Now We’re Talkin’

From Ed Protas, Sisters

Kevin Dumas has chosen to invoke the bogeyman of “government.” This question of government deciding which business to allow or disallow is not the issue.

Government, be it local or otherwise, should reflect the will of the people. That is how a democracy is supposed to work. The real question is “Should the people of Sisters have a right to determine and shape the future of their community, or must they leave it in the hands of the marketplace?” My feeling is that I want to make this choice for myself, and have the same choice be available to my neighbors — not some CEO of a large corporation.

Kevin states “ …government’s primary role is to protect us so we can conduct business without fear or interference…” This is not correct. The primary role of government is to do for its citizens collectively what they cannot (or should not) do for themselves individually. And in doing so it reflects the will of the majority. The citizens of Sisters have the right, and obligation, to determine the future of their community.

From Brad Smith, Sisters

Sometimes a wake-up call rallies a community. Our wake-up call arrived in the form of a McDonald’s franchise. In a world of corporate dominance it is difficult for individuals, let alone entire communities, to maintain a sense of their individuality.

Sisters is at a crossroads. Rapid growth has arrived and this growth will continue for the foreseeable future. For most communities of this nation, growth has come at the expense of community health and identity. Leadership in those communities failed to do what I hope Sisters is now preparing itself to take on.

Kevin Dumas spoke against planning a Sisters void of chain restaurants. He wrote “Do we want the government to decide which business will be allowed to participate in our marketplace…”, as though he misunderstands the concept of government. He paints a picture of us versus them. In truth “government” is our process to make decisions as a community. The impetus for restricting formula food restaurants sprang from community members, not “thegovernment.”

I hope this planning discussion will continue beyond restaurants. I hope we put in place additional statutes to nurture the destiny we want. It’s not about keeping the ugliness out, it’s about keeping the beauty in.

Otherwise, it will be left to the “marketplace” as Kevin wishes. The marketplace has proven its inability to consider the needs and health of our nation.

Obviously, we do not all agree what the future would best look like. We owe it to ourselves to discuss the issues and use our “government” to work toward solutions that consider all of the community.

Otherwise, we leave these critical decisions in the hands of less than 5 percent of the population – those with the financial means to “develop” the land.