Golly wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:47 PM:
If we wonder why our leaders in DC can't get along to move things forward, all we need to do is look at our local leaders, not to mention the petty bickering all of us are doing in the comments.
No wonder places like Home Depot don't want anything to do with us. Outsiders must think we're a bunch of wallowing old coots.
m00npenny wrote on Apr 13, 2008 11:12 AM:
I do have to admit, building the great planter boxes in Empire, an area with bars all around it, just gave the drunks something else to hit.
The "things" are built and there, get over it, their not going to be moved or destroyed to suit you.
Joe six pack wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:15 AM:
It seems to me Coos Bay wants nothing to do with Bunker Hill because thare is no money in it!
contractor wrote on Apr 7, 2008 10:15 PM:
i have lived in coos bay for 55 years. and it's so hard to do my construction business in coos bay. there are fees for everything. system development charges ( over $7000.00 per home ). business license,( i now live out side the city and they charge me 10% penality per month if i don't pay in january, i have know idea if i will even work in coos bay this year or not) north bend doesn't have a business license. in north bend you can get a building permit in a few days in coos bay it takes weeks and weeks. i am a 4th generation grad of marshfield , and proud of it but if these two cities were to merge LET NORTH BEND RUN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Common Sense wrote on Apr 2, 2008 8:30 AM:
Stop wasting tax payers $$$ fighting within this state & start focusing on a MASSIVE advertising program nationally/world wide to get tourist & the soon to be MILLIONS of baby boomer retirements to visit/live in Oregon! Wake UP state leaders, because Tourism is the FUTURE of this state...
Alan Pettit wrote on Mar 31, 2008 5:20 PM:
I'm a relatively new resident here - a bit over a year - but from my vantage point I'm more than a bit confused by all this bickering. I'm quite certain that if we asked 100 summer tourists to draw the city lines on a map, 100 would fail, because in reality we're all one city. And this entire county is in dire need of better paying jobs, better school infrastructure and a succint development plan for the future and this can only be achieved if our city leadership leads.
astheworldturns wrote on Mar 31, 2008 11:18 AM:
When will the people of the Bay Area learn. Maybe when the last Bulldog or Pirate leaves for college and never comes back. As a former Bay Area resident I look back in sorrow, year after year the same old petty political fight. Schools close, streets crumble, stores close but football is still the king. Wake up, rork together and make the BAY AREA great.
CH wrote on Mar 30, 2008 9:57 AM:
I know what you mean "Rick James" those bump out planter boxes in Empire only added to the bad driving in Empire. They were not only a waste of money, but are in everyones way. To keep repairing them after people drive into them is another waste of money. GET THEM OUT, NOW...
EAGLES PERCH wrote on Mar 29, 2008 3:43 PM:
And the fight continues!Since the 1890's Marshfield/Coos Bay has been attempting to keep North Bend a second class town. Marshfield with its mills and waterfront district tried in vain to rein in the growth of North Bend until its incorporation in the early 1900s. Once North Bend was established, the fight was on; who would rule this coastal port. Well, as stated below, we can all see how excepting Marshfield/Coos Bay's wonderful cooperative, coexistance policies have helped and advanced the areas of East Side and Empire. Mayor Wetherell has seen what has been done to others and refuses to allow this future for North Bend. If we agree that the two towns should become one due to their close proximity, when will Gresham become East Portland and Beaverton become West Portland. Leave North Bend to its own business. Marshfield/Coos Bay will be broke in 10 years due to their poor spending habits, or have a tax base the likes of San Francisco. GO WETHERELL!
Empire kid wrote on Mar 29, 2008 1:50 PM:
Do any of you really think that either Eastside or Empire could have kept going as a city? I doubt it. I am sure they have both fared better by becoming Coos Bay.
Northbender wrote on Mar 28, 2008 2:38 PM:
Dear Ashamed to live in North Bend ... i am sure that the City of Coos Bay would welcome you with open arms!!
Bye Bye now!!
Bigger Picture wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:37 AM:
I live in a town in this county outside the twin city zone. The future of NB-CB has impact on our area. If the bay area were indeed one entity then we would have a future very bright indeed. It seems that memorializing the past is much more important that looking ahead. Please factor in that as the two drowning swimmers smack the heck out of each other instead of saving each other they do in fact sink us all.
Chris wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:59 PM:
NB Forever - it is small minded people like you that are going to ruin this community (yes - we may be two cities but we are ONE community). We have to work together to make this work. If you would get off your high horse and help make this a better place to live - maybe we could all just get along!
