Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

* * *

To the Editor:

I just returned from the Forest Service open house in Bend. I had a nice conversation with (Forest Service managers) Susan Skakel and Bill Anthony.

I was somewhat disappointed with the program. Susan told me that all of the input from the public was taken at an earlier meeting in Portland. What do the people in the Portland area know about our area in Central Oregon? Why don't you have a meeting in the Central Oregon area with local residents?

I asked Bill about the plowed-up roads along Canyon Creek. Bill told me that it was done for the bull trout. When was this meeting? I talked to Bill about the road closed below Bridge 99. Bill told me that it was for the wilderness hikers. When was this meeting? The bridge was removed on Lake Creek above Metolius Meadows last year. Was there a meeting?

I'm sure that there were indeed meetings, but how is a regular person able to keep up with any of this? The government and the powers that be keep chipping away at our right to visit the woods. Who ever heard of the ADA and the rights of the handicapped?

There was a good turnout at the open house. The whole room was filled with frustrated people who cherish the National Forest and wish to be heard. I hope that something good might come from all of this frustration.

I'm sure that Susan and Bill would rather be treated for something other than a dart board. They took a lot from the group tonight (December 16).

Thank you,

John Tice

Camp Sherman

* * *

To the Editor:

The City of Sisters has completed it's annual fall yard debris collection and is happy to announce that Sisters folks compiled a total of 840 loose yards of limbs, leaves and pine needles.

Congratulations, and thank you for a job well done. We, as city staff as well as all the residents in the city, appreciate your hard work.

The Public Works Department devotes many man-hours with trucks and equipment for this event, but we feel it's worth the effort to pick the yard debris, haul it away and legally dispose of it.

Every year, the volumes have increased and will probably continue to grow, so the city has decided to collect yard debris on a monthly basis. All you have to do is have your yard debris in the city right-of-way and we will pick it up. You do not have to call in for this service.

Remember, Deschutes County defines yard debris as grass, plant or tree clippings. Brush and/tree limbs must be smaller than four inches at the big end and less than eight feet in length. Yard debris must be free of dirt, rocks or stumps and can not contain garbage or construction waste. And please do not place it in plastic bags or boxes.

Gary Frazee

City of Sisters

* * *

To the Editor:

"A Tale of Two Hands."

Tucked away in the foothills of the snow capped Three Sisters Mountains of Central Oregon lies the little village of Sisters.

It's the time of year when the little town is lit up with dazzling miniature white lights and the windows in all the stores are aglow.

IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Sisters is the type of town where you know your neighbor, where the town boasts and supports their championship football team, where the Christmas parade includes llamas, a beautiful little team of Corgies pulling a wagon, and where the Habitat Thrift Store has a Kazoo Marching Band.

This is an area of lakes and streams and beautiful scenery.

This however, is not the real story. This story centers on a man and wife living on the outskirts of this little town. They have married children and they are to be alone at Christmas.

They have their good friends of course but something is missing. They need something special. They've had wonderful times in the past, but they need a catalyst for the future. Then it happens!

As if by a good omen or possibly the coming of the new millennium, they see a casting in a store window of two hands intertwined. As if by some deep awakening within, they both realize that this is the ultimate answer.

The bronze casting is made! They will enjoy this for the rest of their lives. This will be a monument to their love and affection forever!

I know this because it's my wife and I.

Don Anderson

* * *

To the Editor:

To my friends in Sisters,

Be it family or good friends, there is nothing quite so dear as having someone cross your thoughts bringing their special cheer.

It makes you realize just how much you miss and want them near. Christmas always seems to do this, that special time of year.

Your families, even though they're near and you often get to see them off and on throughout the year.

They seem a little closer to you, this special time of year.

But mostly, its your old friends, the friends you seldom see the friends that mean so much to you and fill your memories.

The photos and letters, you somehow seem to keep. The years of memories they bring that keep your friendship deep.

These things are always precious, always -- throughout the year. But why at Christmas do they seem so especially dear?

I guess there's just one answer, and I know you will agree. What really matters in this world is our families, you and me.

Merry Christmas

Sylvia Cara