Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

For the past few weeks I have been reading the Letters to the Editor about teen pregnancies. Many times I was upset and deeply hurt for the heartless words that were put toward the teens.

My sister happens to be one of the teens who is pregnant. Yes, she made a mistake, but I couldn't be prouder of her. In response to Diane Van Den Berg's comment about the teens taking handouts from the government, I'll tell you this much. My sister has excellent grades, graduating this year, keeps a steady job and will be going to college next year. She still can accomplish everything she wanted to in the beginning. Yes it will be difficult, but life isn't easy, is it?

She has brought a beautiful baby girl into this world. This baby isn't a mistake, she is a gift from God. She will be raised with a family who loves her, so where is your right to say keeping the baby was a mistake?

As for the comment, "Where were the parents when this was happening," take this into consideration. My mother has always been here for me, my three other sisters and brother. She has educated us on right and wrong and the very important moral, no sex till marriage. My sister made the decision to not abide by that. There was no way my mom could stop her. Sure, she could lock her up, but what good could that do?

My sister is not ashamed of what she did and neither are any of her friends or family. What she needs right now is encouragement on how great she's been doing, not negative comments from the community. My heart goes out to all her supporters.

Sincerely,

Becki Spor

To the Editor

It's hard to imagine that any Sisters Elementary School student or their parents wouldn't know the name of Shelly Randall, physical education teacher extraordinaire at the elementary school.

In her short three-year tenure, Shelly has been a breath of fresh air for the community of Sisters. She must have as a personal goal to make the entire world more physically fit, if you judge the effect she's had on parents, children, and the community at-large.

Perhaps you've noticed children "hitting the deck" doing 10 push- ups with Ms. Randall as they encounter this wonderful teacher anywhere in our great town.

What could motivate children to do push- ups--in public places? It has to be a pure, unadulterated love of fun, exercise and people which radiates from Shelly Randall's smile. Her smile becomes the magnet and her body becomes the example, as she works right alongside the kids convincing the children that they can do whatever they believe they can, and then some.

Not only has she affected the students, but she has organized many community events such as runs, hikes and biking trips, and Family PE nights in the gym.

Unfortunately, our community is losing Ms. Randall. Her position has been eliminated in the elementary school curriculum. I am writing this letter to plead with the school board and the administration to find a place to keep Ms. Randall employed to continue her mesmerizing effects. Let's keep Shelly Randall as a catalyst in our youth's life, planting a lifelong seed for personal health and fitness.

Cindy Glick

Dear Editor,

Amidst horror stories from other cities about graduation parties that went awry, we are proud that there were no accidents or injuries on Sisters High School grad night. This is due, in large part, to the support of our area businesses who generously donated prizes and money for the Drug and Alcohol Free All- Night Graduation Party.

Special thanks goes to Ray's Food Place for their contributions which fed over 40, very hungry, drug and alcohol free seniors.

Karen Cobb and Kathy Conrad

The Drug and Alcohol Free Grad Party Planning Committee

To the Editor:

Memorial Day and Rodeo traffic remind us of the mixed blessings of living and working in Sisters, where lots of other folks would like to be at certain times of the year.

But it's really not that often -- maybe half a dozen weekends.

Many towns have gotten by for several years by limiting parking on the main drag on "event days" and providing four lanes of traffic. The City of Sisters (and ODOT) could do this, putting up temporary "no parking" signs on Cascade and perhaps providing uniformed traffic control at each end of town and at one or two spots in the center of town.

This would be necessary only when traffic is heavy enough to warrant. A total of about 30 parking spaces (I didn't count them) would be unavailable, only at those times when it's unsafe to park on Cascade anyway. The traffic control personnel could provide a safe, convenient environment for pedestrians and other cross traffic.

I believe this proposal would require only some minor paving between the junction east of town up past the grade school and also at the west end of town and some additional labor on event days. No traffic lights, no new roadways before we really know what to do, no commitment to a possibly mistaken traffic plan before its time.

Who knows? Maybe we'll decide to put in a bypass, make downtown a pedestrian paradise, put in a replica of Knott's Berry Farm with a roller coaster and little electric shuttles, and make the whole place a tourist extravaganza! (Just kidding!)

Gary Bickford

To the Editor:

I never would have thought when, 17 years ago, Fritz Kaliszewski handed me a manila envelope and said "why don't you do the rodeo parade" that I would have done it for 15 years. Now three large boxes and a big file box later I'm retiring from the parade business.

With the help of some wonderful people -- the patience of my husband Jim, the never-ending phone calls that the people who work for me, Annette, Carol and Susie, have answered and tried to help -- I would never have been able to give you, the public, the quality parades that you have enjoyed over the years.

To those patient people who live on Pine Street, sorry about the hassles. To the businesses in the Industrial Park, I know we are a nuisance, but fortunately it's only once a year.

The Sisters Rodeo Association tries very hard to do their best for the community and we thank all those who put up with the extra noise, traffic, and the mess when it is all over.

Now, the special thanks to those who have helped me through the years to put on these parades. Cliff Wyland brings his sound system so he and RL, from KICE, can announce the parade participants. Cliff Clemens is up early to set up the chairs in the special seating area. Linda Sage had to judge the queen courts on her own this year, Steve Spear had an emergency and couldn't help.

Darryl Carper rounded up a couple of ladies, Nancy Weymouth and Robin Heator, to judge the parade. Roxanne Trask, Bob and Bev Perkins, and my niece Annette McCoy are behind the scenes lining up the people. Police Chief David Haynes and the volunteers he gathers put together the detours and take care of traffic control. We were lucky this year that the Army reserves didn't show up! When my sister Judy married and left town, my niece Theresa Marshall stepped in and helped me do the last-minute sign- ups. Mare Haley Career does all the last-minute hand-written info, then goes to her office to run off copies for the announcers. Plus I use her copy machine till it is smoking.

To my husband Jim and his horse Cricket (she's been in all the rodeo parades plus several Christmas parades and she was the Mascot at the High School's first homecoming), you have both have been just great. Ready for retirement?

Bert Murray, Gordon Sage, Carol Osgood, and Susan Aylor, thank you for carrying the flags with the respect they deserve. These are the people you need to say "great parade" to. I couldn't do what I have done without the years of hard work these people have put in, plus many more that have come and gone through the years.

To the people of Sisters and the many visitors, thank you so much for the great response you have given me, and all the great praise you have bestowed on me. I've enjoyed the ride, but it's time to hang up my clipboard and pursue other avenues.

Yours Respectfully,

Becki Neal, Retired Parade Chairperson!!!

To the Editor:

I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to Mary and Randy Burdick and Goddard Land Management for providing truck, trailer and driver that made our Habitat for Humanity "Thrift Shop" float possible in this year's rodeo parade.

Big thanks to Sharleen for making our signs and Karen, John and Michael for helping put the float together and for riding on the float, representing our Habitat home owner families.

Thank you all so much. I couldn't have done it without your help.

Betsy Williams

Community Support Committee Chair