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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

The new sheriff's levy is being pushed on two fronts. First, if it doesn't pass, the sheriff's department will be destroyed. Second, in terms of taxes, it's no big deal, little more than an extension of the old levy, with some adjustments made in the name of urban/rural equity. My comments concern the second of these propositions.

We're told that the new levy will provide just enough funding to maintain current service levels, and will not provide enough money for the sheriff's office to expand its operations. Even the supposedly unbiased ballot title in the Voter's Pamphlet presents the levy in this light. Not a mention of any tax increases.

I think there's some false advertising going on here. A 5 percent tax hike for urban taxpayers combined with a 43 percent hike for rural taxpayers does not add up to a mere extension of the old levy or "just enough to fund current service levels." It adds up to about a 24 percent increase in tax revenue (based on the current urban/rural split in population and rates).

Part of the rationale for the new levy is that it's needed to cover rising costs. That's a bogus argument. The levy is directly tied to assessed property values, which automatically increase 3 percent every year to cover inflation. Levy proponents also remind us that Deschutes is the fastest growing county in Oregon and the new levy is needed to provide service to all those newcomers. That's also bogus. Every new home built in Deschutes County is added to the tax roll and swells the sheriff's revenue stream. In short, the existing levy self-adjusts for inflation and population growth.

To make an informed decision on this issue, voters need to know how much revenue was generated by the old levy in each of the last 3 years and how much will be generated by the new levy in each of the next 3 years. Since Sheriff Stiles isn't providing this comparative data to voters, perhaps The Nugget will provide it to readers.

John Duncan

To the Editor:

I appreciate your recent articles and Jim Golden's letter-to-the-editor on TAG and Special Education funding. If anyone inferred from my comments that I believe TAG should be funded at the expense of Special Ed, that is regrettable. I believe, as does Mr. Golden, that every child in the district deserves to be schooled to the best of his/her abilities.

The school funding environment is causing hardship for all our kids. I and other volunteers advocating for TAG students are working with the school administration and parents to make sure that the needs of one segment of the student body aren't lost amid ongoing budget crises, class size increases, increased teaching workloads and compressed school calendars.

Sincerely,

Merry Ann Moore

To the Editor:

Since (Eric) Dolson and (Jim) Cornelius continue to publish anything that is disparaging to President Bush (Re: partisan political cartoon and Molly Ivins column), let's do go back and look at their positions a year ago.

As I recall, they were supporting the position that the war in Iraq and the fight against it by France, Germany, Russia and the U.N. was all about oil. Well, as it turns out, they were right.

Oh, but they made one little error (which they have failed to mention). It was not George Bush who was fighting for oil. Rather, it has now been learned that France, Germany, Russia, and the U.N. were executing the biggest case of theft and deception ever in the history of the world, using the U.N.'s Oil for Food program to make themselves rich rather than feed starving children.

No wonder they didn't want Saddam to fall. That would all become public, and the world would learn that they had been stealing billions from the impoverished, oppressed Iraqi citizens and directly supporting Saddam's reign of terror.

About this time the screaming was that the troops were bogged down and entering a quagmire on the way to Baghdad. That was soon disproved since the advance was only paused to allow the soldiers to get a few hours rest and let the supply chain catch up. Baghdad fell in record time and Saddam and his sons were removed from power. Fifty million people were set free from a despotic regime.

They claim Iraq has nothing to do with the War on Terrorism, so isn't it strange that many high-profile terrorists were found there and a huge terrorist training camp was shut down?

They want you to think that the war is now bogged down and that Iraq is another Vietnam, as specifically stated by Ted Kennedy, but they will soon be proven wrong on that count also.

A little intellectual honesty on Dolson and Cornelius' part would go a long way in making The Nugget a worthwhile paper for this otherwise enjoyable town.

Col. John Miller, U.S.A.F. (Ret.)

To the Editor:

I understand that Scott B. Pillar is one of five candidates running for the office of Deschutes County Commissioner.

I met and worked with Scott for several months during the 2003 Sisters Folk Festival and found Scott well equipped to handle whatever he undertakes. He is a "we can do it!" kind of independent thinker that works and communicates well with people.

Scott is well organized and completes what he begins. He is always accessible, open and respectful of all opinions and willing to take the time to listen. I believe Scott Pillar will be the kind of County Commissioner that we're looking for. He is a breath of fresh air and a fine upstanding individual that we can all be proud of.

Jerry Sorensen

To the Editor:

Experience, knowledge, accomplishment. These are the terms that define Judge Ed Perkins.

As a judge he has presided over hundreds of cases, and not just in criminal maters. He posseses a clear understanding of civil litigation as well.

In his near 30 years here he has proven that being a member of our community means much more than just living and working here.

By getting involved with such organizations as the Bend Rotary Club, Deschutes Council on Alcoholism, community theater and the boys and girls club he has demonstrated that he cares deeply about his community, and has worked hard to make it a better place to live.

Tough on crime, he is consistent in his application of law on those who would violate it. Impartial, his judgment is balanced and objective. We cannot afford to lose someone with the qualifications of Judge Ed Perkins. In fact, we're extremely fortunate to have him. I know Judge Perkins and I have witnessed his performance in court. Please support your community and re-elect Judge Ed Perkins on May 18.

Wes Fisher, Bend

To the Editor:

My husband and I attended the Booher family concert at our new Sisters High School, Saturday, May 1. The concert was lovely. The family and the music were wonderful.

The temperature in the high school auditorium was freezing. I wore a two piece skirt and blouse with an unlined jacket over that and I nearly froze. I had my husband get a blanket from the car during intermission in order to wrap up.

Why does the air conditioning have to be so cold that everybody is uncomfortable? I was not the only one complaining of the cold. School board members take note -- save a few dollars -- the air conditioner doesn't have to run continuously. It would be more economical and more comfortable to have the temperature 75-80 degrees inside.

One shouldn't have to dress like it was winter.

Diana Raske Lovgren

To the Editor:

Another Sisters Starry Nights Concert Series is now complete, and we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped make this year's event a success. The 2004 series raised more than $100,000 in net proceeds for the Sisters Schools Foundation thanks to the support of so many caring people in this community.

Our beautiful new home in the Sisters High School Auditorium allowed us to stage productions with Kenny Loggins, Kathy Mattea, Kim Carnes, Suzy Bogguss, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Greg Barnhill that took the event to a new level. Each of these artists was not only thrilled with the facilities, but truly appreciated the welcome and hospitality offered by the Sisters community.

We thank the many wonderful teachers, parents, students, school district staff and community members who gave their time, expertise and creative input to this event. Dozens of volunteers work hard behind the scenes for months to make Starry Nights shine, and we wish we could list you all here to thank you personally!

Our sponsors, led by Ray's Food Place, Coca-Cola Central Oregon and Bank of the Cascades, are the reason Starry Nights succeeds as a major fund-raiser for our schools. We thank them and all of our sponsors for their generous commitment to this event and the cause.

Finally, we salute our committee members, who truly exemplify community spirit at work. While it is difficult to single anyone out, we wish to acknowledge Sisters' own shining star, Pattie Little, for so gracefully handling every curve ball thrown her way and giving so much of her time and her heart to this event.

As the budget crisis continues to threaten Oregon schools, we feel fortunate to be a part of a community that stands united to support children and education.

Susan Arends and Jeri Fouts

Sisters Starry Nights Co-Chairs