Letters, letters, letters

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(Editor's note: This letter was also submitted to the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission and the City of Sisters Planning Department)

To the Editor:

I must protest the recent decision to allow deviations to the site plan of the Sisters Smokehouse on Larch Street. Unfortunately, I received the agenda on the same day as the meeting and was unable to attend and argue against the changes.

When I saw the changes that Mr. Herauf was requesting, some of which he had already done, I assumed you would take the appropriate action and deny at least, the vinyl windows and the concrete porch. After all hadn't you just revised and approved the new design theme standards?

The windows might be a slight deviation but that huge concrete porch instead of wood is not. Concrete is not western and it was not what was approved. It worries me that someone would and could make a major deviation from an approved plan without first getting re-approval.

It also worries me that these deviations were not caught by the planning department, but were pointed out by someone not connected with the city. Once a plan is approved does anyone do periodic checks to ensure the plan is being followed?

I have been watching this process since that inappropriate Victorian building on Cascade Avenue was approved (once again after the deed was done). At the time, I was distressed at your casual attitude toward Sisters' Western Theme and apparent sympathy for the builders. It would seem that despite your work on the theme revision, your attitude has not changed.

You are supposed to be planning for Sisters, not for the convenience of developers. If they want to build in Sisters they must follow the rules. What is the point of the ordinance and the theme if you are not going stand behind them and enforce them? Perhaps you should just let everyone build first, then you could approve upon completion. It would save a lot of hassles.

Respectfully,

Nikki Heiden

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To the Editor:

Most every community has someone who is overzealous of their community and the way they think things should be done. These thoughts can often promote a misunderstanding of others and promote discord in the community which they themselves are only trying to help. In this case, I am writing about Camp Sherman. There are a few people here that want to control all that goes on here and have gone to a great extent to reorganize things to suit their desires.

They want to close Road 700 which extends one mile south from the store and is one of the main arteries and scenic roads of the area. This would be devastating to our community.

There have been open statements at the Road District 18 meetings that the tract home roads were not important. That is where I became enemy number one to this group. I tried to promote equality to all.

My position as chairman of Road District 18 was terminated one year early so they reorganize the district to suit themselves. During my term I worked to improve all of the roads, keep them passable and within our budget.

This new organization closed Road 200 all winter and let the roads get in very poor condition. The district has plenty of money to repair these roads. I hope they see that what affects one affects all in a community such as ours. The practice of truth always promotes harmony and progress. To accomplish this, one must refrain from being self serving and work for the interests of the community.

Lee J. Farm

Past Chairman of Road

District 18, 1993-1999

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To the Editor:

Something stinks about the Sisters sewage treatment plant and it's not even built yet.

Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith are co-sponsoring Senate Bill 416. The bill would modify the Townsite Act in order to transfer 240 acres to the city of Sisters for a wastewater treatment facility. The Townsite Act states that public property can be sold to cities such as Sisters at fair market value and the proceeds returned to the treasury. It is a mistake to deed outright to the city this public land without payment or other compensation.

To their credit the Forest Service is doing an Environmental Assessment to look at this transfer under the legal guidelines of the Townsite Act. There are clearly other ways to come up with the money through the budget process and federal grants, etc. rather than set a dangerous precedent of giving municipalities federal public land regardless of the particular need.

The most disturbing aspect to this proposal is the requirement that the Forest Service be required to sell a minimum of six acres and possibly much more to private interests under the auspices that proceeds would be used to increase stream flows in Squaw Creek.

Also a portion of the proceeds from developers would be returned to local Forest Service coffers in a transparent effort to make this more palatable to the agency.

Senator Wyden's staff is supporting this dubious proposal with comments such as What conservationist could oppose adding water to Squaw Creek? Well, as far as I am aware not one local environmental group publicly supports this deal. It creates a precedent whereby any well or not so well meaning politician can justify divesting public land and using part of the money for any project that appears to provide some public benefit.

This is a scary proposition and should be opposed on face value. There is going to be a Senate hearing in Washington D.C. later this month on Senate Bill 416. It is critical that the message be sent loud and clear to both Senators Wyden and Smith that this bill should be consistent with the original intent of the Townsite Act. It is not in the public interest and needs serious reconsideration

Steven Huddleston

Editor's note:

No part of Senate Bill 416 involves the Townsite Act.

In its current form, Senate Bill 416 provides for two separate transactions.

The primary element of the bill would convey to the City of Sisters the land known as Section 9 for construction of a wastewater treatment and disposal facility at no cost to the city other than that of conducting the environmental studies required by law.

The second element invokes the Sisk Act to direct the U.S. Forest Service to sell at least six acres of the Sisters Ranger District Administrative Site and to retain the proceeds from the sale for conservation use in the Sisters community.

The Townsite Act is a separate transaction being pursued by the Sisters Ranger District and the City of Sisters which would allow the city to purchase Section 9 with the proceeds reverting to the U.S. Treasury.

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To the Editor:

The Sisters Area Affordable Housing Solutions (SAAHS) in cooperation with community volunteers are in the process of preparing two surveys.

The first is a senior survey that will help define the housing and meal site needs of the Sisters area seniors. SAAHS is concerned that some seniors have been reluctant to provide information.

SAAHS emphasizes that although the results of the survey will become public information, individual survey results will be confidential. Without a voice in the survey a seniors needs will go unheard.

