Dear Bend parks and rec

The covered bridge in Shevlin Park is a reflection of Bend’s history.

The bridge is a landmark, a piece of Bend’s past that people connect with each time they visit Shevlin Park. Parks and Rec spends huge amounts of money on sports complexes, etc. Now it’s time to spend some money on this bridge, a touchstone that represents a simpler side of life. Less glitz, more heart.

Bend Parks and Rec, please find the money (in your budget) to save this iconic bridge in Shevlin Park. It’s time to save this bridge, for all the right reasons.

Bruce Jackson

Bend

Presidential economics

The recent article in The Bulletin titled “Airport growth mirrors Central Oregon economy” presented the University of Oregon’s Central Oregon Business Index (COBI).

This index considers nine economic indicators including, among others, Redmond airport activity, building permits and lodging tax revenue.

The COBI chart tells an interesting story of economic growth and prosperity coinciding with the start of the Obama era. All nine indicators point to the beginning of economic prosperity around the 2nd quarter of 2009 and all continue positive trends for the next eight years.

Our current president would like you to believe that he alone is responsible for today’s economic good times, but facts and data clearly say otherwise.

While President Obama didn’t solve all of our economic problems, he certainly deserves credit for the economic turnaround after his election and the continued solid growth throughout his years in the White House.

In truth, the Trump administration’s contribution to our economy is yet to be determined. All politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike, would do well to recognize and give credit for the positive contributions of those on the other side of the aisle.

Our nation as a whole would greatly benefit from healthy bipartisanship and compromise instead of the childish “me first” behavior we see from our leaders today.

Robert Brydges

Bend

Your vote matters, register!

Do you think your vote doesn’t matter? Or is voting in November a top priority for you?

Registering is easy in Oregon: Visit the Oregon secretary of state’s website or obtain a paper application at a library or post office, mail before Oct. 16, no procrastination!

Some politicians will say anything to get elected and then act differently once in office — if a majority votes, then we put breaks on politicians. Your vote is the only way to hold politicians accountable; it is how we tell them they are doing a good or bad job. Politicians can only be accountable by all of us.

You heard about the candidate who lost by one vote — that one vote could have been yours.

If you say your vote doesn’t matter, then you are saying that you don’t matter and that is not true.

You really want something to happen with respect to forest management that makes sense, don’t you? You really want something to happen with respect to climate change don’t you? Ask the right questions, do your homework, make an intelligent choice this November and vote! You count!

Louise Shawkat

Ashland

Remembering John McCain and voting

I am so grateful that John McCain dedicated his life to serving our country. Listening to the tributes to John McCain, these words were often heard: bravery, courage, loyalty, honor, duty, service, civility, bipartisanship, honesty, respect, forgiveness.

It struck me that these traits of character and morality seem a rarity in public life, not the standard these days (I do, however, recognize that our perception of the world is heavily influenced by media which by its nature (or is it ours?) that they tend to lean towards the negative and salacious. Does good news sell?).

I felt sadness that when I think of the man currently leading this country I do not see any of these great and admirable traits.

Can we have good leadership in this void?

These thoughts will weigh on my mind when I go to the polls next time.

Diane Prescott

Bend