Letters to the Editor 07/22/2009

To the Editor:

I was dismayed to read the city council is again deciding on whether to add a 3 cent tax per gallon to our local gas stations in order to fund the street maintenance costs.

This taxes only five companies in Sisters though all our other shops benefit from the local folks and the traffic that comes to/through Sisters as much or more than the gas stations do.

More importantly, all the citizens of Sisters appreciate and use all our streets, wherein many tourists only stop and park on Cascade Avenue, then they may walk over to the side streets to visit other shops. In this scenario, the only street they are causing significant wear to is the highway that is cared for by ODOT! I know weather and time have their effects also, but that also is everyone's responsibility.

Therefore, I was pleased to see on the local news the other night that the Bend City Council is considering adding a small fee to everyone's water and sewer bills to pay for street maintenance for the next two years. They said that in two more years the state will begin sharing more state gasoline taxes with cities, which would supply enough money for local road maintenance. When that occurs, the additional local tax would end.

The burden per person/house/shop would be quite small since the fee would be so widely spread.

The local gas stations already have to compete with stations in Bend, and their prices (and costs) are already much higher due to the smaller volume of gas and diesel they purchase. By increasing the prices even more, many more Sisters folks and visitors will drive on to Bend for gas and, oh by the way, will also then go to Penney's, Albertsons, the various galleries and framing shops, Rite Aid, various restaurants, Safeway, Target, etc., etc.

This would wind up negatively affecting every business in Sisters.

Please reconsider this action. All the companies in Sisters are already hurting. Let's not make it worse by more locals and tourists alike just driving on through.

Virginia Lindsey

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To the Editor:

Sisters Rodeo Association is in the very preliminary stages of investigating transfer of US Forest Service acreage next to the rodeo grounds to the rodeo association.

We are only exploring this possibility with the idea of doing something that would benefit the entire community. We have had no intention of being secretive or sly in this process, but are pursuing the idea under the direction of appropriate government agencies in satisfying requirements and recommendations.

In the next month or so, Sisters Rodeo President Glenn Miller and Vice President Curt Kallberg plan to meet with our neighbors to present our ideas and to hear their thoughts.

The rodeo has been a prime attraction and economic benefit to this community for nearly 70 years. We would not even venture the thought of expansion if we did not feel we could enhance the livability of the wonderful historic home of Sisters that we helped create.

We appreciate Jim Anderson's report in the last edition of The Nugget, and hope it helped community members understand that our intentions continue to be focused on what would be in the best interest of Sisters Country.

President Glenn Miller and Sisters Rodeo Board of Directors

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To the Editor:

The proposed replacement of the open irrigation canal under the road leading to Three Creeks by pipe for 3.8 miles raises serious concerns about the potential adverse effects on wildlife, deer migration, fire protection, additional stress on existing trees, as well as the loss of a beautiful scenic waterway.

Aside from a letter from the Forest Service on June 18, and a short article in The Nugget, there has been very little publicity about a project with lasting impact and potential harmful environmental consequences.

Although the Forest Service may believe that a single letter is adequate to inform the public, I seriously doubt that is sufficient information to describe the scope and impact of the project. The visual loss of the water system which has existed for the past 18 years that we have lived at our present address, to be replaced by dead or damaged trees, is not readily apparent by Sisters residents or tourists visiting the Three Creeks area.

Without the available water, there is inadequate fire protection for our homes or for the forest south of Buck Run.

In talking with several people, there is a consensus that a public meeting with sufficient notice and "lead time" is needed to more adequately inform the public and provide a forum for constructive debate about possible consequences and alternatives.

I generally am supporting of any effort that improves fish habitat or reintroduces native species. However, there is always a balance to be struck if such efforts would potentially destroy an environment that has existed for many years.

My view is that all stakeholders in this project would benefit from an open and informative presentation by the proponents with a follow-up question session; otherwise the impression by the public may be that this project has been "railroaded through."

I hope that the Forest Service and Three Sisters Irrigation District will provide a public forum where these issues can be discussed.

John W. Hornbeck

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To the Editor:

Even though it is summer vacation, many of our teachers are hard at work getting ready for next year's programs. Specifically, a group of teachers working on a Teach American History Grant funded by the Department of Education.

Sisters Country Historical Society is delighted to be able to work with this dedicated group of teachers who want to share local history with Sisters' students.

Recently, Bill Rexford, who teaches at the high school, asked one of his classes how many of the students were new to the area.  The entire class was new. This kind of response reinforces the importance of projects such as this that can help young people not only appreciate the area, but understand the important values demonstrated by early settlers of Sisters Country such as the rewards of hard work, devotion to family and neighbors and a willingness to work with others to make a better place for all.

As co-founder and past president of Sisters Country Historical Society, I'm delighted that our organization can make a small contribution to local students and the community.

Jean Nave

Past president - Sisters Country Historical Society

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To the Editor:

As a relative newcomer to Sisters, I would like to make some observations about the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

First, as a quilter, I would say it is the most impressive display of quilts I have seen anywhere. I am astounded at the effort put forth by this community to host such an outstanding event. I applaud the closing of Cascade Avenue, as it has made the event not only safer but a much more enjoyable experience for all.

I am wondering about the businesses on Cascade that choose not to display quilts on their store fronts on quilt show day. As an avid reader of the Quilt Show Guide I see they sponsor the show. I heard comments from several people about this very thing.

Comments such as "Are there fewer quilts this year?" "Stores without quilts seem to be dead space," and "Why don't all the businesses on Cascade have quilts out front?" I would hope these businesses would reconsider their decision and show quilts on this one special day.

Liz Weeks

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To the Editor:

Once again the small town of Sisters has dazzled thousands of visitors with a spectacular display of quilts in the largest outdoor quilt show in the world.

A huge thank you to the retail community for their financial support, to the businesses that allow us to hang quilts on their buildings, to the quilters who display their quilts, to the non-profit groups that provide much-needed services and support to our visitors, and most of all to the hundreds of volunteers that make the show possible.

To thank our volunteers, we are hosting a reception at Brand 33 Restaurant at Aspen Lakes on Sunday, July 26. It's not too late to RSVP to [email protected] or 549-0989. Thank you to the community of Sisters for hosting this fabulous event!

Ann Richardson

Executive Director, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show