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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

It is high time for the voting residents of Sisters to step back and take an honest look at where our tax dollars are going. A good education for our children is essential. Along with that, I believe that every education tax dollar should be responsibly spent to achieve that end.

The school board works hard as volunteers. We thank them. But, they have made several mistakes:

1. Getting architects to start incurring costs BEFORE the city voted and approved or rejected the annexation (this still has to be voted on in March 2002) and because the city voters were against the two previous bond votes, it will probably be rejected.

2. They have touted growth -- Sisters grew from 959 to 960 from April 2000 to September 2001; only one person!

3. They say outlying areas supply students, and growth out there is big. How come the school district grew by nine students in four years (from November 1998 to November 2001, excluding FLEX students educated off-campus)?

4. They have not been open about additional costs and "possible future" bonds for fixtures, and facilities for the students to learn.

Putting 415 students into a facility for 700 students (new high school) and putting 293 from the old middle school into a facility designed for 550 students (during near flat growth) is fiscally irresponsible.

If the real numbers don't add up, why do some insist we proceed with this "vision"? Perhaps to build a far less expensive new middle school (which seems to be far more needed) is the wisest alternative.

We could then put some additional dollars directly into the classrooms for much needed textbooks, materials and upgrades. This makes far more sense to me and the tax consequence for property owners would be considerably less.

Voters will have the opportunity to stop this "runaway train" in its tracks this coming March. Being a responsible taxpayer is part of being a responsible citizen.

Mike Simpson

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To the Editor:

Many writers are now echoing my feelings relative to the bond for the new high school. I feel that if there is still an opportunity to block the new high school from going forward it should be done.

One of the most telling reasons is that not once during the campaign to "do what is right for our children" (all emotion) has there been any statistical reason given for increased school enrollment.

In The Nugget for December 19, ("County hears school UGB request," page 3) the lawyer for the school district stated that there was population data supporting the need for a new school, but as usual there was no indication of that data nor by what means the data was collected.

Is that data just the unsupported opinion of some small group, or was it collected by recognized statistical means through a reputable agency? If there is truly a need for a new school all relative, unemotional statistics should be given.

A second item, which many may not realize, is that the school bond was passed by only 35 percent of the registered voters. That does not seem to be an overwhelming mandate to build a new school.

In reply to a student who wrote in bemoaning the lack of her ability to enroll in the classes she might wish, I can only say that the number of teachers needed for some class choices is less dictated by the building than it is by the hiring of the teachers to give the classes.

Just because a new building may be constructed with many more rooms does not imply more teachers. There is still a budget constraint on the number of teachers which can be hired for a given school population. That is why portables would have been a wiser choice. Less capital outlay which would leave most people willing to fund operation expenses such as more teachers and books when needed.

Sincerely,

B. Graham

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To the Editor:

We are a couple that have had the pleasure of coming to your lovely town on most of our vacations over the past 15 years, enjoying the people and surroundings. We have considered building a new home in Sisters but we are concerned, being near retirement age we don't want to be "taxed out" once we build and plan to settle there.

This issue of the schools is one that is keeping us from a final decision. This now the past 2-3 years.

We live in Grants Pass , and this also was an issue for years, the High School. Well, finally they rebuilt G.P High. Taxes went up as much as $500 in one year on a home in town, and also in the county -- hiked-up!

We all pay dearly. When is enough enough? It seems all towns are in this situation across this state. We are in our later years looking forward to paying all these costs.

There must be some other method other than taxing all property owners to no end.

Folks, write-- let your voice be heard to our state reps and tell them enough burden on the people.

Sandra Daniella

Grants Pass

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To the Editor:

This year, the Sisters Starry Nights Concert Series had the great fortune of securing two superstars to join our line-up and help support our schools -- Vince Gill and Amy Grant. As one can imagine, the demand for tickets to see this show vastly outweighed the number of tickets that would be available to the public.

Due to the overwhelming demand for tickets this year, it came to our attention late last week that many people were planning to spend the night in line to increase their chances of getting seats.

Many people from outside the area called Leavitt's to ask about overnight facilities, restrooms and other information related to sleeping on the streets. Because of liability issues, city ordinances, logistical concerns and the simple inhumanity of having people spend long hours in cold temperatures, we could not support the idea of spending the night.

We adopted a lottery-style system that provided an order to the line. It is similar to that utilized by Ticketmaster and is in standard use for concert ticket sales. Although it was not a perfect system, it was the best alternative we had given the circumstances we faced.

Our staff arrived at Leavitt's at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. At that time, people drew a number that indicated their position in line. The lottery system was not announced publicly for two reasons: one, the plan was finalized on Friday (the day before tickets went on sale) in response to information we received late in the game; and two, it was only intended to discourage people from spending the night and as a way to organize people who arrived before our staff did.

