Sheriff's levy, school posts lead ballot

A three-year extension of the current sheriff's levy and the election of three school board members lead Sisters area concerns on the March 13 ballot.

Sheriff Les Stiles is asking voters for a split-rate levy to fund his office's operations over the next three years.

Residents of unincorporated areas would pay $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation; residents of incorporated areas or communities that have their own police force (such as Black Butte Ranch) would pay 78 cents per $1,000.

The rate is identical to the current levy rate. No organized opposition to the levy has yet arisen.

Three current Sisters School Board members are running unopposed to continue serving in their positions. Heather Wester, Bill Reed and Glen Lasken are each seeking a four-year term.

Probably the most significant issue facing the school board in coming months is the probable request in May for a bond to build a new high school.

Frank Deggendorfer of Sisters is one of four candidates running for a seat on the regional Education Service District.

Ballots for the March 13 election were to be mailed to voters on Saturday, February 24.

Mary Beth Pearl stands for election to the Deschutes Public Library District board of directors.

Robert Reed and Dave Sullivan stand unopposed for two positions on the Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District Board and former sheriff Greg Brown seeks re-election to the board of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

Also running for separate seats are Al McKenzie and Hal Coe.

Thomas Barrier, Keith Cyrus and Todd Williver are seeking seats on the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District Board.

Bonnie Malone, Carole (CB) Davis and John Bushnell are each seeking individual seats on the SOAR board of directors.