Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor,

The front page of the June 17 issue of The Nugget covered a story about the opening of the Hood Avenue extension in Sisters.

According to The Nugget, our city planner Neil Thompson "sharply criticized those who have opposed the PMR development," remarking in a prepared speech for the occasion that "There are those who have borrowed the honorable title 'land use watchdog' and have corrupted its purpose. They have taken on the mantle of 1,000 Friends of Oregon, bringing dishonor to that organization, making a mockery of its mission."

As a member of 1,000 Friends of Oregon and as a board member of the Alliance for Responsible Land Use in Deschutes County (ARLU-DeCo), I am baffled by these remarks. As an affiliate of 1,000 Friends, ARLU has functioned as the "land use watchdog" in the county on issues of growth and development.

Based on the Sisters Comprehensive Plan, attorneys for 1,000 Friends of Oregon have carried the case for ARLU-DeCo versus Deschutes County and PMR Development Company to the Supreme Court of the State of Oregon. I fail to see how this has brought dishonor to the organization.

The chairman of ARLU, William Boyer, requested an explanation and apology in a letter to the city planner but none was forthcoming. Neither was there any clarification of the matter at the July 9 meeting of the Sisters City Council.

Mr. Boyer asked if Mr. Thompson's statements were his personal opinions or if they represented the view of City Hall, but his question went unanswered.

I remain perplexed by the disparaging remarks about 1,000 Friends of Oregon and other land use organizations, such as ARLU-DeCo, and would like to see some resolution of this matter.

Sincerely,

Libby Bottero

To the Editor:

"Beware of a half truth; it may be the wrong half."

(City Administrator) Barbara Warren closed the July City of Sisters Quarterly Newsletter (in which the water bill was enclosed) with this quotation, and it seems timely to requote it regarding one of the half truths those who attended the City Council meeting July 9 would have heard when the mayor launched once again into the personal vendetta attack mode, based on his assumptions rather than checking facts.

One has to wonder who was the source of his misinformation. He certainly did not contact me at any time.

I, not my husband (city councilor Gordon Petrie), entered challenges to the votes of three, not five, registered voters in the May election, all on the same basis: They did not reside at the addresses on their voter registrations. If there were two others who did not vote, it might be they suspected there were irregularities in their own voter registrations.

Mayor Wilson finds it peculiar that I picked on three people, not five as he said, who all favored one of the ballot measures, not that it is any of his business whether I, or any other voters, enter challenges as the law allows. Voting lists are public records, and I, not my husband, went to the County Clerk's office to look at them after the date had passed for making changes.

I find it unreal the mayor does not know one cannot challenge a ballot because of a person's views, but only if he/she has not followed the law. One of the three (not five) was probably a mistake or carelessness in not reregistering a new address with the County Clerk. The other two voters, in my opinion, knew what they were doing in claiming a voting address at a lot with a barely started house which was not even half completed by election day. Nor is it completed and occupied as of this date.

I doubt if ignorance of the law (which is no excuse) prompted their registering as they did. I have no patience with those who shade the laws with their own interpretations, those who wink at minor transgressions as if laws are to be flouted.

Or those who spout off without checking the facts. Yes, beware of half truths. This is not the first time they have come out of City Hall. Nor will it be the last time.

Sincerely,

Shirley Petrie

To the Editor:

As a Tollgate property owner, I say we are most fortunate to have a concerned and motivated board of directors. They all volunteer many hours of their time to our community business.

Blaine Kalar, chairman, has shown outstanding leadership ability and he is very fair in dealing with our few disgruntled homeowners. We cannot count the number of hours he volunteers on behalf of all of us homeowners. He is truly a very caring and dedicated chairman.

Betty Fadeley, our business manager, does an excellent job for all of us. She is always on target in answering our many and varied questions. We are lucky to have her business expertise and we thank her.

In regard to the "notice" distributed to our doorsteps: It contained some inaccurate statements. The man who compiled the "notice" is not a current Tollgate property owner. Perhaps he should explain exactly what he hopes to accomplish at this time? He was chairman of our board some years ago and his changes at that time, caused much controversy.

We enjoy our life and living in Tollgate. We need to give positive support to our board of directors and business office. We thank all of you.

Julia Hammond

To the Editor:

On July 6, the Sisters' Little League sent to District 5 the first all Sisters Senior Girls Softball All Star Team.

I had the opportunity to coach this team all year and in the All Stars. We were a team of 11 players from one team, not picked out of four to six teams like our opponents.

We played two games and lost, but we played ball against these other teams. This is an opportunity I look forward to next year when all of the teams can return to play again.

I would like to thank Cheryle Collins and Bill Campbell for their tremendous effort put forth all year. Thank you Robin Campbell for being the team mom and all the other parents who drove all over the place to play softball.

A big thanks to our corporate sponsors for their contributions that went to extra equipment needs.

See you next year, girls.

Scot Lain

To the Editor:

As a local, experiencing the Sisters Quilt Show again for the first time in several years was a delight. It was so well organized, from the flow of foot and vehicle traffic to the availability of creature comforts. It was obvious that a lot of creative thought and consideration for the public were given to this event. One really got the sense that this is a community that welcomes the tourist and has a desire to accommodate their needs.

My positive feelings were shared... evidenced by comments heard throughout the day. The quilts were beautiful, our city was never more quaint and inviting. So, hats off to those involved in the organization and production of the Quilt Show, and especially to Jean Wells whose creative energy is a real asset to this community.

Kudos!

Sharon Hrdlicka

To the Editor:

Quilter Affair is a week of classes held at the high school one week prior to Quilt Show.

This year, we had 95 classes, seven lectures, hundreds of lunches and over 1,000 students.

I need to thank the High School Dance Team, the Stitchin' Post store runners and Betty Huff for organizing everything, and Mary and Scott Ferguson for registering all the quilt students.

Our week ran smoothly thanks to the high school's extremely efficient custodial staff, Lori, Jim and Carlos. They kept everything up and working.

The only glitch we had the whole week came Friday morning when the water pressure dropped and we couldn't use the restrooms (try telling 800 women they can't use the bathroom. It ain't fun). But, thanks to Patty Little, we got it under control.

Friday afternoon, Joe Randall and his high school baseball team showed up to move the tables and class supplies back to the Stitchin' Post and park for a dinner. I am amazed at the stamina of these guys. They worked hard all day and every one of them still had a smile on his face at 9:30 p.m. as they drove off to deliver tables around town for Quilt Show the next morning.

Thank you Jean Wells Keenan for putting this whole show together; It has been great fun. My last thank you is to Barbara Ferguson for her hard work and understanding with all the students and me.

Jackie Erickson