The second survey is an affordable housing survey. This survey will be mailed to all families with children in the Sisters School District. Included with each survey will be a stamped self-addressed envelope. SAAHS is in hopes that all parents will take a few minutes to complete and mail this survey.

Affordable housing in Sisters has become a critical issue. Sisters has average rents of $800 per month with the town having the highest number of low and very low income families in the county.

If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to help in any way please contact SAAHS at 549-2287.

Sincerely,

Sisters Area Affordable Housing Solutions

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To the Editor:

The tragedy of last week in Colorado causes many in our small community to wonder whether we in Sisters could face the same.

Certainly we could, particularly if complacency is allowed to grow here. The mourning which Littleton deals with in the trenches, we deal with from a distance. Our community of Sisters has shown great caring and support for our schools, faculty and students in the past and we need continued strength and goodness at this time.

We all should be influenced by events in Littleton. At least enough to ask ourselves tough questions about what we say, do, and think about those around us. Love and forgiveness flow in one direction, out from us to others. Love and forgiveness are the only things to help end acts of violence and brutality like those witnessed in a high school not so far from ours.

Whatever the many beliefs in our community, we need to ask God, as we each understand Him, to help us touch the lives of those around us in a positive way. A year ago a special student from Sisters High School gave me a tiny mustard seed in a box as a gift. She told me that FAITH even the size of a mustard seed is a beginning.

I hope for our wonderful community that each of us have faith enough to believe we can make a difference. To be better friends, better parents, better neighbors and, most importantly, better examples. May God bless Columbine High School, its faculty, student body and community.

Miriam Burke

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To the Editor:

From the family of Fran Thorn, we would like to thank all of you, our friends, Sisters EMTs, Air Life, Saint Charles Medical Center - technicians, nurses and doctors, Saint Edwards Catholic Church, altar society, her present and past students, their parents, the community, Sisters School District, Fran's fellow teachers and administrators, for all of your help, prayers, friendship, kindness, cards and support at this time of sorrow, in her passing.

For nearly 30 years, Fran was a loving wife to me. She had a great impact on us who knew her. She was kind, caring, a great teacher and so much more. I will surely miss her the rest of my life.

Your love and friendship is a great comfort, helping me through this painful loss. Your donations to Sisters School Foundation, Fran Thorn Memorial Fund for library books for primary grades are now over $1,500. Fran loved to read and teach reading. These books will surely help more students find her love in reading.

Thank you,

Ron Thorn

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To the Editor:

This past weekend, our community experienced two fantastic performances of the Wizard of OZ, by our home town creative theater group, the Mad Hatters.

The play was the brainstorm of three of our most talented women in our community - Diana Kelleher, Shirley McBride, and Jackie Kolb.

The sets were outstanding, the puppetry exceptional, the costuming magnificent, the acting truly excellent, and the music and lights perfect for setting the scene. All sorts of talent was presented from artwork to singing, dancing, and puppeteering as we traveled down the yellow brick road.

My hat is off to the Mad Hatters for outstanding performances!

I would also like to thank Diana, Shirley, and Jackie for allowing me to sell refreshments at the performances and the community members who attended for buying cookies, tang, or popcorn.

Special thanks also goes to Susan King for contributing 10 dozen oatmeal cookies for me to sell. I earned a great contribution towards my People to People Ambassadorship Program this summer. Thank you for helping me along on my yellow brick road to my Oz in the British Isles.

Sincerely,

Rikki Glick

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To the Editor:

There's no place !like home, there's no place like home goes the mantra of Oz. On the flip side, there's no place like Oz, as was demonstrated by the Mad Hatter's Children's Theatre this past weekend.

The performing talents of over 30 local children, teens and adults were showcased in this fine production. Kudos go to Diana Kelleher, Shirley McBride and Jackie Kolb for having the brains to design the many sets, costumes, puppets and endless attention given to details; the courage to give so many of the kids starring roles; and the heart in their understanding of how important it is in a community like Sisters for all of us to step out of our own character, if only for a short while, and be someone else - a flying monkey, perhaps, or a lollipop boy or an apple-throwing tree.

This performance was an act of pride and joy for all concerned, including the sold-out audience. BRAVO! BRAVO! I eagerly look forward to their next show!

Paul Alan Bennett

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To the Editor:

Sisters' Mad Hatter Theater has many thank-yous to send out for the wonderful turnout and support of our play, The Wizard of Oz.

Personal thanks go to the Sisters Middle School, Rich Shultz, Steve Swisher and the janitor for putting up with us this last month!

We could not have done it without the help of our fabulous parents. The kids did a super job. Bravo to them.

Finally, to the community, for allowing us to perform to so many of our family and friends.

Diana Kelleher, Shirley McBride

Jackie Kolb

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To the Editor:

My town

The biggest little town in the world/ The honey for busy bees/ Tiny, modest, perfect.

I have seen your old wrinkled appearance/ And your soft inner youth/ Your small buildings and close relationships/ Have now just intrigued me.

You are always looked over by your three sisters:/ North, Middle, South/ Even on the three starry nights/ When your family has left/ Your sisters watch over you.

The cowboys, farmers/ Wealthy businessmen: CHARMED/ The politicians, whites/ Blacks: INSPIRED.

Under the frigid morning sky/ Clerks open for business/ Friends stop for friends crossing to the gallery/ And the cheese wagons roll to school/ At 7:50.

You are what every family wishes for/ What they take for granted/ You are home.

Chad Brokopp

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