RVers not always homeless

My letter refers to The Bulletin article dated Sunday May 26 “Van visitors test nearby businesses.” I as an RVer (motor home owner) am very tired by people referring to us as homeless if we park overnight in your town. We are not all “homeless” but actually “landless.” Our RV (van, motor home, or trailer is our home and though we do not own the land it is parked on, it is still our home none the less. Homeless can describe a person that lives in a place not by choice, not by desire, but by economic needs.

Landless describes a person who chooses to have a home (on wheels) but not own the land it is on. This community of homeowners chooses to enjoy life to the fullest by traveling in a “mobile home.” If the owners of these units are not breaking any laws, then we should welcome them and not denigrate them for choosing an alternate lifestyle (much envied by many). If they park legally on public streets, they should not be demonized. If businesses need dedicated parking spaces, they should take up the matter with their municipality. Until then, public parking is for residents and visitors alike. Many who travel in RVs just need a place to spend a night or two until they move on. Many travelers want to enjoy our community, and we benefit from them by the money they leave behind. Please be nice and fair.

Ronald Wouda

Redmond

Make it per capita

Your May 24th editorial, “Give cap and trade money to Oregonians,” is an excellent idea, but you didn’t include the most crucial piece: all money should be given back on an equal per capita basis.

That way, everyone has a real incentive to cut their carbon emissions — it’s a way for them to make money, to receive back more money than they’re charged under cap-n-trade. Since the affluent and wealthy emit most of the carbon dioxide, studies show about 60% of residents would receive back more money than they paid. It’d be a periodic windfall; it’d help relieve poverty, while reducing emissions of carbon dioxide. What’s not to like?

David Appell

Stayton

Investigate sheriff’s chase

It is my opinion that Sheriff Shane Nelson and the sheriff’s department should be investigated regarding the sheriff-led police pursuit that occurred on May 9, 2019. Dashcam video clearly shows that Nelson disregarded his own department’s pursuit policies. Sheriff Nelson’s attempts to stop the fleeing suspect on a busy and curving stretch of highway shows poor judgment and recklessness. Nelson forces the driver to lose control of his vehicle and swerve into oncoming traffic. At one point in the video (9:15) it appears that Nelson actually blocks the driver from re-entering the right side of the road.

For District Attorney John Hummel to be quoted as saying “you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t” completely misses the point. Why is he protecting Nelson? Policies are in place for a reason. John Hummel needs to reconsider his statement and hold Shane Nelson accountable.

What other department policies does Nelson have disregard for? Did Sheriff Nelson take the situation “personally” and let his anger and frustration cloud his judgment? If so, this is a dangerous cocktail. I’m calling on all concerned citizens to contact the district attorney’s office to demand that this event not be swept under the rug. We were fortunate that no innocent people were killed during this pursuit. I fully support our men and women in uniform but not when they stray from department policy.

Mark Quon

Bend

Funding for Parkinson’s

My wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January. Since then I’ve emailed (Rep.) Greg Walden’s office four times inquiring about federal funding for Parkinson’s research and his position on that. My first three emails were ignored. My last email was May 13.

The next day I received a voicemail from a young woman apparently named Morgan in Walden’s office acknowledging I had contacted his office “on numerous occasions” about Parkinson’s research funding, and she informed me they were “working on a response.”

To date I still have not received the promised response.

Greg Walden, if you’re listening, my wife and I are still waiting for you, our congressman, to address this issue, which is critically important to many of your constituents and their families and friends.

Nelson Rivers

Redmond