Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

I would like to commend the Sisters School Board for their action regarding the alternative calendar "experiment." Contrary to the opinion espoused by Susanne Kibak Redfield in the September 9 Nugget, I submit that the board acted in a most responsible manner by listening and responding to the educators, parents and community members that they were elected to represent.

I was astounded to read Ms.

Redfield's characterization of the July school board meeting as "obstreperous and raucous" punctuated by "emotional outbursts and baseless discussion" when Ms.

Redfield did not attend this meeting.

Had she been there she would have heard a very thorough and well researched discussion of what was the best way to proceed for this community.

I was surprised that Ms.

Redfield was not aware of the impending discussion had she read the agenda published in The Nugget the week prior to the school board meeting she would have noted that the calendar issue was scheduled.

Parents, teachers and all administrators were present with the exception of the elementary principal, Mr. Comfort who was out of town.

It appears somewhat arrogant to me to assume that a difference of opinion as to what schedule best fits this community means that those on one side or the other are not committed to our children and their education. Sisters is a very family-oriented community.

I feel that putting family first is in the best interest of all our children. I would not deny school books and supplies to our children for the sake of an "experiment" that, according to the vast majority of studies, fosters nebulous results at best. The $10,000 saved as a result of this action has been reallocated to books and supplies.

Speaking as one of the "noisy" parents, I appreciate the many hours of dedicated work that went into the idea of a alternative calendar. The population projections that these committees were working with have not materialized. Studies are just that; they are not mandates for action. The school board took the responsibility they are charged with, to assess the current conditions of our community and schools and make a rational and responsible decision.

Rhita Napier

To the Editor:

I am contributing a donation to the OLIFE campaign to end the destructive practice of clear-cutting. I sincerely hope they will work hard to get a clear-cutting ban into law.

Clear-cutting in our forests is an ugly insult to the intelligence and decency of mankind. Not only are clear-cuts an ugly eyesore for many years, they also help drive species to extinction by destruction of habitat. They sully our drinking water and bring on great destructive mud slides. The loss of lives alone is plenty reason alone to ban clear-cuts. And the homes lost!

It costs us taxpayers plenty to repair roads, highways, etc. that mud slides and floods due to clear-cuts that had damaged them. The greedy and intolerant lumber industry is the only one that gains from clear-cuts. And they are beneath contempt! They cannot see past the almighty dollar.

I see Governor Kitzhaber is opposing the clear-cutting ban. And I thought he had a little intelligence and decency. He is only showing stupidity by opposing the ban. Or has lumber industry money got to him? When election time comes remind me not to vote for him. Far too many of our elected officials are already the property of big money.

Dr. Charlie Ott

To the Editor:

To all jazz festival volunteers:

Thank you to all you fantastic volunteers who gave your time and effort to make the eighth annual High Mountains Jazz at Sisters festival run so well. Your kindness and work was very appreciated by the festival-goers, musicians and myself. It was a pleasure to work with you.

You decorated the venues, hosted the musicians in the hospitality room, sold raffle tickets and worked at the sites - all with enthusiasm and class. That is the reason we have one of the best jazz festivals around. We hope to continue the festival with your positive efforts.

Thank you again for your tremendous gift of time and effort.

Rick Murray

Volunteer Coordinator High Mountains Jazz in Sisters.