Opinion, opinion, opinion

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From the editor: It really could happen

It is hard to believe, but there are rumors that local builders are getting together to build four classrooms at the Sisters Elementary School. The odds are long, but it could happen.

Volunteers in Sisters have done some remarkable things. The Sisters Branch of the Deschutes County P

ublic Library was built against all odds with funds generated by local volunteers and without much help from Deschutes County.

The Starry Nights Concert Series raised $30,000 and literally saved some co-curricular programs at the Sisters Middle/High School.

Habitat for Humanity plugs away, building house after house for local families, and now an expanded thrift store to provide a cash flow to continue these works into the future.

All of these great, local public works have been accomplished without government assistance, in the spirit of doing for ourselves, neighbors helping neighbors. Building four classrooms would be the largest of this kind of undertaking.

But if it could happen anywhere, it could happen in Sisters.

Eric Dolson

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From the other editor: How we vote

Measure 9-50 Sheriff one-year split operating levy: Yes

This $6.9 million levy is as straightforward as it gets. It pays to maintain existing services - it keeps criminals in jail and cops on the street.

The split levy is fair: Sisters residents who are already protected by their own police department pay less than county residents.

We can decide later whether to fund the operation of the new juvenile jail or hire new deputies, but we must decide now to keep sheriff's deputies on patrol.

Measures 9-45,46, 47, 48 and 49: Yes

The City of Sisters needs every dime of the funds these measures would raise in order to stem the tide of a serious negative cash flow. The alternative is a severe reduction in city services, especially police protection.

Measure 9-45, a three-year $67,519 levy, gives city residents the chance to replace what Measure 47 took away. Even if all the money measures pass, Sisters stands to lose two police officers - 30 percent of the force. This would make a big difference in police coverage in Sisters. If Measure 9-45 doesn't pass, the cuts could go even deeper. We vote to keep as much police coverage as we can.

Measures 9-46 and 9-47 are just common-sense transfers of funds, which will allow the city's water and garbage departments to pay their fair share of administrative costs into the general fund. It doesn't cost Sisters residents an extra dime, and it gives the hard-pressed general fund a $17,000 boost. This is a good idea.

Raising the business license fee from $43 to $100 with Measure 9-48 gives Sisters merchants a chance to help save the services they benefit from - again, particularly police protection. The fee breaks down to about 27 cents per day - a pretty good bargain.

By increasing the transient room tax from 7 to 8 percent, Measure 9-49 would lightly tap visitors to help pay for some of the services we provide. This seems like a fair way to do it, without unduly burdening a particular business sector.

We do not believe that the extra point will send travelers fleeing to Bend or Redmond, nor will it discourage them from coming back to Sisters.

Jim Cornelius

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To the Editor:

On behalf of Black Butte School, I would like to extend a very hearty thank you to all who made our annual spaghetti feed and bingo night a huge success.

Thanks to the generous merchants who donated our bingo gifts. Thanks to the people and businesses who supplied us with food and goodies. Thanks to the parents who donated delicious desserts for the auction and thanks to the fourth, fifth and sixth graders who donated their labor to the community of Camp Sherm

an.

Most of all, thank you to the communities of Camp Sherman, Black Butte and Sisters for continuously supporting their most valuable asset - their children.

Stay tuned for more fun events as seven of our students prepare to attend National History Day competition in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 15.

Sincerely,

Jill Benhower for the parents and students of Black Butte School

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To the Editor:

On behalf of Together For Children I would like to thank the Sisters merchants who so generously gave to the raffle we had at the Family Fun Fair at Bend River Mall, Saturday, April 26. Thanks to Sisters Coffee Company, The Paper Place, Sprinkles and Figaro's Pizza.

We greatly appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Marcia Rietmann

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To the Editor:

Thank you so much to Larry Wall and his family for all of the love and care you showed me when I wondered a little too far from my family last weekend.

It is nice to know there are still people like you out there in the big world.

Love & licks,

Sadie Silva

"Elkhound at large"

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