Bend needs leadership

Currently, articles and editorials in The Bulletin highlight discussions about improving the city government. Most recently is the issue of increasing compensation for City Council and the mayor, as well as changing the mayor to an elected position. The discussions continued with the compensation committee. The City Council and the mayor deserve a wage commensurate to their responsibilities. However, will these actions improve city government? The City Council takes recommendations from city staff to make decisions about all aspects of the city.

In business the CEO is accountable to the board of directors and the shareholders. In Bend the city manager is accountable to the City Council and the citizen shareholders. Bend city government has bureaucratic malaise and inefficiencies. Mismanagement issues continually appear in The Bulletin. Examples can be found in all areas of Bend. Conflicts between the comprehensive plan, zoning and developments lead to endless appeal hearings and expense. Developments have been and continue to be approved without regard to traffic and pedestrian safety. There are problems around the OSU campus, medical district and other neighborhoods. How long will the citizens tolerate mismanagement of resources that decrease the livability of Bend? Bend deserves to be a dynamic and progressive city, and this goal is only possible with strong leadership.

Edwin Kirsch

Bend

Protect public lands

The outdoors is a place where we all can succeed. No matter the challenge, failure is never an option. The tallest mountains reap the best views of the freedoms we have as Americans. To take away what we, the people, own compromises the integrity of our public lands.

In this integrity, I expect you to be transparent on your stance for public lands. No eloquently phrased wording that deters people from fully understanding your motives. We request answers. You play a key role in determining the future of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

Eighty-eight percent of constituents polled in your district indicated they felt strongly about protecting public lands. It’s time to listen to the chorus. We believe not in short-term profit, but long-term sustainability. Maybe you have already indicated your stance by siding with private interests and Secretary Zinke by advocating for a return to sustainable timber harvests on O&C Lands currently protected by the expansion of the National Monument, rather than advocating for protecting watersheds, regulating stream flow, contributing to the economic stability of local communities and industries, and providing recreational facilities.

Central Oregon is listening to you, but we except transparency before we decide to side with you. Please continue to protect the integrity of our public lands.

Brittany Leffel

Bend

Walden helped me

Having read several letters concerning Rep. Greg Walden and some alleged communication difficulties, I wish to comment. We are pleased to have a person like Greg representing us in the U.S. Congress. He has worked hard and long to achieve an important position.

I have had two encounters with Greg, other than his frequent gatherings in Bend. We had requested assistance from his office during a visit to Washington, D.C. They organized a terrific visit to the Congress for us, and Greg came out and spent about 20 minutes with us.

Some time later I had a very frustrating situation with our local post office and was able to get no assistance through visits, phone calls or a letter. I wrote Greg asking for assistance. They followed through. After getting all the details, they contacted the postmaster and I received a phone call that the problem had been addressed. I needed and appreciated the assistance.

Jay C. Smith

Sunriver

Walden gets bad score

Rep. Walden: Sad! The League of Conservation Voters just released the 2017 National Environmental Scorecard, and Rep. Greg Walden has earned a dismal 9 percent score. The Scorecard comprises key congressional votes on climate change, energy, public health, public lands, and wildlife conservation.

Too many members of Congress were complicit in extreme attacks on many of our cornerstone environmental laws that protect our air, water, wildlife and public lands. Despite last year being the hottest year on record, members like Rep. Greg Walden put their polluter allies ahead of protecting public health and our environment and earned a disappointing 9 percent score.

In Oregon, three House members earned a score of 100 percent, and our Senators earned 95 percent or above. We need all of our delegation to advocate for our environment and Oregonians. Rep. Walden needs to start listening to his constituents and start supporting our environment.

John Marvin

Bend