News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Articles written by Lon Kellstrom


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  • Challenging candidate statements

    Lon Kellstrom|Updated Oct 9, 2012

    Sisters' voters will soon receive their Deschutes County voter's pamphlets for next month's election. Three statements by council candidate Brad Boyd seriously misrepresent key community issues. The most egregious statement relates to the recycle center. Deschutes County was initially a financial partner in the center's operation but is decreasing their financial contribution in light of the struggling economy. The county's long-term intent is to eventually eliminate all support. That means Sisters taxpayers, with some help... Full story

  • Sisters needs gas tax

    Mayor Lon Kellstrom|Updated Feb 23, 2010

    By now, voters have received their ballots and the question of a small, 3-cents-per-gallon gas tax is before us. A "yes" vote is the best course for Sisters. Your city council has not considered this lightly and we've concluded, reluctantly, that this is a necessary move. Allow me to explain. The Sisters street fund has never had a dedicated revenue source like the water and sewer funds, i.e. monthly payments from our citizens for those municipal services. Consequently, the city council has annually appropriated about $100,00... Full story

  • Why Sisters needs a local gas tax

    Mayor Lon Kellstrom|Updated Jul 21, 2009

    As many of you may have heard, your city council is considering a small gasoline tax of three cents per gallon. We are not considering this lightly and have concluded, reluctantly, that this is the best course for Sisters. Allow me to explain. First, the Sisters street fund has never had a dedicated revenue source like the water and sewer funds, i.e. monthly payments from our citizens for those municipal services. Consequently, each year the council has appropriated $80,000 to $100,000 from the general fund to pay for street... Full story

  • Reject public resource giveaway

    Lon Kellstrom, Sisters City Councilor|Updated Jul 29, 2008

    Several times in the last 10 years, High Country Disposal (HCD), the garbage service for Bend, Redmond, and Deschutes County, has asked the Sisters City council to grant them a franchise for the trash collection in Sisters. Each time the city council has declined. Earlier this year, HCD again requested a franchise to collect Sisters' residential and commercial garbage. Our city council again declined. Subsequently, HCD "sweetened" their proposal. The council concluded that HCD's more lucrative offer at least required further... Full story