The BulleTin • Friday, OcTOBer 21, 2022 A5
EDITORIALS & OPINIONS
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
Heidi Wright
Gerry O’Brien
Richard Coe
Publisher
Editor
Editorial Page Editor
Home energy
score needs equity
and affordability
T
he city of Bend’s affordable housing committee came out
Wednesday night against the home energy score plan of the
city of Bend’s climate committee.
We probably shouldn’t make too
big a deal out of it. The Bend City
Council makes the final decision. The
climate committee has not briefed the
affordable housing committee. And
there was no actual vote by the afford-
able housing committee. There was a
discussion and a consensus emerged
about concerns on affordability and
equity. Perhaps, the bigger worry
would be if the city’s affordable hous-
ing committee wasn’t bringing up
those concerns.
The plan is for Bend to have a man-
datory home energy score program.
It’s like a miles per gallon rating for a
home. It shows consumers how ex-
pensive it might be to do things like
heat and cool a home. Before a home
is listed, it would have to have a score
and the score included in the list-
ing. The city has said the cost might
run $150 to $300. A private business
would provide the service and the city
would issue fines of up to $750 for
noncompliance. That could increase if
the property stays out of compliance.
The idea is the score would give home
buyers information about the true
cost of owning a home and give home
sellers an incentive to make improve-
ments in existing homes.
What happens if the price for a
score shoots up because the program
is mandatory?
What plans are there for the city to
help low-income sellers come up with
the money to pay for a score?
dean Guernsey/Bulletin file
Gavin Ames, left, and Travis Trondle with
Sunlight Solar Energy Inc. work on solar
panels on a home in Bend in 2021.
Higher-income homeowners are
going to be more readily able to make
improvements in homes to take ad-
vantage of the information. Is that an
equitable outcome?
Those are some of the general areas
of concern Cindy King, the chair of
the city’s affordable housing commit-
tee, brought up Wednesday night.
They are concerns that need to be
fully addressed before the city ap-
proves any program. You can see
more about the city’s plan, includ-
ing the draft code, here: tinyurl.com/
BendHES. It does not spell out com-
plete answers to the issues raised by
King.
You can tell Bend City Councilors
what you think at council@bendore-
gon.gov.
Judicial retirements can’t
be separated from politics
J
udges on the Oregon Supreme
Court are elected officials. But
with the retirement of Supreme
Court Chief Justice Martha L. Wal-
ters in December voters won’t get to
choose her immediate replacement.
Walters is retiring two years into
her six-year term. Gov. Kate Brown
gets to pick her successor. That allows
her successor to run as an incum-
bent. Oregon Supreme Court Justice
Thomas Balmer will also retire at the
end of the year. Brown gets to pick his
successor. That allows his successor to
run as an incumbent.
Notice a pattern? The same pattern
often repeats in Oregon. Judges retire
before the end of their term. The gov-
ernor gets to appoint.
Is the timing of the retirements a
political act? Would that matter?
We are not out to disparage the de-
cisions of Walters or Balmer or their
service to the state. Judges in Oregon
are required to retire after they turn
75. Both of them are over 70. Wal-
ters has said through a spokesperson
that she decided to step down now
because she had already stayed lon-
ger than she had planned. Balmer has
█
said he has other things he wants to
do.
But think about the timing of their
announcements and the race for gov-
ernor. Oregon may have a Republican
governor, Democratic governor or
even maybe an independent governor.
The person Brown appoints would
likely be different than the person Re-
publican Christine Drazan would ap-
point, if she wins.
The decisions of Walters and
Balmer may have had nothing to do
with politics. They still cannot be sep-
arated from politics.
We don’t have a solution. Delaware
tried a constitutional provision that
requires appointments to the state’s
major courts to reflect a political bal-
ance. But what happens if a person
who is not affiliated with a party seeks
a position? And Delaware doesn’t
elect judges like Oregon. They are all
appointed.
We rely on judges to make decisions
on the bench based on the law and not
politics. If they are seen as making re-
tirement decisions based on politics, it
is not going to be good for the public’s
view of the justice system.
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
McLeod-Skinner for Congress
I met Jamie McLeod-Skinner recently, and that
in-person meeting confirmed my decision to vote for
her for Congress in District 5. She has been consistent
and upfront about her support for families, including
women’s rights, affordable health care and common
sense gun regulations. I am alarmed at how Repub-
licans are trying to deny the right to a safe and legal
abortion — even in cases of rape, incest and conditions
that threaten the life of the mother. Jamie supports
women’s rights, while her opponent cheered the rever-
sal of Roe v. Wade
She’s a hard worker who has the support of the Or-
egon Nurses Association and Planned Parenthood,
among many others. I have done my homework and I
believe that as a congresswoman, Jamie will work hard
to protect the safety of our families and our commu-
nities.
— Gretchen Williver, Bend
Vote no on Measure 114
Measure 114 will do nothing to reduce mass shoot-
ings or gun violence. It will make our tax dollars spent
to defend an unconstitutional bill in court. Don’t be
fooled by the feel-good claims on this bill. Read it and
it will make felons out of honest people, stress the po-
lice department’s who have no programs that this bill
requires. It will also affect the poor and minorities
who will not be able to afford the fees levied. A permit
could be in limbo for years, as there is no limit on wait-
ing period to obtain a weapon. Sensible background
checks to include juvenile records that were expunged,
and raising the age to buy a semiautomatic to 21 or 25
would actually have an impact and withstand constitu-
tional scrutiny.
