Letters to the Editor

Natural Gas causes health hazards Natural gas releases carbon emissions, causes health hazards within homes and wreaks intense environmental destruction through fracking. Geoff Reynolds’ letter to the Source claimed that in 2023, households using electricity contributed 63% of residential carbon emissions while only 29% came from gas. The link he cited, at the U.S. Energy […]

Supporting a new kind of leadership After reading a recent interview with County Commissioner candidate John Heylin, I’m convinced he’s exactly the kind of leader Deschutes County needs right now. Heylin’s background — growing up in a working-class family, serving in the Peace Corps and running a small business in Bend — has grounded him […]

Correction/Clarification for publicationIn the letter, “A Lack of Oversight” (Oct. 29, 2025), the author implies that NeighborImpact has operational oversight or involvement in the permanent supportive housing project at Cleveland Commons. This is inaccurate. NeighborImpact does not operate, manage, or provide services at Cleveland Commons. The agency’s only connection to the property is ownership of […]

Supporting Equality & Equity There has been an ongoing policy discussion within the Redmond School Board in regard to Equity and Equality in our school. Some have tried to turn those two words into political wedges. I planned on speaking at the meeting, but the citizen comments list was full when I went to sign […]

The Hawthorne Bridge Literally Elevates Bend’s Future In response to the letter of the week from October 8th criticizing the City of Bend for investing in safer public transportation via the Hawthorne Crossing and instead suggesting the City and County divert these funds to a performing arts center and “prioritize an investment that directly benefits […]

Random Act of Kindness My husband Tom and I went to Pizza Mondo for dinner this past Saturday.  Tom was wearing his army military cap. A fellow Bendite, Michael and his wife, were just finishing their pizza. They thanked my husband Tom for his military service, graciously offered us their table and generously paid for our […]

Support for a Performing Arts Center Thank you for your September 25 article and your October 2 opinion piece about the need for a performing arts center in Central Oregon.  I would love to see this come to fruition. I am concerned, however, that all acreage that would support a large center is being gobbled up by commercial and residential development. How […]

Red Light Cameras While safety is an important goal, spending $2.3 million on just four red light cameras for three locations is not a wise use of public funds. The data cited is national in scope, not Bend specific, and does not prove that these cameras will meaningfully improve safety in our community.The city itself […]

Are We Willing to Change? In the 2004 movie, “The Village,” the monsters outside of the village are referred to as “those we do not speak of.” The monsters are in fact people in costumes with intent to keep people, based on fear, motivated to never leave the village. In the wake of the assassination of […]

The Rhythm of the Seasons Nature moves in cycles—seasons of growth, harvest, rest, and renewal. Yet so many of us try to live as if we are machines, expected to produce and perform without pause. Over time, this leaves us depleted, disconnected, and longing for balance. As a nurse practitioner and trauma-informed coach, I’ve seen how honoring […]