Letters, letters, letters

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To the Editor:

Re: "Mr. Wilson goes to Washington," (The Nugget, May 5, page 1).

Statement: The bill (Smith and Wyden SB 416) includes an element (?) - under the Sisk Act - would direct the USFS to sell at least six acres of the Sisters Ranger District administrative site - proceeds to go to fund a conservation project." (What, pray tell, will that do for "economically depressed Sisters?" - author).

Translation: "This is a loophole our buddy Sisk left us, to help out a supporter." (author).

Statement "Craven (USFS rep.) focused on both elements of the bill - concern about setting national precedent with management of public lands." (I'd say he's a few years late, isn't he. Has he heard of land exchange?)

Translation: Hey guys - you know there's a lot of static about these questionable land deals! Don't leave me on the hook, ok? (author).

Statement: "The Sisk Act element (?) would allow the proceeds to stay in the community."

Translation: As long as some local resident makes bucks off this, what's the gripe - even if he or she doesn't even live in Sisters (author).

Statement (Sen. Smith): "Use of the Townsite Act to purchase land at fair market value was inappropriate for such an economically depressed community."

Translation: "USFS owns so much land here that they wouldn't even miss six acres. Besides, when we come back to get more, it will be worth even more with sewers." (author).

First, what does he think the Townsite Act was passed to do - to prevent just such rip-offs! Second - somehow he hasn't heard about the four new housing developments, the new factory, the ongoing new businesses - but then how many of these developers Realtors or business investors live in Sisters and aren't they the ones profiting from the sewers?

Statement: "Senators Smith and Wyden gave the agency seven days to come up with a solution." (Now we are getting to the meat of the meeting! - author).

Translation: If you guys don't get your act in order and go along, we'll snafu the whole deal. Then how about your new businesses!" (author).

Russell B. Williams

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To the Editor:

Our schools are the most sacred ground on earth; they are full of our children! We want them to be healthy and live a long life after we are gone.

I commend the people who took charge of a situation immediately - from the start. The kids need to know that the adults are in control and forbid any dangerous or disruptive behavior.

If that was my 11-year-old son who made the comment that he would go home and get a gun to take care of the kids picking on him, I would also be behind you 100 percent for what you did. By the way, I do have a 10-year-old son.

But... by the time I finished reading the article ("Threat leads to arrest of Sisters student," The Nugget, April 28, p. 1) I was so mad I could not believe it. It stated that in a separate incident another kid from the middle school was on the bus and told the kids he had a gun. The kids were upset and told the bus driver, which was smart on their part. But the actions taken by authorities just blew my mind.

Quote: "He didn't have a weapon. He didn't even have access to a weapon."

I guess this means there are absolutely no wepons in Sisters. Access must mean dangling in your face? How do you think these other kids get guns, we don't always know, but they manage somehow!

I cannot believe you did everything right with the 11-year-old to let him know that this is not right and it will not happen again. And then you turn around and mess it all up with the other kid by letting him off scot free. He should have been taken to juvenile hall and faced the judge just the same.

Where is the justification? Come on, people! If you're going to teach them, teach them right and teach them all!

Holli Frazier

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To the Editor:

I have a sad observation and it is about Sisters' timeless quality. Things are slow to change which has a good and a bad side. If you read through the letters to the editor and are current on the general theme of the town, you will find yourself hearing the same complaints ad nauseum.

It's the same old whines, week in and week out. The sewer, the western theme, etc. Some people up there need a "time out."

Just take a look around you and see what you've got.

My only comment on the western theme - Victorian deviations debate is that is what happened in the "real West" at the turn of the century. If you really want to preserve Sisters, turn it into a state park like Bodie, California: preserved in a state of "arrested decay."

(By the way, the only people living in Bodie are the park rangers.)

Stephen Borchert

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To the Editor:

My exuberant applause goes out to the cast and crew of Thornton Wilder's "Skin Of Our Teeth" which played the Sisters High Stage Friday and Saturday night, May 8-9.

The content of the work was eerily pertinent to this point in time, sending occasional shivers of deja-vous energy down my spine during the performance.

These sobering emotions were mixed heartily with chuckles and guffaws at the comedy of mankind.

Kudos to the extraordinary and endless talents of Razza Productions' Ramii El-Aasser and Scott Rognlien whose combined vision and direction made this production marvelous to behold.

Our community is quite fortunate to have the talent of bright young actors and artists the likes of Carrie Emrich, Megan Benton, Jeramy Reuter, Anton Rius, Paul Head, Molly Johnson, Jamie Cundiff, Judah Slavkosky, and the fine supporting cast and crew.

Well done! My only regret is that this play ran only two nights. Art of this caliber enriches the soul.

I want more!!

Bravo to all those responsible!

John Simpkins

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To the Editor:

For the third year I want to thank the Sisters business and private communities for their responses to the pledge requests for the Kevin Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

This time the $1,000 mark was reached on the same day as the walk! In fact, on Saturday afternoon a late donation put the fund $163 over. That extra amount will be left as seed for next year. The Class of '99 recipient will be named on the evening of June 1.

I really enjoyed the company of Kevin's father on the 20-mile hike, though the sight of his long legs gave me mild heartburn as we started.

As it turned out, the biting wind was at our backs, the sun shone weakly most of the way, and it didn't start snowing till the CEC station. Jerry quipped as we approached the Redmond campus, "I'm going to make it now if I have to crawl and leave claw marks on the pavement!" That was after I mentioned casually that if I went down that late I would climb onto his back for the balance of the trip.

Honors are due to our backup: Jerry's wife Pam who primed him every few miles with carbos; husband Bob who manned the Rolling Restroom for us; Sara Cratty who became the last minute sag driver, doing it with pleasure because of her classmate friendship with Kevin.

We also appreciate Connie Holly's kind way of facilitating us with the bookkeeping at the high school; and the school Leadership Class who painted the sag sign.

Most of all, kudos to all of the donors who are willing to help a deserving student with this memorial scholarship.

Sincerely,

Peggy Lutz

20-Mile Pledge Walker

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To the Editor:

I want to take this opportunity to give special thanks to Chuck DeKay and Tom Coffield. Prior to our trip to the Philippines for Habitat for Humanity, Mr. DeKay and Mr. Coffield donated basketballs and a hoop.

Basketball seems to occupy any free time they have and when they saw what we brought with us, their eyes lit up and it made us feel wonderful to help bring some pleasure to those less fortunate. Again, thank you so very much.

Sincerely yours,

Teri Ast; Gale & Molly Larson

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