Our Water
The COMMON GOOD and DO NO HARM. Decisions in a decent society are based on these concepts. Privatization of water, our precious natural resource, denies the rights of people and nature to exist. Privatization of water fails to protect the COMMON GOOD and causes irreparable HARM to people and nature.
The COMMON GOOD encompasses the needs of farmers (not agribusiness), indigenous people who need water for fishing and cultural preservation, fire fighters, domestic consumers and the survival of nature to name just a few.
The HARMS of privatization of water are unsustainable and irreversible. Privatization transfers the control of our water resources to corporations, developers, bankers, bureaucrats and corrupt politicians to satisfy their personal and collective greed. Privatization ensures that these unaccountable entities will control the distribution and cost of water. They will decide who will win, who will lose, who will thrive, who will die, including nature.
Quo Warranto…By Whose Authority? Who is empowered to make the decisions about OUR water? How do WE THE PEOPLE assert our power and rights? How do we protect our water resources?
Stop the sham of public input hearings where the decisions have already been made. Whoever makes a proposal about water issues must represent himself in public forum. Disallow high powered attorneys pontificating in legalize while the perpetrator basks in anonymity and unaccountability.
Implement eminent domain to purchase the water rights of owners for the COMMON GOOD. The reality of drought, population explosion, fires and climate crisis demands a focus on what is good for people and the planet. Personal and collective greed and control is totally unacceptable in a decent society.
—Sue Bastian
Build a Shelter
The county should prioritize building a high-barrier shelter that provides comprehensive services, including access to medical care, mental health support, and pathways to stability.
Its deeply concerning that, in our community and society, we are allowing people to live in such unsafe and unsanitary conditions; referred to as dirt world. This situation is not only detrimental to the individuals experiencing it, who clearly need structured support, but it also affects the overall well-being of the broader community.
Additionally, I am especially concerned about the welfare of animals in these environments. As a border collie owner, I know how much exercise, stimulation, and purpose this breed requires. It’s not fair to the dog or any animal to live in conditions where their basic needs cannot be met.
If someone is struggling to care for themselves, it may not be the right time to take on the responsibility of a pet. Animal welfare should be part of our response to this complex issue as well.
—Nicole Perullo
Stop Rodeo Cruelty
I cannot tell you how grateful I was to find the full page ad in the June 5 edition of the Source Weekly about rodeo cruelty. Living in Bend being so close to the Sister’s Rodeo and having to see commercials about it sickens me. Abusing and torturing animals for entertainment is not my idea of a good time. My father grew up on a farm in Salem and he was an animal lover, though not outspoken about their treatment. Growing up, we used to go to the Oregon State Fair and attended the rodeo. I remember thinking how sad it was. In his senior years, he would go to the rodeo from time to time because he loved the horses. That was until he saw a calf get roped and not get up again. That was the end of that for him. I was sorry it took that long for him to realize the torture these poor animals endure.
Just because that’s the way it’s always been doesn’t mean it should stay that way. I would hope people could evolve and have more compassion, but it seems like this world is going in the opposite direction. Empathy seems to be a sign of weakness, as demonstrated by our current leaders. Where does that leave us as humans?
—Amy Merrill
Open Primaries
Today in Oregon 45% of voters are not registered as either Democrats or Republicans. [https://independentvoterproject.org/voter-stats/or]. Yet, these independent and unaffiliated voters are not allowed to vote in primaries. HB 3166, if enacted, would have implemented open primaries with the top two vote getters in any primary moving on to the general election. The House Rules Committee considered HB 3166 during this past legislative session, but the measure did not get to the full House for a vote. It is not my purpose here to analyze HB 3166. It seems well thought out and drafted, but a better approach may be crafted. Rather, I am writing to urge voters to contact their elected state representatives and senators and tell them that they expect open primary legislation to be enacted in the next session of the legislature. A majority of registered voters have chosen not to register as democrats or republicans. Every registered voter should have the right to vote in a primary where all qualified candidates are considered. Candidates should not be selected in separate primaries open only to voters who have registered for the party running the primary. So, if you agree, take a moment to write or call your elected state representatives and senators and urge them to enact open primary legislation in the next legislative session.
—David Ellis
Letter of
the Week
David, you’ve been chosen for Letter of the Week. You can stop by our office at the corner of Bond & Georgia to pick up a gift card to Palate coffee.
—Nic Moye, Managing Editor
This article appears in Source Weekly June 12, 2025.
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Nicole Perullo … who pays for this?
David Ellis … any time someone says they should have the right it typically means they don’t have the right and there is a pretty good reason for why they don’t.