor
D) a legislator
E) someone else?
Seems like people think agency staff is more influential than they actually are.
Reposted by Ariel Méndez
if you can’t see the aurora borealis tonight, here is a sewer tunnel which is a wonder in itself.
November 12, 2025 at 3:58 AM
if you can’t see the aurora borealis tonight, here is a sewer tunnel which is a wonder in itself.
Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service and for defending the constitution.
November 11, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service and for defending the constitution.
Pacific Power customers can sign up for a program that temporarily shuts off their central air conditioner during times of peak demand.
A $30 bill credit is granted after the fist year. coolkeeper.pacificpower.net
A $30 bill credit is granted after the fist year. coolkeeper.pacificpower.net
Pacific Power | Enroll in the Cool Keeper Program
coolkeeper.pacificpower.net
November 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Pacific Power customers can sign up for a program that temporarily shuts off their central air conditioner during times of peak demand.
A $30 bill credit is granted after the fist year. coolkeeper.pacificpower.net
A $30 bill credit is granted after the fist year. coolkeeper.pacificpower.net
Try to imagine how much space 600,000 dead people take up. It is certainly a hill, even if 2/3 of them are smaller because they are children.
If they want the “hill to die on” metaphor, it’s certainly there!
If they want the “hill to die on” metaphor, it’s certainly there!
reminder David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel both went on the record to Politico to say they were fine with this, either knowing the result would be mass death of children or being too dumb to know. Decide for yourself what’s worse!
November 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Try to imagine how much space 600,000 dead people take up. It is certainly a hill, even if 2/3 of them are smaller because they are children.
If they want the “hill to die on” metaphor, it’s certainly there!
If they want the “hill to die on” metaphor, it’s certainly there!
Reposted by Ariel Méndez
HUGE NEWS! Because of Democratic pressure, Oregon SNAP recipients are reporting their cards have the FULL November benefits!
Everyone who called out Trump for using hungry children and seniors as a bargaining chip has WON with tremendous results!!
Everyone who called out Trump for using hungry children and seniors as a bargaining chip has WON with tremendous results!!
After a period of uncertainty, SNAP benefits have begun to arrive on Oregonian’s EBT cards.https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/oregonians-begin-receiving-snap-benefits-friday-morning/?cid=bluesky_
Oregonians begin receiving SNAP benefits Friday morning
After a period of uncertainty, SNAP benefits have begun to arrive on Oregonian’s EBT cards.
www.koin.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
HUGE NEWS! Because of Democratic pressure, Oregon SNAP recipients are reporting their cards have the FULL November benefits!
Everyone who called out Trump for using hungry children and seniors as a bargaining chip has WON with tremendous results!!
Everyone who called out Trump for using hungry children and seniors as a bargaining chip has WON with tremendous results!!
If you think this sounds too bad to be true, consider that Germans didn’t believe reports about concentration camps, either.
And anyway, how would we know either way? We have lost rule of law, we have lost accountability, and we must unite to get them back.
And anyway, how would we know either way? We have lost rule of law, we have lost accountability, and we must unite to get them back.
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
If you think this sounds too bad to be true, consider that Germans didn’t believe reports about concentration camps, either.
And anyway, how would we know either way? We have lost rule of law, we have lost accountability, and we must unite to get them back.
And anyway, how would we know either way? We have lost rule of law, we have lost accountability, and we must unite to get them back.