Letters to the Editor 08/02/2006

Editor's note:

Like all in the Sisters community, the staff of The Nugget thanks the firefighters who have battled the Black Crater Fire and the fire crews and law enforcement personnel who have been protecting our homes (Three of our staff members were evacuated).

We have received many kind comments thanking us for our coverage. We appreciate the kudos and the suggestions; it is very gratifying to all of us that our Web site has proven a useful service to people in the community and to those across the nation who love Sisters and want to keep abreast of the news in our latest crisis.

While some of our staff are very visible in the community and have been thanked by name, it was through a team effort that we were able to provide thorough coverage of the fire. Jess Draper, Leith Williver and Kiki Dolson managed our Web site, enabling our reporters and photographers to provide timely information to the public.

We also appreciate the efforts of freelance photographers Gary Miller and Brent McGregor and the many citizens who also provided us with shots of the fire over the past nine days.

Jim Cornelius, Editor

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To the Editor:

On behalf of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District, I would like to take this time to thank the Sisters community for their patience, understanding and support during the current firefighting efforts.

I would also like to applaud the communities of Tollgate, Crossroads and Edgington. The evacuation could have been very difficult, but everyone handled themselves very well and it was done without significant problems. We are proud of how this community has risen to the occasion. We are also proud to be a part of this community.

I would also like to thank the Northwest Oregon Interagency Management Team for their support and help in protecting our local communities. A big thank-you for the firefighting crews both wildland and structural. We are not able to defend every home without their help and hard work.

I am very proud of how our volunteers came together to help defend our community. They are doing an incredible job even while worrying about the possibility of evacuation of their own homes. Thank you everyone.

Tay Robertson, Fire Chief

s s s

To the Editor:

My wife and I live at The Ridge at Indian Ford, some three miles northwest of Sisters. Our home is in a designated "extreme fire hazard" area and we take our situation seriously.

I have had Tom Berglund of the Oregon Department of Forestry assess the fire hazards in our community. I have had the Sisters -Camp Sherman Fire Department test the four fire hydrants in our development. I have discussed fire prevention measures with the homeowners of our association. We have had an all night fire watch previously when necessary.

Having the Hinkle Butte fire lookout just three miles to the east of our development and the Black Butte fire lookout some six miles to the northeast has been a source of some reassurance in the past. We have a small pond that has been used previously in wildfire fighting in this area. And we are just three miles from the Sisters Fire Department.

On Monday morning, July 24, when the lookout at Hinkle Butte spotted the first column of smoke rising from what would become the Black Crater Fire there was the belief here that situation soon would be in control believing the Redmond air tankers and helicopters were only 20 miles away. But the skies remained empty except for the growing column of menacing smoke.

On Tuesday, July 25, the Black Crater Fire continued to grow, moving steadily up the southwest flank of Black Crater while spreading southeast as well. On Tuesday afternoon the first sign of a response to this growing wildfire appeared when a twin engine Neptune airplane and single helicopter were seen attacking the flames.

It was too little too late.

Complying with the Oregon Department of Forestry mandates, having community fire hydrants, living within view of two fire lookouts and being within three miles of an excellent fire department are no guarantees that when lightning strikes and a fire begins there will be an adequate response by state or federal agencies to immediately attack a rapidly growing wildfire.

We are all at risk when critical wildfire fighting resources are not available when urgently needed. Unfortunately, this is the very disturbing lesson we have learned this past week in Sisters from the Black Crater Fire.

Byron H. Dudley

President, The Ridge at Indian Ford Association

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To the Editor:

A couple of things related to the fire. First, to all those who are already criticizing the methods used and the amount of resources brought in - stop micro-managing!

Take a deep breath (not easy to do with this air) and let the experts do their job. When this is all over there will be plenty of time to critique what was done (and when). For now let's just say thank you to the fire crews for their hard work, and for the twice daily updates that they are providing us.

Secondly, I would like to thank The Nugget for doing a fine job in keeping us updated on the fire through their Web site. With all the rumors flying around this past week - and there have been some whoppers - I have found the information that The Nugget reported to be accurate and timely. And the fire photos are a real plus.

