Ballots are dropped off at the Deschutes Services Building in Bend on Sunday.

Vote for Chavez-DeRemer

As a veteran, I have been very impressed with congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s regarding veteran’s issues. The congresswoman was able to help secure $523 million in funds to help construct a new specialty care facility and to complete seismic resilience upgrades and other roadway, parking, and site improvements.

She also introduced the Home Act which will allow veterans to have access to the care and resources they need. This act will increase VA funds that will pay nonprofits for short term transitional housing.

I am relieved that the congresswoman isn’t just paying lip service to us veterans, she is getting down in the trenches and getting the work done for us. Her backing the veterans has been essential in us having faith that the federal government is actually concerned for those that have sacrificed so much for the service of their country. Now it is our part to get out and vote her back in so she can continue to fight for us in Washington, D.C.

— Don Anderson, Redmond

Vote Levy and Platt

I’m writing to encourage support for the election of Steven Platt to the Bend City Council and for the re-election of Emerson Levy as our Oregon state representative.

I’ve been a pediatrician for 25 years now, and I believe the greatest investment we can make is in the care of our children.

Representative Levy has been true to her promise to improve the safety of children in Central Oregon and championed Alyssa’s Law in 2023, which provides for a silent panic alarm system in schools. She also helped to bring $1.4 million to Redmond to help support youth in crisis and to help combat youth homelessness.

I am also voting for Steve Platt for the Bend City Council. He is a high school science teacher in Bend and has spent 25 years serving our country in the Air Force. He will be a valued voice on the Council as a local teacher and will help decrease the cost of living in Bend. He also has the knowledge and experience to manage taxpayer money from his time serving on the Bend city budget committee and from his time planning complex military budgets. He will provide a fresh perspective to the Bend City Council and will be an excellent advocate for our city’s future. Thank you.

— Suzanne Mendez, Bend

Cerveny for Bend City Council

Nick Cerveny is the candidate Bend needs for City Council. His experience managing a small business has taught him how to get more done with fewer resources, a skillset crucial for addressing the challenges our city faces. Cerveny understands the importance of selfless service and the need to prioritize the community over political agendas. He’s committed to making Bend a place where everyone can thrive, with a focus on practical solutions that ensure a sustainable future.

As a former City Councilor, I know firsthand the value of putting aside personal and political interests to focus on the greater good. Upholding the nonpartisan nature of the City Council is essential to maintaining integrity in public office. When I served, I always made it a priority to focus on the four pillars of municipal government: economic development, infrastructure, housing, and public safety. These are the core issues that affect the quality of life for every resident, and it’s crucial that they remain the focus of city leadership.

Nick Cerveny, a registered independent, shares this same vision. He understands that city governance should not be driven by political affiliations, but by a commitment to serving the people of Bend. His balanced, solution-oriented approach is exactly what Bend needs to move forward, and I encourage voters to support him in this election. Vote for Nick Cerveny —someone who will put Bend first and work tirelessly to ensure a prosperous future for all.

— Chris Piper, Bend

Editor’s Note

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