Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

S.A.V.E. says to develop all undeveloped land within the city before annexing the 13.60 acres of the Barclay Ranch. S.A.V.E. only cares about stopping all growth and eliminating any opportunities for industrial-type uses in this area that could support family wage jobs.

There is no industrial land available for purchase in the industrial park. Would S.A.V.E encourage industrial uses in a residential zone? No! S.A.V.E. knows that if you can stop family wage jobs you can keep families out. Must our children only be given the chance to work in tourist service jobs? More industrial land next to the industrial park will give us the chance for more family wage jobs and a better future for our children.

Measure 47 allows for a city to increase its tax revenue when an owner improves a property or requests a zone change. When I build my 25-unit inn on the Barclay Ranch, Sisters will receive over $4,500 in increased property tax revenue (total tax $23,877).

If you combine this with the expected room tax revenue of $19,000 my property will be giving the city an increase in revenue of $23,500. This is over half the amount of money the city is projected to lose in tax revenue because of Measure 47. If the city does not want this money the county will. The lodging business is the only tourist business that directly pays money to the city. Last year the motels generated $96,000 in room tax to the city.

Why am I willing to give the city a park and community center site? Virginia Groom and I have one thing in common. We both own property with mountain views. We differ in the fact that I control my view and wish to give the city land for a park to help protect my view. Virginia on the other hand does not own her view and wants to prevent Doro Sokol the opportunity to use her property.

Thanks,

Theodore Eady

To avoid misunderstanding the initiative on expanding city services outside city limits -- this vote does not prevent annexation or city services.

It only provides power to Sisters residents to decide whether a particular developer annexation proposal is good for Sisters. If it is, people will support its annexation and city service.

Ted Eady wants to get his property annexed before citizens have the power to look over the merits of his proposal. He does not seem confident that the public will support his proposal when they get a closer look at it.

If he can extend the city limits to include his land, he can not only get services at city expense but apply for upzoning, which would greatly multiply the value of the land.

Currently he is in a UAR-10 zone that does not permit a hotel or motel. Only one house would be allowed. If residents permit the old California game to be played, annexation can convert farm land to residential land with small lots and produce an overnight windfall.

William Boyer

I have been thinking about this wonderful little city a lot. I have lived here (Tollgate) for about three years, but because we have family here, have been visiting on a "tourist" basis" for 20 years.

What is prompting this missive is the debate regarding the annexation of the new development to the city.

We went through the same decision process where we lived before moving to Sisters. All of our tax dollars went to the county; supposedly we paid lower taxes in that situation. The option to vote for annexation to the city where we lived was a "yes" vote and the taxes we paid were allocated, mainly to the city, which, after the affirmative vote, became us.

The services improved dramatically, our personal costs re: trash pick up, street maintenance, etc. were cut, because the city contracted for all of these things on a more wholesale price and with our addition of 241 homes adding to the tax base had no budget short fall.

Do not destroy this great little city, there will be growth no matter how you vote, but your vote will be the final say to keep the character of the town the way you want it to be. All of the considered taxes meant to raise money, I think would be disastrous. It will be a definite turn-off for the much needed tourist, but more of a hardship for local merchants who, already have a struggle.

We need all of us shopping in Sisters, dining in Sisters, volunteering in Sisters. We would welcome those improvements a larger tax base would bring to Sisters.

Moral: Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

Elayne Clarke

I am writing to urge all voters to vote YES on the sheriff's operating levy, March 11. It is critical for county law enforcement and the district attorney's office that we pass this levy.

On January 3, I lost a deputy district attorney (Cliff Lu) to resignation. This position, initially approved for replacement, was not refilled due to the passage of BM 47. Even before the effects of BM 47 begin to apply to Deschutes County, my office has been reduced in personnel by almost 4 percent. I am informed that, even with the passage of the levy, I must still provide a budget with a total reduction of 1618 percent. Failure of the levy would require a reduction in my budget of 3540 percent.

The district attorney's office faces these tough choices at a time when Deschutes County is gaining another circuit court judge and court room. My office currently services five courts, a juvenile court, grand jury proceedings, family court, the multidisciplinary team, child fatality review team, Local Public Safety Coordinating Committee, child support enforcement and victims of crime.

