Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

The efforts of the Community Action Team of Sisters - more specifically the group which is trying to improve alternate transportation by developing more bike-pedestrian paths, lane striping, sidewalks and the appropriate signage for the Sisters area - needs the support of the community.

There are a number of reasons why the community needs to get behind this project:

Alternate transportation improves air quality through less reliance on motor vehicles. The Union of Concerned Scientists have found that 85 percent of greenhouse gases, and 68 percent of air pollution gases are emitted by motor vehicles. On any given day, the long line up of large diesel trucks on Cascade Avenue can compromise air quality.

Bike-pedestrian exercise can be a healthy family recreational activity which is also a benefit in weight reduction.

Sisters has a tourist-oriented economy and during favorable weather one can observe tourists out and about walking or bike riding.

The city needs to encourage all of the above activities by improving its system of sidewalks and bike-pedestrian infrastructure.

Sincerely,

John Allen

To the Editor:

The 240 acres of public land known as "Section 9" which may be conveyed to the city for a waste water treatment and disposal facility has the problem of what to do with water generated.

I have an idea: Sisters needs a cemetery.

Set aside 100 acres for the most beautiful cemetery in Central Oregon. The city would own and sell burial plots for $750 each. This would generate tremendous cash reserves to develop and maintain the grounds. The water to irrigate would be "free" and put to its highest use. People from all of Central Oregon would buy these plots for their family long-term planning. There are many of us who would buy immediately. I want to rest here, not in some other town.

By using the water, the 240 acres would not be needed to "hold" the water as the city's needs grow. We now have a school district population of nearly 10,000 people and literally no place to put them when their trail ends. Camp Polk Cemetery is full to capacity.

In checking with Central Oregon cemeteries, the cost of a 3-foot-by-nine-foot plot is $750 on the average. This should be explored further by a cemetery expert as to just what this revenue could mean to the financial benefit to the City of Sisters. It could mean millions of dollars to Sisters.

A win-win situation that solves the treatment plant, provides a real spiritual need and awesome final resting place.

The greatest expense of a cemetery is the cost of water. Here the water is free! Free at last...

Dave Goodwin

To the Editor:

Congratulations and thank you to a very special group of young people - the Sisters High School boys' basketball team.

Congratulation for earning the opportunity to compete in the recent Oregon State Activities Association (OSAA)/U.S. Bank 3A Boys Basketball Championships and successfully taking sixth place in their division, and thank you for being such outstanding representatives for our community.

Dedication, enthusiasm and commitment helped this great group on their road to this tournament and along the way they learned valuable lessons in teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership. These lessons will serve them well throughout their lives. They deserve the praise and appreciation of all of us.

Over the past 15 years U.S. Bank has been a partner with OSAA as the title sponsor of these championships. We have had the opportunity to see hundreds of young people across the state participate in activities that have challenged them to stretch their abilities and take pride in their accomplishments.

Activities such as those sponsored by OSAA add to the lessons learned in the classroom and build self-confidence. U.S. Bank is proud of the achievements of these young athletes and our involvement in this program that enriches the lives of the next generation who are vital to the future of Oregon.

Congratulations to the Sisters High School boys' basketball team for a job well done and for being such outstanding representatives for our community. You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

Sandra Brink

Manager, U.S. Bank

Sisters