Ashamed to live in North Bend wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:26 PM:
It amazes me how childish the North Bend City Council is, as well as some of the "Old timers" around here. I've seen what Daily said, and am at a loss as to how you cry babies became "offended." If you are actually offended, and it's not just an excuse, isn't that all the more reason to communicate? The consolodation banter is BS.. no one has been talking consolodation... just communication, but NB is too childish.
Rick James wrote on Mar 26, 2008 12:52 PM:
I don't get it, Coos Bay doesn't take care of Empire or Eastside? Haven't you people seen the great planter boxes that Coos Bay put in Empire? Not only was it a major waste of money and poor planning it looks like they hired the local 3rd grade class to construct them. Maybe when they are so damaged by everyone playing bumper cars with them they might relize it was a very dumb move and get them the hell out of there.
NB FOREVER wrote on Mar 26, 2008 10:38 AM:
We are two seperate cities. Can we just exist without have to "Work together?" Like someone said "Have you seen what Coos Bay has done with Eastside and Empire? As far as I'm concerned North Bend is too involved with Coos Bay. Never trust Coos Bay EVER!!!! And Im sure Jack Goll is not just throwing one back!! He is doing cartwheels!! I've known him my entire life. Best friend I ever had. Or will ever have.
PacMan wrote on Mar 25, 2008 10:34 PM:
So if North Bend or coos bay ciy councils cant do whats best for their cities why do people think that things would get better if they worked together.
Mike wrote on Mar 25, 2008 9:24 PM:
WOW! Perhaps it would be best to build a very thick, very high concrete wall with razor wire across the top. It would segregate the two cities and their residents. You could have a Berlin type checkpoint building of course themed as a fishing village.
We could call the wall Gorbachev or Gorby for short.
Wake up people!
willis peterson wrote on Mar 25, 2008 7:57 PM:
Maybe it has something to do with J. Mckeowen being a snake in the grass and Weth can't trust him as far as he can throw him.
Goll and Common are both laughing and tippin' one back to the bulldogs!!!
Extra Lap Bulldog wrote on Mar 25, 2008 6:53 PM:
Ask the people of Empire how cooperating with Coos Bay helped them. Ask the people of Eastside how cooperating with Coos Bay helped them. Each of these former cities got screwed by Coos Bay. The folks of North Bend know better.
fubar wrote on Mar 25, 2008 5:09 PM:
i hope north bend is proud and happy that their little boys and girls picked up their marbles and went home.
Once proud to be a Bulldog wrote on Mar 25, 2008 4:28 PM:
Another example of why nothing gets done. Two cities speaking to each other is a great tool for the community. How could this possibly hurt?
Shame on you and your ego Mr. Weatherell
I am tired of politics. Nothing ever gets done in a timely fashion. We should start our own citizen groups and work with out the political bull!
Appalled Pt. 2 wrote on Mar 25, 2008 4:28 PM:
Also just wanted to comment that I absolutely agree with everything that "Mojo" said. Well said.
I wish OUR North Bend City Council would grow up, and begin representing OUR interests in this community. Grow up, lose the Hatfields & McCoys mentality, and do your jobs. If you can't do that, go screw someone elses community.
Phyllis wrote on Mar 25, 2008 4:10 PM:
If Jack Goll is laughing, so is Bill Smith
Mr. Mojo Rising wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:35 PM:
Part IV: I respectfully request the North Bend City Council to get back at the table and get to work with Coos Bay Councilors on the issues that have held our community in a static position for these past several decades. As MoonPenny stated in yesterday's public comment in slightly different words, it's incumbent upon us as the voting public of these communities to elect councilors with the maturity and diplomacy to work cooperatively to aid our community in a time when we really need it.
Mr. Mojo Rising wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:34 PM:
Part III: Reading between the lines at the disparity in contributions to local economic development and marketing efforts between the two cities and North Bend's interest in gas taxes, storm water surcharges and other new revenue streams, it seems nearly anyone could conclude that North Bend has fiscal problems. There isn't enough money generated within the city limits of North Bend to address current public works needs and deferred maintenance. Public sentiment, history, tradition, ego, self-esteem and territorilism have clouded a key issue facing this community. Regardless of what voters were sold in the last consolidation election, it is a fiscal impossibility to operate two duplicate public entities side by side, more cost effectively than one public entity. And now we're seeing indications of what some have known for some time, the City of North Bend has serious fiscal problems. North Bend has no reason to be offended in this matter and differences of opinion underscore our great need for these two City Councils to continue to meet bi-monthly to work on issues that affect and benefit all members of our community.
