250th Proclamation
The Deschutes County Commission recently passed a resolution that proports to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, when in fact it is right out of the MAGA playbook, implying support for President Trump’s policies and actions, and filled with hypocrisy.
The piece was written by a right-wing group called the Taxpayers Association of Oregon. It passed two-to-one, supported by Commissioners DeBone and Adair over Commissioner Chang’s objections, and despite considerable objections from citizens in public testimony.
The Reverend Erika Spate, in her public testimony about the resolution, called it an “incomplete and biased document.” Some of the wildly political assertions include:
- Saying that President Trump is following the example of George Washington, fighting these “wars of choice” because, like Washington, he wants to “serve our country” even though people don’t support him;
- Suggesting that Trump’s tax policies are consistent with the spirit of the Boston Tea Party;
- Pointing to our country’s record on slavery and women’s rights, even as Trump promotes a male-dominated white nationalist agenda;
- Praising our nation’s pioneering work on vaccines as Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services calls them into question;
- Calling Dr. King’s campaign of non-violent protest “daring” even as ICE murders and harasses protesters here;
- Praising our “full embrace of capitalism” even as Trump’s tax policies drive up the wealth gap between the rich and the poor;
- Citing our ability to sustain the Constitution, even as President Trump ignores it; and,
- Celebrating the National Parks, even as Trump de-funds them and fires the staff.
This is why we need change in our County Commission. It’s time to put Commisioners in place that can really represent the interests of everyone in our communities, not just the narrow personal interests of two biased, politically motivated people.
—Louis Capozzi
What’s Going On?
The on-going issues within the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office are no longer isolated incidents, they reflect a pattern of dysfunction that has persisted far too long. A steady stream of lawsuits not only drains public resources but has also eroded community trust. Legal challenges such as this point to deeper systemic failures in accountability, transparency and internal culture. An agency repeatedly entangled in controversy sends a signal that the problems are not circumstantial, they are structural.
At the heart of this crises is substandard leadership that has failed to rise to the moment. Rather than seeking reform through fresh perspective and proven expertise, the department has remained insular, repeatedly choosing to promote from within. This reluctance to conduct a genuine, nationwide search for credible leadership has only reinforced existing issues. Leadership should inspire confidence, bring innovation, and challenge entrenched norms, not perpetuate them. So, the department remains trapped in a cycle of stagnation and these failures are compounded with a culture of blatant cronyism that has created a wound refusing to heal. The citizens deserve a leader that prioritizes their safety above internal alliances and personal loyalties. That standard is presently not being met.
—Clifford B. Evelyn Sr.
Amy Sabbadini for County Commissioner
When we vote next month, let’s elect Amy Sabbadini to fill position three Deschutes County Commission. Amy knows how to engage in decision making that leads to results. That was her job as an educator. Amy will ask questions, search for clarification and peel back the layers of facts on the agenda to help move a plan forward.
Recently a group of us attended the meeting of the Deschutes County commissioners to discuss issues surrounding our homeless population. We offered some ideas for some action to move forward with a managed camp near Redmond. After our discussion regarding this issue Phil Chang asked Tony DeBone and Patti Adair to enter into a conversation to move the topic forward. The room became silent as Phil waited for their willingness to discuss the question on the table. Tony DeBone revealed he was not interested in this issue and Patti Adair made some comments which I was unable to hear. Phil raised the question again and it was obvious we were not going hear the three members in a conversation to move the topic to a decision.
It is obvious we deserve a commission that is willing to discuss “tough” topics and make decisions that fit the needs. Amy Sabbadini has the skills and desire to become a member of a functioning county commission. I encourage you to vote for Amy Sabbadini to fill position three of the Deschutes County Commission.
—Gloria Olson
The Bend Bikeways Project
We were somewhere near the edge of the Old Farm District, teeth rattling and the sun screaming off the Cascades, when the reality hit. The world is changing, and for once, it doesn’t smell like burnt rubber. I’m talking about the 15th and Cumberland modality filter, a glorious, concrete middle finger to the snarling, fossil-fueled hegemony that has held this town by the throat for too long. For years, 15th was a high-speed corridor for the frantic; a death trap for anyone navigating the world on two wheels.
But look at it now! This “filter” is a surgical strike against the Car-Brain Pandemic. I watched a pack of schoolchildren crossing there yesterday. In the Dark Ages of 11 days ago, that was a scene of high-octane terror. Now? It’s a sanctuary. If we can’t protect the runts of the litter from being flattened by some commuter in a hurry to nowhere, the whole experiment of civilization is a wash.
What the screeching ghouls don’t understand is that community interaction requires a lack of velocity. You cannot be a neighbor at 45 mph. The Bend Bikeways project has reclaimed the streets from the machines and given them back to the organisms. The era of the shortcut is over. The “rat run” is dead. Buy the ticket, take the ride, but for god’s sake, do it on a bike.
—Barry Wicks
Letter of the Week:
Kudos Barry for embracing the bike culture. As letter of the week, you can ride to the Source office on NW Bond and Georgia Avenue for a gift card to Palate coffee. —Managing Editor Nic Moye
This article appears in the Source April 16, 2026.
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