Letters to the Editor 02/06/2008

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the stories in The Bulletin, on Monday, January 28 and The Nugget, on Wednesday, January 30 regarding the new "Upscale Development" slated for the old Chevron gas station site.

I find it interesting that Peter Storton feels that we need to be more Aspen- and Vail-like to keep our visitors happy. My marketing research comes from family and friends that visit me from all over the country. My guests don't ask for the closest Starbucks or Prada store; however, they love to shop, browse and drink coffee at the many unique establishments that exist here.

Peter's comments seemed disrespectful to our local businesses and were not in keeping with the community's vision statement that was created by a gathering of 250 residents on October 7, 2006. The hope was that this statement would be a reference guide whenever a new opportunity presented itself to our leaders, developers and/or citizens. The statement was made to help define the future of our community. For a copy of the full document, please contact the City of Sisters, at 549-6022.

It reads, in part: ...."This economy especially supports locally conceived and owned businesses that provide a wide variety of year-round family wage jobs."

How will a high-end retail mall of national chains support this statement? In respect for the citizens of this community that helped create the vision statement, I can neither condone nor welcome such a commercial development. I hope that Mr. Storton will consider the needs and desires of our community the next time he represents a new development.

Marie Clasen Participant - Leadership Sisters; the Ford Institute Leadership Program

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To the Editor:

For 25 years I have been very proud to live in Sisters because of the friendliness of the people, but I was appalled to hear that very recently one of our senior citizens from the The Pines behind Ray's market slipped on the ice and fell as she walked her dog.

She was hurt bad enough that she lay stunned before struggling to get back onto her feet. Many cars passed her without offering to stop to help as they headed to and from the school area. She finally managed to get up on her feet and limped home.

How on earth can anyone with a conscience not stop to offer assistance to any person that has fallen - let alone an obvious senior citizen? I, for the first time, am ashamed to know that uncaring people live in our community.

Shame on you, whoever you are.

Patricia Collins