Amy Sabbadini for County Commissioner
I am asking readers to vote for Amy Sabbadini in the upcoming County Commissioner election. Now more than ever, it is imperative to have logical, science-minded leaders who will embrace evidence-based practices. We need leaders to support the behavioral and public health programs that are critical resources for our community. We need leaders who value our children and their education.
Amy will be this leader. She is committed, resourceful and cares deeply about our community. As a Civics teacher she understands the importance of public service and good government.
I would also like to add, in response to a previous letter to the editor printed in the Bend Bulletin, that Amy absolutely stands for democracy, integrity and building community. It is quite literally her mission and to accuse her of manipulation and dishonesty in a letter of support for her opponent is ironic and just plain wrong.
As a retired Public Health Nurse, current substitute teacher for the Bend-La Pine School District and volunteer with both Family Kitchen and Deschutes County Public Health, I urge you to join me in voting for Amy Sabbadini for County Commissioner on May 19th. We need Amy.
—Maya Missakian
Speak up for roadless public lands at Bend town hall
When the Roadless Area Conservation Rule was established back in 2001, it followed one of the most extensive public processes for any federal policy in U.S. history. Years of scientific study, a months-long public comment period, and over 600 public hearings and town halls were held across the country.
After receiving overwhelming feedback in support of protecting the last roadless wildlands in our National Forests, the Forest Service adopted the Roadless Rule, protecting nearly 60 million acres of undeveloped public lands from road construction and commercial logging. In Central Oregon, this policy protects iconic places like Tumalo Mountain and the Tumalo Creek watershed, Lookout Mountain in the Ochocos, Hosmer and Sparks Lakes, the Newberry Crater, Maiden Peak, and so many others.
And now the Trump administration wants to repeal these protections and open these public lands up to development and commercial logging. Further, they are drafting these plans with almost no public input. Over 600 public town halls were held during the creation of the Roadless Rule; zero have been held for its elimination.
That’s why our community is hosting our own town hall. On April 6 at 5:30pm, join local public lands advocacy groups, outdoor athletes, scientists, and local leaders at the Ray Hall Atrium on the OSU Cascades campus for a celebration of roadless forests and an opportunity to speak up for your public lands.
Space is limited; RSVP today. Event details: https://community.bendsource.com/bend/public-lands-public-voices-reclaiming-roadless-forests/Event?oid=24012393
—Sami Godlove
Candidate Forums — League of Women Voters
For more than a century, the League of Women Voters has stood as a steadfast, nonpartisan champion of voting rights, voter education, and broad civic participation. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate—our sole allegiance is to an informed and engaged electorate.
We struggle when we read articles and Op-eds that deviate from our mission. We understand that candidates often need to show how they differ from others, and the comments are frequently derogatory, intending to insult or diminish someone’s reputation. In our opinion that does not respect either the accuser or accused.
As we begin our candidate forum season, starting with the county commission forum on April 20, we reaffirm our commitment to fairness, respect, and civil discourse. These forums are intended to give each candidate an equal opportunity to present their qualifications, ideas, and priorities, grounded in factual evidence and real experience. We expect candidates to focus on their own merits—whether through direct accomplishments or transferable skills—rather than criticizing or disparaging others.
To further ensure balance and integrity, questions will be gathered in advance from the public, carefully reviewed and selected by the League, and presented by a neutral moderator. This process is designed to uphold objectivity, maintain a respectful tone, and provide equal treatment for all participants.
Above all, our mission is to serve voters. We are committed to providing clear, unbiased information so that every member of our community can make thoughtful, confident decisions at the ballot box—free from partisan influence and grounded in respect for one another.
—Joyce Durban
The Economy Looks Different on a Fixed Income
A recent New York Times column argued that the U.S. economy looks “basically the same” as it did in 2024 — similar GDP growth, inflation, unemployment. On paper, that may be true. It is not true for much of Bend.
Central Oregon has one of the fastest-growing retiree populations in the state. Many of us have no pension, a modest Social Security check, and investments that must bridge the gap. The metrics economists highlight — GDP, real wage growth, unemployment — are largely irrelevant to our daily reality. We don’t earn wages. We can’t recover from a market downturn with a paycheck.
What we experience is food prices rising faster than our cost-of-living adjustments, health care costs that compound quietly, housing expenses that have barely moderated since Bend’s long run-up, and investment income that can vanish overnight.
Aggregate data measures averages. Averages obscure who is actually bearing the weight of this economy. In Bend, for retirees on fixed incomes, the weight is real and growing.
—Laurie Clark
Letter of the Week:
Laurie, I feel your pain. As letter of the week, you can stop by the Source office for a gift card to Palate coffee. I hope you enjoy it! —Managing Editor Nic Moye
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
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