Guest Opinion: Landscape Amnesia This past week I hiked along the Upper Deschutes River. It was a pea-green color, or maybe you might say dirty blonde. Whatever adjective you like, the Upper Deschutes is a severely degraded river due to the irrigation industry. Most people living in Bend probably think the Deschutes is a beautiful […]
Letters to the Editor
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 05/11/2023
School board elections Isn’t it great that we can vote for a school board member who has significant, recent, and successful teaching experience in the Bend-La Pine Schools? Elizabeth Justema is a smart, effective communicator who is committed to our students and our community, and she directly understands the challenges our schools face. Dedicated and […]
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Letters to the Editor 05/04/2023
Endorsement of Cynthia Claridge for Deschutes Public Library Board It would be hard for me to imagine an elected position that I wouldn’t endorse Cynthia Claridge for. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cynthia since 1995, when I moved to Redmond to join Cascade Medical Clinic as a family physician. I know Cynthia through social […]
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Letters to the Editor 04/27/2023
Vote Erin Merz for Central Oregon Community College Board With a strong background in Oregon public higher education, I know how community college jumpstarts opportunity, interrupts generational poverty, fuels a strong workforce and fills society with critical thinkers and changemakers. Now in PK-12, I’m in touch with today’s students and education’s evolving landscape. That’s why […]
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Letters to the Editor 04/20/2023
CORRECTIONS: In last week’s article “Hunnell Road Under New Camping Codes” we incorrectly said campsites were being cited under new city codes governing outdoor camping on City rights of way. Camps across Bend are being given notice to modify their campsites, which can theoretically end in a citation to municipal court. However, none have yet […]
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Letters to the Editor 04/13/2023
Corrections: The original graphic for last week’s Opinion page, supporting the levies for Bend Fire & Rescue/Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District, read “May 23, 2023.” It’s since been changed to “May 2023” to indicate the month and year of the election. The date of the May election is May 16, 2023. In addition, the opinion […]
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Letters to the Editor 04/06/2023
Guest Opinion: Can’t Forget: Courage Still Necessary We gathered for a movie, treats. Not earth-shaking. Yet it was. “We” were members of a local Jewish congregation. Why call this simple event “earth shaking”? Maybe earth-calming. Affirming. Radical. It was declared, on social media, a national “Day of Hate.” “Against Jews.” “Non-violent.” The Jewish Federation got […]
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Letters to the Editor 03/30/2023
Guest Opinion: Bend High Situation This letter is to shed light on the lack of acknowledgement and empathy by the school district regarding the potential severity of the incident on Feb. 9 at Bend High. On Feb. 9 at Bend High we had what was labeled by the district as a “secure” event. For years […]
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Letters to the Editor 03/23/2023
Guest Opinion: Let’s Stop Blaming Survivors Once and For All As the Executive Director at Saving Grace, I am routinely asked about our domestic violence and sexual assault services, other nonprofits in the area, my thoughts on policy that impacts survivors and abusers, and sometimes, “What did you think about that TV show?” or “Is […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 03/16/2023
Gas fire pit apocalypse From what I can see driving around town outdoor natural gas fire pits seem to be more popular than ever. The abundance of those is likely in response to the recent pandemic. Now that the pandemic is largely under control and we have resumed indoor dining and gathering isn’t it time […]