Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I recently opened escrow on a property in the City of Sisters with the hope of building a swimming pool.

I think a pool for the town would be a tremendous asset. However, I know absolutely nothing about the construction or operation of swimming pools and if this project is to reach fruition, I need a lot of help.

I understand that a couple of years ago, a spirited group of folks got together with the same goal and aspirations. If any of these folks are still around and still interested in this project, I would welcome their input. My office number is 549-7800. Thanks in advance for your support and energy (We'll need lots of both).

Ed Fitzjarrell

To the Editor:

I don't know how wide an area they are distributed in, but here in the Cloverdale area someone throws a rolled-up package of advertisements the beginning of each week onto everyone's driveway. This, to me, is littering and should be stopped. If they did as the Bend and Redmond papers do by having a container to put their newspaper in and The Nugget sends theirs through the regular U.S. mails, then it could hardly be called littering.

Since the homeowner has not asked for these ads to be delivered, and they are thrown indiscriminately on the driveways, it is pure and simple littering. Since a lot of us do not take the trouble of picking them up and disposing of them, they lay there and eventually the wind tears them up and scatters them around the neighborhood.

I don't know who is responsible for throwing these around, but they should be stopped or penalized in some way for littering.

Yours truly,

Jack B. Peterson

To the Editor:

Many times I have wanted to express myself in this column. I especially want to do so now.

Those who know me realize I am seldom at a loss for the ability to express myself. But, somehow, the right words seem to be a problem.

The most heartfelt thanks and gratitude we wish to express to all the wonderful people who have helped my sister Martha Martinez through her fire ordeal: Bob Williamson, who saved her life -- you are special; Bobby and Robin who were right there; the firefighters and paramedics; Red Cross ( they were wonderful at the hospital -- they just showed up because they heard about the fire on their scanner); Camp Sherman Church, Westside Church; Eric at Coyote Creek for the benefit jam session, with special thanks to all the musicians who donated their time and talents.

And to all my friends, Martha's friends, our new friends and those who wish to remain anonymous. Thank you, thank you! God Bless you all.

Love

"Goofy" (Jill Paulus) and Big Tom (Molloy)

To the Editor:

It seems to me that Nike is taking a lot of air (hot) over exploiting cheap labor in third world countries. While I'm not a great fan of Nike shoes, I do feel there is another side to the story that isn't being told.

Having had the opportunity to live among third world folks for a while, my wife and I have observed first hand the utter hopelessness of people with no income and no social system to help them. They carry their water great distances because that's what is necessary. Their infants die of a simple fever because there is no aspirin for them. They walk because they can't afford to ride. If they don't grow any rice, they don't eat. It's that simple.

Now, I ask you, what would it hurt if Nike hired these folks at a dollar a day to sew up some soccer balls? I know what the poor folks would do. They'd run over their neighbors to get the chance to earn some money. And it wouldn't matter how old they were, either. Children and adults alike would want the jobs. The culture in this kind of poverty is so different from what we have experienced that it is almost impossible for us to imagine what it is like.

So, the next time you read or hear criticism of Nike for exploitation of foreign labor just remember that the alternative to a low-paying job for them is no job. Go out and buy a new pair of Nikes.

Gale Larson