Letters to the Editor 12/10/2008

To the Editor:

The US Forest Service report on the Wizard Fire is not the complete review we were promised. The report includes a disclaimer by the authors stating that the report is not a review, but rather only answers seven questions prepared by (Forest Supervisor John) Allen.

Not surprisingly, the report concludes no real mistake on anybody's part, just a communication failure, we really didn't mean to let it get away, etc. In order to assure it doesn't happen again they'll review their procedures, etc.

These assurances provide little comfort in light of the fact that the USFS chose not to address the real issue that needs to be addressed: Why was this discretionary research burn lit at a time when the conditions in the forest were tinder dry? Why could it not have been delayed a few weeks?

The report fails to answer why the burn was conducted at all, specifically why the USFS supervisors scheduled this discretionary burn under such dry conditions and under circumstances that the crews felt pressure to hurry and get to the next fire.

We are entitled to answers from Bill Anthony and John Allen to these questions:

1. Why was there such a rush on the part of the crews to move to the next fire?

2. Why did this burn (or the next one mentioned in the report) have to be conducted before the dry conditions in the forest were relieved by the coming fall rains?

3. Was the impending end of the fiscal year a factor in the decision to conduct this burn? (For those who don't know, the federal budget year ends on September 30 of each year. In most instances money allocated for a particular year must be spent in that year or it is lost. I'm questioning whether money was budgeted in the last fiscal year for these fires, and if so, whether the USFS conducted this burn in unfavorable conditions in order to avoid losing funds for the burns or to avoid having to reapply for the funds.)

Until we have answers to these questions we will not have been given the promised full review of this incident.

Unless the policy of conducting discretionary burns under such dry forest conditions is changed we should expect this kind of unnecessary and expensive fire event to happen again.

Glenn Brown

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To the Editor:

Have you noticed the number of fat-tired bikes on the roofs of cars in Sisters lately? It's not just a few locals out taking advantage of the late-season sunny weather. Word is out about the newest and one of the most varied trail systems in the Northwest, right here in Sisters. For this, our thanks are due to über volunteer John Rahm.

John has spent countless hours as volunteer trail manager maintaining Sisters' Peterson Ridge trail system.

Several years ago, he envisioned a series of additions to the trails to create multiple loops of varying distance and difficulty, making the trail system more accessible for a wider range of users.

Since then, John has worked tirelessly hiking and mapping potential trails, working with the Forest Service to assess environmental impacts and gain proper approvals, participating in Trails Committee meetings to assure that bikers, runners, hikers, and horseback riders could all enjoy the trail system, raising private funds, and recruiting volunteers to help with the actual construction.

John has spent hundreds of hours with shovel and rake, personally leading the charge to get the new trails built.

Today, much of John's vision is realized. Sisters now has more than a dozen new miles of single-track trail offering short or long loops from town, beginner to black diamond challenges, and designated horse paths. The new trails lead past some of the prettiest views, most impressive trees and unusual rock formations near Sisters.

The committed volunteers of the Sisters Trails Committee, dedicated employees of the Forest Service and several generous benefactors also deserve our thanks and recognition. But it was John's unflagging efforts that brought this large, complex project to fruition.

The new trail system is a wonderful amenity for locals, and a significant boost for local merchants. Mountain bikers get hungry and thirsty, and they love gear! Many thanks to John Rahm for this wonderful project which enhances the livability and economic vitality of Sisters.

Robert W. Corrigan

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To the Editor:

I, too, was delivered two huge roll carts for recycling and yard debris.

I'm a senior citizen and have been blessed with health and strength but there are many seniors not so blessed. Although winter is approaching and the need for the debris cart will not be as great, nevertheless the bin is limited in its capacity and once filled, it's so heavy that it can't be moved unless you're herculean.

I've called the office and to their credit they offered to drop off yet another huge bin. I can't move the one I have, nor do I have a place to keep both huge containers, so they will sit out front like many of the others in the town, spoiling the beauty of the village.

In today's "Curbside News" we were informed that they will recycle your Christmas tree IF: 1. You cut it up in pieces and put them in the debris cart; a six, seven or eight foot tree? or 2. Put it out between the dates they've decided upon and pay an extra $5. If you keep your tree longer than the dates they have decided on, then we're out of luck and have to get it to the transfer stations by ourself.

In the last paragraph of the letter they say "our drivers do their best to provide service that exceeds your expectations and some of you may recognize that with a holiday gift." Perhaps the drivers do do their best but I'm already paying more for less service by HCD and doing more work myself.

I so miss the service we received before High Country Disposal took over.

Jenna Eaton