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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Read with interest the comments by ODOT's Mr. Russell ("Bypass is not an option for Sisters," The Nugget, March 3, page 6). With a philosophy like "when you climb a ladder, you never jump to the top rung," it's no wonder Oregon is always 10 years behind in planning its highways.

It has to be more fun to always play catch-up because it sure is more expensive. As to funding, put a bucket along the roadway on a weekend and ask people trying to get somewhere to contribute to the cause. Should take about two years to pay for it.

Love Sisters when I have the time.

Alan Frum

Salem

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To the Editor:

I doubt that Pamela Jo Hunter knows many Republicans, much less can speak for what they think. Anyone who thinks that Moveon.org (A George Soros hit web site) is a good source for truth is obviously no Republican, just a liberal hoping to look "middle-of-the roadish."

As for going against the U.N. and our so-called allies, hooray for Bush. If we had had Gore (or any other Democrat) in the presidency, he would have had us apologizing to al Qaeda for making them attack us in NYC.

For this Republican, I could really care less if they ever find WMD in Iraq. I personally think there are some hidden chemical and bio-agents in that country. Having spent most of my life in mountains and very out-of-the-way-places, I know how easy it would be to hide a few cubic meters of containers in an area the size of California.

But be that as it may, Saddam may have been poorly indicted, but he was rightly convicted as a murderer and despot. He deserved every "smart-bomb" that we put on target. It was just too bad he was taken alive.

On a national scope, I am going for four more years of GWB and on the local front, I'm keeping my powder dry and my carry-piece locked and loaded. Now there is some good advice!

Carl Yee

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To the Editor:

In response to Pam Hunter's letter of March 3: I do not believe people can accurately judge what is the truth when they aren't getting the facts from the horse's mouth. It's clear to me the news media in this country delineates to Americans information gathered at the back end of the horse.

So, did America do the right thing in freeing a helpless people from decades of death, torture and oppression? I say YES! How would a person in Iraq feel reading some of the letters lambasting our president and our remarkable country? We have been their saviors!

If a man like Bush had been president during World War II, I bet millions of Jewish people would have been saved from death.

I had the opportunity to visit at great length with two Holocaust survivor victims. Two ladies who had been through hell. I learned much more from them about compassion, gratefulness (sic) and truth than any "news for money" news corporation or negative, self-indulging print media rubbish broker.

I believe President Bush is doing a great job! If some think differently, that is certainly their right.

However, to quote Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Mark Kershner

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To the Editor:

Bravo!

It's been said before and I'll say it again, we have a gem here in Sisters by the name of Jody Henderson, Director of Bands at both the middle school and the high school.

In addition to Jody, our little town has the wherewithal to attract great musical entertainment.

Last Friday, the Boise State University Jazz Ensemble were guests at Sisters High School and held a clinic for the Jazz Band and then entertained the band and other attendees (see story, page 6). The Boise guests had nothing but praise for the high school jazz band, as did all others.

Sunday afternoon, "Cascade Winds," the Central Oregon Community College symphonic band, was a guest at Sisters High School with a two-part program. The 72-member Sisters High School Concert Band played as well, while Cascade Winds presented superb entertainment conducted by both Michael Gesme and Colin Lippy.

Everyone was more than impressed with Jody's Concert Band. I don't know where Jody finds the time to bring his kids to the level they're at, but he somehow does it!

Unfortunately, the Sunday afternoon attendance was lacking because of competition with a true taste of spring weather. Those that missed out on the concert missed music by Dave Brubeck, Leonard Bernstein, John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copeland and Rachmaninoff.

Jody not only presented us with wonderful music (Cascade Winds, too) but the kids were dressed out in formal attire, boys with white shirts and dark pants and the girls in black dresses.

Jody, you and the kids make us all proud!

Jim Smith

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To the Editor:

I want to express my appreciation for the wonderful folks at the Sisters Kiwanis Club.

They have a long history of investing in their community by supporting the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) book and reading program.

They are a very civic-minded group, dedicated to making the community of Sisters stronger.

I must also say, they are one of the funniest groups I've had the pleasure of sharing breakfast with!

I always enjoy my visits with them and leave feeling so encouraged and impressed.

I also want to mention Yvette Chandler, who has recently been volunteering her time to help Debora Crippa, the School Coordinator for the SMART program in Sisters.

These two incredible women have nearly doubled the number of volunteer readers at the elementary school in the past few months!

Thanks to them, and thanks also to those of you who have stepped forward to help bring a love of reading to children in your community.

The community of Sisters is special. I am proud to be able to work with such great people, and grateful for the support you have given the SMART program.

Sincerely,

Teresa Taylor, Central Area Manager

Oregon Children's Foundation

SMART program