Letters to the Editor 11/22/2006

To the Editor:

The Nugget's editorial last week made it pretty clear Bob Bryant and ODOT don't give a rip what the citizens of Sisters think about the highway that leads right into the heart of our town.

They are in the mood to lay some asphalt and we are going to get it.

If Mr. Bryant and his buddies at ODOT are so eager to lay down four lanes of pavement, why not start it east of Cloverdale Road and run it all the way past the viewpoint? That way, not only can all those people coming over from the valley get up to the 65-70 mph they are used to, but we can take advantage of it on our trips to Bend as well.

Plus, they won't have to cut down the forest and that stretch gets a lot less snow and ice than west of town does. Cheaper to build, safer to drive on, more people can use it - what say you Mr. Bryant?

In the meantime, remember that ODOT operates with OUR tax money and their budget is controlled by the people we send to Salem. We should all pick up the phone and call Rep. Whisnant (503-986-1453) and Senator Westlund (503-986-1727) and ask them what they are going to do to help us stop ODOT.

And be sure to remind them that we will remember their answer at the next election.

Carey Tosello

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To the Editor:

Recycling bottles and paper waste was a pleasure yesterday when I drove up to the drop-off boxes behind the fire station. Instead of finding debris stuck in the mud all around the containers, I found the grounds clean and raked! What a morale booster! Even the earth under the grates was free of trash remnants.

Who were the caring elves? They were Sisters Middle School students from "Roots and Shoots," a world-wide organization started by Jane Goodall.

The industrious youth were still on site, rakes in hand, wearing rubber gloves (and smiles!), so it was good to be able to thank them personally. I also learned about the "global environmental and humanitarian education program for youth" from seventh grade teacher Carol Packard and "Super Mom" Sue Thornton.

Now it is up to all of us who drop off materials for recycling to leave the grounds around the containers as clean as I found them at 5 p.m., November 17.

Roots and Shoots members really deserve our support. Look for them in the Holiday Parade on Friday and then applaud!

Martha Lussenhop