No on Measure 105

We, religious leaders in Oregon, have come together to encourage people of conscience to vote NO on Measure 105. We are Rev. Dave Beckett, Rev. Andrew Hoeksema, Fr. Jed Holdorph, Rev. Chris Kramer, Rev. Shimiko Montgomery, Rev. Scott Rudolph, Rev. Rick Russell, Rev. Erika Spaet, Jer Swigart, Rev. Shelley Willem and Rev. Mike Wilson.

Measure 105 is motivated by fear, racism and misunderstanding, and we must resist its efforts.

We understand migration to be a human and historical phenomenon, one that we find in our holy scriptures, which are filled with stories of people migrating in search of freedom and safety. Across our traditions, we are taught to love, welcome and include newcomers in our communities.

If passed, Measure 105 may operate as a local extension of the federal family separation policy, the same policy that has broken our hearts as we hear of thousands of families torn apart. If Oregonians pass Measure 105, we would show anti-immigrant and anti-refugee groups across the nation that persecution and oppression and vocal white supremacy are acceptable in our state.

As people called to teach and preach our moral laws, we recognize when the laws of the state help or hinder our movement toward a more just and peaceful reality for our neighborhoods. We commit now to resist this act of xenophobia.

We don’t just hope and pray for beloved community in the future; we work to co-create it here and now in our neighborhoods by voting NO on Measure 105.

Rev. Erika Spaet

Bend

Buehler bad on guns

Do you really know Knute Buehler? I was disappointed to see The Bulletin endorse someone who says one thing and does another. He voted against background checks for private gun sales, against our red flag law to keep guns away from people under extreme risk, against closing the Charleston loophole to insure background checks are completed before a gun is sold. These votes demonstrate that he is more likely to follow the dictates of the NRA than to protect our citizenry. He even voted against stricter laws for distracted driving, and this as a physician. A well-respected senator, Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, says “… for whatever reason, he (Knute Buehler) has failed to make his mark in any significant way over the last four years.”

Know the real Knute and don’t give him your vote.

Ruth Herbert

Redmond

Vote Lowes for commissioner

As a health care administrator who has worked with Amy Lowes for several years, I have called upon her countless times to assist with the most difficult and impactful decisions involving quality, ethics, operations, policy, allocation of resources and regulatory changes. The characteristics that make Amy uniquely qualified to provide this level of counsel on such a diverse set of issues is her unwavering sense of responsibility to be fully informed and to consider the consequences for all stakeholders when making decisions.

Amy was selected to manage the most complex patients requiring extensive collaboration with multiple community partners. She was assigned to patients that required the highest level of accountability, expert communication skills and ability to follow through in the most challenging work circumstances. Amy welcomed the opportunity to take on challenges that required her to gain knowledge quickly, provide detailed and timely assessments, work long hours, and develop a plan that created the best outcomes for all involved. She never took the easy path and never accepted mediocrity.

Amy has consistently demonstrated the ability to advocate for patients, families, her employer and her community. Evidence of this is reflected in the steady flow of feedback over the years I have received from those involved with her professionally.

A common theme she demonstrates is excellence and pride in every aspect of her work. Her colleagues and peers hold her in the highest regard. She is a natural leader with values, skills and priorities that align perfectly with the role and responsibilities of a county commissioner.

Allison Vogt

Bend