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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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 didn't enjoy reading about the families who are being asked to move out of the Circle 5 RV park ("Families evicted from Circle 5," The Nugget, May 31, p. 1) and I didn't enjoy reading the letter in the following issue which provided advice to a couple of the families.

I don't disagree that some of the choices made by the families have possibly not helped their situations.

However, even if these families and others like them struggling to live and work in this community, make only wise decisions for themselves, their opportunities to find housing will still be a challenge.

The last issue of The Nugget listed four ads for rental property (and that was a good week); two in the $450-$575 range and two in the $875-$1,300 range. As for the "small home in the country," there's not much choice under $175,000.

We cannot solve all the problems of the families of Sisters, but we can help by building affordable housing in our community.

Let's give our low and moderate income families a choice.

Ronni Duff

* * *

To the Editor:

Your recent editorial chastising Senator Gordon Smith for his position on the euthanasia issue disserves him, his post in the U.S. Senate, and representative democracy.

Mr. Smith has overall maintained a very temperate approach to many issues.

You may disagree with Mr. Smith's position. However there is no evidence that he took this position for political or any other form of gain, but for high moral purpose.

It is not only permissible but necessary for our representatives to take positions of conscience counter to the wishes of their constituency when it is evident to them that (for whatever reason) the electorate is incorrect.

I am not Mormon. I agree with Mr. Smith on some issues, not on others. If the electorate did not want Mormon values to be expressed on issues of great moral import, then Mr. Smith would not have been elected.

Especially in these times when a large percentage of the populace and some of our highest leaders demonstrate little or no moral compass, those leaders who actually have a moral position must lead -- potentially sacrificing their position and their popularity -- in order to prevent further decay and possibly to lead us a small step toward "the good."

Whether you agree or disagree with Mr. Smith's position opposing euthanasia, you cannot deny the rightness of his vote without denying the fundamental purpose of the American republic, along with at least two millennia of thought regarding truth, morality and honor -- Plato's "The Republic" is a good place to start.

For those who would like to read more on this topic, I recommend "The Closing of the American Mind" by Alan Bloom, then professor of political philosophy at Cornell University.

It is the seminal book on political philosophy in the US over the last 200 years. If folks are interested, I would entertain having a monthly discussion meeting with this book as the core.

Among other things, you will learn how little you know.

Gary Bickford

Editor's reply:

An act of conscience is a far cry from advocating federal intervention to overturn the will of Oregon voters -- a position that stands the principals of states rights and less intrusive central government -- principals Smith allegedly believes in -- on their head.

J.C.

* * *

To the Editor:

I am a bit dismayed at the condition of the ex-waterways in Sisters and wonder why they continue to be so neglected.

They are fast becoming, or rather have become, ugly, trash-littered ditches.

What could have been a little weekly effort to clean up has now become a major task, and, I might add, a major eyesore.

How can the town spend so much time and energy on building facades and tiny lights but turn such a blind eye on the growing litter problem?

Especially with the tourist season approaching we really need to get the trash "outta there" or it will just attract more and more junk.

No rocket science here.

I don't have a business in town, but I do use the town and can't stand to see it deteriorate in this needless way.

If we had a half-day cleanup party we could get it done in absolutely no time at all.

How about it Chamber....can you get this project going? I would be the first to volunteer to be on a clean-up crew.

Suzi Sheward

* * *

To the Editor:

We move to this area in August 1998. We knew immediately the people we were meeting were truly outstanding.

This past Friday (June 9), once again proves the caring, concerned people who live in the Sisters area. I played golf at Black Butte Ranch and, due to a careless act, I lost my wallet. I didn't realize it was gone until I arrived home and looked in my purse.

So I prayed for a telephone call and when I glanced at the message machine, a signal light was flashing.

I was to call Matthew McCurdy; he had found my wallet and wanted to meet me to return it.

I will send a check to SOAR (Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation) so that a child will profit from his honesty and morally responsible behavior. Children need adults such as Matt so that they, too, can model honest behavior.

Sincerely,

Julia Hammond

* * *