The next time we all hear something on the street, drop into http://www.nuggetnews.com and see if it is accurate before spreading it around. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Carey Tosello

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To the Editor:

I would first of all like to thank all those men and women that not only work very hard on the fire lines fighting fires but for risking their lives and good health to save our homes.

What I would like to address is the continual ineptitude and incompetence of the agencies that manage these wildfire situations.

As I understand it, when the fire started only a handful of firefighters and one tanker/pumper truck were dispatched along with a single helicopter for less than a day.

The Forest Service has stated that they have known for quite some time that this area is a huge source of flammable fuels for a fire and that any such fire started up there could be disastrous.

Much as in the case of the infamous B&B Complex Fire the various agencies all said resources were not available until the fire reached a certain stage. So now that the fire is reaching serious proportions we have somehow managed to drum up 800 plus people and much equipment to fix what should have been fixed a week ago. If they can find 800 people now surely they could find 40 people a week ago when the fire was 100 acres.

The State of Oregon apparently won't release resources such as National Guard helicopters until it reaches a certain size. So surprise of all surprises, the fire is now out of control and we have spent over $1 million of taxpayer money to fight this fire. I would like the Forest Service and the state to tell us what it would have cost to send 40 men, two helicopters and some equipment for two days to fight the fire at the beginning which probably would have put it out.

I suspect it is a LOT less than $1 million and consequently we would have those leftover monies to go put out another fire. In addition, we would not have burned up our timber that someday we will most likely need.

Every year we hear the old handoff routine: first one agency gets control, they hand it off to the Level II guys and now that we are burning the entire forest down we hand it off to Level I. If just for the sake of economic policy if nothing else, we should address these issues when they come up and take care of them before they cost major dollars.

The state almost acts surprised when they get the call for fire equipment. Fire season is like the sun rising every morning, we are going to have fire season every late summer and fall and the state should release any and all resources during that time to address these issues.

Holding back resources results in bigger problems (meaning way more expensive to fix) that our taxpayer dollars have to pay for. It is time for someone to demand an investigation and fix the broken system.

Also, I am curious why our mayor was not on TV, not calling the governor, not demanding an answer to the lack of action by the various agencies.

Grady Brown

Crossroads

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To the Editor:

Your photographers should get some kind of national award for their stunning photographs of the Black Crater incident. I've seen a lot of wildland fire photography over the years, and this is some of the best! I hope everyone is OK up there - we visit your area almost every year on vacation.

George Cusack

Lake Camanche, California

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To the Editor

Many thanks to everyone who is fighting the fires.

Thanks to the firefighters themselves. Thanks to the community members who take "goodies" to the firefighters.

Thanks to The Nugget Newspaper staff for being diligent to keep up a steady stream of timely updates at the Web site. You service was a huge blessing to me, as I was far away at the time. I cannot truly express what your detailed and up-to-the-minute updates meant to me.

The phrase "thank you" is grossly insufficient.

Even so, THANK YOU!

Michelle Poutré Ehr

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To the Editor:

A very special thanks to Eric Dolson and Jim Cornelius (and their staff) for working around the clock to bring us all the current updates on the fire. We really appreciate your hard work and dedication. Common sense idea: How about passing the Fire District Bond but not for a new building but for a new helicopter or other equipment (I realize some laws might need to be changed.) Maybe it's about time we look out for our own people and town.

Dick Reinertson

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To the Editor:

We have been vacationing in Camp Sherman for 45 years and do NOT want to see any changes made regarding any kind of growth in this area (see "Camp Sherman fights change," The Nugget, July 26, page 1).

We want to see the Metolius River stay pure and remain the way it is for the next generations to come! It's one of the only pure and simple places in Oregon left to go to. Sisters has been ruined, as Black Butte and the likes - why can't one place such as this remain the same?

Just Camp Sherman is all we are asking for.

Why would anyone want to develop in an area that is so prone to forest fires each year and costs millions of dollars to fight them. We have enough worries as it is in the whole central and eastern parts of Oregon. Do we need any more? People like this are what makes one not want to live their lives anymore; it's always taken away -always.

Stop already!

Scott and Connie Anderson

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To the Editor:

I am a bit dismayed by the most recent article in regards to the Comprehensive Plan for Jefferson County ("Camp Sherman fights change," July 26, page 1). Especially where it states that "more than 30 local citizens voiced their specific objections to the plan."

