Letters to the Editor 07/29/2009

To the Editor:

I am very concerned that the Sisters Rodeo Association has set out to acquire the Forest Service land directly adjacent to the Sisters Rodeo Grounds without any concern to the neighbors when it already possesses ample land at the corner of the highway and Peterson Ridge Road for expansion.

We have lived here since 2000 and are in no way NIMBYs. We have supported the Sisters Rodeo Association, understanding that the traffic, dust and 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. noise is part of the deal for five days a year.

My husband and I were told in May that the City of Sisters had been approached by the Sisters Rodeo Association Board to support their effort to acquire the Forest Service land that borders Peterson Ridge Road and Harrington Loop. My husband immediately started calling members of the board. None told the same story. We have been told that Mr. Wyden approached the rodeo board, Mr. Miller approached Mr. Wyden, that many board members are not in favor of this land acquisition, that board members want it for parking, etc., etc.

What is the truth here?

Also of very grave concern is the lack of stated plans on what would be done with this property, if acquired. We have lived near the rodeo grounds since 2000. They have held many events, from weddings to bull rides to the Small Farmer's Journal's auction to extremely loud concerts that ran well past 10 p.m. ALL of these events have been held outside their land use variance for this property!

The Sisters Rodeo Association is now trying to get their land use variance broadened for the property they now possess, but have not specified what they want to do with the land. The Sisters Rodeo Association now has a very long history of using this property for whatever they want, without regard to the inconvenience or nuisance to the neighbors, and without regard to the restrictions put on the property by Deschutes County.

It's time for the Sisters Rodeo Board to become transparent with regard to the property that they already possess and with regard to the public property they want to acquire.

Jan Gould

•••

To the Editor:

My name is Will Werts, and I am 10 years old. I wanted to personally thank the public library for their summer reading program. It has made a big difference in my academic achievements and really got me into reading, so now I am reading a book almost every day.

I hope this letter encourages other kids to read.

Sincerely,

Will Werts

•••

To the Editor:

I share Liz Weeks' gratitude for the spectacular quilt show (The Nugget, Letters to the Editor, July 22).

I also would like to share some visitor feedback received at SOJI Noodle & Rice Restaurant on quilt show day. One customer, who had enjoyed lunch and who had brought back a large group for dinner, mentioned that they all were making it a point to do business with businesses displaying quilts out front!

We also noticed that our building was cooler (in temperature) than usual on a warm day, which was an added bonus to the gorgeous display over our windows.

So I am encouraging any business, perhaps having reservations about quilts hiding their store front, to please just try it next year! Like the rest of us, you will most likely benefit from enthusiastic quilt-lovers who will find you behind your colorful one-day-only curtain and express their appreciation with their dollars.

I can honestly report that the volunteers for quilt show left our place better than they found it, and I am sincerely grateful for all the benefits to Sisters' community from a well-organized event.

Kay Hill