A8 The BulleTin • Thursday, OcTOBer 13, 2022
EDITORIALS & OPINIONS
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
Heidi Wright
Gerry O’Brien
Richard Coe
Publisher
Editor
Editorial Page Editor
Vote for Jamie
McLeod-Skinner
for Congress
O
regon’s new Congressional district that stretches from
Bend to Portland will get a new member of Congress. We
endorse Jamie McLeod-Skinner over her opponent Lori
Chavez-DeRemer.
McLeod-Skinner as an advocate of de-
Who you vote for is up to you, but
funding the police. That is false. When
we endorse McLeod-Skinner because
McLeod-Skinner was city manager of
we think she better mirrors the posi-
Talent, the city actually in-
tion of the editorial board on a
creased funding for the po-
variety of issues.
lice. She is an advocate of high
A key issue for many vot-
standards for police and for
ers is abortion. The difference
wellness benefits for them.
between these two candidates
That is just common sense.
is not as simple as one sup-
McLeod-Skinner grew up
ports and one opposes abor-
supported by a single mom
tion rights. McLeod-Skinner
McLeod-
working multiple jobs to stay
does broadly support abor-
Skinner
afloat. It impresses us that
tion rights. She would like
McLeod-Skinner went to
them codified into federal law.
Chavez-DeRemer told us she supports war-torn Bosnia and Kosovo in the
1990s to help rebuild. She has a law
access to abortion in the first trimester
degree and serves on the board of the
and all access in cases of rape, incest
Jefferson County Education Service
and the life of the mother.
With the shooting at the Bend Safe-
District and on the Oregon Watershed
way and way before that, gun safety has Enhancement Board. And when she
been a concern. Both candidates say
was working as city manager in Tal-
they will defend the Second Amend-
ent, she helped lead the response to
ment. McLeod-Skinner seeks to find
wildfire recovery. Those experiences
gun laws to keep people safe and allow
will give her a strong foundation to
responsible gun owners to keep their
represent her district and figure out
guns. She is interested in looking at age what the federal government should
limits for purchase and wants to ensure be doing.
laws are in place to block unregistered
We would like to issue Mc-
ghost guns. Chavez-DeRemer believes
Leod-Skinner a challenge, as well. If
in emphasis on mental health interven- you are elected, prove to us that you
tions and fighting crime, not more gun can work across the aisle and create
safety regulation.
solutions with your Republican col-
On the environment, health care,
leagues. Oregonians are interested in
government spending and many other solutions for the nation’s challenges,
issues, the differences seem fairly clas-
not partisan politics. She told us that
sic differences between a Democrat in
is what she wants, too — to “focus on
McLeod-Skinner and a Republican in
solving the problems.” So deliver.
Chavez-DeRemer.
Whoever you decide to support in
Chavez-DeRemer has tried to paint
this election, please vote.
Vote no on Deschutes
County psilocybin ban
T
he vote on the Deschutes County
ballot on psilocybin mush-
rooms is like Deschutes County
Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony
DeBone saying: “Sorry voters, we didn’t
like how you voted before. Try again.”
Oregon voters approved Measure
109 in 2020, legalizing hallucinogenic
mushrooms in many ways in Ore-
gon — production, processing and
treatment.
Deschutes County voters approved
it, too.
Does the county really need to vote
on that again? We don’t think so. And
we endorse voting “no” on the opt out
measure on the November ballot.
Adair and Tony DeBone voted to
put it on the ballot. The measure would
prohibit psilocybin manufacturing and
treatment centers in the unincorpo-
rated parts of the county. This measure
█
would not change what happens in the
city limits of Bend, La Pine, Redmond
and Sisters. Everyone in the county gets
to vote on this measure. There are sep-
arate, similar measures on the ballot
specifically for La Pine and Redmond.
Many people are rightly concerned
about what the regulations for psilocy-
bin will be. That’s a concern with any-
thing new government does — a tax,
a policy, a building code, regulating a
new type of business. And yes there is
reason to be cautious about how a new
drug will be regulated.
The state is setting rules. The county
is coming up with its own regulations.
Get them right. If they aren’t producing
the desired outcome, fix them. The vot-
ers spoke. Carry out their wishes.
