Letters to the Editor 01/16/2007

To the Editor:

Thank you for your recent article on destination resort development in Jefferson County ("Camp Sherman casts wary eye on comp plan," The Nugget, January 10, page 17).

We would like to offer corrections to make the article accurate. The 640-acre parcel identified as owned by Shane Lundgren is actually a 627-acre parcel owned by Dutch Pacific Resources, LLC. Shane is a local, fourth generation Camp Shermanite as well as a minority investor and co-manager with Jim Kean (also a minority investor) of the property.

The managers represent the interests of all the investors in the property. No Measure 37 claim has been or will be filed with Jefferson County regarding the Dutch Pacific Resources, LLC property.

Further it should be noted that a majority of the investors are from the Pacific Northwest and have an intense philosophical interest in changing how destination resorts are brought to market, as well as their impact thereafter on the community.

Our intentions and hopes are to work closely with the community to enhance the natural, educational experience of the Metolius Basin through the introduction of a community with a focus on wilderness preservation if not overall improvement of the environment.

We desire to change and redefine in almost every category the standard "destination resort" which has characterized so much of Central Oregon. The preservation of the natural attributes while recognizing the need of society to enjoy this unique place, will be carefully considered.

Sincerely,

Shane Lundgren and Jim Kean

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To the Editor:

Thank you Mike Morgan for asking the hard questions that need addressing! Shame on Merry Ann Moore for not identifying herself as the Chairboard's wife (sic) and also being part of a business that supplies the school with "fund-raising products."

Negative response of Mr. Morgan's legitimate questions shows lack of education on the issues and makes one question why the individuals concerned are defensive and hostile?

Shirley McBride

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To the Editor:

The Nugget continues to do a good job reporting on issues affecting our schools. However, I think the following points need to be clarified to add balance to the report that ran last week.

1. Merry Ann Moore is Board Chairman (Rob) Corrigan's wife. I think she should be clear about that when she gets involved in issues affecting the board. The Nugget should include that information in any report regarding those issues.

2. A public record request is not litigation. It complies with the Oregon equivalent of the Federal Freedom of Information Act. There are statutes that define the procedure for requesting information from public bodies. These procedures must be followed or the protections afforded the public cannot and will not be enforced.

3. If there is a disagreement about disclosure, the request goes to the local District Attorney for a ruling on what can and cannot be disclosed.

4. Because openness is a requirement of a democratic society, the burden of proof that disclosure laws have not been broken rests with the public body that denies the request for information.

5. I also presented the board with a records request regarding the executive sessions specific to the Secretary of State report and the decision of the Board of Education to recoup $1.2 million. This is by far the bigger story.

I have told anyone who would listen that the only reason I've made an issue of the executive sessions regarding Mr. Thonstad's evaluation was to leverage the individual board members to tell us who didn't support renewal of his contract and why.

There are many people in this community who have the utmost respect for Mr. Thonstad and consider him a hero. We have a right to know the basis of the decisions that are made by our elected officials. I share the concerns voiced in the editorial that ran in the Bend Bulletin on January 9, 2007.

Mike Morgan

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To the Editor:

To see the American flag proudly flying in several locations along the streets of Sisters is a wonderful reminder of the great country that we live in and the many freedoms that we are so fortunate to have. Thank you to all who have made the effort to install and maintain these sites.

As a reminder of flag etiquette, I ask that anyone displaying Old Glory please check out http://www.usflag.org. On the "Frequently Asked Questions" link click "Find Answers to Flag Etiquette Questions." It clearly states that "the flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night..."

The flag in front of the school administration building has been flying without illumination for several days now. Perhaps, with adult supervision, students from the elementary school could take on the important daily responsibility of raising and lowering the flag thus demonstrating to all of us the respect that it deserves.

Thank you,

Anne Seile

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To the Editor

"If" is a big little word for thinkers, dreamers and brainstormers.

Our county has one of the highest tax rates in the whole state, and now we are facing losing our state funding for Central Oregon Community College.

The homeless rate in our county is increasing. The homeless rates in Bend are overflowing with people. In fact, Oregon has been declared the sixth in the nation for its homeless rate. Many people in Bend have been displaced from their homes due to the tearing down of their mobile home parks. This has also happened in Sisters with "The Pines" and "Circle 5."

How can Sisters as a community learn from this? What can we do to make our town better?

The dreamers, thinkers and brainstormers here in Sisters have been asking, "What if?" lately about what to do with property that the Forest Service and Oregon Department of Transportation now occupy.

What if... Habitat for Humanity converted what is now the Forest Service housing into more homes for families in Sisters?

What if... the Forest Service building became a Senior Center for our seniors?

What if... some of the land was developed into a nice, landscaped mobile home park for lower income families?

What if... the community garden that has been suggested by many in Sisters was also put in this area? What better place to have it - for people who would need it most.

Maybe just maybe we could turn this land into "The Heart" of Sisters.

What if?

Janet Culver