Increasing openness

I read your March 13 editorial, “Live up to Commitment to Public Records,” with great interest. As Oregon’s soon-to-be first public records advocate, I am excited to begin working with members of the press, researchers and other interested requesters, as well as city and state agencies.

As a former open records requester, I can understand your frustration regarding the requests for information about the Deschutes County digital radio system. Delays like this negate the very purpose of open records laws. If we cannot obtain documents in a timely fashion, how can we make informed decisions about current government policies?

I plan to hold meetings with both requesters and agencies to hear more about their experiences with open records requests and their ideas for how to improve both the open records statutes and their implementation. I will announce the dates for these sessions as soon as possible once I start the job. I look forward to working together to increase openness and accountability in Oregon!

Ginger McCall

Salem

Protect the innocent

Congratulations to the committee on House Administration that just voted to allow taxpayer funds to be used for reimbursement for bulletproof vests. It also voted to allow the hiring of security personnel if funds are available in its budget.

Or isn’t it wonderful that a Louisiana senator has introduced a bill to protect animals that are flying on commercial airlines?

Or that Sen. Marco Rubio is introducing a bill to make daylight savings time permanent?

Please don’t misunderstand; Congress needs to be protected and so do our precious pets. However, where is there some consideration for protecting your children and mine? I do believe that Sen. Rubio should focus on gun control and not daylight savings time!

Why is it so difficult for members of both houses to come together and make some effort to compromise on these issues.

Before you start hollering that I’m some Second Amendment protester, I was a member of the NRA from the time I was 10 years old until approximately 10 years ago when the NRA became such right-wing voices. There are steps that can be taken to help protect the innocent lives that could be lost in the future if nothing is done now.

Joanne Morris

Redmond

Volunteer for the community

Do you wonder what to do when life seems too full of injustice and strife? How do we combat war, poverty, drugs, shootings and political dilemmas?

For me, it is especially hard to accept war, especially the deaths and disabling of women and children. The wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria loom large in our lives and yet, we go on living in comfort, while families are seeking safety via a lifeboat or walking with meager possessions to find a place to sleep.

How can I laugh with friends when others are trying to save their families from being separated or killed?

For me, it helps to help others who may not be in such serious circumstances as war or other violence, but who may be homeless, undocumented or jobless. When helping others, it makes life better for those in need, and it helps me.

So, I am hoping that if you haven’t done it already, you will find something to help you make your way through national and international happenings by doing some good in your local community. Sounds sappy? I hope not.

There is a link below with a complete list of volunteer opportunities with these headings: Seniors; Children, Youth and Educational Services; Animals and the Environment; Health, Arts, Music, Culture and Heritage; Human Services; Habitat for Humanity and Thrift Stores; and Government, City and Community. www.bendbulletin.com/lifestyle/4679664-151/central-oregon-volunteer-search

May you find your dream volunteer job and more peace in your life.

Margaret Brookover

Bend