Support the Bend school levy

I’m a senior at Caldera High School. We’re losing some really good teachers due to lack of funding. Teachers we do have are going to be teaching subjects they aren’t trained with good teachers leaving. Teachers and staff need to be backed by the community. And now people are saying we shouldn’t fund this levy? I’m not going to be in the system next year. But I have seen first hand what the lack of funds does and will do. Don’t take away from the students after me.

— Delenn Snyder, Bend

Phil Chang for Deschutes County Commission

Sungrounded Farm is proud to endorse Phil Chang for a second term as County Commissioner. Before and during his first term in office, commissioner Chang has made his ear available to all of Deschutes County and has a true interest in both the urban, and rural populations. Through various talks Phil has won our respect as a champion of the environment, the land, and the people.

We at Sungrounded farm believe that Phil Chang is the right choice in leadership for this county from Smith Rock to La Pine. He has worked for equity in our communities in so many avenues. We have watched him navigate the tough path between getting irrigation to our farms while also protecting the local ecosystems, and this is progress that our County desperately needs. He has fought for better land use that protects our local resources, and also has fought for affordable housing for working folks that we rely upon to keep our community running.

Here in Deschutes County we are blessed with wilderness right on our doorstep, and our leadership in government needs to respect the sanctity of natural space, urban space, and agricultural space. In this, Commissioner Chang excels. Difficult decisions like where to accommodate our unhoused neighbors need a compassionate ear in local government. Deschutes County needs a commissioner who can balance the needs of community growth with the realities of suburban sprawl into rural Oregon. Someone who listens to both sides and isn’t afraid to stand up for the overlooked.

— Ashley and Caleb Thompson, Terrebonne

Refer Bend pay raise to voters

My wife and I feel that our votes have been usurped. We voted in good faith for candidates agreeing to a common platform of responsible and responsive leadership. Now, however, it seems that their faith in the electorate is somewhat in question. An issue such as increased salaries should be on a general ballot for the citizens to decide, not the foxes in the hen house.

A responsible mayor and council members should insist on referring such a question to the voters if they feel justified in making such a request based on a proven history of leadership and increased responsibilities that necessitated such action. Their case could be built on why the raises are necessary; what past performance shows such raises are earned; what measurable outcomes and tangible results from such an investment might be.

Do our elected officials say they are committed to increased hours of effort, service, and production to justify larger salaries? No, they have relied on a committee to make a recommendation rather than on the wisdom of voters.

As citizens who appreciate jobs well done by public servants and elected officials, but we also hold that our franchise as voters allows us to voice our approval and acceptance of such significant increases. The way we traditionally voice our opinions regarding issues and those who serve us is to vote. Regretfully, the present mayor and Council have concluded that a committee is more qualified to know what the citizens can afford than the citizens themselves.

— Don and Corky Senecal, Bend

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