Letters to the Editor 08/19/2009

To the Editor:

I am outraged by the comment by (city councilor) Bill Merrill (see related story, "City council approves gas tax, page 1).  I am NOT the "village idiot," and yes, I will buy my gas in Bend or Tumalo, as I work in Bend. 

The majority of people that live in Sisters do not actually make their living in Sisters, they work in Bend or Redmond.  

Then again, maybe Mr. Merrill does not have to make a living. I don't know him, but his comment was completely out of line.

We need to take this to a vote. This new council that we now have seems to do whatever they want and it goes against what the actual townspeople of Sisters feel is needed. Maybe we need to get a recall petition started while at the same time we are getting this gas tax petition filed.

Sue Barker

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To the Editor:

While I totally understand The Nugget's rational, in its recent editorial about waiting for four years before submitting a gas tax to the voters, I must respectfully offer these differing views.

Though on a fixed income, I endorse the proposed 3 cent a gallon increase that was recently passed by the Sisters City Council.

This fair and modest way of supporting the continued maintenance of our community's roads is a thoughtful approach that insures this ongoing work continues, not at the expense of raiding the city's "rainy day" fund or general fund, or asking our fellow residents to shoulder the burden by a utility surcharge.

What this really is is a user fee that is shared by all, residents and visitors alike for the quality of our roads. Many other cities and counties across Oregon use this fee for their roads, why not Sisters?

A majority of the revenue that would be generated from this source would come from those either heading over to, or coming from the Valley. How many would say, "I'll wait until I get to Detroit or Sweet Home, or to Bend or Redmond, so I can compare prices"? I don't think many.

Think about when you travel to another part of Oregon or Washington. Do you consider whether the price at the pump contains a city tax? Personally I do not. I just pay my bill and drive on.

If we adopt this proposal, we the citizens of Sisters and our visitors will all benefit. Our roads will continue to be safe for our families, school buses and tourist visitors. Preventative maintenance is a much more fiscally responsible way of preserving infrastructure than having to repair severely degraded roads.

We all have an immense pride in calling Sisters our home. This proposal is a good way to ensure that this important piece of our town does not deteriorate. Why not have others who come though Sisters help us as we work to preserve this little piece of heaven?

Jack McGowan

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To the Editor:

A minor gas tax increase is certainly better than either a utility surcharge, which only City residents would pay, or doing nothing, which means the money comes out of the general fund.

At least with the gas tax, tourists and nearby county residents will help pay for the roads we all use. It is doubtful that many people are going to change their gas-buying locations based on this small tax increase.

Michael Preedin

s s s

To the Editor:

I have lived and worked retail in Sisters for about 30 years. I was always glad that I brought my girls back here to raise them.

Living in a small community afforded us the comfort and security you just don't feel living in bigger places. During those years, I have formed an amazing array of friendships, acquaintances and business relationships. I'm very grateful to many of the people who have touched my life over time.

Many of these people provided me with employment with the chance to obtain a Habitat grant, helped us out in hard times (of which there were plenty) and quite often, just the warm friendly recognition as I walk down the street or wander through the shops. Greetings that seem to be telling you that you are never really alone here.

My main purpose in writing this letter is to express my deeply sincere and heartfelt "thanks to every single person without exception who has ever done anything whatsoever to help my mother and my sister in any way!" In my younger years, I never realized I would have a need for - or would indeed receive - so much blessed help and support from so many different people in caring for my family!

I can honestly say that I don't have any idea how we would have made it through (especially the last four or five years) without that help! It often came in the form of our EMT crews arriving on the scene time after time at all hours of the night, always with a calming smile, a kind word and infinite patience for every situation.

Often from unbelievably generous financial support from their own church families and from churches they had never even attended, like Chapel in the Pines at Camp Sherman.

Or the beautiful meals lovingly prepared and hand delivered.

Also the endless trips to the doctor appointments and therapy and days out by beautiful "selfless" generous friends.

All the hours from Habitat volunteers who rebuilt and fixed things repeatedly, and the list goes on.

A special thanks goes to Hospice who in their gentle and kind way, helped my mom through the last months of her life! My gratitude is renewed each and every day to my customers who stop at my checkstand and ask "How's your sister" and "How's your daughter doing" and "Sorry to hear about your mom."

Thank you, Sisters!

Steph Matzen