Jess Morgan, who worked for KRCO's ”Programa Latino,” will host the new television program, ”La Comunidad.”

Central Oregon’s first public affairs television show broadcast in Spanish will make its debut at 9 p.m. Sunday on Bend Broadband station COTV.

”La Comunidad,” which means ”the community,” will address issues in employment, health, voting and immigration completely in Spanish.

The show is one of the ways Bend Broadband is trying to reach out to the growing Hispanic community in Central Oregon, according to Bend Broadband representatives.

”The show will be a great forum to address concerns of the Hispanic community,” said David Jones, promotions manager of Bend Broadband. ”This is the first TV program in Spanish and we’re excited about it.”

”La Comunidad” may be the first wave of Spanish programming that will be offered on Bend Broadband, the cable company that serves Bend, Redmond and parts of Sisters.

Jones said that company is in negotiations to carry a Spanish network. The launch of that network probably will be later this year, he said.

”La Comunidad” host Jess Morgan, who previously worked for KRCO’s Spanish radio program ”Programa Latino,” which was broadcast in Central Oregon up until its cancellation last month, said that even though the show is in Spanish, it’s not just intended for the Hispanic community.

”The show may be geared toward the Hispanic community,” Morgan said, ”but it’s not just for the Hispanic community. The show will focus on issues that affect the community as a whole.”

Morgan said the show will have sit-down interviews with people from local agencies who will provide tips on everything from how to perform job searches on the Internet and how to give CPR. Each show also will feature a Spanish music video.

The program will air every Sunday, with two new shows on the first two Sundays of the month and repeats the following Sundays.

Morgan said he would like to interview city and county political officials. He said he would also like to feature candidates running for governor.

”There is a political presence here,” Morgan said. ”The Hispanic community does vote. Power is in the numbers and all politicians well know that.”

The Hispanic community is one of the fastest growing sectors in Central Oregon.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the latest numbers available, there were 8,706 people of Hispanic descent in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.

One of the signs of the increasing Hispanic community is the new Spanish radio station KRDM-AM in Redmond, which went on the air Feb. 13.

KRDM Program Manager Juan Zendejas said Morgan’s show is a good idea since the Hispanic community continues to grow and Hispanic people who are not fluent in English will continue to need assistance.

Zendejas said the station is considering adding a weekly community hour in the future that will feature different local agencies who offer services to the Hispanic community.

One of ”La Comunidad’s” first guests is Rossy Gomez, the assistant director of local nonprofit organization Programa de Ayuda. The organization serves as an advocate for the Hispanic community.

Gomez said she believes the show is one of the best things to happen to the Hispanic community.

”The show is a great door for the community,” Gomez said. ”Now Hispanics could be more aware of all activities and events within the community.”

Mayra Ramirez, a student at Central Oregon Community College, said she looks forward to the debut of ”La Comunidad.” Ramirez said she has been living in Central Oregon for more than a year and has noticed that there is a lack of resources in Spanish.

”I think the show will be good since the Hispanic population is growing,” she said. ”It will be a great way to keep people updated on local news and services.”