BEND, OR -- The vision for Mirror Pond is becoming clearer.  The Mirror Pond Committee met Wednesday and continues to look at ways to fund future dredging and maintenance of the pond.  Committee member and City Councilor Victor Chudowsky is encouraged by the propsoal by State Representative Knute Buehler to seek $5 million in state funds to help the project along.  "Well, it's supposed to be parceled out by the end of the physical year, so that money could be available in the fall.  And if we could get all our testing done and work with the people who own the land under the pond, the dredging could be done fairly quickly, perhaps as early as next year."

Rep. Buehler expects to introduce the bill for state funds toward the end of the session. Chudowsky says the committee plans to present their plans for Mirror Pond to the City Council and Bend Parks and Rec Board next month.  "I think the public support for this is there.  And the nice thing is its not going to cost taxpayers money and that's why we are dong this redevelopment plan, so it won't fall on the citizens at large.  People love the pond and they don't want to pay a lot for it and we understand that.  We are at a critical juncture right now and things are moving.  They are moving slowly, but they are moving."