Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

There have been a number of letters complaining that Sisters is abandoning its 1880s theme. Howard Paine, for instance, states in his letter (December 23), "the city is rapidly losing its identity."

My own perception is that Sisters is evolving a richer and more interesting identity. To my eyes, the new buildings are beautiful and well-crafted. I prefer them to some of the buildings done in the 1880s style. Why can't Victorian and Craftsman co-exist with "Western?"

These styles can be found side by side in such towns as Crested Butte or Aspen, Colorado, to good effect. The Victorian period, after all, lasted well through the 1880s.

The time can't be more right for discussing the options as we enter a new stage of growth. No doubt there must be a plan. Without one, we risk the "anything goes" ugliness of Highway 97 in Bend.

Sarah Rahm