Letters to the Editor 10/28/2009

To the Editor:

I am a parent of three children in the Sisters schools. I have two sons in middle school who have been in school here since preschool and I have a daughter in kindergarten who attends the charter school.

If it were not for the charter school, my daughter would not be in school this year. From the beginning, my husband and I agreed that our daughter would not go through the traditional schooling system like her brothers have. She attended Waldorf preschool for two years, and considering the cost of Waldorf and the need to travel to Bend for Waldorf schooling after preschool, we were thrilled to have the option of the Sisters Charter Academy.

We love how small the class sizes are, and although they could increase in class size to some degree I would not want to see it be too much. My daughter's class has eight children with two teachers, this is an amazing ratio and it helps her feel very comfortable with attending school. She would not do well with 20-plus kids and one teacher.

We are thrilled with the curriculum and the love of learning that is already very prominent in Inanna. She is learning Spanish, studying an animal of her choice, working on her numbers and letters and doing art while listening to symphonies and learning to identify the instruments, plus so much more.

The socialization that comes from attending school is very important for our children. The size of the elementary school would not serve our daughter and she would be missing out on having a school experience at all if she did not have the charter school to attend, as my next choice would be to home-school her.

We are so happy that we enrolled her in the charter school this year, and we will return next year. There may only be 12 students right now but that is 12 children whose needs would not be met in the highest if the charter school was not there for them to attend.

Melody and Brennan Morrow

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To the Editor:

I would like to comment on the inconsideration of those folks who are using the National Forest for a public garbage dump.

Nearby Harrington Loop exists a convenient Forest Service road where thoughtless people can dump their household garbage, old (and new) appliances and the game animals they've shot and killed (were any of these used for human consumption?).

On or about Thursday, October 22, someone dumped their two slaughtered cows. Instead of disposing properly of the animal "waste," they took the gruesome remains out on National Forest land and dumped it all right next to USFS Road 914. If anyone in this area noticed that their neighbors no longer have a couple of cows, perhaps, contacting the sheriff's office may help stop this kind of abuse.

There are many folks in this area who ride horses, walk or ride bicycles on that road. It is a recreational area where decent people go to admire the forest's beauty, take in the calm and peaceful surroundings or view the healthy wildlife. How inconsiderate to trash such beauty and disrespect the animal that is to "feed" you. Hopefully those cows were not ill. The wildlife feasting on them can become ill as it passes through the "chain of command" in the forest animals. Thus, humans consuming deer from this area are also subject to illness.

Any dumping, littering or causing damage to the forest is illegal and does cost the Forest Service time and money.

I would like to thank the Sisters USFS for their hours of commitment to our National Forest. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals who respond to these matters. Officer Fred Perl has an enormous amount of responsibility, yet never tires in his job. If only more folks had his respect and appreciation for what America calls "National Forest."

Linda Daniel

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To the Editor:

Until reading last week's Nugget, I was unaware the 30-acre annexation had come up again with changes being requested.

In regard to the annexation, I believe Bill Merrill's concerns are well founded. Since there are many changes to the annexation plan since the public approved it in 2006, there should be another election to give all parties time to inspect the new requests.

As I recall, the annexation has gone from homes for families with children that could then walk to their schools, plus some low-cost housing, to another "Pines" type grouping for the over-50s as a senior housing community. The Pines itself was started almost ten years ago and still has six vacant lots (several for sale for many years now) and several homes that have been on the market for quite a while, both on the 55+ side.

And we need another 30 acres for the same group?

I wasn't real happy with the way the owners became "exasperated" during the meeting and that this was holding up thousands of jobs. Thousands? The citizens of Sisters also need to know more about the annual costs to the city before we go forward.

In addition, the folks behind this annexation change are some of the same folks that supplied the PAC money for the election of Pat Thompson and Jerry Bogart and the re-election of Lon Kellstrom. I know these men and believe they are honorable men, but Curt Kallberg may feel he has already bought the votes and is frustrated since it's not going his way fast enough.

For all the above reasons I strongly recommend the city council send this to a vote by the people of Sisters to allow time to understand it more thoroughly than simply an article in the paper.

Virginia Lindsey

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To the Editor:

Regarding the annexation of McKenzie Meadows.

The three council members that currently support annexation were funded in the recent election by a political action committee, and the two largest contributors are owners of McKenzie Meadows. One or more of these council members have other business relationships with one or more of the property owners. This has the appearance of an insider deal. These council members could have a conflict of interest and should not participate in this decision.

There also could be a voter rights issue. The voters approved the annexation of McKenzie Meadows in 2006 with representations that included affordable senior housing and an early childhood development center. If the land is annexed the council is obligated to ensure the developers do what was pitched to the voters in 2006. If they want to do something different, the matter needs to be put to another vote.

There is substantial undeveloped and underdeveloped property within the city limits. Some with roads and utilities in place and some in foreclosure or bank owned. What is the city doing to stimulate the completion of these projects? Why bring in more land to compete with projects already started? Do we want our city full of partially completed projects? I support responsible development, but that means not starting new projects until existing ones approach buildout.

Mike Morgan

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To the Editor:

Chief Don Mouser was laid to rest on Thursday, October 22, in Redmond, with love and the greatest respect by family, friends and members of the fire service.

I have had the privilege of knowing Don as chief, mentor and friend for over 30 years. His leadership, sage advice and generosity have blessed this community, the fire service and me. Don, you made a difference in our lives for the better!

The ceremonial ringing of the bells has occurred. Chief Mouser has returned to quarters for the last call. God bless you and keep you, may God watch over your family.

Stephen Fisher

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To the Editor:

For the record, Briana Schneilbel is a trustworthy, caring individual and the community of Sisters is lucky to have her.

The Little Cloverdale Preschool was in the middle of a monetary mess the year she was convinced to volunteer for the treasurer position. Briana loved that school and bent over backwards to help any way she could. The details of what went wrong with the books at the LCP have not been accurately expressed, also that there were four women involved in the books for the preschool.

As far as a "conviction" is concerned, she plead the "Alford Plea" because her lawyer told her it would take years to fight this all out in the system, and it really takes more money than anyone realizes to fight this kind of thing.

Facing years of stress and humiliation, with a new beautiful baby on the way, she did exactly what anyone would do. She decided to get it over with, and move on. She still faces the other moms from the preschool everyday, with her head held high, and I'm proud of her. It was a messed up situation that hurt someone innocent.

I for one trust her with my secrets, my children and, without a second thought, my wallet.

Jamie Audrain

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To the Editor:

Looking for a fun haunt to take your little ghosts and goblins? Make sure to stop at the Kolb's residence in town, a Sisters tradition.

Every Halloween the family turns their house into a trick-or-treater's delight, promising candy and scary fun. Just a few blocks from the Sisters Fire Hall in town, make sure you stop and see what they have in store for their "guests" this year.

The Kolb house is located a the very end of Larch Street, 389 East St. Helens Ave. Look for the ghoulish signs.

Jacqueline Kolb