We think you should vote “no” on
the Deschutes County psilocybin ban.
But whatever you do, please vote.
Editorials reflect the views of The Bulletin’s editorial board, Publisher Heidi Wright, Editor Gerry O’Brien and
Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by Richard Coe.
My Nickel’s Worth
Ariel Méndez for Bend City Council
For years my friends told me I needed to meet Ari. I
had seen his name in the newspaper whenever trans-
portation or parks issues were discussed. He is a prom-
inent figure in shaping the direction Bend is going.
“You two have so much to talk about,” they said.
They were right.
I finally met Ariel Méndez when I attended a City
Club forum of city managers in the region. We sat next
to each other during the luncheon and talked policy.
Méndez is a Stanford grad and instructor of political
science at O.S.U. Cascades. Civics is my day job, and I
can tell you, this guy knows the Constitution. He un-
derstands that democracy is a culture and participa-
tion is key. And he isn’t just talk – he serves. He shows
up. As a father of three and husband to a medical
provider, Ariel Mendez has plenty to do, and still he
makes time for this town. He is calm and humble, has
integrity and good ideas. Please join me in supporting
him for City Council where he can preserve the won-
ders of our town while helping it grow responsibly.
— Amy Sabbadini, Bend
An open letter to Betsy Johnson
Run, Betsy, run! Jump, Betsy, jump! Dance to the
tune played — and funded — by Phil Knight.
Wake up, Betsy!
Wake from the nightmare that has you running
solely as Phil’s stalking horse. You are more than a lap
behind. It’s way past time to stop being Phil Knight’s
lap dog. Your continued candidacy serves no other
purpose than to hand governance of Oregon to the
one whom Knight really wants to see in Salem, serving
Knight’s divisive and dangerous Republican agenda.
Do yourself — and us — a favor. Step aside; stop danc-
ing; stop running, Betsy.
— Paul White, Bend
Christine Drazan for governor
Oregon voters have a clear choice this election to
turn things around. That choice is Christine Drazan.
Oregon has had a void in leadership for at least two
decades. Failure to fix problems of crime, homeless-
ness, education and to rely on tax increases are just the
tip of the iceberg. Drazan has the answers to turn Ore-
gon around in her “Roadmap for Oregon.”
The idea that Oregon can keep voting the same way
and expecting a different result does not make sense.
I think it is time to clean house and take the state back
from a failed agenda. Let’s not make the same mistakes
of the past.
Let’s elect Christine Drazan for new direction.
— John Brenneman, Bend
Deschutes County treasurer needs expertise
We have an opportunity to ensure we’ll have an ex-
perienced financial expert to oversee the management
of our county’s finances by electing Bill Kuhn as De-
schutes County Treasurer.
Bill has over 30 years of financial management ex-
perience right here in the county. He has directly sup-
ported the county with its banking needs as Bend
President of First Interstate Bank. There’s no one in the
community better prepared to serve as the steward of
our more than $600 million in county revenues than
Bill.
In addition to his financial acumen, Bill has been
a staunch supporter of the non-profits serving Bend
and Central Oregon volunteering his time, efforts and
expertise. Under his watch, First Interstate has sup-
ported numerous local non-profits with grants for
their operations and expansion. Bill personally has
volunteered hundreds of hours to nonprofits; he has
a passion and commitment to issues surrounding af-
fordable housing and food insecurity. He has a proven
understanding of and a commitment to our commu-
nity.
We don’t need a businessperson or a tech expert to
manage our money, we need a financier, and Bill Kuhn
is that person. As someone who has known Bill or
over twenty years, both as former client and by work-
ing with him in his volunteer efforts, I can attest to his
ethics, financial knowledge and skill. That’s why I’m
voting for him in the upcoming election and hope you
will too.
— Jeff Robberson, Bend
Letters policy
Guest columns
How to submit
We welcome your letters. letters
should be limited to one issue, contain
no more than 250 words and include
the writer’s phone number and ad-
dress for verification. We edit letters
for brevity, grammar, taste and legal
reasons. We reject poetry, personal
attacks, form letters, letters submitted
elsewhere and those appropriate for
other sections of The Bulletin. Writers
are limited to one letter or guest col-
umn every 30 days.
your submissions should be between
550 and 650 words and must include
the writer’s phone number and ad-
dress for verification. We edit submis-
sions for brevity, grammar, taste and
legal reasons. We reject those submit-
ted elsewhere. locally submitted col-
umns alternate with national colum-
nists and commentaries. Writers are
limited to one letter or guest column
every 30 days.
