Editorials reflect the views of The ÅÝֱܽ²¥'s editorial board:
Publisher Heidi Wright; Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner; Editor Tim
Trainor and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by
Richard Coe. Contact: rcoe@bendbulletin.com
It’s a lousy moment for Deschutes County commissioners to be struggling to do much of anything to help improve the problem of homelessness.
It’s not like they are doing nothing, have done nothing or don’t care. And it’s not like it’s an easy issue to find agreement on how to help or to find money to help.
But , again. The trap was the dynamic at play at many commission meetings: The Chang/DeBone argument whirlpool.
Meetings can be round after round of Phil Chang and Tony DeBone going at it. There are significant, legitimate policy differences between the two of them. But the problem is they step into a whirlpool of nonproductive discussion of their disagreements and have a hard time swimming out. Minute after minute ticks away without progress, without finding areas of agreement.
Here’s one example: Chang on Monday said he wanted to lean into the leadership from community groups on homelessness.
“I would say that they have knowledge of what is going to be actually effective and what addresses key concerns like reintegrating people into society,†he said. “That knowledge resides in the network of homeless service providers in our community.â€
“See, I see it as we are the property owner,†DeBone said. “We represent the people of Deschutes County. We have been letting the unsanctioned camping go because of all the stuff around us. And we shouldn’t just open up more community discussions about what we are going to do.â€
They aren’t irrevocably far apart there. They didn’t seem to be able to see it. And what you miss by just reading the quotes is their tone when they address each other.
Adair, who was sitting between them Monday, didn’t seem to enjoy it.
“Can we talk nicely boys?†she said at one point. “It would be so much nicer with me sitting in the middle. We all want to get something done.â€
Commissioners can’t do much about the uncertainty and challenges around homelessness. Democracy and policy debate is going to be messy. There is something commissioners can do about the way they seek agreement and move forward.
Editorials reflect the views of The ÅÝֱܽ²¥'s editorial board: Publisher Heidi Wright; Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner; Editor Tim Trainor and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by Richard Coe. Contact: rcoe@bendbulletin.com
Editorials reflect the views of The ÅÝֱܽ²¥'s editorial board:
Publisher Heidi Wright; Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner; Editor Tim
Trainor and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe. They are written by
Richard Coe. Contact: rcoe@bendbulletin.com
I watched the discussion, too, and was embarrassed for all three commissioners. This is really the best the three can do on this tough issue? Chang and DeBone seemed intent on arguing about the past while Adair name dropped and shared unhelpful stats and info. DeBone said he wanted to propose something but failed to. Well, how about asking CHRO to give an estimate of how much money and land would be required to establish and run managed camps for the 1000 unsheltered in the county. But, be ready for a big number, Tony. The $14000 spent monthly at Juniper Ridge is going to go up to something more along $1 million monthly. And as for land, you should plan on using the entire 45 acres south of the airport.
Lastly what a waste of staff time. I wasn’t in the room, but having sat through similar sorts of meetings elsewhere, I can imagine pretty well the frustration they must have felt. When the feeling wells up in a commissioners soul to extend a discussion to no end, think first about whether the discussion will be a good use of staff time.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(2) comments
"And we shouldn’t just open up more community discussions about what we are going to do.†Fine. Then do something!
I watched the discussion, too, and was embarrassed for all three commissioners. This is really the best the three can do on this tough issue? Chang and DeBone seemed intent on arguing about the past while Adair name dropped and shared unhelpful stats and info. DeBone said he wanted to propose something but failed to. Well, how about asking CHRO to give an estimate of how much money and land would be required to establish and run managed camps for the 1000 unsheltered in the county. But, be ready for a big number, Tony. The $14000 spent monthly at Juniper Ridge is going to go up to something more along $1 million monthly. And as for land, you should plan on using the entire 45 acres south of the airport.
Lastly what a waste of staff time. I wasn’t in the room, but having sat through similar sorts of meetings elsewhere, I can imagine pretty well the frustration they must have felt. When the feeling wells up in a commissioners soul to extend a discussion to no end, think first about whether the discussion will be a good use of staff time.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.