Letters, letters, letters

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To the Editor:

Last week's letter from the defendant's attorney in the Crossroads vs. Holders lawsuit shows ignorance and arrogance that Crossroads has experienced for four years.

The situation is simple: The Holders added to their garage within the required 25-foot setback, without required notice to Crossroads and without a Deschutes County building permit. When the association and county detected the work, the association alerted the Holders

Their response was strong language and refusal to stop work. The county fined them. Holders went into stalling efforts and unkept commitments to remove the structure, including an $1,500 estimate to move the structure.

They alleged our corporation did not exist and sued the State of Oregon to no avail to overturn a decision that kept our corporation alive. During the trial, the judge ruled that unsigned amendment votes were invalid and dismissed the case.

Without an appeal, lot consolidations are invalid (what will five owners do who have homes on consolidated lots?), only wood shingle roofs are allowed (there has not been a wood shingle roof in Crossroads since 1980), no advance notice of construction/remodeling to help the owner and the association avoid problems, no attorney fees collected (this will likely stop future enforcement on violations), no double-wide mobile homes allowed on one area and the list goes on.

And no new amendments can be made to correct these problems. The association must appeal. It is no longer a "400-square-foot garage" issue, but one of survival for Crossroads owners and their property values.

As one owner stated, "I feel like I have been violated."

Jim Fisher

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To the Editor:

This letter is in response to Jim Anderson's letter (The Nugget, June 2).

Since moving to the Sisters area not quite a year ago, I have read a lot on conservation, water rights and the problems a lot of the natural species are facing.

I agree we need to take steps in preserving the native plants and creatures. I don't have a problem with pulling some weeds but I think Jim's suggestion for all of us to start killing baby birds and feral cats was a little harsh.

We humans are invaders here also and take a large toll on the natural community. I am not an expert in dealing with this sort of issue, but there must be another way of dealing with the problem other than to slaughter baby birds and feral cats.

These creatures are no more out of place than we are.

Sue Thornton

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To the Editor:

The 1999 Sisters Rodeo Parade was presented this year with blue sky, sunshine and a record crowd in attendance.

We must say "hats off" to those individuals who started to assemble the parade in January, to the volunteers who helped mail, assemble, judge, provide the sound and commentary to coordinate this event.

There wouldn't have been a parade without all of you who took the time to enter your horses, floats, cars, motorcycles, etc. You made an hour of pure enjoyment for all those attending. We do hope that you had fun and are looking forward to the next rodeo parade. Thank you to each of you.

As we approach the year 2000, we ask that you start working on your parade entry as we would like to see you all next year.

Thanks again to each of you.

Herman Woll

Director, 1999 Sisters Rodeo Parade

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To the Editor:

Every school year numerous local businesses participate in the Sisters High School School- To-Work program

Students who have identified a career area are matched to a local business for training purposes. The business owners offer students the opportunity to build skill development, customer relations, and positive work ethics related to the business.

Through this program, students receive high school credit, receive work experiences that help them decide if the career they have chosen is truly what they want and the get hands-on training from a business person who is an expert in their field.

Since SHS opened in September 1992, more than 500 students have participated in the program with great success. This success is due to the support of Sisters businesses. I wish I could name them all.

As coordinator of the School-To-Work program, I wish to thank all the businesses who have participated in the program during this 1998-99 year as well as those who participated in years past. You have offered our students valuable learning experiences that will make them better employees and business owners in the future.

I look forward to working with the Sisters business community in fall 1999. Sisters truly is the best in the west!

Sincerely,

Marion E. Harrison

Sisters High School School-To-Work Coordinator

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To the Editor:

The Sisters Veterans Group would like to thank those who assisted with the 7th annual Memorial Day ceremony conducted at Camp Polk Cemetery on Monday, May 31.

Michael Sawiel, our bugler, did a wonderful job. Billy Kelleher, our drummer, did a valiant job trying to keep our Honor Guard in step. Pastors Ed Beacham, Church of the Pines, Camp Sherman; Jim Gentry, Sisters Community Church, and John Maybury, Sisters Church of the Nazarene, for their prayers and song on this solemn and respectful day as we remembered our fallen heroes who gave their lives for our country.

Our guest speaker, Capt. Norman Scott, U.S. Navy (Retired), a highly decorated combat veteran and an eloquent and inspired speaker. We are in your debt, Captain, for graciously answering one more "call to duty."

Tom Salgado is our unofficial "official" photographer and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Anderson graciously provide extra parking for our guests.

Ron Blivens supplies the sound equipment. The Sisters Community Church loaned us extra chairs and American Legion Post 44, Redmond, loaned us extra rifles for the firing squad.

We are beholden to our firing squad, AMHC (AW) Gregory G. Hilderbrand, U.S Navy; SSG Carlos Gomez , U.S. Army; and M/SGT Timothy Peretra, U.S. Air Force.

We also want to thank the Deschutes County Road Department for grading and putting gravel on the cemetery road; and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and friends who placed the grave flags.

We are grateful for all of the people who attended the ceremony, 118 strong, in spite of the wind and dust. As veterans we thank each one of you for your patriotism and caring. We hope to see you again next year.

Phil Chlopek

Sisters Veterans Group, VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Lee Morton Memorial Post 86

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To the Editor:

Another missive from the areas of the aged. I was 44 years old on May 30 (for the second time). Actual age 88 years. And some of my relatives said I'd be hung before I was 30! Fooled them!

I have so many free hours now that I am in that great enchanted land of the non-productives, but I am sure that will change. The charm of such freedoms is the lack of pressures. If I want to do it (anything) I can and if I don't wanna do it, I don't have to.

The choices are mine and sometimes such trifling problems are real problems.

I often wonder what all my compatriots do with their days. What I do with mine (free days) isn't much, but I am sure I will adjust and fill my days with good stuff like charity work, etc.

Meantime I get my daily walking workout, talk to many people and listen to the Sisters, Oregon noises. The trucks roaring through town. The touristas on the sidewalks and their RV units seeking parking space all adds up to the charms of our town.

Sisters is two towns, one beginning in May through September and the other from October through April (not my favorite times of the years).

And on that note I will close this epistle with my long-johns report: still static - off August 11, on August 14.

Buzz Clarke

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