Don’t close library

We urge the Deschutes County Public Library Board to reconsider its decision to not renew the lease for the East Bend branch library and to close that branch library. We need to be more neighborhood-focused with more people walking and biking, and with shorter drives to get places. The library system needs to contribute to a reduction in traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. This can be accomplished by having more local branches.

Many people use and enjoy the present East Bend library. It serves those of us who live in northeast and central-east Bend. We enjoy bicycling or walking to it. The meeting room is convenient for library presentations and use by other groups. We are far less likely to use the new Stevens Road library since it is further away. The traffic on 27th Street and Reed Market is becoming worse all the time, especially with all the new development.

We hope the Library Board can be open minded about this and not feel bound to their earlier decision.

— Robin and Irene Vora, Bend

Value of community health centers

Community Health Centers are the backbone of our nation’s primary healthcare system. They design innovative, integrated primary care based on what services communities need most — ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for over 31.5 million people. In addition to creating jobs and saving lives, they save the U.S. healthcare system money by preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Health centers are not ordinary medical clinics; they are also problem-solvers that reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food and housing. Health centers care for everyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. During hurricanes, floods, fires, pandemics, and job loss, health centers are first on the scene and are vital to keeping America healthy.

Locally, Mosaic Community Health serves 26,000 patients and provides 551 local jobs. Eighty nine percent of Mosaic’s patients live below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, but at Mosaic, anyone can be a patient — insured or uninsured, working or unemployed. No matter what your life circumstances are, Mosaic believes you deserve quality healthcare.

If you or someone you love has avoided seeking health care services for fear of the cost, I encourage you to schedule a visit with Mosaic to begin a journey toward better health. Finally, as part of National Health Center Week 2024, I invite you to support a health center in your neighborhood and celebrate its mission and accomplishments.

— Talbot Eckweiler is director of public affairs and communications for the Oregon Primary Care Association.

Don’t glorify wealth

On August 3rd this publication released a story about a $10.9 million home. There was nothing special about this home or any important story connected to it. It was just expensive, and that seemed newsworthy to The Bulletin. Given that the tagline of this organization is “Empowering our Community”, I’m not sure how the glorification of the wealth and greed that has been destroying this community over the last 20 years is empowering anyone. The unsustainable rise of vacation homes, vacation rentals, mansions, and people looking to cash in on this community is destroying the things that made this place special and it’s my own two cents that focusing on these issues would be much more empowering to the community than glorifying peoples greed and wealth.

— Jordan Muller, Bend

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