Sanders for president

As a strong advocate for sensible gun control measures, I support Bernie Sanders for president because he is most likely to achieve the needed regulations supported by the majority of the electorate.

First, Sanders believes in a middle-ground solution. He voted for background checks to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of felons and mentally ill, for a federal ban on assault weapons and closing loopholes that allow private sellers at gun shows and on the Internet to sell to individuals without background checks. He believes magazines holding more than 10 bullets should be banned nationwide.

Second, with new voters who are energized Sanders supporters, communities throughout the nation might elect leaders who are less obligated to powerful monied interests. It could result in enforcement of sensible gun control measures as officials might be elected who are not controlled by the NRA.

Sanders is the best candidate to lead the effort for sensible gun control measures at the national and local levels because of his middle-of-the-road position and because of his supporting electorate.

Carol Louise Scherer

Eugene

Stop the Ochoco OHV proposal

The mission of the forest service is “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” Its motto is: “Caring for the land and serving people.” Given that mission, adding 135 miles of OHV routes in the Ochoco National Forest cannot be justified. The expansion would cause irreparable harm by fragmenting habitat, silting up streams, eroding soils and displacing wildlife. The small percentage of recreation users who would use these routes would ruin the experience for the rest of us who go to forests to get away from noise and pollution. Help protect the Ochocos by submitting a comment to the forest service before Friday at comments-pacificnorthwest-ochoco@fs.fed.us.

Laurie Lakin

Bend

Don’t add dust

Am I the only person who is totally disgusted with the new method of street and sidewalk clearing taking place in Bend? The use of the backpack blowers results in billowing clouds of dust 100 feet in the air and depending on the winds up to four blocks down the street is totally unacceptable! We already live in a dusty environment and this just adds more dust entering everyone’s house, office and place of business. What’s wrong with brooms to sweep the dirt and grit into the street for pickup by the motorized sweepers. Finally, the city workers, our employees, are fitted with cheap face masks that are not intended for this type of environment. I see sick time off and possibly lawsuits in the city’s future.

Larry Johnson

Bend

Guns and the GOP convention

Twenty thousand people have signed a petition to carry weapons into the GOP National Convention. I thought Republicans believed the business owner had the right to control his or her venue. Obviously, those who believe any weapon, any time and any place, supersedes the rights of the business owner. If a couple of people fire off a small volley to keep bad guys away, the nominee can be easily determined; it will be the last one standing. Here’s a few more suggestions to make this country great again. Put any conservative church in charge of public education. Now we can get God back in the classroom where she belongs. Oops, sorry; I meant to say “he” belongs. The NRA is the perfect organization to head up defense. Everybody will be forced to own and carry a weapon at all times. Public health can be headed by a committee that believes immunizations are dangerous. There is no need to waste taxpayer funds on infrastructure; people can fix their own potholes. National parks should be handled by private companies; national parks are just another waste of public funds. The judicial system is a little tougher. A different church than the one heading public schools should easily be able to dole out justice.

James Guffey

Bend