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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Sisters is a unique place, and it deserves a unique solution to its traffic problems.

Robert Morey's guest editorial last week was a solution befitting further discussion. I grew up in a tourist town that solved its downtown traffic/pedestrian issues in a similar fashion to his suggestion. One difference was that they allowed a single lane of traffic with a limited number of parking spaces.

No doubt some local merchants will complain out of fear of change, as they did in my home town. Of course none of them would want to go back now to the noisy, loud, dangerous street they were so comfortable with.

The current traffic flow is broken many days of the year, which causes a negative impact on our local economy, and the livability of our community. It will become more "broken" each year. Let's be bold and create something that works and that we can all be proud of. How about calling it the Cascade Garden Mall?

Carey Tosello

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To the Editor:

I found Mr. Morey's guest editorial in The Nugget of August 18 very interesting. It has some very appealing ideas concerning the use of Cascade Avenue if Main and Hood become Highway 20.

Though I don't have time to present all the concerns, appeals and questions this idea raises, I am wondering why this concept keeps getting tied to tourism. If it becomes a local street, there are a variety of other options:

1. Businesses that serve the community all year long.

2. Mixed uses with a variety of businesses, apartments, etc.

3. High density housing with a variety of associated businesses, some of which will coordinate with options one and two.

Just wondering,

Maggie Hughes

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To the Editor:

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of my first visit to your lovely town. I had great lodging and dined in a good restaurant. I was very disappointed that I could only window shop, because almost all of your lovely shops were closed by 5:30 p.m.

I did find one store open until 8 p.m. where I found some treasures, and spent several hundred dollars.

I ask your retail business owners to consider following the very successful experience of other towns such as Jackson, Wyoming, where tourists can shop before and after dinner in the evenings. Their shops are packed with buyers on those long summer evenings. Again, thanks for the hospitality.

Liz Vennos

Bellingham, Washington

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To the Editor:

All drivers drive through town at the posted speed of 20 miles per hour. And if that's true, I am Angelina Jolie -- which isn't even close.

I'm just trying to figure out what to do when someone practically attaches their car to my back bumper.

And trying to cross Cascade? Don't even get me started -- that is an exercise for the very patient. It is that one-in-a-million angel who will stop to let you through -- bless their hearts.

I drive 20 mph as posted and I try to be courteous, but that goes over like a lead balloon. Not wanting to give anyone ideas, I am pleased there isn't a rash of "drive-bys" like in California, but some of the behaviors of those who must get through town in under 30 seconds leaves me feeling frustrated -- if not seriously concerned at times.

Just what is a person to do? Quit driving? That's clever, but seriously, how do you handle the pressure?

M.J. Swarner

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To the Editor:

In response to the criticism of the editorial policy of The Nugget, I would like to commend Eric Dolson for providing a format for polite dialogue regarding politics and anything else of interest to the community.

Although the choice of political columnists may be liberal and democratic (Isn't that supposed to be what our country is, a democracy?) they give thoughtful people a chance to examine ideas other than the ones they may already hold. That's how people learn. And examining new ideas may just confirm that one's own beliefs are the best. That's okay too. But at least you had the opportunity to reassess them.

As to Dolson being vitriolic and inaccurate, just read Carlton Yee's vitriolic letters or listen to Rush Limbaugh's vitriolic diatribes if you want to see inaccurate generalities and name calling.

There is no way to discuss with someone who only wants to call names and sneer at anyone who doesn't happen to hold their same views. I am a long-time Republican who happens to disagree with almost everything "our" President Bush stands for and has done during his term of office. So don't label me just because I happen to hold different opinions. The events of the day are complex and not easily decided, but thoughtful people keep on trying to find solutions, not just easy answers.

I personally appreciate discussion and the honest exchange of ideas.

Sincerely,

Sue O'Reilly

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To the Editor:

To give a little balance to the rhetoric that's being pushed on the public:

President Bush has been accused of lying about the WMD to justify the war in Iraq.

Here's what John Kerry had to say on October 9, 2002: "I will be voting to give the President the authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."

And on January 23, 2003, Kerry said, "Without question we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator leading an oppressive regime. He presents a particularly grievous threat ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... so the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real."

President Bush is being accused of denying stem cell research that might have cured Ronald Reagan and others. But the truth is that he's only against embryonic stem cell research, which kills tiny humans and isn't being tested on humans anywhere because it causes tumors in lab animals.

Adult stem cell research, however, has been tested on humans for many years. Bush has authorized $26 million this year and $18 million next year to further this research that holds out great promise for the treatment of neurological disorders and diabetes.

A majority of us are alarmed that unelected judges are taking it upon themselves to legalize same-sex marriage. President Bush is in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment to specifically define marriage in the constitution as being between one man and one woman.

In 1996, John Kerry was one of 14 senators to vote against the defense of marriage act (and) in November 2003 Kerry voiced support for the Massachusetts Supreme Court's ruling. He's keeping very quiet now about his view on this issue.

Lorene Richardson

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To the Editor:

I would like to thank the three wonderful southern gentlemen, that came to my aid on Friday.

As usual, I was riding my bike without a cell phone or a friend. Something slashed my rear tire and, with a huge explosion, I was stranded.

As I was sweating and cussing on the side of the road, up drives a group of tourist-convention goers from South Carolina.

My three knights, charming me with their southern drawl and calling me "Ma'am," worked for Freightliner and were in town for the motor coach convention in Redmond.

Thanks guys!

Susan Sailor