Confused about police chief case

I am just a little confused about a couple of things pertaining to the chief of police in Prineville, Eric Bush, and why it is that the mayor and the City Council seem to be hiding behind some rule or whatever it is that they are using to refuse giving any answers to the tax-paying citizens of Crook County pertaining to what it is that this guy has done that has required his being on paid leave, etc., and how many of the taxpayers’ dollars have been paid to him over the past several months for doing nothing.

I was a Portland firefighter for 30 years and as such was a “public employee,” as is Bush. The rules were, since being a public employee, all of your records pertaining to benefits, including salary, were available to any and all who wished to view them. Has that rule changed, and if so, when had it done so?

I think the taxpayers of Crook County are being treated unfairly in this matter and perhaps next election time some people who are responsible should be looking for other jobs.

Charles Kelley

Powell Butte

Teach hands-only CPR in high school

A few weeks ago, I listened to an Oregonian’s heartwarming story of survival when he presented during a staff meeting at a fitness club in Gresham. Emotions aside, he delivered a clear and impactful message that the timely execution of CPR by two staff members of the club saved his life before EMS had arrived. Nearly 383,000 people have cardiac arrest outside of a hospital every year, and only 11 percent survive, most likely because of a lack of receiving CPR in a timely matter.

The American Heart Association has recognized an easily learned and very efficient method of CPR called hands-only CPR that requires nothing but your hands to perform and the courage to step up. If we ensure that high school students in Oregon learn hands-only CPR before graduating, we could put 45,000 additional lifesavers every year in our communities. I applaud Portland Mayor Charlie Hales for declaring the first week in June as CPR Awareness Week — and I urge Oregon state legislators to take a step in the right direction, as Washington, Idaho and 14 other states have done, and require hands-only CPR to be taught in all high schools by 2015.

Cameron Croonquist

Portland

Thom Larsen is an inspiration

Congratulations to the Rev. Thom Larsen of the First United Methodist Church on his recent retirement from ministry work. He was our minister for nine years and before that served 25 years in other churches.

We have been most fortunate to have him lead us. He has worked diligently to help the community through various ministries. Larsen has such a heart for the homeless and people who are struggling. It was not uncommon to see him offering a kind word or money out of his own pocket to help someone in need. I so appreciated seeing him climb out of the church van after a 15-hour ride with teenagers because he actually wanted to go on the mission trip with them. He said his favorite time at church was Vacation Bible School, when we would host over 90 children.

He is one of the most humble servants of God that I have had the pleasure to meet. Larsen and his wife, Cindy, have touched so many lives here in Bend and the world around. Larsen hates the limelight, but I wanted to let the community know of his retirement and his wonderful work on our behalf. You can truly see God’s light shining through him and his love for people. In this world of hatred, greed and materialism, how refreshing it is to know there are people like Larsen who bring forth only kindness and love. What an inspiration Larsen is for all of us.

Lillian Quinn

Bend

Obama’s approval ratings

Paul deWitt’s blindered letter about race and President Barack Obama’s election is a sad reflection on a great event in American politics (and for our country in general). The election of a person of color to the highest political office in our country should be a source of pride to liberal, conservative and moderate. Obama’s performance in that office may not put him in the top tier of our country’s leaders (that jury is still out), but his election should be celebrated.

I suspect if there were polls in the 1860s, Abraham Lincoln would be in the Obama range of approval. History will judge Obama’s presidency, not 2014 polls. One sad commentary on his election is the exposure of raw racism that does still exist in this country. We have traveled a great journey, but we have not yet reached our destination.

Michael Hudson

Bend