Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

Robert and Sally Johnsen's letter in the Wednesday, August 7 Nugget regarding the proposed logging of the Blue and Suttle Lake watershed by the Forest Service is another warning of the apparent indifference the Forest Service has for ecological consequences of such actions.

Unfortunately, what the Forest Service says they want to do is not what really happens on the land. Clear-cutting is still alive and well, and we'll see the results of that kind of "treatment" on the quality of our streams and wildlife habitat after so-called "salvage sales" take place on the Sisters District.

The Johnsens say they are "appalled that the Sisters District may actually be considering this proposal." Hang on to your hat, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Spotted owl habitat, fisheries, watershed quality and other wildlife habitat will suffer in most of the salvage sale areas if the Forest Service is allowed to do what they propose to do.

What can we do as citizens if we object to these actions? Virtually nothing. We are in a time, as the Johnsens state, of "logging without laws."

I, too, have heard the hype about "Forest Ecosystem Management." Many professional forest and wildlife managers in the Forest Service know what has to be done to bring about a "healthy" forest, and how vital it is to act ecologically, but their hands are tied by politics within and outside the agency.

Congress maintains a strangle-hold on the dollars the USFS needs to conduct their business in an ecological manner. That means more trees are removed from the forest than is healthy for the forest -- to keep the timber supply flowing to businesses that contributed money to congressional election funds.

What can we do about that? A lot! Vote for the person you think is a straight-shooter, and who will do what is right for the land and our natural resources. That way, politicians will leave the Forest Service alone to do what they need to do to manage our forests for long-term ecological health -- not to meet a timber quota set by Congress.

Jim Anderson

I have recently been appointed to the "Save Our Parks" Critical Issues Council. I urgently request input and ideas.

As you may be aware, state officials are forced to close some 63 state parks, including Cline Falls State Park. We must not let this happen!

If you have specific, long-term suggestions of ways to save our parks, please contact me immediately. I will see that all viable options are fully explored by the council.

Ben Westlund

716 S. W. Highland, Redmond, OR 97756; 383-4444

In memorium -- Mark Winkle, June 21, 1925- July 9, 1996.

We grew up with Mark over 50 years ago, when Sisters was really an ideal little town in which to live.

Mark was a good friend, honest, loyal and generous.

Our family has toiled away for years gathering data concerning Camp Polk cemetery. Numbering gravesites, making headstones, measuring and locating gravesites, cleaning up debris, etc. Early on we enlisted Mark's assistance. He was patient with us beyond belief, allowing us the use of his shop and home for whatever purpose we had need of at the time. Even though Mark's family are not buried at Camp Polk, he is the one who donated the beautiful seating bench, which is built around the Juniper tree near the turn- around.

We know of many times when someone in the area was in need and Mark contributed to their welfare, because he felt it was the right thing to do. He was a quiet and unassuming man, but Sisters was a better place because of his presence.

We shall miss him.

Molly and Warren Farthing descendants:

Joy Stidham Timmens

LaVina Stidham Wolfe

Frank Wolfe

Edith Stidham

May I first compliment you on the great type of citizens who live in your town.

Last week I was lucky enough to be visiting in Madras and we made a special trip to Sisters. It is such a great place to shop and we do love to visit it.

I have found out something else. You must have the most honest people in America living there. To my surprise (and great gratitude), after arriving back in Oregon City there arrived a package in the mail containing my folder with all of my credit cards and identification material.

The package (with a cost of $1.70 to mail it) was paid by the sender. Not a name of the sender was enclosed, so I don't know who to reimburse. But believe me I will be very, very glad to! This act has made me a believer that there are still some wonderful people left in the world.

I simply don't have any idea where I lost the folder as we went to almost all of the stores.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fred G. Smith

We had a most marvelous day in your area during the Quilt Show.

You have a beautiful spot on Oregon and super people that live there. We thank you for your hospitality.

If you could, please thank the great Booster Club. That chicken will bring us back as well as the people working there. Fantastic!

Sincerely,

The Nielsons

I just wanted to comment that I appreciate the fact that you have chosen to have your paper published on the Internet in addition to your regular format.

I am the son of Phyllis and Edgar Warner who live in the Tollgate subdivision and a member of the military. I visit the area at least once a year and have enjoyed fishing the Metolius River since I was a little boy.

Since I am currently in the U.S. Army, I am not always able to keep up with the goings on of the Sisters community but your web pages help me do that on a weekly basis. Thank you for taking the time and expense to make the world a little bit smaller and bring a bit of home to me here.

Dave Warner

Fort McPherson, Georgia