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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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 am writing in regard to the plans for yet another destination resort in Central Oregon, plans for "the most fabulous resort the West has ever known," as mentioned in the November 19 article "Salem family buys Sisters land."

I would very much like to see some investigative reporting and public dialogue on this particular issue.

This planned resort is in the middle of traditional forest land, land that is also valuable wildlife habitat. Where is Jefferson County in this matter? Has the zoning for this parcel been changed? Where is ODF&W (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) in this matter? Where are other land use planning agencies in this matter? Where is the public input? Do the agencies even know of these plans? Have county and state permits been requested?

Do we actually NEED another resort here, especially one plunked down in the forest, creating yet more areas of concern in our fire-prone forests, when we have Black Butte Ranch, Eagle Crest and Sunriver so close by? Are there plans for yet another golf course in water-stressed Central Oregon? Are we on the road to creating another Jackson Hole or an Aspen here in Central Oregon, where, because there is no affordable housing for the people expected to do the service work, they will have to be bused in from elsewhere?

I can tell you that there have been rumors swirling around this land purchase and it's prospective development for months now. One major rumor has been that the developers are thumbing their noses at Jefferson County and the land use zoning of this property, and that they have every intention of building what they want on the property, regardless.

Another case of it being easier (and less expensive) to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission? Is there a forum for public input on this development? I think the prospect of another destination resort in our backyard is a huge deal and it's ramifications should be seriously considered. Any light The Nugget can shed on this particular subject would be of benefit to the whole community.

Sincerely,

Susan L. Tank

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To the Editor:

We often visit Sisters in the summer so we enjoy checking out your web page.

The two recent reports of cougar sightings seem to have a blasé tone. I wonder if the cougars are losing their fear of people in the same way as shown in the November, 2003, Reader's Digest report of the stalking and killing of a woman in Boulder, Colorado, by a cougar.

There needs to be a sense of realism about the clash between settled communities and wild animals. Idealistic slogans aren't good enough.

Our protected wolves in Minnesota have now spread over the northern half of the state, across northern Wisconsin and northern Michigan. If we don't kill those who come near to a settled community we can't protect the larger group who stay at a distance. There will be a backlash unless there is more common sense in wildlife management.

Sincerely,

Robert Overgaard

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To the Editor:

The story begins on the night of Tuesday, November 25. My daughter, who attends Western Baptist College in Salem, was catching a ride home with her friends for a long Thanksgiving weekend. The ride home was going to be a long one; the forecast was snow, snow, snow!

Just past Detroit Lake the kids realized that snow chains were a requirement. They all four jumped out of the car to stretch and to check out the situation. As they turned to get coats they realized that the car doors were locked! They stood out in the dark, snow falling hard, with no coats, no gloves and NO KEYS!

(The car was scheduled for a check-up, earlier it had begun to show signs of electrical problems).

This letter is to thank the kind people who helped my daughter and her friends that night. A big thank you to the couple heading to Redmond to be with family. They helped the kids with a coat hanger and allowed them to use their cell phone (no reception!). Also, to the truck driver who eventually broke a small window in the car with his golf club, thank you for your kindness and willingness to help.

Needless to say, it was a stressful night, both for the kids and for the parents who were waiting at home (regularly a two-hour road trip, this one took close to five). I thank the Lord for His protective hand that night and may He bless all of you who show some act of kindness this holiday season.

Jeri Weber

Fergus Falls, Minnesota

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To the Editor:

To the town of Sisters -- the shock of losing our son and brother still permeates all that we do. To us it's as if Greg is still up in Sisters and will be coming to San Diego in a few weeks.

Our hearts are heavy but we take comfort in knowing how much Greg was loved by everyone in his adopted home of Sisters. We want to express our deepest heartfelt gratitude to the town of Sisters for the outpouring of love and respect shown Greg at his memorial service.

Many of his family members were not present but we are assured by those who were that there was a profound sense of loss and an overwhelming abundance of love. We know that his heart was bigger than death and that he will live on in all of our hearts forever

With sincere thanks,

C. Martinez and the Martinez family of San Diego

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To the Editor:

I would like to express a warm hearted thank you to everyone in the community who helped my family become homeowners this year.

I moved into my home last month thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Sisters and all of their hard-working volunteers. They are my heroes!

Everyone did their very best to make sure we were in and comfortable by the holidays. It was greatly appreciated by my family and friends who enjoyed the wonderful meal I was able to prepare in my own home.

I also want to express my gratitude to the neighbors and community members who put up with all the "mess" that came about during the process.

I feel very lucky to call Sisters our home.

Happy holidays to one and all!

Sincerely,

Dawn, Hailey and Trevor -- the Roberts family

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To the Editor:

I have recently completed a coast to coast trip in our RV from Oregon to Connecticut. It started on September 29 and ended on October 12.

I bought gas 23 times in 10 states.

Although there are price swings within a given state, the swings from state to state convince me that consumers are being ripped off by gasoline producers.

For example, why should the lowest price for same grade gas in Oregon ($2.03) be 33 cents higher than the same grade in Ohio ($1.69)? Or 24 cents higher in Montana ($1.89) than in Pennsylvania ($1.65)?

During the travels there was a decrease in the price per barrel but not enough to explain these differentials.

For those interested give me a call. Or better yet jump on the politicians to do something worthwhile instead of raising taxes and trying to destroy Bush.

Jack Berry