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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Band-Aids don't stop hemorrhaging.

The city council is about to change some codes that took a lot of thought and study of facts. On March 27 the council is about to make changes without the necessary facts on the effects of these changes.

Affordable housing is going to get substantially hurt. The town complainers are going to get a little fix and will still not be satisfied. The land owners who were content with the new smart codes are going to suffer.

The city and taxpayers will lose -- tax dollars, money for domestic wells, money to enlarge the sewer system; garbage pickup fees will increase and city water, sewer, garbage systems will be less efficient.

We must convince the city council to take the needed time to study the problem carefully and examine the facts before making any changes.

A public workshop where the public is allowed to voice their opinion is needed. The city planning commission needs to be involved and listened to.

We need facts, figures and data to make a decision to properly evaluate if these changes will do more good than bad.

Right now the existing proposal will do more bad than good.

A concerned land owner,

J. Bruce Forbes

* * *

To the Editor:

Dave Kell spoke out in last week's Nugget about not hiring a new school superintendent. I want to second his idea and offer a few of my own.

I read in The Bulletin the other day that we are faced with a budget crisis not seen since the Depression. This is a time for change and innovative thinking.

In my opinion, this is a time for what the district needs, not what it could be nice to keep. The teachers and others who deliver services directly to the students must be our most important consideration.

We have only 1,153 students and I question the need for a high salary administrator. We can request budget assistance from ESD and outsource other budgeting duties to a fiscal analyst.

I would gladly volunteer to help in this effort. The superintendent's job is basically three teaching positions.

I also think the present District office staff could be reduced considerably. When, I moved here in 1994, we had only two schools and two principals. I suggest that we go back to two principals.

We could use other teachers with administrative credentials for discipline, etc. Once again I emphasize the need for innovative thinking in these areas.

Maybe Sisters could lead the way and reduce these very costly administrative positions, at the expense of teachers and relevant programs.

In my opinion, every administrative job should be scrutinized as to its absolute necessity.

The private sector people in this state are enduring incredible hardship. No job, no benefits, for thousands of people. School districts can't feel as though the pain of our present economic situation is beneath them.

We can do much in our own backyard if we possess the courage and intelligence to make bold moves on behalf of our children.

Regards,

Terry Burke

* * *

To the Editor:

In response to Mr. Bearzi's letter: I do not believe Mark Kershner was objecting to the celebration of Dr. King's life.

If Mr. Bearzi would have read the facts in Mr. Kershner's letter without predetermined notions, he would have realized that Mr. Kershner was NOT endorsing a racist viewpoint. He was simply pointing out that as a society we do look at skin color by celebrating with fervor the life of Dr. King while minimizing the significant accomplishments of others like Abraham Lincoln.

After all, Mr. Bearzi, did Abraham Lincoln not give his life to emancipate the slaves ... an attempt to create equality for ALL Americans?

Quay and Dawn Richerson

* * *

To the Editor:

In response to Peter Bearzi, my only goal in writing my letter was to bring awareness to a concern I share with many Americans.

Although my thoughts were quite clear, they were unfortunately misinterpreted. I shall restate my opinion in a more simplistic fashion: I called Martin Luther King a "great" American, and yes, I certainly approve of celebrating him for his contributions to the cause of equality.

However, it is disheartening to me that Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated for emancipating black folks from slavery and was the catalyst for Dr. King, is now reduced to being celebrated with an occasional "Presidents' Day" SOFA SALE!

I shudder to think that Dr. King will someday be reduced to being celebrated with an occasional "White Sale!" History is a great teacher; let's not diminish its lessons!

Mark Kershner

* * *

To the Editor:

Being named Citizen of the Year by Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce is a thrilling and humbling experience.

I share this award with many people who have worked for important causes in this community. My appreciation for them is found in the quote, "Know your limits, then compensate with people who can help."

Among these friends, Jan Reed and Ronda Sneva deserve special notice for their time-consuming dedication to hugely successful SOAR fundraising events and so many other volunteer projects they do quietly and constantly.

Among organizations, my thanks to Sisters Rotary, which taught me the joy of service work; Kiwanis for its Energizer Bunny-like enthusiasm and support for SOAR and Sisters; Sisters Rodeo for teaching me that organization and planning can be filled with fun; and Habitat for its heart.

Thanks also to the Lutheran Church for its generous spirit and care (even outside our membership), and to the Episcopal Church for its friendship and sharing.

Friends who have supported me are my secure rock, especially Betty, Becky Lu, B'Mary, Dottie, Pat and Georgi.

The wealth and eclectic variety of friends I have in Sisters supersedes what anyone might dream of realizing in any hometown.

The SOAR staff, SOAR board and foundation members keep the machinery well oiled and are dedicated to this project for the kids and this community. The staff is such a special group, creative, inventive and willing.

And, ultimately, thanks to Tom Coffield, who produces and directs the miracle of SOAR and who defines for me daily the word "awesome."

Bonnie Malone

* * *

To the Editor:

On Wednesday, February 26, I had an opportunity to speak to Ms. Deborah Halsten's seventh grade class at Sonrise Christian School.

The subject of my talk was "truth." Since I had been with the Portland Police Bureau for 30 years, I planned to talk on the importance of the truth in police work. I also planned to talk on the truth as it relates to a relationship with God in his Son Jesus Christ.

The class numbered nine students, also attended by Ms. Halsten, her father and a couple of other teachers. The time began with a prayer by a teacher, then three songs of worship led by the students.

I then began my presentation by way of an introduction and some background information on me.

I talked for about 15 minutes on the truth relating to police work and the remaining half hour giving my testimony on my wife's and my salvation, which occurred over six years ago and on the truth as it relates to God and his word recorded in the Holy Bible.

In preparing for this time with the seventh graders, I realized that without faith and a complete commitment to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ being "the way and the truth and the life," there is no truth.

The hour with those wonderful students and teachers is an hour I will never forget and I thank God for the opportunity he gave me.

Yours always in His name,

David W. Kell