Letters to the Editor 07/27/2005

To the Editor:

“Smack.”

That sound is the heel of my hand hitting on my forehead. I do this because I can’t believe anyone can blame an inanimate object for poor choices a human being makes.

It is the same unthinking type of report that we often hear: “An SUV drives into a post!” Oh, does the vehicle, restaurant or store now make it’s own way in the world, without human directions?

In ordering food, either at a grocery, fast food or any restaurant, the person ordering is making the choices. In any restaurant a person can go into, there are menu listings that are not healthy foods. Store shelves hold many poor choices also. If children and youths are ordering without regard to healthy choices, they may have not been trained well by adults. These choices fall onto the home training, by responsible adults, not to a restaurant proprietor or store owner.

Regarding the “chain” store controversy in Sisters: This intent to set guidelines may lead to possible situations that will force small business people to fail and loose the incentive to better themselves.

An established order of business, such as McDonald’s and others, often allows a proprietor to follow proven guidelines. This is why many”chains” are successful. Allowing establishments in Sisters that are using these established paths may be the best way some new owners can find to follow and make a good beginning.

Discriminating against “chain” establishments is a hidden agenda to disallow free enterprise.

Let’s encourage folks to prosper in Sisters and make their own choices.

Respectfully,

Barbara Kipper

To the Editor:

Mark Kershner has stated he was amazed to read the reactions of the “charbroiling of McDonald’s.” He feels that these reactions are “overdramatic.” Joe Cook states “the plan to rebuild McDonald’s is preposterous.”

Makes me wonder, did the arsonist overhear you discussing your displeasure with McDonald’s coming to Sisters?

After many attempts, the City of Sisters passed the sewer system. This led to cluster housing, apartments and condominiums everywhere you look. More subdivisions are in the planning stage. It’s called growth.

It appears that the “Friends of Sisters” are against growth and free enterprise.

1. Where were the “Friends of Sisters” when the chain store (Ray’s Food Place) came to Sisters?

2. Where were the “Friends of Sisters” when the chains Subway and Figaro’s Pizza came to town?

Your “Fast Food Initiative” may have been submitted prior to the burning of McDonald’s. But it was the issue of McDonald’s coming to Sisters that brought this initiative to life. Could it be that the controversy regarding McDonald’s may have had an influence on the arsonist?

The criminal justice system will determine the fate of the arsonist. I only hope that the next issue you target will not cost someone their life.

Personally, I would rather have seen a Dairy Queen than McDonald’s. I like a good Blizzard.

It’s all about choices isn’t it? You can choose to go to McDonald’s or not. You can choose to shop at Ray’s or not. You can choose to live in Sisters or not.

I chose Sisters 27 years ago and I’ve never regretted it. I’ve seen the best and worse sides of people in our community. I continue to choose to live in Sisters.

Al McKenzie

s s s

To the Editor;

In the wake of all that has taken place recently, I would be embarrassed calling myself a “Friend of Sisters.” How many dreams must you destroy before you are happy? It was said many years ago that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” It appears that these “friends” have modified this to be “the pen is mightier than the match.”

They speak of losing the uniqueness of Sisters. I have news for you; the uniqueness of Sisters was destroyed around 1967. I have seen three different waves move here since 1967. First, the retirees came in hopes of lower taxes because there was no high school.

Next, was the out-of-state folk, mostly Californians, who took advantage of the one time capital gains tax relief from the profits of selling a house. With pockets of cash they drove up the cost of real estate.

Most recently, the high-rollers which want to turn Sisters into Jackson Hole West.

I hated to see each of these three movements. But much like the Native American watching the wagons moving westward, I too realized it was just the way of progress.

So, if you want to talk about uniqueness, talk with someone that lived here when the only paved street was Highway 20 running through the middle of town.

Lastly, I want all of you “friends” to think long and hard at this. If I and others of this community would have had the opportunity to prejudicially place an issue on a ballot back in 1967, you would not be here. You would be spinning your anti-dream rhetoric somewhere else and I would still be hunting deer on the very property that I am living on today.

Wayne Rowe

s s s

To the Editor:

In response to the letter from Joe Cook in the July 20 Nugget, I am amazed that anyone could believe a McDonald’s could destroy a town.

I still believe we live in a free society and should let competition determine how many and what formula food restaurants remain in town.

I hope Steve and Darren continue in their enterprise to complete a McDonald’s in Sisters despite the setbacks and roadblocks thrown at them by a few radicals. Maybe we could have a McDonald’s at the other end of town also. Wouldn’t that frost Mr. Cook?

I will continue to wait for my McChicken sandwich and fries.

Jim Gorsich