Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
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I have tried numerous times to ask Darin Harbick (representative - House District 12), Jake Pelroy (running for county commissioner against Heather Buch), Monica DeSpain (running against Val Hoyle) and Christine Drazen (running for governor), if they support President Trump with his 34 felony convictions and pedophile accusations, ICE, his Middle East war, and economic, forestry and energy policies and NO ONE has had the integrity to address any of these questions. I request that all responsible voters demand answers to these critically...
Most River Reflection readers live in or near the McKenzie River Basin. We prefer to use our local expression, ‘valley’, as indeed it beautifully is. This valley we call home stretches from McKenzie Bridge westward nearly 44 miles to the east ridge of Thurston. But the river we cherish is a longer story. It alternatively plummets and soothes downward from Clear Lake to the Willamette River- a waterway of over 90 miles! Our valley is attached to 1,300 square miles of surrounding timberland. Much of it is rugged, and at times seemingly pri...
It is fair time in the Walterville community once again. This year the Walterville Grange will be sponsoring the 74th annual Walterville Community Fair on September 12. This is not a Grange fair; this is a community fair! We are hoping to get more community members involved in helping with the fair this year. The annual Walterville Waddle 5K run/walk will start at 9 am. Registering is available online at Eclectic Edge Racing with the option to buy a T-shirt (last day to order T-shirts will be August 26). You can also register the day of the...
As wildfires continue to sweep through Central Oregon, it’s important to have an emergency plan that includes animals. In a crisis, animals may hide, bolt, or freeze. You might not have time to search for a frightened cat under the bed or coax a panicked dog out of a corner. Leave carriers out so they feel familiar, and practice gathering your animals so you’re prepared before an emergency happens. Pack a “go bag” with at least a week’s supply of food, water, medications, and medical records, along with bowls, litter supplies, and comfort i...
We hope you will join us for the Annual Ice Cream Social Fundraiser and Cobbler Contest at the Upper McKenzie Community Center Saturday, August 1st from 1 pm to 4 pm. This year you can enter the cobbler contest and win a place on the wall of winners. Enjoy ice cream, hot fudge sundaes with all the fixins, floats of any flavor, and Italian sodas, too. Come hungry and have a hot dog or a chili cheese coney loaded with homemade chili, onions, mustard and cheese. Popcorn, chips, cookies, and beverages, etc. Come join the fun! Sponsored by our...
We continue reading about the effects of human-caused climate change, yet our actions to address it are falling short, and some of us continue ignoring climate scientists. As we humans dominated nature for centuries, we destroyed the basis for life for countless other species--plant and animal. We have gone so far in our effort to treat Earth as nothing but a resource that we threaten our own existence. I In 1624 John Donne wrote, “Mo man is an island, entire of itself: every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main...” What Don...
In 2022, EWEB voted to decommission the historic Leaburg Dam and Power Plant on the McKenzie River—one of the few local, renewable sources we currently have. Now we are being asked to accept a plan to demolish a functioning green-energy infrastructure and spend an estimated $225 million doing it—without considering impacts to the local economy, ecology, a replacement bridge, or the drop in nearby property values. Let’s be blunt: destroying Leaburg Dam is not “progress.” It is waste. When Leaburg operated, it produced enough electrici...
Mark your calendars for the third annual Disaster Preparedness Fair presented by Upper McKenzie Community Center. Saturday, May 9, 11 am til 3 pm. Join us for a fun and informative afternoon for the entire family and learn useful ideas and ways to prepare for emergencies. There will be great information from local emergency management agencies, communication information, awesome raffle items to help support the UMCC, lots of delicious FREE FOOD, giveaways and emergency supplies and more. Help make our community resilient and ready by being...
The League of Women Voters of Lane County (LWVLC) wants to help you prepare for the primary election coming soon on May 19, 2026. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that is dedicated to helping voters become informed about and actively participate in government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. However, the League does advocate for important social policy issues but only after rigorous study and a consensus building review by members. As you plan your voting strategy, you...
In the March 24 issue of Reflections, the summation of the Watersheds Bill of Rights (20-373) states that the measure allows actions against corporations, governments, or other entities for violations. Unfortunately, that is not what the measure actually says. 20-373 empowers resident lawsuits if a resident perceives a danger of damage to the watershed “even when there is not scientific certainty or full evidence of the risk.” Don’t like that the lot next to you on the river is being rebuilt? Sue all the businesses working on it. You can’t...
East Lane County voters need better representation on the Lane County Board of Commissioners than the tax and spend ideas of the incumbent running for re-election. Candidate Jake Pelroy has extensive experience regarding policy issues and he wants to bring a pro-business and pro-private property rights perspective to the board. It is very difficult in Lane County for business owners and property owners to operate their businesses and use their land because of the onerous regulations that Commissioners like Heather Buch have pushed on local...
If you have driven through Blue River lately, you have likely seen the transformation. What began as a vision for community-led recovery is now a reality: six beautiful, permanent homes on Rose Street stand ready to welcome families home. Our mission at the McKenzie Community Land Trust (MCLT) is to ensure that those who love the McKenzie Valley can afford to live here. While we continue to support fire survivors and the local workforce navigate the mortgage process through our partnership with DevNW and Lane County, we are thrilled to open...
