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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Every Christmas season the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District and the Volunteer Association assist local families with children in need by supporting them with clothing and toys.

Our fund-raiser trademark for years has been a "Giving Tree" which Ray's Food Place has generously allowed us to place in their store.

This year the tree is again draped with colorful tags of Christmas wishes of local children. Those wishes can become reality with your help. Please visit the Giving Tree at Ray's Food Place and select a request to fulfill (deadline December 18).

Instructions are posted on the tree and the process is easy.

During this joyous season all of your donations will reap large rewards by supporting the children of our community.

In addition, we invite you to make a donation for our Christmas Day dinner. Please bring your donations to the Elm Street station by Monday, December 22. The Christmas Day dinner is open to the community and we invite you to attend. If you would like to help with preparation, serving or clean up, you are welcome! Please contact us at 549-0771 to volunteer.

Finally, we want to remind you of the recent passing of Jim Gentry. Jim was department Chaplain for Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale, Sisters and Camp Sherman for many years and a very good friend to our firefighters, medics and so many of you.

In his memory, the Volunteer Association of Sisters and Camp Sherman has established a scholarship fund in his name. The purpose of this fund is to support local high school students who wish to pursue a career in fire and emergency medical services. We would be pleased to receive donations for this memorial fund, now and in the future.

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

John Gerke

Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD

Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Association

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To the Editor:

No matter what time of year it is, we all expect Central Oregon's highways to be in good driving condition. Now that winter is here it is even more important that our highways are safe for our daily commute to work, business trips over the pass or family holiday gatherings.

The people responsible for the confidence we all have in our state highway system are the maintenance crews of the Oregon Department of Transportation. Although the focus of their work changes with the seasons their goal is always the same: providing motorists with the safest and most efficient transportation system possible.

During the winter months, ODOT maintenance crews are on call 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to keep highways clear of snow, ice, mud and rock slides.

Crews work day and night shifts to provide the public with safe traveling conditions.

Maintenance specialists apply sand and other materials to break the bond between ice and the road surface, push and remove snow from the mountain passes with snowplows and snow blowers and respond to accidents and stranded motorists.

We will do our part to keep the roads clear of snow and ice. It is important that motorists do their part to ensure safe travel during the winter months.

First and foremost allow extra time for your daily commute and drive prudent to the conditions. Excessive speed is the most common cause of accidents during the winter months.

Be prepared and use traction tires or carry the appropriate traction devices.

Prior to leaving home visit http://www.tripcheck.com for the latest information on road and weather conditions. The site also provides access to roadside cameras located on all the major mountain passes and highways throughout the state.

Have a winter survival kit in your vehicle in case you become stranded for an extended period of time.

Winter travel in central Oregon can be tricky. Weather and road conditions can change quickly and often. Stay informed, be prepared, drive with care and reach your destination safely. Let's all do our part to make the winter of 2003-2004 a safe and enjoyable one.

Pat Creedican

District 10 Maintenance Manager

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To the Editor:

To the town of Sisters, Oregon -- Thank you for the support.

The 143rd MP Detachment

Montana Army National Guard|

Baghdad, Iraq

This message, signed by numerous members of the detachment, was sent in response to the Support Our Troops drive conducted by Welcoming You to Central Oregon. The shop at 121 E. Cascade Ave. (moving to 161 E. Cascade Ave. in January) continues to take donations of sundries and supplies for shipment to troops stationed in Iraq.