Protect the Roadless Rule
According to a recent Source Weekly article, over 200,000 acres of public lands in central Oregon are threatened by the Roadless Rule repeal. We should keep these places protected for future generations.
On a recent visit to Jack Creek and Canyon Creek near Sisters, I couldn’t help but admire all of the nature and beauty around me, the smell and colors of the flowers, the warm summer sun, and the refreshing, cool water.
Even with all this beauty around me, I was still troubled by the active attacks on our public lands, including the Trump Administration’s plan to revoke the Roadless Rule. Without the Roadless Rule, we’d lose nearly 50 million acres of protected forests across the country and see increases in commercial logging, the loss of wildlife, and overall ecosystem disruption. Wildfire risk will be even higher without the Roadless Rule. Studies show that fires are four times more likely to start near a road than in roadless forests. That’s why we should pass the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which is supported by Senators Wyden and Merkley, and Representative Janelle Bynum.
Although it was my first time there, I fell in love with the view and the amazing wilderness all around Canyon Creek and Three Finger Jack. It gave me a greater appreciation for protected public lands and the nature around us. I want future generations to enjoy and have places like this to turn to when they need connection with nature.
— Maria Franco
COCC
The faculty at Central Oregon Community College are paid $10,000 less than the average starting faculty at all 17 community colleges in Oregon, despite working in the most expensive part of the state.
That’s astonishing.
But, what’s even more astonishing is that COCC administrators who recently gave themselves a 24 percent salary increase have refused to bargain a fair contract with the Faculty Forum and think they only deserve a five percent raise.
COCC Board members elected to represent the public are silently standing with administrators rather than the people who actually do the teaching at the college.
A suppose we should not be too surprised, Classified employees at COCC had to threaten a strike last term before college administrators got serious in contract negotiations. Their solidarity—with community and labor support—won them significant contract improvements.
COCC students, community members, and union members across Central Oregon need to show their solidarity with the COCC Faculty Forum as the fall term begins.
Email COCC President Greg Pereira through his executive assistant Kyle Matthews at kmatthews8@cocc.edu and the COCC Board of Directors at feedback@cocc.edu and demand that our community college pay faculty a living wage that will allow them to live and teach in our community.
—Michael Funke
RE: Let’s Get Smooshed Into Tiny Little Venues Again, Sound, 8/21
My son and his little family are Bend residents, my husband and I love Bend and visit as often as we can. We live in Laguna Beach a wonderful little town though a bit overrun with rich tourists these days. We are so lucky to have so many amazing musicians living here — all ages, all genres — yet only in the summer do we get to hear many of them. Abby Francis’ wonderful piece about the value and beauty of small music venues really hit home with us (my husband thinks he was a high school rock star) and I have already passed it along to several of our music loving friends here.
Thanks so much for your great work keeping local media alive.
— Pat Cochran Lockwood
Letter from a 9 year old
Hi! My name is Mae Paggi I’m 9 years old. Sometimes I worry about the earth and I don’t know what to do to help. If you feel the same way, I came up with some ideas to share with you.
Some things that can help the earth are:
Switching to an electric car and picking up litter whenever you can. And fighting for what we believe in our hearts. Because we are strong and can do anything. For example, me and my dad go pick up garbage together near construction areas and care for our plants. You can also help the earth by keeping lights off whenever you are not in the room and when you are washing dishes, you can turn the water off while scrubbing. You can help people with hard times by being kind and sharing. If someone is scared of something, hold their hand and help them face their fears.
If you can also think of other things to help the earth and be a good person share them with others and they can help too. Thank you!
—-Mae Paggi
Letter of the Week:
Thanks for writing in, Mae. Come by and grab your gift card to Palate. This is the second week in a row that a person under 18 has written in to share their thoughts and earned Letter of the Week. If this is what it takes for young people to engage with newspapers, I am all over it!
—Editor in Chief Nicole Vulcan
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
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