Letters, letters, letters

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Editor's Note: In last week's issue, we had a letter from a reader who referred to the proposed Les Schwab Tire Store on Highway 242 as a "two-story yellow metal barn." That was inaccurate. The store is planned as a wood-sided building designed in conformance with the Sisters' 1880s theme.

Since this debate will probably draw more reader involvement in the next few weeks until the September 16 public hearing, we have included on this page a rendering of the new store.

A few other points: First, this store is owned by the Taylor family of Sisters, not by the Les Schwab corporation. Second, the site is not along the designated scenic highway, which actually starts further to the west. Third, the site has long been zoned general commercial and is governed by Deschutes County, which will consider Sisters' input when rendering a decision.

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To the Editor:

Les Schwab in Sisters wants more exposure for their business, that's why they are seeking approval to build on the McKenzie Highway next to Sisters Motor Lodge.

Is this an appropriate site for a tire and auto repair business?

The current site of Les Schwab in sisters is zoned light industrial. In that zoning, the outright permitted uses are: "automotive repair" and "tire sales stores.," according to the Sisters zoning ordinances. They were able to move to this site and do business without a conditional use permit or public hearing.

However, the McKenzie Highway site is zoned General Commercial, which has more restrictions on what can be built. The CG zone requires Les Schwab to apply for a conditional use permit and have a September 16 public hearing before getting approval.

Since the land will someday be annexed into the city, the county would like proposed buildings and developments to follow Sisters' zoning ordinances.

To be allowed to build a "minor automotive repair, battery and tire shop" within the CG, Les Schwab must conduct business "within a wholly enclosed building and all waste or used parts removed from the premises each day."

That's from page 31 of the Sisters Urban Area Zoning Ordinance.

Picture a Les Schwab store. Do they do all of their business within a completely enclosed setting? Do they remove all of their used tires and other waste from the site each day? The Sisters Les Schwab store in the industrial area has several outdoor bays with air guns going and a trailer of used tires parked in back.

To believe the new McKenzie Highway store will conduct all of their business within an entirely enclosed building and remove waste each day is foolish.

The September 16, 7 p.m., county public hearing will be your last chance to give opinions about the future Les Schwab store on the scenic McKenzie Highway.

Les Schwab stores are good, community minded businesses that provide decent family wages. However, if they cannot fulfill their obligations for the McKenzie site, they should stay where they are.

Tim Clasen, City Councilman

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To the Editor:

We recognize City Councilman Tim Clasen's concerns. If we do not follow the criteria for the conditional use permit, we should not be at the Highway 242 location.

We fully understand and accept the stipulations of this site. With this in mind, we have designed a 1880's theme building which permits us to conduct our business "within a wholly enclosed building."

We will not have a trailer for used tires and all work will be performed inside the building. All waste and used parts will be removed from the premises each day. We also feel that a building design similar to what we are in now is not appropriate for Highway 242. Our temporary location is not the appearance that we will have on Highway 242.

Over 42 of the company's locations have similar restrictions and comply without conflict. We have a three dimensional rendering available for your comments or questions. All input is welcomed.

Thank you,

Taylor Tire Center, Inc.

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To the Editor:

In reference to the Letter to the Editor submitted by Warren Campbell, M.D. (The Nugget, August 13) regarding the Les Schwab tire store to invade one of our most beautifu areas - I agree heartily!

We do have our industrial park for industries. This is where Les Schwab tire store belongs. I do trust that our Sisters city administrators "rub the dust from their eyes" and act prudently.

Karl Buehler

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To the Editor:

In May, a group of moms from different churches in Sisters asked the question, "Why not pool resources to put on one communitywide Vacation Bible School?" Well, if you were around the elementary school at all last week, you know that the community's children had the opportunity to enjoy the efforts of countless people from ten churches at "Sisters Wild Frontier Bible Theme Park."

