Ariel Méndez
@amendez.bsky.social
City of Bend Councilor building walkable, bikeable, kid-friendly communities. Associated Faculty, Poli Sci @ OSU-Cascades.
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.
“We cannot affirmatively interfere or stop [ICE] from doing their jobs because that would violate federal law.”
Masked assailants kidnapping based on skin color is not a federal job.
Masked assailants kidnapping based on skin color is not a federal job.
And Washington County declared a state of emergency over the “fear and anxiety” residents feel amid the nationwide immigration crackdown.
Latino community describes terror as ICE intensifies Oregon operations
And Washington County declared a state of emergency over the “fear and anxiety” residents feel amid the nationwide immigration crackdown.
www.oregonlive.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:16 AM
“We cannot affirmatively interfere or stop [ICE] from doing their jobs because that would violate federal law.”
Masked assailants kidnapping based on skin color is not a federal job.
Masked assailants kidnapping based on skin color is not a federal job.
That is a huge city hall! Hillsboro has something like 5k more people than Bend.
And Washington County declared a state of emergency over the “fear and anxiety” residents feel amid the nationwide immigration crackdown.
Latino community describes terror as ICE intensifies Oregon operations
And Washington County declared a state of emergency over the “fear and anxiety” residents feel amid the nationwide immigration crackdown.
www.oregonlive.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
That is a huge city hall! Hillsboro has something like 5k more people than Bend.
"two-tenths of 1 percent or .002."
This would get us 15-minute headways on a couple @cascadeseasttransit.com routes. Be aware that enough signatures supporting a referendum would mean a funding pause until the Nov 2026 election.
Better transit is too important to wait.
This would get us 15-minute headways on a couple @cascadeseasttransit.com routes. Be aware that enough signatures supporting a referendum would mean a funding pause until the Nov 2026 election.
Better transit is too important to wait.
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
"two-tenths of 1 percent or .002."
This would get us 15-minute headways on a couple @cascadeseasttransit.com routes. Be aware that enough signatures supporting a referendum would mean a funding pause until the Nov 2026 election.
Better transit is too important to wait.
This would get us 15-minute headways on a couple @cascadeseasttransit.com routes. Be aware that enough signatures supporting a referendum would mean a funding pause until the Nov 2026 election.
Better transit is too important to wait.
Swings after the first ballot drop of greater than 7% have happened in previous Seattle mayor elections (eg Durkan vs. Moon 2017 was 11% though it didn't change the outcome), and the swings have always favored the more progressive candidate.
November 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Swings after the first ballot drop of greater than 7% have happened in previous Seattle mayor elections (eg Durkan vs. Moon 2017 was 11% though it didn't change the outcome), and the swings have always favored the more progressive candidate.
“Experts have found coal power is significantly more expensive than alternative energy sources.”
Eastern Oregon utility ditches coal and rates go down.
Eastern Oregon utility ditches coal and rates go down.
An Oregon utility’s break with coal brings customer savings • Oregon Capital Chronicle
While the Trump administration pursues a coal revival, a utility in Oregon is saving money by giving up on the fossil fuel.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
“Experts have found coal power is significantly more expensive than alternative energy sources.”
Eastern Oregon utility ditches coal and rates go down.
Eastern Oregon utility ditches coal and rates go down.
Congratulations to my brother Sam Méndez who has taken a commanding lead in his Burien, WA city council race. Affordable housing, safe streets, and responsible government are his priorities. Go, Sam! Go, Burien!
November 5, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Congratulations to my brother Sam Méndez who has taken a commanding lead in his Burien, WA city council race. Affordable housing, safe streets, and responsible government are his priorities. Go, Sam! Go, Burien!
These direct quotes are incredible (and hilarious).
But in a world where the president is urging a policy of “they spit, we hit” stuff like this really matters.
But in a world where the president is urging a policy of “they spit, we hit” stuff like this really matters.
Big day at U.S. District Court in D.C. where Sean Dunn, the D.C. Sandwich Guy, is on trial for misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
November 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
These direct quotes are incredible (and hilarious).
But in a world where the president is urging a policy of “they spit, we hit” stuff like this really matters.