Mr. Mojo Rising wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:32 PM:
Part II: What is surprising is that the North Bend City Council would take umbrage at this point of view, since there is strength in diversity of opinion. It is a fact that North Bend contributed $67,000 to Coos Bay's $158,000 to the Visitor and Convention Bureau. It's also a fact that North Bend contributed about $6,200 to Coos Bay's $25,000 to South Coast Development Council this year. And, that while Coos Bay has contributed every year since SCDC's inception, North Bend contributed nothing for five years or more after its initial contribution of $25,000 in the year 2000 to help start SCDC. The Councils are "going in different directions," as NB Councilor Rubin stated in the paper. As she pointed out, and as anyone who viewed the meeting on Channel 14 knows, Coos Bay is focusing on beautification efforts while North Bend is interested in new revenue streams such as a gas tax in which the City of Coos Bay is not interested.
Nick wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:32 PM:
It's amusing to see people jump to blame North Bend, when it is apparent that BOTH cities want to have things their way.
Voters in this area sure do know how to pick them... of course, while everyone fights and complains about the cities not working together, more people in this community are leaving or succumbing to drug problems, because nobody wants to focus on the downtrodden economy (except, of course, when we can get low-paying service jobs to feed the appetites of the minority of wealthy folk, retirees, or tourists).
John Muenchrath wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:31 PM:
One small correction - BELIEVE (I actually do know how to spell it correctly)
Mr. Mojo Rising wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:30 PM:
Part I: I have read with interest the public comment from the past two days' articles on this matter and I'm convinced most readers have missed reading between the lines in the North Bend City Council's "chucking of the committee out the window." First and foremost, our community (the collective cities of Coos Bay and North Bend and surrounding areas) is facing a plethora of problems and issues that require us to think, act and speak with one voice. Problems such as methamphetamine abuse, urban renewal, providing living wage jobs, revitalizing and diversifying our economy are but a few issues that require us to put our egos and turf issues aside and work cooperatively as self-actualized adults. There is nothing particularly offensive about Councilor Dailey's comment. It represents a valid point of view about how the City of Coos Bay might best marshall resources and market itself.
Pat wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:30 PM:
Of course Coos Bay wants to "talk" with North Bend. Coos Bay has nothing to lose and everything to win. I continue to agree.....Keep the cities separate!
Linda wrote on Mar 25, 2008 3:01 PM:
Why is it we have to co-operate. Our city is our city and you yours. Who cares what the other does or doesn't do? I don't see any prosperity in Coos Bay either.
John Muenchrath wrote on Mar 25, 2008 2:39 PM:
Just wanted to let you know that I try to read the comments on articles such as these to get a sense of what the public thinks.
I, for one, harbour no hard feelings toward NB and am more than willing to work together whenever that may yield a greater good for our two communities.
I beleive one step in the right direction is to try to limit comments to constructive criticism and positive suggestions - that way we have a chance to translate them into future action.
northbender wrote on Mar 25, 2008 2:29 PM:
I think that i just heard Jack Goll laughing from Heaven!!
So Callow wrote on Mar 25, 2008 1:51 PM:
It is so dissappointing to see such immaturity by our city officials. Now more than ever, we need the cooperation of both City Councils working together for the good of the citizens. Shame on you, Mr. Wetherell. Put your pride aside and do your job. Conduct yourself as the leader of the community in which you were voted. As for the rest of us, attend City Council meetings and voice your opionion. It is the only way things will change.
Rick James wrote on Mar 25, 2008 1:07 PM:
Maybe the problem is some of these people don't seem to have any kind of education. I don't know who uses terms like three-twelfths and eight-twelfths, maybe that is some sort of political talk, but last time I checked using simple elementary school math three-twelfths would be 1/4 and eight-twelfths would be 2/3 and that leaves a missing 1/12 somewhere. At least if you're going to use rediculous terms make sure your figures come out to a whole. Maybe instead of more meetings they could gather out at SWOCC and learn some common sense.
On the Outside Looking In wrote on Mar 25, 2008 1:00 PM:
I've never understood why these adjoining cities operate two separate "everythings". It's a waste of money. It seems like the folks in Coos Bay understand this however the people of North Bend just don't get it. Mayor Wetherell: "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face"
Chris wrote on Mar 25, 2008 11:35 AM:
Get over yourself. Why does this always have to be a Coos Bay - North Bend thing! Why can't everyone just try to figure out what is best for the entire community instead of acting like a bunch of whiny children!
Linda wrote on Mar 25, 2008 11:28 AM:
Sounds to me like Coos Bay just wants it their way. McKeowen has always been on an ego trip.
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