I have found the Bernese Mountain Dog community to be filled with kind people who fight to improve the breed. Many of those people live in the Portland area and are the ones who spearheaded the fight to stop the dog auction.
The school announced they will not have the auction. I think the more they learned about issues with the breed, and the size of the breed, made them think twice-or maybe the breeder is scared he/she will be found out and renounced the offer of a dog. Either way, I am pleasantly surprised.