For this week’s “Bend Don’t Break” podcast we talk with Redmond City Councilor Clifford Evelyn. Evelyn won an insurgent victory in 2020 through a campaign of connecting with local business owners and others in the community, despite the constraints of COVID-19. Evelyn talked about how his message resonated with people who want to see more amenities in Redmond like restaurants, stores, movie theaters and even a bowling alley. Right now, as Redmond’s real estate market booms, most locals travel to Bend to shop and have fun, Evelyn said. He’d like to see more of that money circulating in Redmond.
Evelyn was born and raised in New York City where he attended both public and private schools before studying business administration at New York University. Later he joined the U.S. Navy where he became a Naval Officer. He was stationed in Portland, Oregon for a time which was his first experience in the Pacific Northwest. Later he moved to Clark County in Washington State (near Portland) to work for the Sheriff’s Department where he advanced up the ranks to Commander. Evelyn spoke about how he has been willing to play the role of educator and guide in the predominantly white communities he’s lived in for most of his adult life. He was the first person of color to serve in the Sheriff’s Department in Clark County, and the first POC to get elected to the Redmond City Council. One of his goals is helping Redmond become a more welcoming and diverse City.
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Evelyn spoke about how important it was to have open, public discussions about race. He said he’s had multiple conversations with people flying Confederate flags from their trucks, for example.
Evelyn has been somewhat critical of the way Redmond has been run in the past. One major issue is that Redmond banned marijuana dispensaries in 2014 before it was legalized in the state: Evelyn argues that the City is leaving money on the table by not changing with the times. Last year, the City of Bend collected $1.5 million in marijuana tax revenues: $1 million came from the City’s own tax on dispensaries, and a half a million came from the State’s tax. Meanwhile residents of Redmond must travel to Bend or Madras to shop for cannabis.
Evelyn also would like the City to change the way it manages the Juniper Golf Course near the Redmond airport. Currently it is costing Redmond tax payers $34,000 a month with little return, Evelyn said.
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“Bend Don’t Break” is hosted by the Source Weekly’s publisher Aaron Switzer and co-hosted by Laurel Brauns. Every week, we feature a guest from the community with a new perspective on living through the COVID-19 pandemic including mental health professionals, economists, educators, artists, business people, local leaders and historians.
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This article appears in Mar 10-17, 2021.
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Good, informative article. Thanks!
I’m in full agreement with what Councilor Clifford Evelyn is advocating for the city of Redmond. Like it or not the influx of people moving into to this area isn’t going to stop. We need to use forethought and common sense in taking the next steps to prepare for the inevitable which is upon us. Why shouldn’t we enjoy the benefits of a well planned economic community development? Bend is. Further, it’s time for the people of Redmond to educate themselves about the Cannabis Industry. Not only would this be an economic boost for the city, but it will also help many people who derive a great benefit from it’s use. The old wives’ tale that it will create a bunch of drug addicts simply isn’t true. I think people may have that mixed up with the prescription drugs that are abused and create said problems.