Everyone matters to a good politician. When elected officials operate solely from the position of providing the greatest good to the greatest number, all while protecting minority rights, government is at its best.

Everyone matters. When allegations of sexist and homophobic behavior against Dr. Boddie first came out, I stood by him as a person I thought to be compassionate.

Since then, there have been accusations made by Moey Newbold that are supported by others, opinion pieces and explanations by Dr. Boddie claiming ignorance of her story.

There is no need to cover this ground again.

There IS need to discuss the attributes that a true public servant should strive to embody.

Everyone matters.

Honesty and integrity are integral to being able to serve constituents ably. People must be able to take you at your word.

They must know that, whether they agree with you or not, you are working from a place of integrity.

Skeletons in the closet merely open up elected officials to blackmail and manipulation by the unscrupulous, so that the only ones that matter are the ones who know your indiscretions.

It takes moral courage to admit mistakes and continue to operate with integrity.

Dr. Boddie demonstrated in his response to Ms. Newbold’s accusations that he would rather attack the accuser, who has facts on her side, than to admit to wrongdoing.

Anyone with such a proclivity will ultimately not serve constituents well.

Everyone matters. Can women trust someone who has been accused of sexual improprieties, and had those claims substantiated, to represent them equally and fairly?

If he cannot be trusted to treat all women as equals instead of property or playthings, how can any other minority trust him to represent their needs as fully as he does his own?

Everyone matters. A good politician must be able to examine the facts and make decisions based on them.

They must be able to surround themselves with the best advisers — knowledgeable people able to speak truth to power — and be able to change their minds when the facts point to a better way to serve Central Oregonians.

Can a person who cannot be trusted to treat those around him with respect be trusted to hire staff that aren’t sycophants, who do not stroke his ego and tell him he treats people well when he, in fact, does not?

Everyone matters. Candor, not just with your community, but with yourself is an integral part of being an effective public servant.

It must be possible to examine our own actions, with or without the help of staff, friends, and family, and correct poor behavior and admit it in order to be able to serve this corner of Central Oregon in the way it deserves.

None of us are perfect, but we should be willing and able to correct the wrongs that keep us from serving with integrity and not make excuses for ourselves by blaming others — admitting that we think we matter and everyone else does not.

Everyone matters. We should be able to trust our politicians to put us first.

Everyone matters, Nathan Boddie. Bend matters. Central Oregon matters. The people — every individual — here matter.

We matter, Nathan, and we should, by your very profession that you want to serve as a representative, matter to you more than you matter to yourself.

Everyone matters, Nathan. Everyone.

It’s time to reconcile with your community and admit your mistakes.

There is a place for you in our community, but to ensure that place Nathan, you must take the initiative in making restitution to the people your actions have harmed.

It’s time to take the high road, the noble politician’s road, and put your city and its constituents first.

It’s time to resign as Oregon’s 54th District Democratic candidate and let someone whose integrity is not in question run for that seat.

Show Bend that they matter.

— Karen Rippberger is the Democratic candidate for Oregon House District 55.