Re-elect Russell

I’ve lived and worked in Bend for more than 25 years, and during that time I’ve worked with Sally Russell on a number of issues affecting our community. Through this, I’ve observed that she’s a dedicated public servant with a strong appetite for listening to all views and building consensus around fiscally-responsible solutions.

As a member of the Boundary Technical Advisory Committee, I saw that Russell understood what the urban growth boundary work can mean for our residents, businesses and quality of life going forward. She worked hard to be sure many community members were engaged throughout the process, and the City Council unanimously supported the current proposal to expand the UGB.

I also serve on the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, and I’m confident that Russell understands that Bend needs to invest more in supporting and building jobs in sectors with growth potential that align with Bend’s core values. She’s an advocate for building on our city’s success with recreational tourism into other, broader areas including high tech, recreational product development, food product development and similar types of businesses.

That kind of business development will bring Bend higher wage-paying jobs and preserve the things that make Bend special. Over the past four years on Bend’s City Council, Russell has proven her ability to lead, include diverse voices and look for solutions that work for the entire community. She deserves the chance to continue her work shaping and developing plans for the future of Bend.

Dale Van Valkenburg

Bend

Choose Delgado for Oregon Senate

If the current, seemingly endless, absurd and debased election cycle has produced anything of value, it may be in exposing just how disgusted the American people are with “politics as usual,” including our corrupt campaign financing system. Entrenched politicians are increasingly beholden to the big corporations, big banks and multiple PACs that fund their campaigns, and decreasingly responsive to those they were elected to serve.

It appears that elections in Central Oregon are no exception. One important reason I’m supporting Greg Delgado — a refreshing candidate running for state Senate District 27 — against incumbent Sen. Tim Knopp, is that Delgado relies solely on modest donations from local people to fund his authentic, grassroots campaign.

Although Delgado is an “untested” politician (another plus?), he has worked for years in Central Oregon for organizations such as Jobs with Justice, CAUSA and multiple local nonprofits to advance issues relating to economic, social and environmental justice and equity, including: affordable housing; health care for all; promoting a local, resilient economy; immigration reform; minority and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights; support for working families; environmental stewardship; and strengthening education.

Delgado’s big heart and passionate voice will be a vital presence in Salem, making sure that all of our voices are heard in the halls of power, and that we are all included in the decisions that affect our lives. Just as importantly, his years of active community service have taught him the great value of listening: how to reach across the divides that separate us to build common ground and to make change happen. Join me in voting yes for Delgado!

Emilie Marlinghaus

Bend

Russell listens to constituents

I spent an entire year meeting regularly with City Councilor Sally Russell as a citizen, small business owner and in my role as a board member for the Bend Chamber of Commerce. Our conversations covered a wide variety of topics that impact our city and how Bend business can achieve and thrive.

I have always found Russell to be focused on listening and learning as much as she can about the issues that face Bend rather than coming to the table with tightly held and immovable positions.

Russell is a candidate with experience and an ability to speak with knowledge on many subjects. However, she does not surround herself in a bubble, but believes in broad outreach to the community at large, thereby gaining a clear grasp on the issues and their impacts on individuals and businesses. I believe she listens to a wide range of viewpoints before making informed decisions, pro-actively seeking information and input from her constituency. Once armed with information, Russell is a tireless advocate for our city.

I also see her as a thoughtful bridge builder and communicator in the council.

Based on my personal experience with Russell, I am pleased to encourage fellow Bendites to elect her to another term as our city councilor. We need councilors who will listen to our community and carefully consider before they act.

Talena Barker

Bend

Buehler has kept his word

As we race toward election day, there is an abundance of misleading and skewed campaign ads being slung around. With regard to Knute Buehler, he has kept his word and is exactly who he says he is.

Two years ago, Buehler promised to serve with an open mind, a tolerant heart and a thoughtful voice. He pledged to be an independent leader for Bend, willing to break with his party to achieve results for the citizens of Bend and Oregon. He has done this. Buehler does not fit the narrow labels that often define politics today.

Recently, Buehler’s opponent was critical of his vote against the state K-12 budget. What she did not state is that Buehler voted no because it was too small. In 2005, K-12 received 44.7 percent of general fund revenues. Today it receives about 39 percent. Buehler and I believe education is truly a top priority and our budget should reflect that. Stand for Children, Oregon’s largest, nonpartisan student advocacy organization endorsed Buehler’s re-election campaign over Gena Goodman-Campbell. Buehler has a broad bipartisan coalition of local educators, local elected officials and local Democrats standing beside him in support of his re-election campaign. We need Buehler in Salem as our state representative.

Please join me in voting for Knute Buehler.

Carol Stiles

Bend

Support Nelson for sheriff

After serving more than 29 years in the law enforcement field, I am supporting Shane Nelson for sheriff. Nelson is honest, straightforward with the public and deals with challenging issues in a professional and positive manner. No public agency is immune from personnel problems, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is no exception. Nelson has done one-on-one interviews with his employees to find and fix problems, and we can be assured that the best interest of the public is his primary concern.

We are fortunate in Deschutes County to have a sheriff with Nelson’s qualifications. The choice is clear: Shane Nelson for sheriff.

Ken Kerfoot

Redmond

Deschutes GOP endorsements

The following are the positions/endorsements from Deschutes County Republican Party:

Positions on ballot measures:

No. 94 —Repeal judge retirement at 75: No

No. 95 — Public university invest in equities: No

No. 96 — Lottery: 1.5 percent to veterans: Yes

No. 97 — Hidden sales tax on businesses: No

No. 98 — School dropout, career ready: Yes

No. 99 — Outdoor school funding: No

No. 100 —Endangered animal sales: Yes

Candidate endorsements:

U.S president: Donald Trump

U.S. Senate: Mark Callahan

U.S. House: Greg Walden

Oregon governor: Bud Pierce

Oregon secretary of state: Dennis Richardson

Oregon treasurer: Jeff Gudman

Oregon attorney general.: Daniel Crowe

Oregon Senate: Tim Knopp, Ted Ferrioli, Dennis Linthicum

Oregon House: Gene Whisnant, Knute Buehler, John Huffman, Mike McLane

County commissioner: Phil Henderson

County sheriff: Shane Nelson

Bend City Council: Justin Livingston, Bill Moseley, Wade Fagen

Redmond mayor: George Endicott

Robert Perry

Redmond