There were those that spoke in favour for a change that would be put in place with both thought and consideration. This article seems to make it believed that all those attending were and are against not only a change of the comprehensive plan but also against the county government in Madras. This is not the case and should have been stated.

Jennifer Severeide

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To the Editor:

Re: "Help wanted: not enough workers," (The Nugget, July 26, page 3): Sisters is a very difficult place to live. Rent is high and wages are low.

In the summertime a person will get fantastic paychecks but in the wintertime employers cut back. So, that leaves the employee having to find a second job to make up for the cutbacks.

It is like working on a roller coaster. Sisters does not have really any affordable housing for the average person. Most employers do not offer any perks for the employees. Not even Aflac or the other program tied in with the state to offer some kind of insurance for at least the children. Even a discount program would be helpful.

Even the little business could offer a discount program or even Aflac. That does not cost that much. Relying on teenage help all the time is ridiculous. It is the employees that make up a company or business. The business does not make itself. Quality or quantity can swing both ways.

Eloise Root

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To the Editor:

Two stories (in the July 26 edition of The Nugget) really give local residents reason to shake their heads in disbelief.

The headline for one of the stories read, "Low water supply poses danger for Sisters." That article detailed how Sisters - because of its rapid growth - may not have enough available water to fight a major forest wildfire or multi-structure fire burning within city limits. That revelation is especially disturbing in light of the looming Black Crater Fire.

The second article, the headline for which read, "More houses approved in Sisters," revealed that the Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission had voted the previous week to allow more home construction in Pine Meadow Village.

Hello? Have the commissioners forgotten the definition of the word "planning"? The commissioners should never put commercial interests before public safety by overloading the city's current infrastructure.

Let's give each of the commissioners a fiddle and rename our city Rome. That way they can fiddle with public safety while Rome burns.

Michael Cooper

s s s

To the Editor:

If you think that Squaw Creek (Whychus Creek) has no water now, wait until the city drills the new well. They will suck the water level down for 50 miles around.

All those half-million-dollar homes on the hill above Sisters, guess what, you will have to reset your wells or get a sand shower. The city could care less about you, you are out of the city limits. They just want to shove a water tower down our throats and we simply do not want it up here.

Think about it: 2.5 million gallons? Just slow down the building process and limit the permits and you won't have a problem.

Darla Tramondo

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To the Editor:

Not controversial - says who? ("More houses approved in Sisters," The Nugget, July 26, page 11).

Four lots on 1/3 acre? Come on, sure the homes may fit, but what about the two to three vehicles per home and then throw in a couple of boats, bikes and barbecues and a couple of pets.

And let's say each home is occupied by a family of four, so where are the yards they will need to play, garden, barbecue, etc.? Oh, I forgot, there is always the street for that.

When it comes to money, the quaintness we all came here for seems to disappear fast. When you go to the theater and it's full, do you get to sit on someone's lap?

Byron Blake

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To the Editor:

As Israel defends itself against Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists, Katushah and Chasm - Syria- and Iranian-made rockets (more than 900 launched from Gaza in the last few months and hundreds launched from southern Lebanon in the last week), the Syrian Ambassador speaking on "PBS News Hour"and "CBS Face the Nation" says that Israel has brought a gun to a knife fight, that Israel has overreacted to terrorist murders and their rockets.

The United States has expedited the balance of a year-old order for bunker buster bombs and other precision-guided munitions, reports the New York Times and confirmed by the Associated Press and Israel. Michael Scherer Borman, head of CIA clandestine services and the bin Laden Task Force chief, believes Al Qaeda or Hezbollah or lone sympathizers may strike the USA and Europe.

The Associated Press stated on July 24 that intelligence and security sources are ramping up surveillance and Homeland Security readiness. Remember, we are Americans and Israel is our friend and ally and President Bush is doing the right thing.

We MUST fight Islamic terrorists; weakness draws aggression. You do not create terrorists by our war against them. They made their choice on 9/11 and all the bombings since. Israel will defend itself; America will stand by our friends.

And, lest we forget, Hezbollah killed 241 US Marines in 1983.

Steve Coltin