Letters to the Editor 04/03/2025

Save the Bees

Oregonians have a unique opportunity to help Oregon’s pollinators, wildlife and ecosystems. HB 2679 is currently proceeding through the legislature. This bill would reclassify neonicotinoids (neonics) as a restricted-use pesticide and would limit their application to licensed professionals only. This measure would significantly reduce the prevalence of neonics in the environment where bees and other native pollinators live, such as home gardens and urban landscapes.

Pollinators, including more than 500 species of bees in Oregon, are indispensable to our ecosystem and agriculture. They are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of wild flowering plants and play a crucial role in numerous crops vital to our economy and food supply. They not only pollinate, they support entire ecosystems for countless other species.

There are various threats to pollinators. Neonicotinoids have been identified as a significant and immediate threat to them. Neonics are neurotoxins. They disrupt insects’ nervous systems. Current research indicates these same chemicals are also a risk to children. By reclassifying this pesticide, we reduce its prevalence in the environment and mitigate one of the critical factors contributing to pollinator decline and other health issues. This law has worked in 12 other states. Make Oregon strong. Please call or write your state legislators now. Show support for this bill without amendments that would weaken it. Oregon voters have a crucial opportunity through HB 2679. Keep our ecosystems healthy, vibrant and thriving.

—Barbara Rumer

At 59 Years Old, I Did Not Think American Democracy Would Die in My Lifetime

I have never seen an attack on our democracy like this. This dismantling of our federal government by the sitting president using both illegal and unconstitutional means may be the end of our democratic republic unless widespread civic actions take place to stop it, and political will by our other branches of government oppose and take action to stop it. The dismantling of USAID is literally killing babies and shuttering the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will make it easier for fraudsters to take advantage of your grandmothers. Here in Bend and Oregon, our lives may depend on getting it back when the inevitable wildfire hits and there is no one there to stop it.

—Michael Regimbal

Ranch Versus Rodeos

With the rodeo season upon us, it’s worth remembering today’s rodeos bear little resemblance to traditional ranch work where care was taken to not injure animals. Modern rodeos are nothing more than western-themed circuses with contestants wearing John Wayne costumes and racing against the clock in a cruel spectacle for cash. It’s the animals who pay the price, from being electrically prodded to make horses and bulls appear wild by using tools like electric prods to the countless injuries animals suffer. Rodeos have added events like steer wrestling, bull riding, bucking horses, steer busting and team roping (which involves two contestants roping the head and rear legs of a steer and then pulling in opposing directions resulting in many animal injuries).

Anyone with a pulse knows it’s wrong to clothesline a baby animal at top speed, body slam it to the ground, tie its legs so it can’t move, then drag it by the neck. If this were done to a puppy or kitten, the offender would be charged with a crime, and likely be fined or jailed. The injuries are not confined to the rodeos themselves. During practice sessions, a calf may be roped repeatedly, until the calf suffers injuries that require replacement. States like California, Rhode Island and Nevada have passed laws banning or tightly regulating rodeo events, and some cities are beginning to pass ordinances that ban or restrict the rodeo’s cruelest practices. To help, let your state and local lawmakers know that you want to see similar legislation passed in your community.

—Chris Bennett

In Support of Closing China Hat for Necessary Work

I am writing to express my concerns about the request made by a homeless individual to Deschutes National Forest Supervisor Holly Jewkes, urging the prevention of China Hat’s closure, as well as advocating for the continued closure of the gates at Phil’s Trail that are slated to reopen April 1. While I understand the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and recognize the need to address their situation, it is equally important that we prioritize the safety of our community, wildlife and natural resources, as well as the well-being of those living in unsafe conditions in our forests.

The U.S. Forest is not a safe or suitable environment for individuals to live. These lands lack the necessary infrastructure to support homeless populations, and the risks of living in such areas are substantial. Not only are there issues related to access to basic services like sanitation, shelter and health care, but the threat of wildfires is a significant concern. Last year’s tragic events at “Dirt World,” exacerbated by homeless camps, highlighted the extreme fire hazards in these areas. Dry conditions, improperly disposed of materials and open flames or heat sources create dangerous scenarios for both the individuals living there and the broader community.

Beyond fire risks, the lack of oversight and infrastructure has led to environmental damage and incurred significant costs to the community. Homeless encampments cause destruction to the fragile ecosystems of our forests, harming wildlife habitats, water sources and overall environmental health. I’ve witnessed this firsthand at Phil’s Trail, and it’s unacceptable. And every year it becomes worse.

Given these concerns, I respectfully request that the work at China Hat continue and the gates at Phil’s Trail remain closed to protect wildlife, the natural resources vulnerable to further degradation, peaceful and safe use for recreational users and mitigate fire risks for our community. I also urge the county to take proactive measures to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness receive appropriate support and services. The forest is not an appropriate solution, and it is crucial that we offer individuals the care they need in a safer and more supportive environment.

—Nicole Moore Perullo

Letter of
the Week:

Nicole, I agree that these environments are sensitive for both wildlife and wildfires. We must find better, safer living solutions.

—Chris Young

This article appears in The Source Weekly April 3, 2025.