This system was designed by the Starry Nights Planning Committee and was not a Leavitt's policy. John Leavitt and his staff have graciously stood by us as our ticket outlet since our first year, and we are deeply grateful to them for all of their assistance and support.

It is clear that having such big name talent at this event is not a good fit with our current format and ticketing system. We will be re-evaluating the future of the event at the conclusion of this year's series.

Jeri Fouts and Susan Arends

The Sisters Starry Nights Planning Committee

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To the Editor:

Thank you community of Sisters.

Your generosity made it possible for the Sisters Kiwanis Christmas Food Basket program to provide Christmas Day meals for 95 families.

Thank you to the many people who mailed in checks or donated money through the Kiwanis collection houses around town, your financial support is crucial.

Thank you to all the businesses that displayed the collection houses and provided space for food collection barrels.

Thank you members of Kiwanis, members of the Sisters High School Key Club, and the many individuals and families from the community who all worked together to organize and distribute food boxes.

Thank you also Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire Department for allowing us to take over your training room for two days.

Also a big thank you to Ray's Food Place, Harvest Basket and Sisters Bakery for your generous support.

Many thanks to co-chairs Shirley Miller and Katie Powers for your hard work and organizational skills, it couldn't be done without you.

The combined efforts of the Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire Department Toy Drive and The Nugget Newspaper Pet Food Drive have made Christmas special for many families. Thank you one and all.

David Hiller

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To the Editor:

Bob and I want to express our appreciation to all of you folks that helped make Bob and Lorena's Toyshop a success this Christmas Season.

We were able to donate 2,000 teddy bears and stuffed animals and 200 dolls -- each with a doll bed and handmade quilt to needy children from Warm Springs Reservation to Christmas Valley.

All of you who participated know who you are and the many hours you put in certainly made a smile come to the faces of many children on Christmas Day around Central Oregon.

Your help made this dream come true.

We hope to continue this project for many years to come. That will be possible with your help. We have started collecting for 2002 Christmas and can use yarn, ribbon, fabric, stuffed animals, dolls, and material for building doll beds -- and most of all quilts (200). You can reach us at 389-9554 or e-mail lrenaraeb.aol.com.

Thanks again.

Lorena Bliven

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To the Editor:

The gift of the new year certainly brings new life for me. In mid-December, I suddenly had unanticipated triple bypass heart surgery. I had done well on stress tests, and my symptoms had been fairly mild. However, the angiogram revealed severely occluded coronary arteries.

Sobering is the fact that I could have died of a heart attack at any time, as did my brother. So, life looks pretty good now and is gratefully received as a gift.

I publicly want to bear witness to the care, compassion, and prayers of many in this community and to say thank you. The fact that prayers were offered for me by many individuals and churches in the Sisters community sustained me, my family, and those who ministered healing at St. Charles Medical Center.

Your notes and phone calls continued to nurture me at home after my discharge.

A few examples of extended community support might be worth mentioning. While I was still in intensive care, Dr. Frank Trostel loaned me a sweatshirt, which he had once worn, with these words: "DON'T HUG ME; I JUST HAD MY CHEST CRACKED!"

Soon after I moved to the telemetry unit, beautiful flowers arrived from St. Edward's Catholic Church of Sisters. During those tough days and nights, I would glance at the flowers on the windowsill and be reminded of the care and prayers of many good and faithful people.

A card signed by Kiwanis Club members encouraged this Rotarian.

Your notes, cards, and phone calls were encouraging and gratefully received. They were truly sacramental for me, tangible signs of your love, prayer, and support. I was blessed to be a recipient of your goodwill. You brought near the healing presence of the Holy One.

I am well on the road to recovery. My sternum is mending, as are my arm and leg from which an artery and vein were taken. I am walking and involved in the cardiac rehabilitation program at St. Charles. I soon will be able to drive. I am beginning to ease back into church activities and work.

Shalom,

The Rev. Larry Harrelson, Pastor

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

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To the Editor:

We are sixth grade Sisters Middle School students who belong to a club soccer team. We have won the championship of our division. We have been selected to participate in a tournament in San Diego.

We are trying to raise money for the trip. Would you be so kind as to donate your returnable cans to help us? There will be a drop off box on Miss Sew-it-all's front porch for your convenience.

For more information call: Marsha Marr at Miss sew-it-all, 549-9910.

Thank you so much for your support.

Josh Marr and Geovanni Ortega

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To the Editor:

A new year: 12 months; 52 weeks; 365 days; 8,760 hours; 525,600 minutes; 32,136,000 seconds -- 32,136,000 chances to make the right choice, do the right thing, change a negative thought, talk to God, do a kind deed, be grateful, love and live life.

Kathy Goodwin