But in a world where the president is urging a policy of “they spit, we hit” stuff like this really matters.
From the inbox: Why did the city allow the owner of a private parking lot to start charging for parking? Businesses validate customer parking, but could the city require free parking?
The mayor generously replied and attached an article summarizing Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking.
The mayor generously replied and attached an article summarizing Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking.
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
From the inbox: Why did the city allow the owner of a private parking lot to start charging for parking? Businesses validate customer parking, but could the city require free parking?
The mayor generously replied and attached an article summarizing Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking.
The mayor generously replied and attached an article summarizing Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking.
Rule 5.05(a)(7) "lodged ball": Any fair ball which [...] sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases
Motion to amend the rule: should be treated as a hit.
Motion to amend the rule: should be treated as a hit.
November 1, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Rule 5.05(a)(7) "lodged ball": Any fair ball which [...] sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases
Motion to amend the rule: should be treated as a hit.
Motion to amend the rule: should be treated as a hit.
Reposted by Ariel Méndez
I'm moderating a conversation next Friday with Oregon Secretary of State @tobiasread.bsky.social at @pdxcityclub.bsky.social. Anything you think I should ask? Let me know!
www.pdxcityclub.org/secretary-re...
www.pdxcityclub.org/secretary-re...
A Conversation with the Oregon Secretary of State | City Club of Portland
Join City Club of Portland on November 7 for a conversation with Tobias Read, Oregon’s 30th secretary of state. In this program, you’ll hear updates on Oregon’s mail-in voting, voter data protection, ...
www.pdxcityclub.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I'm moderating a conversation next Friday with Oregon Secretary of State @tobiasread.bsky.social at @pdxcityclub.bsky.social. Anything you think I should ask? Let me know!
www.pdxcityclub.org/secretary-re...
www.pdxcityclub.org/secretary-re...
Literally $1 billion in newly unsealed Epstein transactions were flagged because they were suspicious, including ones to Russian banks and “sensitivities” to “two US presidents”
Nothing to see here, folks!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/b...
Nothing to see here, folks!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/b...
JPMorgan Alerted U.S. to Epstein Transfers Involving Wall St. Figures
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Literally $1 billion in newly unsealed Epstein transactions were flagged because they were suspicious, including ones to Russian banks and “sensitivities” to “two US presidents”
Nothing to see here, folks!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/b...
Nothing to see here, folks!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/b...
"[V]ery often the apartment house is a mere parasite"
After 99 years, exclusionary zoning from Euclid v. Ambler (1926) is still the most prevalent tool for land use planning.
Make it too restrictive and nothing gets built; too relaxed and you get car-centric sprawl. We need better tools!
After 99 years, exclusionary zoning from Euclid v. Ambler (1926) is still the most prevalent tool for land use planning.
Make it too restrictive and nothing gets built; too relaxed and you get car-centric sprawl. We need better tools!
October 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
"[V]ery often the apartment house is a mere parasite"
After 99 years, exclusionary zoning from Euclid v. Ambler (1926) is still the most prevalent tool for land use planning.
Make it too restrictive and nothing gets built; too relaxed and you get car-centric sprawl. We need better tools!
After 99 years, exclusionary zoning from Euclid v. Ambler (1926) is still the most prevalent tool for land use planning.
Make it too restrictive and nothing gets built; too relaxed and you get car-centric sprawl. We need better tools!
With Portland and Wall closed again (but only for 3 days!), there was a lot of traffic on Newport/Greenwood corridor yesterday from 4p - 5:30p.
Without significant investment in alternatives to driving alone, this kind of gridlock will become the norm. Have to remove the cars, not the bottlenecks.
Without significant investment in alternatives to driving alone, this kind of gridlock will become the norm. Have to remove the cars, not the bottlenecks.
October 28, 2025 at 5:21 PM
With Portland and Wall closed again (but only for 3 days!), there was a lot of traffic on Newport/Greenwood corridor yesterday from 4p - 5:30p.
Without significant investment in alternatives to driving alone, this kind of gridlock will become the norm. Have to remove the cars, not the bottlenecks.
Without significant investment in alternatives to driving alone, this kind of gridlock will become the norm. Have to remove the cars, not the bottlenecks.