Protest Bush firing

I am taken back by the treatment of Chief Eric Bush by the city of Prineville and his own police department. I was in law enforcement for 36 years and never heard of such blatant, corrupt actions taken against a person who has laid his life down for not only his country but his community.

It sounds to me that there are several in the Prineville Police Department wanting to climb the ladder and couldn’t do it without stabbing someone else in the back. Why isn’t Capt. Michael Boyd on administration leave for the statements he made about Bush without any merit to them? How is he a respected leader of a police department, making those types of statements? How could he be a respected leader of any law enforcement agency?

I have always respected Bush; he has carried out his duties professionally. He has always acknowledged me, and I would have been proud to have worked for him.

I do not have much respect for Boyd or the staff that have participated in this horrible ordeal. The citizens of Prineville should be outraged, as I am, by the lack of leadership from the mayor and city manager, and the total disrespectful actions and comments of Boyd.

I hope the Band of Brothers stand up and protest the firing of Bush because of his uniformed service in the National Guard. Is this what our country has come to?

Harry D Hawkins

Prineville

D.C. dysfunction

You can bash President Obama all you want, as this paper does almost daily, but this so-called Congress is the worst I have ever seen.

The House has now voted to sue the president for “failure to fully implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.” This same clown car voting to sue for faster implementation of the law has voted repeatedly to repeal the same law.

Yes folks, the very people that despise this law are suing because it isn’t working fast enough. I can’t help but believe they would sue if he moved too fast on the law also. They are suing the president for using his executive authority to do the same thing Bush did implementing Medicare Part D to allow changes to be implemented more slowly.

OK. The very next day, Speaker John Boehner claims that the House can’t move forward with legislation to address the child refugee crises because Obama wouldn’t “use his executive authority” to address the situation! A comedian couldn’t make this stuff up.

This is the most ridiculous crop of Republicans I have ever seen, united only by their hate for this president and their hate for actually doing any real work while in office.

Robert Smith

La Pine

Creating walkable schools

On behalf of Commute Options, I would like to thank Councilor Jim Clinton and extend our encouragement to Bend-La Pine Schools in making all Bend schools to be “walkable” schools. By making all schools within walking distance to the neighborhoods that they serve, we can provide a wonderful option for “active” transportation for our students.

Walking has shown to be one of the most effective forms of safe exercise, and walking to school has a number of very positive effects on students and our community.

By walking, kids can take an active role in their health and well-being to combat obesity and related diseases. Studies also show that students who walk or bike to school perform better academically by arriving at school energized and ready to learn. Walkable schools also build a stronger sense of community and contribute to healthy neighborhoods.

Commute Options promotes choices that reduce the impact of driving alone. Through our Safe Routes to School program, we encourage and educate children on the benefits and safety knowledge of walking and biking to school.

In 2013, we worked with Bend-La Pine Schools to educate over 1,800 students about safe transportation options. We also actively work with the city of Bend and neighborhoods to improve infrastructure, such as sidewalks, that makes walking safer and more enjoyable for all residents.

Our students deserve safe streets, sidewalks and appropriately located neighborhood schools. We look forward to expanding our programs to all schools and improving the walkability in all of Central Oregon.

Jeff Monson

Bend