COIC should increase transparency

I live in Central Oregon and I serve on two city of Bend committees, both of which have significantly smaller budgets and public reach than the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC). Despite that, our meetings are recorded and made available online for the public to access. It’s concerning that COIC, a government body responsible for essential services like public transit and economic development — and managing over $70 million annually — does not provide the same level of transparency.

This lack of public access is especially troubling given recent challenges, including delays with the audit, rumors of potential service cuts to Cascades East Transit, and the ongoing issues at Hawthorne Station. These are critical matters impacting thousands of residents, and yet the public has no direct access to the discussions or decisions being made.

There is simply too much happening behind the scenes. Our community needs a flashlight to shine on the process, and recording and posting meetings online is a straightforward solution. It’s time for COIC to prioritize transparency, rebuild public trust, and ensure the community has access to the information they deserve.

— John Heylin, Bend

Commissioners made the wrong decision on DEI

I don’t agree with the recent vote of 2 of the 3 Deschutes County Commissioners to get rid of the DEI Committee. Fairness is hiring and access to services for all our citizens is an important policy that needs to be upheld and the committee is assured that this is more likely to happen than not. DEI does not mean that people are hired without merit. It means that exclusion on the basis of bias, conscious or not is less likely.

Why would you jump the gun by assuming federal dollars would not be forthcoming because we have this committee? And if this becomes the case due to the Trump administration’s punitive tactics, why would you not put up a fight? Or at the very least deal with this if/when it becomes an issue.

I am left wondering if 2 of the 3 commissioners agree with the Administration’s disdain for DEI and are using the scare tactic of money as an excuse. I hope not.

— Eileen Harrington, Bend

No good reason to eliminate DEI committee

Tony DeBone and Patti Adair last week took one of the most politically craven actions I’ve witnessed in local politics since I moved to Central Oregon almost 8 years ago. Their vote to disband the County’s DEI committee had no rational basis in fact or finding. It ignored public input they refused to read or hear. They even stated clearly that their only reason for their action was to kowtow to Trump. Deschutes County shouldn’t assent to government by ideology, much less government by idiocracy.

— Paul C. White, Bend

Corporation for Public Broadcasting, NPR need more balance, less bias

I would like to respond to Malcolm C. Turzak’s opinion letter to The Bulletin dated Feb. 6.

I am an avid listener of NPR and have been for many years. What is frustrating for me is the extreme bias they broadcast on a daily basis. It is so biased to liberal politics that it is obnoxious. That is why they are vulnerable to losing support from the conservative politicians in our country. What they need to do is have a more balanced presentation. Finding balance in the news is challenging, but NPR is a publicly funded organization that should try to offer programs that appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners.

My advice to NPR is for them to reach out to the current administration and try to develop a dialogue and make an effort to build a bridge of mutual respect. That could not only salvage their organization, but they could develop a much broader audience. It could be a huge win for everyone.

— Barry R. Jordan, Terrebonne

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