Letters to the Editor, Week of Jan. 29

Dismayed by the District Mapping Process

As an Independent voter, I’m dismayed at the direction taken by commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone on expanding the Deschutes County Commission from three to five members.

Republicans Adair and DeBone “control” the county commission, with Democrat Phil Chang in the minority. A committee was appointed mostly by Adair and DeBone after citizens voted to expand the county commission. That committee designed a gerrymander where Republicans dominate three of five proposed districts, with Democrats clustered into two districts “in town.”

Each voter would be limited to voting only for a commissioner who lives in that voter’s district instead of being able to vote for every commissioner, as we do now.

In Deschutes County, at last count, there were 44,156 voters registered as Democrats, 36,997 as Republicans, and 49,927 as nonaffiliated. To gerrymander such that three out of five seats on the commission would be held by Republicans in a county where republicans make up only 28.2 percent of all registered voters is an insult to democracy and representational government.

Setting districts based on the next census is a better option, as is creating four districts with one “at large” commissioner selected by all voters in the county. Or we could continue the “one person, one vote” system currently in place, with each voter voting for each commissioner and avoid the complications of districts completely.

Adair and DeBone want to hold power for as long as possible. But their proposed system restricts choice and effectively disenfranchises nearly two out of three voters in Deschutes County on issues that affect us all, including water, destination resorts, and development.

Adair and Debone should advocate for fair representation rather than partisanship when expanding the Deschutes County Commission. Adair and DeBone each face an election in May. This gerrymander will be a major election issue. Citizens should let Adair and DeBone know how they feel.

Emails may be sent to “board@deschutes.org” and “citizeninput@deschutes.org“

Erik Dolson

Oppose Districting and Map C

I was extremely disappointed to hear Commissioner Patti Adair’s radio interview 1-23 on KBND. Adair’s interview re: the product of the District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC) focused only on refuting the charge of gerrymandering. While I do believe the proposed Map C will result in litigation and wasteful taxpayer expense, it seems other concerns expressed in public comments at the DMAC meetings and at public hearings fell on deaf ears.

Decisions made by the Deschutes Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) affect all residents of our county. Yes, I live in Bend, but I deeply understand our area’s interconnectedness. As evidenced by two recently voter-enacted changes to our Commission, I join the majority of voters who do not support increased divisiveness.

Instead, I agree with the Argument in Opposition signed by (recent DMAC member) Matt Cyrus published in the 2006 Voter Pamphlet re: Measure 9-43, which included the idea of Districting:
“We need commissioners who are all aware of and involved in dealing with all the needs of the county, not just the local concerns of regionally elected commissioners.”

I also find it ironic that those who support a Districting measure that would limit our vote to one Commissioner apparently distrust voting at large for our Commissioners given the current makeup of the BOCC– one Commissioner from Bend, another from Sisters and the third from LaPine. If Adair and DeBone vote on February 4 to advance a ballot measure related to Map C to voters, please oppose it.

—Connie Peterson

Clean Energy Policy

Pursuing clean energy policy in City Hall is a key strategy to ensure housing and energy affordability in our community.

While some community members have urged a slow approach, Oregon’s State Energy Strategy found that any delay on the electrification of buildings will lead to higher overall costs to the economy. This aligns with studies that have found that, on average, all-electric Oregon homes cost $1,600 less to construct than homes with gas. Electrifying buildings is also one of the most important strategies the City has identified to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On top of this, the gas industry is facing steep affordability challenges.

Cascade Natural Gas is currently seeking a 17.4% increase in residential rates, coming out to an annual $132.89 increase in annual energy bills. Driven by the need to maintain our expensive and old gas distribution system, hefty state regulations, and the bloated costs of “renewable natural gas,” gas customers shouldn’t expect their bills to go down anytime soon.

Electrifying homes is the most practical, proven path to lower costs and long-term energy stability for Bend. The longer we take to get on that path, the more it is going to cost our families and businesses.

—Tristy Osbon

These degrees at Oregon colleges fall short

So, the feds may yank loans from students who want to teach languages and music or learn alternative ways to treat health problems. (“These degrees at Oregon colleges fall short of post-graduation income thresholds proposed by federal government,” OPB, published in The Source [newsletter] Jan. 12, 2026)

Is making a lot of money the primary purpose of earning a college degree? I thought it was to equip the student to use their best abilities to meet a vital need in our world. Take a look at the list in the article and ask yourself if we would be better off without graduates in these fields. If these income thresholds become the law of the land, I feel for altruistic students who want to serve their communities.

I hope The Source will let us know when and how we can comment on this proposed federal rule.

— Denise Holley

A thank-you letter

I want to write a letter of love and thanks. I get to have a “job” that is both an honor and a gift.
I am an in-home hospice and end of life care veterinarian. I see my clients during one of the hardest chapters of their best friend’s life. And I am welcomed into the homes and hearts of what are often strangers to me. But in minutes we become friends and share deep connection. I get to bear witness to their unending and unconditional love.
I get to see a lifetime – in what feels like a few minutes – and yet also hours. I am privileged to share, not just in the passing of a beloved pet – but in the celebration of their life. I have seen the most beautiful and deeply personal goodbye ceremonies.
I have watched many final breaths be taken and listened to so many hearts beat for the last time. I watch and hear this in awe of the commitment and bravery and compassion of the humans whose pets are not “just cats” or “just dogs”…but family members who have seen them through a time in their life they may not have survived if not for this furry being, who is now lying here at rest in front of us.
So, thank you – to every single person who has allowed me to walk this path with you. Thank you for being loving, for being brave, for reminding me to remember every day, that time is fleeting and precious and, that people are good. They are even better if they are lucky enough to share their life with a pet.
—Lisa Goldstein DVM

Letter of the Week:

Thank you, Lisa, for your compassion. As letter of the week, you can stop by the Source office at NW Georgia and Bond for a gift card to Palate coffee. —Managing Editor Nic Moye

This article appears in the Source January 29, 2026.