Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

Shouldn't somebody inform some people living on Squaw Creek that we need the willows and underbrush root systems to prevent erosion of the creek banks?

Rip-rap alone can be washed away, and besides, who wants to create a canal or look at a creek without native vegetation? If you want expansive views go up to Billy Chinook. But the rest of us might like it natural and private.

Fish and Wildlife recommends planting willows, not cutting them down. There should be a city regulation on preventing stripping the creek banks.

Barbara Butler

To the Editor:

Recently, NBC evening news ran a typically negative story reporting the annual spring break hell raising by college students in Cancun, Mexico. What a contrast with the stories saluting Luther and Gustavus Adolphus College students who used their spring break to help build Habitat for Humanity homes in Sisters.

It was a wonderful experience for everyone from Sisters who worked with these great kids. They were a class act in every way. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Nationally more than 6,500 college students worked over spring break to build Habitat homes. They backed this up with pledges of over $600,000. This should be the story America hears.

Tragically for the Gustavus crew, while they were helping out here, their classrooms, dorms and personal belongings were largely destroyed by a tornado. Now it is our turn to help them. The Gustavus Adolphus Disaster Relief Fund has been established in Sisters. Those wishing to help may contact either the Habitat office (549-1193) or US Bank.

Bob Sherman

To the Editor:

Hardly a fortnight passes without a letter in these pages quoting pious pronouncements of our Founding Fathers. Such godly talk does not prove, as the writers imply, that these were godly men, but that they were politicians.

Such talk was popular then as it is now. Our current president and his wife are regular church-goers. What are we to infer from that?

The Framers of the Constitution believed very much in protecting their own rights, but not those of native Americans or black slaves (or women, for that matter). Slaveowners such as Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Patrick Henry, etc. were openly, obviously and habitually violating the Golden Rule, as were people robbing the Indians of their land at gun point.

So they weren't Christians, pious platitudes notwithstanding. They were thieves and robbers, getting rich on stolen land worked by stolen labor. Let's not glorify them at this late date into something they were not. Let's try to be truthful about our past, and go on from there. Nothing is gained by untruths and myths.

Have a nice day.

John Goodwin

To the Editor:

The "very old expression about

America's freedom" that Steve and Emilie Coltin quote in their letter to you, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it," is attributed to the French rationalist Voltaire and was probably addressed to a certain priest.

Sincerely,

Steve Prince

To the Editor:

A very successful Easter Egg Hunt was enjoyed by hundreds of children participating in the 1998 activity this past Sunday at Sisters City Park. This annual event sponsored by the Sisters/Camp Sherman Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association is a pleasure to provide to our community.

We would like to thank those that gave their assistance and donated to this cause: Cloverdale Volunteer Firefighters Association; Ray's Food Place; Sisters Ranger District; Sisters Rodeo Association; The Gallery Restaurant; City of Sisters Public Works; Bend Wal-Mart and The Easter Bunny (Spurge Cochran), whose presence was much appreciated by all!

It was great to host and celebrate this holiday in the cool spring weather! We look forward to Easter next year and the 1999 Easter Egg Hunt...See you all then!

Stephen Fisher

Chairman-Easter Egg Hunt

To The Editor:

Recently I had occasion to require the services of Sisters ambulance to St. Charles Hospital and I want to thank them for their promptness, kindness and consideration under less than perfect conditions.

And deep appreciation to Cloverdale Fire Department for their immediate response and assistance.

The community is indeed very fortunate to have such fine men and women who are well trained, calm and methodical in their treatment of a patient who was in deep distress.

Sincerely,

Mary A. Winter

To the Editor:

The Sisters High School wrestling squad wants to publicly thank the community for their support during the 1997-98 season. First of all, a thank you to Ken Enoch and Jeff Smith, volunteer assistant coaches.

A thank you to Mary Flande, athletic director, for her support during the season. A thank you to John Tehan of Hotel Sisters for donation of lunches for the wrestlers each tournament. A thank you to the management of the Sisters Pumphouse for donations of Power-aid.

Jerry Campbell, head wrestling coach