Before voting, some things to do

I encourage all registered voters in Deschutes County to think about two paramount issues as they cast their ballots in the upcoming primary and general elections. They are climate change and democracy. These two issues transcend identity politics, party affiliation, religion and ethnicity. I call upon all patriots to defend our nation and the healthy planet on which it depends from the environmental crisis that is climate change. Likewise, patriots must defend our democracy and its institutions against the deconstruction that some would otherwise promote. For without a healthy planet and a healthy body politic, it will not be possible to address other pressing issues such as abortion, the national debt, income inequality, social security, the border crisis, the wars in the Middle East and Europe, famine in the developing world, etc.

In the opera Nabucco, the chorus laments, “O, mia patria, sì bella e perduta” (Oh my country, so beautiful and so lost.”) Do not let this happen to America. Rather, elect local, state, and federal representatives who will defend our Constitution and its institutions and who will promote legislation that will mitigate climate change. Character matters in choosing our leaders, True patriotism requires that love of the country and all its people come before party or self. So, please vote and consider putting the country first, and check out the League of Conservation Voters scorecard or other sources to see where your elected officials and candidates for office stand on democracy and environment.

— Roger A. Sabbadini, Bend

Ensuring a real future for Oregon’s wildlife

In his Bulletin opinion piece “Oregon wildlife commission poised to make the most consequential decision in a decade,” Adam Bronstein ignores data and science and provides no solutions for future funding for fish and wildlife in our state.

The work of ODFW is primarily supported (57%, 2023) by revenue generated by hunting and fishing licenses and tags. These funds are put to use by ODFW’s biologists for true conservation and biology — supporting habitat and restoration, protecting wildlife migration, and ensuring a vibrant fishery. Additionally, these activities brought an estimated $1 billion in revenue to the state in 2020.

Hunting and fishing are neither recreation nor consumptive. Oregonians care deeply about their food and where it comes from, and there is no better example than the opportunity to harvest organic meat from the land, while putting significant money into conservation. Additionally, one wonders where catch and release fishing falls into this “consumptive” descriptor?

Our commission and its director indeed have challenges ahead of them, but blowing a larger than $1.2 billion hole in the state’s budget and economy while searching for other ways to monetize wildlife viewing should not be on the list. We face a real challenge in the face of ungulate populations below population objectives while the number of cougars are more than twice the objective, and wolves are thriving.

As Oregonians we need to embrace the constructive pursuit of food sovereignty, our outdoor heritage, and the real work to be done rather than promote fear and an uncertain future for wildlife.

—Michael Stadnisky, Bend

Ban gas leaf blowers

At a time when good news can be hard to find, a story in Friday’s Bulletin offered reason to smile. (“Portland will ban all gas-powered leaf blowers,” March 16) At long last, the citizens of Portland convinced their city council to join more than 100 large and small cities across the nation in phasing out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

And now, members of the Bend City Council: it’s your turn. It’s past time to stay ahead of the inevitable common-sense curve by getting rid of these undeniable blights to the peace, quiet and cleanliness of our beautiful neighborhoods.

The Fourth of July will be here before we know it. Why not introduce legislation, no later than Independence Day, to help us celebrate freedom from ear-splitting noise, liberty from eye-watering dust and justice for all who are tired of watching debris blown from one yard to another? Today’s voters will thank you; Tomorrow’s citizens will wonder what took you so long.

— Jack Hamann, Bend

Editor’s Note

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