I am making these comments so that these topics can reach the citizens of Redmond. This is not meant to impugn anyone, but rather add another perspective and hopefully be of some use to the city council and mayor in the future.

Is last year different than this year? I believe the obvious answer is: Yes. Today is the day when we need to speak up, write to the paper and to the boards, such as the school board or city council.

Too often we don’t know what is happening until it is too late and we just adapt. Often the decisions the boards are making do not align with our own values. Voting is often the most effective way to make a difference, but the years in between elections are when bad decisions happen.

We need to ask questions, get informed and stay engaged. Too often people with common sense ideas are the ones concentrating on raising their families and working to make a living. Not the ones carrying signs and protesting or going to meetings to be the squeaky wheels.

The problem is the loud voices often win the most, in this game of life. This has got to stop. Stand up and be heard. You don’t need to show up to every meeting. Talk with likeminded friends and take turns showing up to have your voices heard.

Now for the second concern.

We have enough issues in the city of Redmond. The last thing we need is to bring on more challenges. Our state has already created havoc with Measure 110, giving the go-ahead to legalized drugs everywhere. Because of federal law and the way our business license code is written in Redmond, we are able to keep dispensaries out. Adding more drug access in our community is a real negative for our children.

I heard Mayor Ed Fitch talk about marijuana and about the demographics in Redmond and how they have changed. When I heard that on the radio interview I wanted to just scream.

After thinking about it, I came to the realization that they have changed. Redmond is not that way it was 25 years ago — we have tripled in population.

Considering that, I ask the mayor and council to look back at the November election. The mayor’s race had right at 15,000 votes. Two thirds of those votes fell for conservative-minded candidates, which would lead one to think there is still a conservative leaning in Redmond — or at least one that wouldn’t desire to emulate a Portland, Salem or even Bend.

I ask the mayor and council to please remember that when they debate what is good or bad for the community, what ordinances, regulations or what restrictions that they are going to put in place on our citizens. The mayor and council are here to represent the community. The mayor and council work for the people of Redmond as does the staff— not the other way around. Being a mayor or a city councilor is not about your personal ideology.

The mayor also stated in that interview that “The city missed out on $1 million in revenue last year by not having marijuana dispensaries in Redmond.”

I would like to understand where that number came from. Was that $1 million before the increases in traffic accidents, deaths, burglaries, suicides as well as a plethora of crimes and costs revolving around the safe drug named marijuana?

Know that there is always an increase in emergency room visits by the toddlers who ingest gummies, the marijuana’s candy lookalike. As well as some older adults who tend to underestimate the power of that federal drug named marijuana and overdose ending up in the emergency room.

These facts are supported by national health organizations and other reputable studies published throughout the United States recently.

The Oregon state website reported approximately $55 million in sales of marijuana in Deschutes County. At the 3% tax rate that is left for the cities and counties after Measure 110, Deschutes County and its cities ended up pocketing approximately $1.7 million.

If Redmond joins that game it would see considerably less than that $1 million guesstimate. Redmond already has a strong yearly budget of $128 million without the drugs.

I ask our mayor and council to keep drugs out of our community of Redmond and protect our kids. They are our future. Our last vote as a city was “no” on the drug marijuana.

Adults, lets continue to travel 15 miles if we have a need for marijuana. Keep the access of this drug as difficult as we can for our kids.

Keep Redmond clean, and keep Redmond Redmond.