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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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.

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To the Editor:

It is with a great deal of consternation and irritation that we learn that Mayor Steve Wilson has proposed to charge rent to the Sisters library.

Historically, the City of Sisters and the library have had a close and mutually beneficial relationship, which we believe should be continued. However, this proposal to take money from the Library Tax District to improve the City of Sisters' financial position is not in the best interest of the city, the larger Sisters community or the library.

There are plans to expand the sorely cramped library facilities within the next 3-5 years. The funds for the expansion will come from the Library Tax District and from funds raised from the local area. If the city insists on taking money from the Library Tax District, the expansion will probably be delayed or reduced in scope.

The Friends of the Sisters Library have worked hard raising over $100,000 for this expansion so that Sisters can enjoy library facilities and services equal to the other communities in Deschutes County.

The money has come from sales of used books, sales of "What's Cooking in Sisters" and "That Was Yesterday," and private donations. These volunteer efforts and donations were contributed to bring a superior library system to Sisters and many of us feel that the Mayor's proposal indirectly diverts some of these efforts to the city.

We urge the Mayor and the city council to sit down with the Deschutes County Library representatives and come to a fair resolution that protects the city's interests and the library district's interest, but does not impede or reduce the expansion of the library in Sisters.

The Board of the Friends of the Sisters Library

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To the Editor:

I have lived in Tollgate for 11 years. During that time, I have been on the board as well as chairman. Today, I am a paying property owner that has been banned from the office due to standing up for my rights as a property owner. I have witnessed one ridiculous issue after another.

In the late '80s and early '90s the issue was mandatory flammable wood shake roofs and loose dogs. Today it is still loose dogs with poor management by the board and its staff.

The latest issue regarding the banning of horses is just another power play by those that do not pay your property taxes. As of today, all those who own property in Tollgate purchased their land with the right to have horses. It is part of the property value, whether it is wanted or not.

In a past article in The Nugget, it was stated that a mailing was sent out regarding the horse issue. Myself and others never received this mail out. Unless, it was only mailed to those in favor of banning the horses.

If we ban the Horses we might as well ban the squirrels and chipmunks at the same time. If you don't want to have horses, don't have them and leave the people alone who enjoy them.

Richard Esterman

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To the Editor:

How nice it is to live in a small community!

I recently went through a very difficult time in my life and I can't believe how wonderful and supportive everyone was and still is. I couldn't have done it without all my special friends and family.

Thank you so much for all the cards, flowers, food and love.

A special thank-you to Dad and Joni, my daughter Sammie, Phil and Martha, Kay McLaren, Lynn Barclay, Diane Kellstrom, Gudren Kibak, Dick and Loretta Kriege, Pat Molesworth and Gary and Robyn Bennett.

I love you all so much and feel truly blessed every day of my life.

Pam Creason

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To the Editor:

My wife and I were involved in an accident on Highway 20 West of Sisters in the afternoon of the Fourth of July.

There are two good things to report.

First, we both avoided serious injury and second, we experienced help above and beyond the call of duty from the sheriff's department, paramedics, firefighters, accident recovery professionals, and passing motorists and drivers.

While the accident caused us to change our vacation plans in just a few seconds' time it also provided us with a wealth of human experience that will remain with us forever.

We are forever in the debt of the good citizens of Sisters.

We both could not let any more time pass without saying to one and all a heartfelt "Thank you."

You made our difficulties easier to resolve, our return to normality set on the right track and our future filled with respect and affection for you and your city.

Thank you all, again.

Yvonne and Gordon Kimber

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To the Editor:

As every year during the first weekend in July, the Annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show drew thousands of residents and visitors to our town, either to view this spectacle of color and design, to partake in making this event an artistic success or to share in the commercial benefits that huge numbers of consumers generate.

Aside from businesses, several Sisters High School sports programs, whose funding for the 2000/2001 school year had been cut, raised funds for their coaching, travel and equipment budgets.

I would like to thank several parents, students, school district personnel and community members for their unequivocal support, their hard work, their vision and their sharing of site and customers to benefit the sport of swimming in our high school:

To the Cundiffs, Durdan-Shaws, Evereds and Manskers -- thank you for equipment, numerous hours of brainstorming and labor; to Lei and Kanoe Durdan and the Herburgers -- thank you for advice and procurement of supplies; to Steve Swisher, Boyd Keyser, Rich Shultz, Janice Comfort and Mimi Burke -- thank you for your vision, your understanding, your support and making your respective facilities available to our efforts.

To all our customers -- thank you for indulging in caesar salad and cheesecake; and most importantly to the Durhams for sharing their property and lines of buyers. It is people like you that make good things happen in our community.

This first fund-raiser will cover some of the swim team's travel expenses. Additional events are planned in the future and parties interested in supporting the Sisters High School Swim Team may make tax deductible donations to the Sisters School Foundation, PO Box 2155, Sisters, OR6

97759, earmarked "Swim Team."

Isolde Hedemark

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To the Editor:

Sisters Brownie Troop 823 would like to thank the super generous people in our community who helped us raise money during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show:

Jean Wells Keenan for providing us with water to sell; John Leavitt for letting us set up shop on his lawn; Robin Davis for giving us ice to keep the water cold; Trish's dad Jim Erickson for setting the booth up and running it all day.

Our troop is thrilled to live in a community that supports all of our activities.

Thank you, Sisters.

Troop 823 (Trish Erickson, Haylee Schaab, Anna Weiss, Ali Whimer and Jackie Erickson)

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