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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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 election is over; the votes have been counted and it is time to say a big THANK YOU to the voters of the Sisters School District for your support of the local option levy.

The renewal of the local option sends an important message to our children about the values of the community regarding their education and their future. It is also an affirmation of the staff's commitment to excellence in providing a rigorous academic program rich in learning.

The district very much appreciates the group of committed volunteers who worked tirelessly to communicate the facts so that voters could make an informed decision. This same group is now organizing a grass roots coalition to advocate for stable funding for education so that we won't be asking voters to renew the local option again in four years. An informational meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, at 7 p.m. with Senator Ben Westlund and David Williams, OSBA, as the presenters.

Finally, the Committee for Sisters School Children and the district want to thank the community members who supported the campaign in numerous ways: acting as honorary chairpersons, volunteering for various activities, designing the promotional materials, writing letters to the editor, allowing the use of their name, displaying a yard sign, wearing a button, talking to a friend or neighbor, and making a donation to fund these activities.

The news out of Salem regarding the projected funding shortfall for the 2005-07 biennium makes the dollars generated by the local option critical to the district's ability to preserve staff, programs, and the excellence which have become part of our identity as a school district and community. Community support is essential for healthy schools, and healthy schools are a prime component of healthy communities. Together we make it happen -- thanks!

Sincerely,

Ted Thonstad, Superintendent

Sisters School District

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To the Editor:

For 26-plus years I have owned and operated B-J and Friends Hair Salon. For those who don't know, the "J" was for my sister Judy. We started the business in 1978, but she fell in love and moved off to Canada.

I have reached the time to sell and as of January 1, 2005, I will turn it all over to Dawn Roberts. Dawn plans to do some face lifting and change the name. I will still be around one day a week, you haven't lost me/or run me off as of yet.

Saying thank you to all the years seems so inadequate, but here's THANK YOU from me to you!

A very special thank-you to Jerry Petersen for the wonderful birthday/retirement party. I loved all the cards and "special suprise inside" that Mary Lou and Dawn came up with. Makes turning one of those decade birthdays much easier.

I hope to be back to work, my one day, by January 11, so give me a call or drop by. As the saying goes, "old hairdressers never die, they just fade away."

Becki Neal