Letters to the Editor

RE: Culver Pulls Students from Camp Over Nonbinary Counselor. News, 10/27 The frustration I feel reading about [Supt. Stephanie] Garber’s decision to pull the students from camp is rooted in disappointment and sadness. “That individual support plan cannot create a discriminatory environment,” should be the underlined takeaway. I don’t understand why we’re punishing a counselor […]

Guest Opinion: Library The Deschutes Public Library and I have a history. When I was 11 years old my mother and I would make the five and one-half block walk once a week to borrow and return books. The branch library was one room in the Redmond City Hall and Mrs. Ward was “my” librarian. […]

Guest Opinion: After 10 Years of Delay, Let’s Bridge the Gap in Southern Bend By Connect Bend Board of Directors Ten years ago, Bend voters approved a $29 million bond measure for three great projects: the Whitewater Park, the Pavilion Skating Rink and the completion of the Deschutes River Trail via a footbridge in southern […]

Betsy Johnson Remember: Betsy Johnson voted against the bill that would have prevented the Safeway shooter from getting a gun. And then she says Democrats are soft on crime.  Also voted against raising the min. wage.  —Tom Gates Deciding on a New Mayor Need workers? (waiters?) Need ideas? Need solutions? We need new blood—a new generation—with fresh, out-of-the-box creativity to pave a […]

Worrell Park Worrell Park provides respite for nearby workers in the middle of the city.  It is unique in Bend a pocket park where wildlife, insects and more can find a home. I find it ironic that the City of Bend is trying to reduce parking and car trips through various code changes related to […]

Morgan Schmidt for County Commissioner A lack of affordable housing, homelessness, worker shortages, a childcare “desert,” drought and wildfires. These are just a few of the challenges we are facing right now in Deschutes County. Our elected officials have made progress towards addressing these challenges but there is still much work to be done. Frankly, some […]

Midterm elections and democracy Democracy in the U.S. is facing severe challenge as evidenced by extremists using their position, social media and lies to destroy the impact of institutions and political norms—not for altruistic purposes, but to secure power for minority rule. As our democracy has aged, its population has changed from a homogeneous body […]

Today I drove by the yellow tape today. Parking lot empty, Store dark, Do Not Cross, Evil has come too close this place. Super Heroes. Well disguised at 66 years old, as a produce clerk. Why’d you bring a knife to a gun fight? Because it was all I had, to save the world for […]

Amphitheater Did you ever live next door to a thoughtless neighbor?  One who wouldn’t turn his music down late at night.   The guy, let’s call him Hayden, blasts his stereo so loud that you can’t shut it out.  As the evening progresses, he tends to turn it up louder.  Close the windows, close the door, […]