Fix the bridge

We have loved Bend’s Shevlin Park for a very long time. The covered bridge is part of the park’s charm. We want to save it. Parks and Rec says that it’s structurally unsound, so let’s fix it not tear it down!

Is there money in Parks and Rec we could use? Do we need a GoFundMe page? Let’s tell Parks and Rec how we feel. To us it’s special. What is it to you? Keep the conversation going.

Cindy Murphy

Bend

GOP has changed

It is now time for the Republican Party to acknowledge the change that has taken place within. The current party leader, by his own acknowledgment, is the single greatest leader the party has had since Lincoln. It would be fitting to begin the process of changing the names placed on differing landmarks such as Reagan National Airport to the current leader’s name. The principles that the party stands for also need updating to reflect the requirement to strike back at anyone or the press who dare to speak their mind at the expense of government official. That is now the party line, and it is being carried out. My only worry with these changes in a major political entity is what will happen with our election this fall. Will the party and its leader declare a national emergency due to the threat of Russian or Chinese election hacking and suspend the constitutional requirement for the elections in order to protect and defend our citizens? This is a very real scenario that is fully in line with current GOP beliefs and actions.

Allen Wright

Bend

Walden has not done enough for veterans

Congressman Greg Walden’s latest TV campaign video claims he has made the lives of veterans better. Don’t believe him.

On June 19, 2014, The Bulletin reported Bend’s VA Clinic, responsible for 6,500 veterans, had been relying on volunteers to drive patients to the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center for services for 18 years. Why? Because the $9.4 billion government program meant to reduce long waiting times by allowing vets to use private providers outside the system and closer to home was still not operational nine months after launch.

On Dec. 18, 2016, The Bulletin reported that the VA Home Loan Program, designed to help veterans buy homes after returning from war, was not working in Deschutes County. The lack of assigned VA approved appraisers was creating interminable waits, and consequently some owners refused to sell to veterans.

On Jan. 29, 2017, The Bulletin, reported the overwhelmed staff at the Bend VA Office was unable to meet record-keeping requirements so veterans could get disability claims approved. The Bend VA Office failed its regional clinical inspections every year between 2010 and 2016.

Clearly, Congressman Walden has failed to make government respond effectively to local veterans’ needs. Meanwhile, nongovernmental organizations like the Band of Brothers, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach and Central Oregon Veterans Ranch have emerged to provide veterans necessary services. If you want to improve veterans’ lives, contribute to those organizations and vote for Jamie McLeod-Skinner, who is listening to veterans rather than using them as photo opportunities.

Don Kunz

Bend

Bend needs a good elected mayor

Usually I agree with most editorial positions taken by The Bulletin. I was disappointed that The Bulletin opposed an elected mayor, but fortunately the public voted to have a elected mayor. The reason we, the public, need a strong elected mayor is a voice to counter the abuses of city government. We need a more rational approach to manage growth in Bend.

The city has created a pattern to increase density whenever so-called experts deem it best for Bend. There is currently a transportation committee whose goal is a 20-year plan.

However, the city can change density any time it wants and make any transportation plan obsolete. The future of Bend is best served by having an elected mayor.

The voters need to pay attention to the election process this November.

Edwin Kirsch

Bend