Railroaded

In an effort to allow developers to maximize profits, Bend approved a number of lower end subdivisions along the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railroad tracks that run the length of the city, north to south. (Some higher end developments also dot the railway area as well as true low-end properties. By and large, they are not members of the power-broker elite in the city.)

And city officials were shocked that citizens had the gall to actually complain about something that they approved of.

Since Bend has done nothing to facilitate east-west traffic in the city, trains must use their horns when passing by the grade-level crossings throughout the city. The horns blow at 5 p.m., at midnight and at 3 in the morning. In fact they blow at ear-splitting decibels all throughout the day.

A citizen calmly asked the city if they could do anything to minimize this aggravating noise and the council said: blow it out your ass.

During this Great Recession, the city has absolutely no money for such luxuries. In fact, it has no money because it continues to subsidize developers, some of the richest people in the community.

If city staff only had telephones, they could pick them up and dial the nearby city of Redmond, which handled this railroad noise annoyance with little fanfare or hardship. They merely installed concrete islands that prevent vehicles from passing the tracks when the crossing guard is down. Consequently, trains don’t need to blow their horns during sleep time and the city is more livable for it.

Why would Bend officials want to make the city more livable?

Inquiring minds want to know.