Please address your submission to
either My nickel’s Worth or Guest col-
umn and mail, fax or email it to The
Bulletin. email submissions are pre-
ferred.
email: letters@bendbulletin.com
Write: My nickel’s Worth/Guest col-
umn
P.O. Box 6020
Bend, Or 97708
Fax:
541-385-5804
Measure 114 will hamper recreation and habitat conservation
BY ED MAY
A
s we contend with unprece-
dented drought in much of the
state, it’s important to max-
imize funding for conservation ef-
forts. Places like the Klamath Basin in
Southern Oregon have completely dry
wetlands for the first time in history,
leaving millions of migrating water-
fowl without critical habitat. This Fall,
a ballot measure aimed at reforming
gun safety laws would have an adverse
effect on conservation efforts in Ore-
gon. While we support common sense
firearm safety provisions, we have
concerns over the unintended conse-
quences of Oregon Measure 114, its
impact on outdoor recreation, and the
effect that will have on funding for fu-
ture conservation efforts.
Hunters are conservationists. We
rely on the integrity of wide-open
spaces and the health of wildlife pop-
ulations for our recreation. It’s no
coincidence that Ducks Unlimited,
the nation’s leading nonprofit in wet-
lands conservation, was founded by
hunters in 1937. Because of our close
connection to the land, hunters are
some of the most active in preserv-
ing internationally important hab-
itats and wildlife populations along
the Pacific Flyway and in Oregon.
Measure 114’s overly burdensome
requirements will place unnecessary
hurdles on families and hunters that
have already taken gun safety train-
ing courses, resulting in lower par-
ticipation, particularly for our youth
and the next generation of hunters.
Eliminating opportunities for well-
trained, responsible recreationalists
will take away much needed funding
from conservation efforts, further
harming delicate wildlife habitats.
Hunter safety training, offered for
a fee by Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife (ODFW) and ODFW
approved entities, is already required
when applying for a hunting license
GUEST COLUMN
Hunters are conservationists. We
rely on the integrity of wide-open
spaces and the health of wildlife
populations for our recreation. …
Because of our close connection
to the land, hunters are some
of the most active in preserving
internationally important
habitats and wildlife populations
along the Pacific Flyway and in
Oregon.
for the first time or for hunters under
the age of 18. Under Measure 114,
trained and responsible gun own-
ers will have to sign up and pay for
an additional training course not yet
even designed and endure long de-
lays. We have heard from sheriff de-
partments that the training course
envisioned by this measure may not
be logistically possible, which will re-
sult in long delays, and possibly, the
end of all firearm sales. Additionally,
this measure will eliminate the cur-
rent three-day timeline to conduct
background checks and could result
in indefinite delays for firearm pur-
chase approvals.
These uncertainties will limit
hunter participation and reduce sales
of hunting licenses, firearms, and
ammunition, which will reduce con-
servation funding and cause a ripple
effect that will impact wildlife and
habitat management for decades.
The Pittman-Robertson Act of
1937, which created a tax on fire-
arms and ammunition for conser-
vation and hunter safety, generates
over $1 billion annually for criti-
cal habitat restoration projects and
hunter safety training through state
agencies. In fact, sportsmen and
sportswomen provide as much as
47% of Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife’s budget annually. Mea-
sure 114 will reduce this vital conser-
vation funding source and negatively
impact resources available to ODFW
for wildlife management and teach-
ing responsible gun ownership.
There is no doubt that gun safety
should remain a top priority, but
Measure 114 is not the answer for
Oregon. Should the measure pass,
we look forward to working with the
proponents and the Oregon State
Legislature to find solutions and ad-
dress unintended consequences. Let’s
work together for responsible gun
ownership, while maintaining access
to family recreation opportunities
and preserving critical funding that
our wildlife need to survive.
█
Ed May lives in Banks.