Kebler ignored complaints against transportation fee

I find it sad that Melanie Kebler chose to lead off her column by recounting a letter she received from a “concerned grandparent” about a sidewalk. Kebler conveniently ignores the 100s (1000s?) of comments the council has received against this tax (yes, it is a tax). Much like many other taxes loved by liberals this one will increase every year. And my sympathy goes out to the “visitors” whose “impact” Kebler and company will continue to find ways to tax despite the fact that tourism more than pays for itself.

— David Jankowski, Bend

Funding is not as perilous as McLeod-Skinner wrote

Jamie McLeod-Skinner recently penned a column full of fearmongering falsehoods about the current status of the farm bill and U.S.D.A. funding, including SNAP. If she wants to serve in Congress, perhaps she should begin paying closer attention to policies that are being passed and how lawmaking works in D.C.

Last month, Congress approved H.R. 4366, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was then quickly signed into law by President Biden. Included in this bipartisan government funding legislation was fiscal year 2024 funding for the USDA. It fully funded SNAP, WIC, and many other critical food and nutrition programs that Oregonians rely on. I appreciate Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer for supporting this legislation and voting against a previous bill that would’ve made harmful cuts.

Furthermore, McLeod-Skinner conflates USDA funding with the farm bill, which only authorizes USDA programs. Despite what readers are led to believe, all farm bill programs have been extended through September 30th of this year. Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer has communicated clearly that this was necessary to allow both sides, the Democrat-led Senate Agriculture Committee and the Republican-led House Agriculture Committee, to continue negotiations.

Shame on Jamie McLeod-Skinner for intentionally trying to mislead families and Oregon’s agricultural community in a cheap attempt to score political points. Oregon voters are smarter than that. There’s a reason McLeod-Skinner keeps losing elections and even her own party has abandoned her.

— Matt Cyrus, Sisters

Manning for Secretary of State

As a certified public accountant and former Oregon Deputy Secretary of State, I would like to endorse Senator James Manning in the May 2024 Democratic primary race for Secretary of State. James was appointed to represent Oregon State Senate District #7 in 2016. He served as speaker pro-tem during the most challenging legislative session in Oregon history. Despite the six-week Republican walkout in 2023, James worked with his colleagues across the aisle to accomplish his priority issues involving healthcare, homelessness, education and environmental protection. His professional and personal life has been devoted to serving his community, both on the job and off!

To many of the establishment politicians, running for Secretary of State is seen as the necessary step to the Governors’ Office. That is why I am not voting for State Treasurer Tobias Read. After the last fiasco with Shamia Fagan resigning from the office due to a criminal investigation, it is time that someone with both the qualifications and the commitment took the helm. That person is James Manning.

In addition to his role in the Senate, James was appointed by two Oregon governors to the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, serving three consecutive terms as chair. His background as a police officer followed by twenty-fours years in the U.S. Army where he served as U.S. Army Assistant Inspector General and Chief Administration Supervisor in the U.S. Army Southern Command gave James experience that will be helpful in the role of Secretary of State.

— Marilynne T. Keyser, Terrebonne

Helping hands in an emergency

Recently my husband fell and hit the planter on our deck. His forehead immediately started bleeding out of control. Rushed him to St. Charles emergency and he was immediately seen. Before he was seen, a caring woman had cleaned up the blood and then another woman gave her something to clean her hands with. Both were very caring and I want them to know how much we appreciated them. Also, all the nurses and doctors took excellent care of my husband. We are so thankful to live in Bend, even though it is not like it used to be with so many new people. God bless all the individuals who helped get my husband the care he needed. There are still many caring people willing to help others that still reside in Bend.

— Judy Lunny, Bend

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