While doing all this, my office regularly advises the criminal justice agencies on criminal law investigations, searches, arrests and prosecution.

Our criminal prosecutions range in severity from minor misdemeanors to major felonies. Obviously the choices are going to be hard. Just as obviously, something will have to be dropped. My office will undergo a reexamination of the case load in order to make a triage decision.

Obviously, we must concentrate on person crimes, crimes against children, domestic violence and drinking drivers. Beyond making these clear choices of what crime we will prosecute, I will not be more specific.

I urge all citizens to vote YES on the sheriff's operating levy. Its passage will provide the basic prosecution we need to help keep our community safe.

Sincerely,

Michael T. Dugan

District Attorney

(From a letter submitted to Senator Neil Bryant)

In recent weeks there has been a good deal of media attention brought to the issue of dogs vs. livestock. Due to the highly emotional nature of the argument, I have been reluctant to open up old wounds and involve myself in this issue.

As I sit at my computer I realize that it is 10 years ago to the day that we lost our beloved quarter horse mare to a dog attack. The timing is almost unbearable, yet I owe it to Katie Chex to involve myself.

The news media, and evidently your office, seem to be deluged with letters supporting the rights of dogs. I have always owned dogs, worked for a veterinarian for the past 17 years and am by all measures an animal lover. I absolutely do not believe in a dog's right to run free and to molest livestock in any way, shape or form.

It is absolutely criminal to contemplate changing the few laws we have which help to protect livestock. Simply because an animal is classified as "livestock" does not mean it has any less value than a "pet."

Katie Chex died a death of indescribable terror and pain. This mare was three times World Champion Working Cowhorse. She was a devoted mother and the cornerstone of our quarter horse breeding operation. We loved her with the same ardor that we have felt for our pet dogs and cats.

These "family pet" dogs had chased our horse only the week before. In retrospect we are sickened to realize that if only we had taken the law into our own hands and shot the dogs, our mare would have lived. Instead we called Deschutes County Animal Control who "gave the owners a warning and picked up just one of the animals."

There is an enormous influx of city people to our area. There are responsibilities and realities that go with the simple "country life." If people are unwilling to accept these responsibilities they should stay in the comfort and shelter of the big city. We should not change our laws to accommodate them.

Please reconsider your position and let our laws stand. If all dogs are kept confined on their own property there will never be a need to sentence another dog to death. Each owner has the option and the ability to ensure his/her dog's safety.

Barbara S. Brockway

We would like to thank the community for all of your participation in The Great Penny Drive. So far we've had a great turnout.

Recently, State Representative Ben Westlund sent us a package filled with 1,650 pennies which he and his colleagues had collected. We are very grateful to them for all the excitement it brought us.

We have yet to estimate how many pennies we have so far but we do have quite a few. We will keep you posted on our progress.

Thanks again for all the support and keep collecting!

Sincerely,

Elisabeth Ward, Michelle Elpi and

The Great Penny Drive Committee

Now that basketball is over I want to say thank you to all Outlaws ladies. You made my first season quite an adventure and it was great to get to know you all. I sure will miss you guys when I'm back home in Germany.

Courtney, #10, thanks for helping me out so much. Tiffany, #15, you have my lucky number and I sure was lucky to get to play with you. Heather, #13, too bad you couldn't play the whole season. You're a great person.

Shelly, #23, the one that makes the difference. Stay like you are; awesome. Jen, #14, you've got a pretty impressive shot collection. Kay, #11, the all-around player. Have fun.

Kallan, #50, never ever stop smiling. Amy, #51, great hustle, sis. Thanks for being you. Nicole, #31, I just love to see your three pointers. Sarah, #25, Ms. Personality, you are fun to play with.

Frosh players, thanks for making me laugh so often. You are quite some characters.

Hope you won't forget that tall exchange student with the tiny glasses, that played on your team in '96/97. Don't worry, I'll come back and remind you.

Have a nice day!

See you,

Yvonne Sunke, #55