Letters to the Editor 02/13/2008

To the Editor:

In regard to the letter from John Rahm:

I am neither a mountain biker nor a horseback rider. I do run in the forest.

I am concerned about the U.S. Forest Service "selling" our public lands to a particular group for their entertainment. This is especially troubling when the leader of one of these groups seeks to misinform the public.

I personally know people who began riding horses in the Peterson Ridge area in 1979. They were "grooming" trails 10 years before the bike groups.

Larry R. Boyd

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To the Editor:

Guest writer John Rahm (The Nugget, February 6, page 2) neglected to identify himself as a dedicated mountain biker and the President of the Sisters Trails Committee.

Currently, that committee's discussions are building mountain bike trails.

Mr. Rahm failed to mention that mountain bikers put bentonite on trails to enable speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Unlike other forest trail users, these speeds combined with low visibility present unseen dangers to others.

If this sport were friendly to others, exclusive trails would not be needed and no one would have "misconceptions" of anyone's intentions.

Linda Daniel

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To the Editor:

To reference Marie Clasen's letter in The Nugget, Feburary 6, it is with heavy heart that I read about "The Upscale Development" that is plotted for Sisters.

What is "upscale" about all the same cheap stores to be found in every town in America? Sisters will lose its character and the Tourists.Why do you think people come to Sisters? Not to shop at the same old stores. They can stop in Bend for that thrill.

Please don't ruin our Sisters.

Elayne Clarke

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To the Editor:

I've had 15 wonderful years in Sisters, but finally the U.S. customs and immigration department decided they couldn't agree with my interpretation of a "tourist" visa any longer.

So I have to leave the country, and I cannot enter the United States of America again until at least one year from now. I don't have to tell you that this makes me very, very sad.

The last 15 years here in Sisters have been among the happiest of my life. I've met so many wonderful people, made so many dear friends, and I can't imagine a better, more beautiful place to live.

The mountains, the lakes, the magnificent ponderosa trees, the wildlife and last but not least the horses, they filled my heart with joy and I will never forget them, nor will I forget you.

So I will go back to the Netherlands in a few weeks and will count the days until I can come back to visit.

Please stay in touch; I will, too.

With all my love and much gratitude for your kindness to a Dutch "cowgirl,"

Tina Thissen

P.O. Box 331, 6200 AH Maastricht

The Netherlands, Europe

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To the Editor:

This letter is intended for all the "friends" of our forests, namely 1,000 Friends of Oregon, Sierra Club, Blue Mountain Coalition and everyone else responsible for locking up our forests.

How many of you have driven by the entrance to Black Butte Ranch and noticed the remnants of the majestic old growth Ponderosa Pine lying in pieces next to the road? You will notice that for as large as the tree is there is less than one foot of sound wood on either side. The center is completely rotten.

Our current forest practices dictate that we harvest healthy trees less than 24 inches in diameter. I refer to these trees as the forest "children." Policies also dictate that healthy trees larger than 24 inches but still bearing cones be left. I refer to these trees as the "parent" trees.

Policies also dictate that the large non-cone-bearing trees (regardless of their health) be left for diversity and for wildlife habitat. I refer to these trees as the "grandparents."

The tree that fell in the early morning hours at BBR and the tree that fell on N. Larch could have fallen at anytime during any strong windstorm with catastrophic consequences. The pine that fell across the power lines on Larch had interior blue stain, an indication that it was diseased.

To all outward appearances both trees would suggest they were very healthy. The flat, forked tops they possessed are an indicator that they were past their prime. Both were minimal cone bearers, basically just taking up space.

The forest would be better served by young, vibrant "children".

The next time you decide to take a hike into a forest filled only with "parent" and "grandparent" trees should a wind or strong breeze be blowing, are you still going to enjoy their majestic beauty and feel safe among these forest giants?

Unfortunately, we don't possess the manufacturing facilities to utilize these large trees. As a consequence we just have to watch them fall and hope no one is in their way when mother nature deals them their fate. Long live the environmentalists, and thank you one and all for all you've done for helping nature.

Larry Avery

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To the Editor:

The February 6 story about the healing of local forests from recent wildfires provided an exciting glimpse into the process of forest recovery. However, the writer got a bit carried away with some of his statements, including saying that more than 7,000 acres were "burned to a crisp" and that "what was once a forest ecosystem was in smoking ruins."

As the article itself notes, many of the acres were untouched by fire, and others were only lightly burned. This is typical of the forests that have been a part of the Northwest for thousands of years.

Fire is a natural part of the forest ecosystem and could no more ruin that ecosystem than a flood could ruin an oceanic ecosystem. Nor does fire necessarily harm recreation areas; studies show that many recreationists have no less appreciation for the beauty of areas after a fire than they did before.

Politically, fire is complicated and contentious, but it does not help to exaggerate its effects on Central Oregon wildlands.

Randal O'Toole

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To the Editor:

Last October a fawn was left on Camp Polk Road with a severed leg to die without assistance. This week a fawn was killed on Camp Polk Road near Indian Ford, and whoever hit it didn't have the decency to pull it to the side of the road.

There was a letter by Ms. Collins about a senior lady who had taken a fall by Ray's and no one stopped to help her. What's wrong here folks - what happened to compassion?

Bernice Rossana

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To the Editor:

In a world that continually offers choices, it's refreshing to see Outlaw youth involved in sports, music and community-based projects.

Along with the good, mysteriously, not-so-good choices are also becoming more available. Use your imagination; we will all be a part of our youth's future.

Recently, I was a spectator in a Sisters Outlaws basketball game. It was entertaining to say the least. Basketball, student rock band, students and only one missing link, the Outlaw Community of Fans. It would seem very fitting for our community to fill the Sisters High School gym for a team that has now won 14 consecutive games and has a serious shot at a state championship.

What are we Outlaws fans telling the youth of our community if we cannot show up and celebrate life's victories from their efforts? This is not a letter to bring on the guilt. It is a "shout-out" for the assembling of the "Outlaw Nation" to have your spot filled at the remaining home games, February 19 and February 21 with Marist, also undefeated in league play.

Now that's entertainment!

Wayne Mitchell