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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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 have resigned from the Sisters Jazz Festival after 11 years of involvement in all major capacities. It was the hardest decision I had ever made. The fact the festival was unable to attract a major sponsor and with declining sponsor support from the Sisters business community led to my decision.

It takes a lot of time and effort to put on the quality event the jazz festival had become. There have been so many dedicated individuals through the years that contributed to its success that to single out and acknowledge them would take more space than I think I have and would be a disservice to those who I would inadvertently leave out.

I have two exceptions however: Bob Lowery whose idea and foresight it was to stage a jazz festival in Sisters and my wife Peggy who supported and assisted me all these years and urged me to continue when I wanted to bow out a few years back.

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the following:

¥ To the Board of Directors of the Jazz Festival both current and past members for their support.

¥ To the great core of volunteers for the great job they have done.

¥ To those sponsors who have supported us through the years.

¥ To the City of Sisters for allowing us the use of the Village Green Park venue site.

¥ To the businesses whose facilities we used for venues.

¥ To Tom and Mabel Anderson, whose help was more than expected.

¥ To Sisters /Camp Sherman Fire Department for the use of their hall.

¥ To Sisters School District for providing shuttle buses and allowing the festival to use the school as a venue from time to time.

¥ To Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce for permitting us to use their facilities

¥ To landowners who let us use their property for RV parking.

¥ To those who lent us drums.

If I've forgotten anyone please except my apology.

I have enjoyed my involvement with the festival and received a generous amount of personal satisfaction in its success and the enjoyment it has brought to so many people. I will definitely miss the festival.

Sincerely,

Ray Buselli

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To the Editor:

The recent events with our country's elections has me baffled. How can one man doubt the wants of citizens more than one time?

Al Gore has shown nothing other than he is a sore loser. He has now lost Florida three times, and plans to contest the votes again once they are certified. Does he think that somehow if he whines enough that he will win?

How deluded is this man? In the event that he should win, the President will be regarded around the world as "A Big Baby."

Al Gore's attitude during this event has been similar to a two-year-old throwing a fit because he didn't get his way. He needs to be a man, stand up and say "okay" and end all this pointless bickering.

The American people deserve to know who their next president will be before Christmas, hopefully.

Thank you,

Erick H. Browning

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To the Editor:

This is the time of year when we focus on "being grateful" and "peace on earth." My letter is to remind all of us that the best gifts of the season can't be purchased, wrapped or sometimes even seen.

This community is an incredible example of that, as I have witnessed in just the three weeks that I have been blessed to live here.

Sometimes the form of the gift is as simple as a car stopping and allowing someone to turn out in front of them, sometimes it's a smile, or a helpful hand, or an anonymous donation to help a family in need.

Sometimes it's something as simple as friendliness and warmth. The children of our community are active participants in that very way of life.

The high school students bravely put on a play that was controversial and yet so beneficial to broadening understanding of what can cause tragic events and human suffering.

They also offered a beautiful display of gratitude, with other community members, to our veterans.

Now all the school children are collecting food for the food bank, to help "take care" of others within our community who are struggling. The best gift we can give is an "positive and open" heart, reaching out to others and giving "hope."

It truly changes the world, one tiny step at a time, and helps us all to feel a very real sense of "peace on earth." Gratitude for our community, for each other, and for that very "hope" can nurture our outlook and be a healing element in our lives as well as others.

May we all be blessed with that openness, compassion, and focus throughout this precious season and for all the days to come.

Carol Statton

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To the Editor:

I would like to thank the community for making the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony a huge success.

A very special thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus (also known as Dan Higgins from Community Mortgage and Shawn Taylor, a dedicated volunteer for the Sisters Chamber.)

There was such a large crowd during the parade and after at the chamber for the tree lighting and visits with Santa Claus. I sincerely appreciate the support we have in this community and thanks to everyone who helped make all of this possible.

I want to also thank the parade helpers, Allinda and Ernest Dunn, and all the participants, including the Sisters High School Band, that were awesome!

Sincerely,

Jeri Buckmann

Sisters Chamber of Commerce

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