Oregon’s cities, small to large, deserve the ability to make decisions that reflect their own needs, not one-size-fits-all mandates from Salem. As Mayor of Rogue River, I’ve seen firsthand how outdated state laws governing Transient Lodging Tax spending restrict our ability to maintain essential services and prepare for future growth. Rogue River has had a 6% lodging tax since 1986, generating about $100,000 annually. Because our tax predates current statutes, we can use these dollars flexibly to support police, parks, streets, and other bas...
In the upcoming race for East Lane County Commissioner, voters are fortunate to have Jake Pelroy running. Jake is a former Marine, a family man who is pro-business and pro-jobs. Jake is the good, solid, responsible, and thoughtful leader we need at this time. His opponent Heather Buch has not lived up to the hype. She is not thoughtful and not willing to work toward compromise. She predictably parrots the Democratic talking points. She takes credit for others’ work on the board of commissioners as if their ideas were really hers. Her c...
Recent weather extremes in the south and east are examples of what global warming can cause--a warmer arctic that disrupts the polar vortex and pushes cold weather and snow farther south. It also changes moisture flows around the Earth, causing more rain, flooding, and stronger storms in some areas and more heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires in other regions. Our use of coal, oil, and natural gas, which causes global warming, must be reduced quickly. One approach is to reform outdated and cumbersome permitting processes so clean energy...
We need leadership on the Lane County Board of Commissioners who is concerned about how to wisely spend our tax dollars. Instead of being more concerned about giving himself a pay raise when he takes office, Jake Pelroy will listen to voters’ concerns in East Lane County. His opponent Heather Buch voted herself a hefty 30 percent pay raise. Jake is a former Marine and policy analyst. He is a leader and a LaneCounty native who understands the concerns of East Lane County voters. He is President of the Lane County Garbage and Recycling A...
I would like to publicly and humbly thank you, McKenzie River Community, for the honor and recognition you bestowed on me recently. I very much appreciate the opportunities to work, live and play with many of you all these years. We have gone through a lot together and always, when needed, you rise to the occasion to support one another. Many of you deserve this recognition as well as I, for your contributions. Recently, following the Holiday Farm Fire 2020, we (community) collectively accomplished significant goals in rebuilding and re-establi...
The proposed peace plan to end Russia’s devastating war in Ukraine is a capitulation to Russia, and it rewards an invading hostile country. Furthermore, the resultant plan gives Russia impetus to conduct future warfare to expand further west in Europe. The plan calls for Russia to stop the war, but it would retain the land it occupied during the invasion, which is one fifth of Ukraine. Ukraine would have to reduce the size of its military. It would have to agree not to join NATO and not allow NATO troops on its territory. Ukraine would r...
I am one of millions of Americans who love our nation’s public lands. These are places where we go to breathe fresh air, to enjoy time with our families and communities, and to learn about our history, culture, and the natural world. For far too long, extractive industries like oil and gas, mining, and logging were prioritized for most of the 245 million acres of public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Then last year, the BLM finalized its “Public Lands Rule” to make clear that conservation - including access to natur...
On a beautiful Saturday morning, the Living Water Family Fellowship officially opened its doors to the community with a heartfelt ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on November 15th at 11 AM. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd, highlighting the overwhelming support from local residents and dignitaries alike. As the sun shone brightly, attendees gathered to witness the momentous occasion, which marked a significant milestone for the fellowship and the community it serves. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as Pastor Doug...
Government shutdowns aren’t just about budgets. They highlight the instability of two systems: a Congress that can grind to a halt and a health care system so fragile that millions can lose access to essential care. Yes, ACA subsidies currently help many families in the short run, but they don’t fix the broken system’s core instability. In fact, they mask and sustain it. Billions in taxpayer dollars are propping up private insurers. Publicly-funded universal health care is the answer. It is both morally just and structurally stabilizing. It cu...
When we read in this newspaper about problems and tragedies it’s easy to become distressed. To increase happiness, think about things for which you have gratitude. My family does this at the end of dinner when we say “grats.” This involves one person telling us three things for which she or he is grateful. Then we have a conversation about what was said. Being the old guy at the table, I often discuss how one of those things was different in earlier times. For example, if televisions are cited, I might talk about how, when I was young, we didn...
I’m getting tired of the Book Ban Police fussing about which books are “bad” or not. Shouldn’t that conversation be with parents/guardians and their children? I love libraries and education, and I feel that book bans are a waste of time. We have bigger fish to fry other than book bans. Sincerely, Corinne Brown Eugene...
Five years ago today, I lost my home of then 43 years on the river in the Holiday Farm Fire. As many, we barely escaped because of the lack of warning. As a result, I have closely followed the post-fire legislative and non-governmental actions to mitigate the damage to the community from another wildfire. HB 3940 was passed by the Legislature, and is now law. It addresses the prevention and suppression of wildfires. I was surprised, and disappointed, to see that our Representative, Darrin Harbick, chose not to vote on this important matter. On...
Dear River Reflections. My name is Cynthia Marychild and I lived on te McKenzie for 30 years. I have watched the newspaper come and go from its earliest one room, one woman days. During these great days of post-0fire recovery your newspaper s all the coverage I get. Plans come and plans go, yet no plan surfaces. Blue River was a listable tribal Indian settlement that attracted writers, artists, musicians, and had a veritable shopping mall of handmade shops featuring local handcrafts, feathers, leathers, beadwork, wax candles, a blacksmith...
