Second group emerges to oppose OSU-Cascades

Two groups that oppose the site choice for the new Oregon State University-Cascades campus met on Bend’s Westside on Tuesday. Supporters of “Truth in Site” and “Stop OSU” were both displaying signs on the sidewalk at the Southwest Century Drive and Chandler Avenue roundabout.

“I just heard about this and decided to participate,” said Bend resident Pamela Keyes Lyle.

Lyle said she doesn’t identify with either organization – yet.

“I might join one of them,” she said.

Formerly known as “Bend Says No,” Stop OSU’s message and Truth in Site’s aren’t that different, but there are differences.

“Truth in Site is still supporting OSU Cascades,” volunteer with Truth in Site Tracy Pfiffner said. “People don’t really perceive it that way because there’s still this legal process going on.”

Stop OSU wants Bend to say “no” to OSU in Bend altogether.

“I personally want to be a straightforward-talking person,” Stop OSU’s Calvin Mann said. “Telling the truth from my heart and how I feel.”

The opposition groups plan to take a stand near the 10-acre construction site every day from noon to 2 p.m.

“We would very much like to have an open dialogue with OSU about what our concerns are and where a solution might be,” Pfiffner said.

The two groups are not bound together, but share a similar message.

“Both our goals are the same, and that is to stop OSU from building on the Westside,” Mann said.

On Monday, OSU-Cascades and Deschutes County entered into a non-binding letter of intent for the county-owned 76-acre former demolition-debris landfill. The agreement gives OSU-Cascades the exclusive right to examine and eventually purchase the land if it proves to be fit for development.