Letters to the Editor 06/03/2009

To the Editor:

I wanted to thank you for your nice article about our goats. It is nice to have a write up persuading readers that there are other alternatives to weed control other than chemicals.

We are now working with COI on a test plat out in Powell Butte; they are toying with the idea of doing non-chemical noxious weed removal along our canals! Hurray!

It is amazing what they can do in a few days to weeds thigh high!

Rachel and Doug Muck and the Lariat Ranch goats

•••

To the Editor

The "Not in My Back Yard" (NIMBY), issue has arrived to the Sun Mountain Estates and the Seven Peaks Community east of Sisters.

A "deep pocket partnership" has constructed an 8,000-plus square-foot facility with the intention of operating what is in essence a destination resort.

For those not familiar with our community, it consists of approximately 80 single-family residences/hobby farms. Our residents are retired and working-class families, having chosen this area for its serenity, wildlife and views.

There are no through streets in the community and all roads are either the property of the Sun Mountain Special Road District or the residents. Some in the district are paved; the others are gravel or cinder.

You ask why this is important to other residents of Deschutes County? The approval of this conditional-use permit will be precedent-setting. According to the county, if you live in an area that has vacant 10-acre parcels, you too can now have a destination guest house, with all the concomitant, traffic, noise, blight and potential increase in crime.

All of this brought to your neighborhood by the caring government officials of Deschutes County. In our case they are projecting an annual movement of 400 single-vehicle trips to the location, which, like all the other information concerning this project, is probably not factual.

The bottom line is that individuals with the proper financing can come to this county and have their way at the expense of the residents. Some of our folks have lived here for over 30 years, and what they thought was going to be the character of the neighborhood has been shattered by big out-of-state money, and a county government that will take the side of one at the expense of 80 residents.

Clifford Steele

•••

To the Editor:

As a collective humanity, we live on a broad terrain and need a global view. Ignorance is not bliss. Untaught and/or unheeded, history repeats itself. Education is the priority for accepting cross-cultural, multifaceted diversity. Global strife and inequity, fascism, renewed anti-Semitism, terrorism proliferate.

In 1963, the Northwestern University political science department projected that with the advancement and expanse of worldwide, instantaneous telecommunications among the uneducated (illiterate), vulnerable, unemployed youth in third world, underdeveloped countries, angry violence would proliferate. This took 40 years. We are here.

Therefore, global citizenship and a global view are not just an opportunity, but a mandate. There are shared privileges and responsibilities for a new perspective: Learn for the world. Hone critical thinking skills (even in the primary grades), the discipline of objective, educated analysis, adaptability and resilience. History (U.S. and world), civics, American government and languages are "musts."

In 1947, we second-graders were taught about propaganda, sweeping generalizations, and false testimony. Current events were assigned weekly, with a Friday test, beginning in ninth grade

...The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, OPB and travel.

Maturation among our youth's minds will bring, in addition, a sense of fulfillment. You are citizens of the world. Pay attention. This challenging mantle will be passed, one day, to you.

Terry Terhune