Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

As co- workers of Mike Connelly, we strongly resent the negative image of him being portrayed by the media. We know him to be a caring and sensitive individual who always puts the needs of others before his own.

We wish the community to know that we believe in Mike and support him completely.

We ask only that you not judge this young man based on a simple recitation of charges. The truth will paint a very different picture.

Betty Murphy, owner, Desertronics;

Employees: Debbie Slater; Judy Pietrowski; Pamela King; Dennis Heiney; Mary Henry; Susan Logan-Weathers; Shirley Short; Therese Caldwell; Connie Herget; Robin Gabriel; Evelyn Dolan; Jess Winkle; Debbie Jennings.

This story is addressed to all teen-age parents -- mothers and fathers. Much has been written in the pages of The Nugget lately about unwed mothers in the Central Oregon area. Not near as much about unwed fathers.

Our hearts go out to those teen-age mothers. They are the one who bear the burden and the coming baby. To those teen-age fathers: Stand up, start being a man and think about your responsibility to the coming child. And the fact that that child might someday long to know who their real father was. Every child needs and deserves to have two parents to love and cherish -- both a father and a mother.

In 1917 or 1918 there was a young mother living in D'Asta, Montana, and struggling to provide for herself and her two small sons. D'Asta was located on the Flathead Indian Reservation and is no longer in existence except for a Catholic church.

One son was named Arthur, the other was Willard. Believe me when I say that those two boys, Arthur, four or five years old, and Willard, two years older, desperately wanted and needed a father to relate to.

In 1920 or 1921 those two boys got a father. His name was William J. Scofield, and in 1921 he married the boys' mother in Missoula, Montana, and gave his name and much more in the years to come to all three.

At about the same time -- the early 1920s -- there was a young girl named Emily who was removed from her real father's farm in Illinois against her will and given to a stepfather, a stepfather for whom she has no happy memories. In 1936 she met a young man named Arthur. After a few months of courtship they were married in Vancouver, Washington in a grand and glorious $9 wedding.

On July 3, 1996, Arthur and Emily's marriage will have reached 60 years. And it has been and still is a happy marriage. And Arthur hereby acknowledges that its success and happiness was due in great part to Emily's words during their short courtship, "No sex 'til after the wedding."

Arthur E. Scofield

Emily Cosby Scofield

Whether or not you agree with her, Diane van den Berg had the courage to own her opinion regarding the volatile issue of teen pregnancy by not presenting it anonymously in her public letter. This demonstrates that she is honest, direct and acting fairly and responsibly; it does not make her the enemy.

I agree with the publishing policy of not printing anonymous letters. If it is important enough to state your opinion publicly, it is important enough to claim it. Worried about the consequences? Walk a mile in Diane's shoes. The irony is interesting.

Bonnie Malone

I respect the difficulty of your job and would like to thank you for the column by John Hayes. It gives the paper flavor. I hope it is a long -erm arrangement.

In regard to protecting the teen-age girls' names, in last week's letters, it seems morally responsible I guess, however moot, considering their condition.

They all seem very well adjusted and quite at ease with their situation; almost makes you wonder why they don't give their names.

What about the adults that make poor judgment calls, either personally or in business, and are dogged by the press? They sure aren't cut any slack!

Just because a person ages, doesn't mean their judgment improves to 100 percent. And, unlike the teen-age pregnant girls, they don't write a letter to the community asking for acceptance of their behavior.

Maybe accountability and shame play a part in adult life not shared by these teens. Kind of like Ms. van den Berg's point...

Sincerely,

Roy Manbeck

I say Ms. van den Berg is correct in that parents need to take responsibility for their teens.

Many have laid the job of raising their teens on the school district. Not always the case, but really, how many of you parents are involved in things as simple as your teens' homework? How many of you teens are comfortable asking your parents question about sexual matters? The two coincide with each other. If they can't go to you for help with homework, why would they go to you for help in this area of their life?

So, for the last 10-15 years, schools have said, "Do it, but just use protection." Parents have said, "I don't want to deal with this," until it's too late anyway and teens have said, "It feels right and no one has said different, that it's wrong."

So it's hand out the condoms, let them figure it out and if it feels right, it must be all right.

Come on people. We are all to blame for the way our society is.

So what do we do? Start with yourself. I include myself when I say or ask, "What have you done to change the way our teens deal with sex, and could I do more about it?" Then ask yourself, "Am I a positive influence on my kids or my friends."

Next we need to love our teens, parents, and those in the school who truly care enough to offer a solution. Remember, all have sinned and fallen short.

Let's go back to the root of the problem and start there, back to the '60's when morality left the schools and immorality stepped in. Many of you parents know what I'm referring to. Forget politically correct and let's do what's right.

Finally, we need to realize we are all right but we are also all wrong. If you see a problem, offer a solution or a helping hand and do it out of love and not out of judgment. Judge not lest you be judged, so I've heard.

I commend these teens for sticking to it and not choosing the alternative. Good luck!

John Gates

Refering to the 15th edition of The Nugget, concerning Eric Dolson's reference to Lon Mabon as a "bigot:"

A bigot is someone who does not accept or tolerate someone else's view.

