Letters to the Editor, Week of Oct. 8

Guest Opinion: Discombobulated

RE: “Hope for the Sheriff’s Office,” guest opinion, 9/17

By Clifford Evelyn, Sr.

I was rereading the guest opinion in the Sept. 17 Source and I could not disagree more in regard to the Sheriff’s Office improving. DCSO has had issues of corrupt behavior well before the Kent Vander Kamp fiasco. I also get very concerned when those unfamiliar with the inner workings of law enforcement attempt to rationalize, justify or assume something is improving when it blatantly continues.

I can assure you the citizens have not seen any progress or been made aware of any since the “embarrassing” chapter of Vander Kamp. In fact, since that time new allegations have surfaced and it involves the interim Sheriff and a candidate for the position who also has allegations. Having optimism is great, but the reality is Vander Kamp continued abusing his position by collecting a paycheck, deciding when he was going to leave the Sheriff’s department, was allowed to continue entering the department armed. Can you imagine the liability if he had harmed anyone or did you even consider that possibility, because I did. He was then given his badge and gun, which is Sheriff’s department property, as if he “retired” in good standing. Well, he didn’t so let’s stop pretending he did and remember the DA had him placed on the Brady list.

When he realized his past was catching up with him, he made a strategic move by going on medical leave to avoid being interviewed. Because, when you’re on leave, investigations temporarily stop. Keep in mind that Ty Rupert and James McLaughlin supported Vander Kamp and were both promoted by Vander Kamp as well. So, the “Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” as the saying goes. Those promotions were most likely influenced by cronyism. Kind of a quid pro quo arrangement.

Now, let’s put this into perspective. McLaughlin is being investigated for various allegations and to avoid being interviewed he does what Vander Kamp did and resorts to going on medical leave. By doing so, he avoids being interviewed, and the clock keeps ticking toward the election. If McLaughlin happens to win the election, he cannot be removed and we will be culpable of repeating exactly what his predecessor did with taxpayers again paying the price.

In closing, I have this to say. Leaders learn from mistakes, but repeating a mistake when the outcome is crystal clear is not acceptable. If it’s predictable it’s preventable and the blatant corruptive behavior continues. Nothing has changed but the names and the faces. There is nothing tangible to substantiate that DCSO is making positive progress and for anyone to push that narrative is unfair to the voters.

—Clifford Evelyn is a Redmond city councilor and a retired law enforcement officer.

Ballot Measure 9-185

The League of Women Voters of Deschutes County urges a NO vote on Measure 9-185.

Our mission is two-fold: to defend democracy and to empower voters. Voting no is about respecting the clear outcome of the November 2024 election and honoring the voices of the voters who chose to increase the number of commissioners from three to five — with the understanding that five nonpartisan commissioners would represent all residents of Deschutes County.

Accepting election results is a core League value. Changing course after voters were clearly informed undermines confidence in our elections and our democratic process.

Please defend the 2024 voters’ choice and defend democracy by voting NO on Measure 9-185.

—Joyce Durban

Be Careful What You Dream for America

Imagine America waking up tomorrow and millions of immigrants were suddenly gone, not just undocumented immigrants, but scientists, engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, workers and business owners who came here legally, became citizens, paid taxes and made America their home. What would we lose?

A great deal. Immigrants make up about 16% of America’s inventors and account for an estimated 32% of U.S. innovation. Immigrants and their children founded 231 companies on the 2025 Fortune 500 list, 46.2% of the total.

And this isn’t just about statistics. President Trump’s own family reflects America’s immigrant story. His father was born in New York to German immigrant parents, while his mother immigrated from Scotland in 1930.

Undocumented immigrants contribute to agriculture, construction, hospitality, home care, cleaning, etc. In 2022, they paid an estimated $96.7 billion in federal, state and local taxes, including $25.7 billion into Social Security and $6.4 billion into Medicare, programs they generally cannot receive benefits from.

America needs secure borders and an immigration system that works. But before cheering policies designed to drive immigrants away, we should ask: Who exactly are we getting rid of?

Congress has repeatedly failed to deliver meaningful, long-term reform. America’s product spoils when its citizens and immigrants are treated inhumanely, scaring away the best of the best who want to work, build businesses, invent and create better lives. We risk becoming smaller, less innovative and less competitive.

The world’s talent will always go somewhere. For generations, America’s advantage was that the world’s talent wanted to come here. We can secure our borders without turning our backs on the people who help build our country.

—Mike Zapp

Letter of the Week:

Thanks for your insight, Mike. Come on by for your gift card to Palate!

—Nicole Vulcan