Deschutes Deserves Amy Sabbadini
Deschutes County needs a commissioner who fights for working people. Amy Sabbadini is that candidate. I had the privilege of being Amy’s student, and what struck me then still holds true today: she approaches every problem with curiosity, fairness and a deep sense of responsibility to others. Those qualities that made her a great teacher will make her an outstanding public servant.
As a teachers’ union leader, Amy helped lobby for Oregon’s Student Success Act, passed in 2019, which delivered historic investment into public schools; funding smaller class sizes, mental health resources, and support for students who need it most. She understood that real change requires showing up in the classroom AND the union hall.
That working-class perspective is something the county commission has been missing. Too many decisions here prioritize growth and profit over the people who live, work, and raise families in Deschutes County. Housing is becoming unaffordable. Wages aren’t keeping up. Working families are being left behind.
Amy Sabbadini has spent her career serving this community. In the classroom, at the bargaining table, and as an advocate for the people of Deschutes County. She knows these neighborhoods, these families, and these struggles firsthand. That’s the kind of grounded leadership our commission needs. Deschutes County deserves a commissioner who works for all of us. Vote Amy Sabbadini.
—Jordan Baxter
Amy Sabbadini for County Commission
We are proud to support Amy Sabbadini for Deschutes County Commission. We taught beside Amy for 20 years at Bend Senior High and have seen her dedication, hard work, integrity and intelligence in all she undertakes. She will be an invaluable asset on the County Commission.
Amy is a teacher and a learner. She studies up on the issues to bring the best information to the table. If she doesn’t have it, she will find the best people to learn from. We witnessed this many times in the classroom where she brought in diverse speakers to share their lived experiences with her students.
Amy is a uniter. She seeks common ground and brings people from a wide range of backgrounds to the common table, where they feel heard and valued. She is masterful in creating a climate of trust and mutual respect when working with groups from all walks of life. Amy is a leader. She has boundless energy and determination to tackle hard things. Teaching high school students is a bit like herding cats and Amy has proven she has the skill and tenacity to move us toward a common goal.
Amy is honest and rooted in integrity. As our trusted friend and colleague, we know she has our community’s best interests at heart and will work tirelessly to make Deschutes County the best place to live, work and play for us all. Please join us in voting for Amy Sabbadini for position 3!
—Diane and Doug Brown
Every Vote Counts
Did we ever expect just how extensive the damage would be when this administration took over? Every day, it goes beyond the pale, how blatant the lawlessness and corruption continue to evolve. This administration doesn’t give a damn about its citizens or our precious planet and all its inhabitants.
The toxicity begins at the top and rains down upon the rest of us like acid rain. We march, we sign petitions, we reach out to our representatives and we vote. None of this should ever be taken lightly. Every vote counts, every action matters.
While we gathered signatures, I found inspiration in those that eagerly signed our petitions to expand the board of commissioners from 3 to 5 members. Our efforts paid off and now we’re voting on who we will trust to make the hard decisions which will affect all of us.
Soon we’ll be receiving ballots to vote for crucial changes to our Deschutes County Commissioners Board. This is not a time for apathy. This local election will affect each and every one of us. Do your research and listen to truth. We cannot put our faith in anyone who supports this current regime at the risk of being sold out to this travesty of recklessness and ruin. Choose wisely when you vote and please consider these worthy candidates: Schmidt, Sabbadini, Russell and Collins. I believe they will do right by us.
—Oakley Taylor
County Commission Election
While we may have little influence with our federal government, locally we can make a huge difference. Deschutes County is having a primary election May 19th to select candidates for our county commission council. These elected officials have an important impact on our everyday lives: adopting our county budget, setting our local laws, providing essential services for our roads, parks, health and emergency services, all while representing our concerns. Your vote has a tremendous impact on your community!
I am supporting Jamie Collins for district 1, Amy Sabbatini for district 3, Rick Russell for district 4, and Morgan Schmidt for district 5. I encourage you to check out their websites, learn about their priorities, read their resumes, and familiarize yourself with each of these special people. We are very fortunate to have each of them eager to make Deschutes County a better place to live.
Any candidate that gets more than 50% of the vote will win the seat now and won’t have to run again in November. Please vote and return your ballot early.
— Naomiu Murphy
Supporting Morgan Schmidt!
I wholeheartedly support Morgan Schmidt for Deschutes County Commissioner. Having known Morgan for many years through her community work, I can say without hesitation that she was born to serve her community.
Morgan’s record of leadership is remarkable in both its breadth and depth. As Director of the Bend Youth Collective, Pastor of Bend First Presbyterian, and guest clergy at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, she has long been a unifying presence across our community. When COVID-19 struck, she didn’t wait for someone else to act. She founded Pandemic Partners Bend to meet her neighbors’ needs. Most recently, as Executive Director of the Red Cross for Central and Eastern Oregon, she has brought executive vision and tireless compassion to one of the region’s most essential organizations.
Perhaps nothing speaks more to Morgan’s character than her selection as Disaster Chaplain during last August’s devastating Lahaina wildfires. Her presence there was no accident. It was the natural result of a lifetime spent honing both her leadership and her deep empathy for people in crisis.
Beyond her impressive resume, Morgan is self-effacingly funny and possesses a rare combination of sharp intellect and genuine emotional intelligence. She listens, she leads, and she cares. We deserve a leader like Morgan.
—Diane Darling
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
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