We'd like to thank the member churches of Sisters Ministerial Association who participated by contributing financially, providing supplies, and/or recruiting volunteers. We'd also like to express our thanks to the more than two dozen businesses and organizations who contributed goods and/or services to help make Sisters' first ever communitywide Vacation Bible School a big success.

More than 70 volunteers daily were vital to the success of the program; a big thankyou to each and everyone of you. The biggest thanks goes to Sisters Elementary School staff, especially Tim Comfort and Dennis Orwig, who went out of their way to accommodate us all week in the midst of back to school preparations and new construction.

To all the children and their parents who participated: we're glad you came and hope to see you next year! A special thank-you goes to the other coordinators who gave hours of their time to make this week possible: Sherrie Hermens from Church of Christ, Suzanne Mickel from Three Sisters Fellowship, and Pattie Little from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Cindy Uttley

Cascade Community Church

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To the Editor:

What's cooking in Sisters? You may recognize the title of the Friends of the Sisters Library beautiful cookbook. This project was undertaken by a group of dedicated, energetic Friends members, who worked for almost two years to produce this exceptional book.

If you are now the lucky owner of our cookbook you will find their names in the dedication section, page 1 and page 8, some of whom you may know, and who would love to hear from you.

This effort was prompted by the declaration from the County Budget Officer making massive cuts in the library systems funds. For our Sisters Library that meant loss of parttime help, one day a week closing, and no new books, can you believe that!

Our cookbook is enjoying phenomenal success, thanks to: those Sisters merchants who are retailing the book with great success; to all those people who have purchased, not only one, but many books; to all of those cooks who contributed the tasty recipes (we receive only compliments from people who are trying and using the recipes); to the marketing and promotion committee; to our very talented artist who did the great sketches of Sisters and surrounding areas; and to those who contributed their literary skills and most of all to those women listed on page 8 who put in many long hours over and above the call of "friendliness."

As a result of all this "wonderfulness" the library will be able to buy new books and keep the computers up and running. To celebrate the cookbook, we are planning a tea in October, probably on Sunday, October 26 - more on that later.

Thanks a million,

Elayne Clarke

Marketing and Promotion

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To the Editor:

We would like to extend our thanks to all who helped Sisters' Little League successfully host the the 1997 District 5 Major All-Star Tournament.

To Sisters Kiwanis for providing barbecue for almost 400 players and fans; to Dee Dee Burke, Gramma Saner and many "all-star" parents for making the snack bar a tremendous success; to Mark Mills, Richard Harper, Don Mayea, Michael Burke, Terry Trask, Bill Sweeney, Jack Kelleher and Elton Wilmot for many hours of work on the fields; to Kathy Williams and Ben Ehrenstrom for scorekeeping the tournament; to Bill Campbell for making those tough calls on th efield; to the All-Stars themselves for providing many thrills and a fourth place finish; and, lstly, to the Sisters Baptist Church for generously making their property and resources available to Little League.

Ron Hayes, Lanny Schreiner

Tournament Directors

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To the Editor:

On behalf of the entire Sisters School District, I would like to thank all of those individuals who have contributed their time, talent, and financial support thus far to the Classroom Raising Project.

This past weekend (with the effort of over. 30 volunteers), tremendous progress was made with the construction of the interior and exterior walls. This week the trusses will be delivered and the roof system will soon be in place.

It is simply impossible at this time to recognize all of those numerous individuals that have given so generously of their time and financial support over the past several months. However, I would like to give special recognition to the efforts of many of the Sisters-area contractors and construction professionals who are working together as a team, not only with the donation of their financial support, time and expertise but also in orchestrating the efforts of all the volunteers.

The Classroom Raising Project currently has terrific momentum, but it is far from over. At this time, we remain in need of additional financial support and additional volunteer labor. If you are able to help financially, please contact the Sisters Schools Foundation at 5498521 to discuss a tax-deductible donation. If you are able to help with labor, please contact volunteer coordinator, Carla Merrell at 5490904.

Thank you all for your support.

Sincerely,

Bill Reed, Chairman

Sisters School District

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