Lon Mabon stresses the principles of Billy Grahm, John Hagee and the local evangelical group of pastors, not to mention God himself, as all born-again Christians themseves profess.

The local Christian community should be offended, but not surprised, that a left- wing liberal press would support sinful practices that Mr. Mabon opposes.

Gordon Smith is a good man; we have supported him in the past. This election we stand with Lon Mabon on principle.

God's people are not losers if their candidate does not win. Heaven rewards the "bigot" if their view is God's view.

Biblical truth is etched in stone.

Anyone who opposes scripture is not going to be comfortable with the likes of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Christians need to pray for those who do not tolerate the view that Christians embrace- that view is called "righteousness."

God says in his word, "he who is not with me is against me," and "love those who differ from your thoughts."

Maybe what the world needs is more love.

Clayton Garrett

Sisters

In light of the current discussion and heightened interest in the increasing number of teen pregnancies in Sisters, the Central Oregon Task Force on Teen Pregnancy would like to introduce ourselves to the community members of Sisters.

The Teen Pregnancy Task Force was formed in early 1995 under the direction of the Central Oregon Health Council. The health council is a broad- based coalition of individuals and agencies in Deschutes County that are interested in working together to understand needs and promote healthy people in safe communities.

The reduction of teen pregnancy in Deschutes County was identified as a priority.

The task force members embody all segments of our population and bring together persons representing all perspectives of the teen pregnancy prevention effort. The group has agreed on one unified community statement on teen pregnancy prevention in the face of ongoing national and local controversy.

The task force is comprised of very committed, enthusiastic and energetic people who are willing to work on this issue long into the future. The task force is committed to establishing a "community norm" for all adults and teens that live in Deschutes County.

We are actively working on many fronts: the promotion of the community statement, a documentary video and "fact sheet" on teen pregnancy specific to Deschutes County, a "Baby Think It Over" program with 12 dolls purchased and a resource directory for pregnant teens that sign up for medical assistance.

We need your help and are looking for dedicated, ready- to- work individuals from all over the county. There are eight separate work groups available according to your interests.

To receive a list of the Health Council and Task Force Members, a "Community Statement," "Deschutes County Fact Sheet" and list of work groups, please contact The Commission on Children and Families at 1010 NW 14th Bend, OR 97701, phone: 385- 1717.

You may also find similar information on the Deschutes County Health Department Home Page. Address: http://bend- or.com/~health/

Deborah L. Witt RN, MSN

Deschutes County Health Department

Teen Pregnancy Task Force

Central Oregon Health Council

The May 15 Nugget had many interesting letters to the Editor for and against the school bond, controversy about teen-age pregnancies, etc.

I admire and applaud the people who wrote. Often over the past 10 years I have wanted to take a stand and state my feelings on an issue, but as the former owner of and present employee of Sisters Decorating Center, I did not, as it could be detrimental to the business.

In fact, rarely do you see a letter to the editor on a controversial topic from anyone in the business community. We have our opinions but do not express them for fear of hurting our business.

In a similar vein, another item in the paper was a nice thank you from (a local business) on their new building. Many local folks were mentioned, but my eye caught "Carpet One."

There are two establishments in town that could supply carpet, tile, etc. but were not contacted. If someone purchases products in Bend because the local people could not satisfy their needs or the bid was too high, that is fine, that is free enterprise, but often we are never given the opportunity to try.

We buy our gas and groceries in Sisters, get our hair cut and prescriptions filled here, dine out locally and otherwise support the local economy.

The merchants in Bend do not donate items for our many fund-raising auctions nor contribute to our youth activities and many drives. Sisters is still a small, close-knit community, we should all help and support one another.

Sincerely,

Mickey Duehren

We havw lived in this area for some 20 years, and had to deal with quite a bit during that time.

We have had to buy our paper at the store, take our garbage to the proper place, until lately.

We have the paper delivered to the front driveway, and our garbage picked up.

These 32-gallon cans don't cost too much, but I guess it was too much for one certain person on Buckhorn Dr. Wednesday, as they, he or she, came along and decided they, he or she, needed it more than we did. If there is a next time, I hope we are home to watch.

Thank you,

Craig and Mickey Taylor

Misty and Kristy Gilliam are a couple of Crossroads teenagers who deserve a pat on the back for some very responsible help with discipline on the Crossroads school bus.

On many occasions these two young women have recognized a need for help with discipline among the smaller kids in the front of the bus. When they do they leave their friends and come forward to sit with the smaller kids and engage them in a less disruptive activity. This has proven quite effective and allows for safer operation of the bus.

Is this mature behavior or what?

A couple of appreciative bus drivers

Teri Ast and Gale Larson

A few weeks ago a trail was constructed in the Sisters City Park for my Eagle Scout Project.

I would like to thank Gary Frazee and the City of Sisters for providing me with the project and the materials to complete it.

I would also like to thank my fellow Boy Scouts and their parents for working on this project. I would especially like to thank Bill Duehren for his help and the Sisters Kiwanis for their continued support of Troop 139.

Nathan Golden