Excited to vote for new commissioners
I don’t know about you, but it has been a long time since I was able to vote enthusiastically for a political candidate. This time is different. I have the chance to cast my vote for Morgan Schmidt and Jamie Collins, two people who have devoted their careers to public service in many different forms. Now they both want to serve the people of Deschutes County as commissioners. I could not be more pleased.
We will be missing a real opportunity if we don’t put them in office in the May election.
Please join in returning selfless public service to the Courthouse.
—Greg Byrne
Vote for a good life here in Deschutes County
I am writing to express my strong support for Amy Sabbadini for the Deschutes County Commission.
On paper, it is easy to recognize Amy’s qualifications for the job — an educator, a land use planner and a working mother who understands the challenges of raising a family in today’s world. She has used her extensive knowledge about how government operates as senior regional program manager of the Civics Learning Project. She is running to bring the perspective of working people to the county commission, and she knows the importance of fair pay and decent working conditions.
But what people who know her will tell you — and what isn’t usually listed on a campaign website — is the quality of her character. She makes decisions with intelligence, integrity, and heart. She listens actively and will strive to bring people together. She will work tirelessly to ensure that everyone has a decent opportunity for a good life here in Deschutes County.
Our times call for quality leaders. Amy Sabbadini is one of the best, and she has my vote. I hope she will have yours.
—Gayle Stamler
It’s time to flip the County Commissioners
Your vote matters in the May 19 election for County Commissioners. Deschutes County Commissioners are Nonpartisan and any candidate that receives more than 50% of the votes in May wins the election. If no voter receives more than 50% of the votes, the candidates with the 1st and 2nd most votes will face off in the November election.
It is time to flip the commission and vote for:
Jamie Collins (Position 1) is a climate scientist, U.S. Coast Guard veteran, including serving as a senior military diplomat. His experience will help the county concentrate on building affordable homes instead of luxury resorts, protect our water and better prepare us for wildfires.
Amy Sabbadini (Position 3) has 25 years of public service jobs including County Land Use Planner, Social Studies Teacher and Sr. Mgr. of the Civics Learning Project. Amy is a great listener and will make sensible planning decisions to ensure Deschutes County supports affordable, safe and healthy communities.
Rick Russell (Position 4) has spent 20 years getting things done. As commissioner he will continue to fight for working families on affordable housing, fire-resilient communities and giving everyone a fair shot at stability.
Morgan Schmidt (Position 5) has spent her career serving others, from her time as a pastor and currently as Executive Director of the Red Cross Cascade Region. If you spend time with Morgan, you will realize that she is the real deal and she is ready to address affordability, health care and our land and water.
—Joe Craig
Earth Day – Contact Your Elected Officials
As Earth Day approaches, it is vital that Central Oregonians move beyond individual recycling habits and address the systemic energy challenges facing our region. While Oregon is a leader in clean energy—with nearly 60,000 residents working in the sector—the Oregon Department of Energy’s latest tracking suggests we may miss our 2035 greenhouse gas reduction benchmarks by two years. In a region defined by its outdoor economy, we cannot afford this delay.
Our local leaders are currently weighing decisions that will define our energy landscape for decades. In Bend, officials are navigating the transition to 100% renewable electricity, while the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners is evaluating solar siting rules for facilities that could help meet state mandates. These are the front lines of the climate fight.
The cost of inaction is staggering. According to a 2024 report by the Forum on Oregon Climate Economics (FORCE)—a group of economists from the University of Oregon and Reed College—climate change is projected to cost the average Oregonian roughly $12,000 in annual personal income. These losses stem from decreased labor productivity, higher food costs, and health expenses related to wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
Clean energy is the solution. Implementing the state’s latest Energy Strategy could support 16,000 new jobs by 2035. This Earth Day, please contact our elected officials. Demand they support sensible clean energy siting and grid investments to protect our wallets and our wilderness.
–Laura Swartz
New Central Library Location on the Outskirts of Bend
I was a frequent user of the downtown library, as this location was a reasonable distance from my home on Bend’s northside. In addition, I could combine a library trip with running errands downtown or at the Old Mill. I am dreading driving to the new Central Library for the next year to return or pick-up library materials. My thinking now, is it worth driving 20 miles RT for one purpose only to visit the library. I am very disappointed that the library administration did not implement a return or pick-up area for library materials in a downtown location. A year will be a long time to be inconvenienced. Furthermore, I predict more materials being overdue and a reduction in circulation numbers. It is time to think about patron needs when closing the downtown library for a year without providing a reasonable alternative.
—Marybeth Hamilton
Letter of the Week:
The downtown library closure will be tough for many people. Marybeth, as letter of the week, you can swing by the Source office at NW Georgia and Bond, whenever it’s convenient, for a gift card to Palate coffee. —Managing Editor Nic Moye
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
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