The Downtown Bend Public Library will have a Writers Writing quiet time Monday morning.

Rethink the plans for the central library

The plans for the new library building are beautiful and grand, but is that what we need or want? I think that the recent election results say it is not. Ray Miao won the seat for the library board by 60% and he is opposed to building such a grand edifice. The $150 million is a huge sum of money, and the end project does not make the accessibility easier for the users.

Our library is vibrant and inclusive to all. Because of our love for the Deschutes Public Library system, the voters approved the monies to fund ‘things’. There is the problem. My understanding, and that of others I’ve talked with, was the money would be used to upgrade the technology side of the central library, a new library for Redmond and establish more neighborhood libraries around the county. I felt our current library was centralized and would be upgraded. OK, I was bamboozled. I feel foolish for voting without knowing all the facts.

Please listen to the citizens of Deschutes County. We are asking for a less ostentatious building and developing more neighborhood libraries. It will help cut down on traffic, which is already horrific, and people will be able to walk or ride their bikes to their library. And wouldn’t it be a wonderful day when our children can safely walk to their library to participate in the activities or check out books!

Thank you for your time.

— Gerry Sharp, Bend

State Sen. Tim Knopp is MIA (missing in action)

The legislative session in 2023 is coming to a close and important legislative concepts that impact our health and well-being in Senate District 27 and all over rural Oregon are sitting at a desk instead of making their way through our democratic legislative process.

Many concerned community members have worked hard with their communities to craft legislative concepts around our hopes, needs, and expectations for 2023 and beyond. We are coming out of a pandemic; our former president has a new indictment coming out every day now; our community is divided, and we need to know where Sen. Tim Knopp stands. If you stand for a prosperous, healthy, and unified Oregon around our common values, join in the dialogue, don’t run.

Those that pick and choose what parts of democracy are available to the people are authoritarian tyrants like Assad or Putin. Why is Tim Knopp acting like one of them? Voters must not forget what’s happening next time we see Tim in a ballot box, regardless of the position he may want to run for!

— Joanne Mina, Bend

Oregonians desire to protect the environment over growth

The Bulletin recently reported that over two-thirds of survey respondents answered in favor of prioritizing environmental protection over economic growth. It is unsurprising that the majority of Oregonians favor laws that protect our beautiful and abundant state, but Oregonians also know this “environment vs. economy” question is not an either-or.

In fact, protecting the environment directly benefits the economy. For example, outdoor recreation is a major driver of economic activity and growth in Oregon, where the industry continues to grow. A 2021 Travel Oregon study found that outdoor recreation in the state supports 224,000 jobs and generates $15.6 billion in consumer spending. Protecting rivers, forests, fisheries, wildlife and access to public lands provides opportunities for Oregonians and visitors to enjoy our state’s lands and waters.

We can use environmental protections to support a thriving, sustainable economy and to foster healthy communities. Sen. Ron Wyden’s River Democracy Act proposes new Wild and Scenic Rivers all across the state and would provide protections for fish, wildlife and clean drinking water, and would safeguard recreational opportunities. The streams included in the bill are some of the state’s most cherished waterways, such as the Fall River, Tumalo Creek, Paulina Creek, and Whychus Creek right here in Central Oregon.

Oregonians know that we can’t have a healthy economy without a healthy environment. We need laws that promote both the economy and the environment. The River Democracy Act, if passed, would be one of those laws.

— Sami Godlove, Central Oregon field associate for Oregon Wild

Do you have a point you’d like to make or an issue you feel strongly about? Submit a letter to the editor.