— Bruce Evans, Bend
Naiveté of The Bulletin’s endorsement
of Betsy Johnson
All eligible citizens should vote but should be aware
of the political realities in this election. Phil Knight
and other rich Republicans want a Republican gov-
ernor, that’s why they helped finance Betsy Johnson’s
campaign. They know that she will siphon votes from
other candidates and are betting Johnson will flip more
Democrats giving the Republican a boost. This spoiler
strategy has been obvious for months and appears
to be working. Now in the final days of campaigning
Knight has abandoned any pretense of backing the “in-
dependent” Johnson and shifted his substantial finan-
cial support to the Republican.
The bottom line is that according to recent polls
Johnson has no real chance of winning. Even if you
buy The Bulletin editorial board’s arguments, a vote for
Johnson is futile. Democrats and Independents who
vote for Johnson are in effect voting for the Republican.
Oregonians run the real risk of having a far-right
MAGA Republican as governor. The only way to keep
that from happening is to vote for the Democratic can-
didate, Tina Kotek.
— Don Miller, Bend
Ed Fitch is the best choice for mayor of
Redmond
Ed is better prepared to take over the reins of the city
than his opponents because he has the most relevant
experience, a clear vision for Redmond’s future and
a rock solid commitment to an inclusive process for
making policy decisions.
Ed’s experience includes 40-plus years working in
city government. He’s been a successful attorney, a past
city attorney, past mayor, chair of the Redmond Devel-
opment Commission, has served on many public com-
missions and committees, has been involved in local
civic and business organizations and currently serves
on the Redmond City Council.
Ed’s vision for Redmond and the council center
around a transparent city council that actively involves
and represents the public, a city budget that contin-
ues to be fiscally sound and anticipates and addresses
growth, comprehensive plans to better manage traf-
fic and enhance the livability of our neighborhoods,
collaboration with other local governments and civic
groups to develop long term solutions to homelessness
issues, a heavy focus on safety in our public spaces and
in our schools, and finally, a real commitment to diver-
sity and inclusion — not just words; actions.
Ed’s opponents both lack his experience and vision!
Jay has been a solid council member but lacks vision.
Ben has no experience governing; he would be a mayor
in on-the-job training.
Vote for Ed Fitch — he’ll hit the ground running and
lead the way to a more open and welcoming Redmond.
— Bill Braly, Redmond
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Elect Melanie Kebler as Bend’s next mayor to solve problems
BY MELANIE KEBLER
W
ho we elect as our next
mayor matters.
Our secret is out: Bend
is an amazing place to live. People
from all over have moved to Bend
in record numbers. New neighbors
and new shops fill our streets. There’s
a lot to celebrate. There are also real
challenges. As growth accelerates, we
have a critical moment — right now
— to decide how to preserve the city
that we love, and plan for the city we
will become. I’m running for mayor
for us to own what comes next.
I grew up here. Bend was a lot
smaller back then, but we had the
same spirit we have today. After I
graduated Bend High, I went to work
protecting my community as a pros-
ecutor and a victims’ rights attorney.
My love for Bend drew me back here
to start my family. Then, in 2020, it led
me to run for City Council. I was tired
of watching our local leaders punt the
ball on housing and homelessness.
The voters agreed, and I’m proud to
say I’ve been able to get real results
on these issues as your councilor. But
there’s more work to be done.
I don’t want to just talk about
homelessness — I want to solve it.
Within six months of my election,
the city established a permanent
emergency shelter to keep people out
of the elements. In my first year, the
council worked across partisan lines,
in collaboration with our county
commissioners, to come up with a
Coordinated Homelessness Response
Office. This will be a game-changer
that provides a true strategic plan to
solve the crisis. We also need clear
rules about sheltering on our public
streets, so right now we are creating
detailed regulations of public rights
GUEST COLUMN
of way to ensure
clarity and safety
for people both un-
housed and housed.
These initiatives
were long overdue,
and while they’re
having an impact
Kebler
even now, we can’t
lose momentum.
As mayor, I’ll continue to support
creative, collaborative solutions on
homelessness that we need to lift
people out of the trauma of life on
the streets.
The lack of housing supply and
subsidized affordable housing is
pushing too many people out of our
city. I led the effort to make code
changes to allow for more housing,
get rid of red tape, and allow the new
housing types we desperately need.
I pushed for the city to review and
streamline our permitting process
so we get homes built more quickly.
And this council worked with the
Legislature to bring in new land on
the east side on Bend’s terms, with
plans for thousands of new homes,
including affordable homes for ed-
ucators. As mayor, I will continue to
advocate for smart growth solutions
that provide the homes we need, in-
vest in safer and connected transpor-
tation options, and protect our envi-
ronment.
My priorities are reflected in those
who support me. My campaign vol-
unteers and donors come from every
part of our community. A half dozen
labor unions, the Oregon League of
Conservation Voters and Everytown
for Gun Safety Action Fund have
endorsed my candidacy. So have
dozens of elected officials and com-
munity leaders, such as state Rep. Ja-
son Kropf, Deschutes County Com-
missioner Phil Chang, Bend Mayor
Gena Goodman-Campell and for-
mer Redmond Mayor Alan Unger.
I’m humbled to have such incredible
support.
The next four years will decide
whether those who work in Bend can
afford to live here, whether the rise
in homelessness is reversed or made
permanent and whether city sprawl
swallows our forests and deserts for-
ever. We need serious leadership, and
I’ve shown I’m serious about getting
positive results for our community.
I’m ready to lead Bend as our next
mayor, and I’d be honored to have
your vote. Let’s own our city’s future.
█
Melanie Kebler is a current Bend city councilor
and candidate for mayor of Bend.