Letters to the Editor 10/13/2010

To the Editor:

David Asson is a friend, neighbor, colleague and a candidate for city council.

I met David when he moved into our neighborhood four years ago, and I know David as a man of character and integrity. He is a loving husband, father and grandfather who wants Sisters to be a place where our children can return from college or other training to live, work and support their families.

Many of our neighbors know David and appreciate that he cares about their quality of life. He voluntarily leads neighborhood clean-up and maintenance efforts and offers a hand when people need help.

I have worked with David on our homeowners' association board for two years. As treasurer he has used his financial knowledge and experience to develop and manage a viable budget after the bankruptcies of developers. He has interfaced with the City of Sisters on several issues impacting our neighborhood. The board can always count on David to listen carefully and offer thoughtful input on serious issues. The best interests of the homeowners are first in his decisions and input.

In addition to our HOA, David volunteers with the Sisters Historical Society, his church, and the Sisters budget committee. He values living in Sisters and wants to ensure that the future of the city is secure and vibrant. David supports tourism and appreciates the natural beauty of our location. Additionally, he wants to bring technology and light manufacturing to Sisters to provide living wages and sustain growth.

As a candidate, David is not associated with any special-interest group. He will represent all citizens of Sisters. He does not support negative campaigning or character attacks. David's business and financial expertise will enhance our city council.

Catherine Childress

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To the Editor:

In a meeting at the Sisters High School two years ago, a standing-room-only crowd of impassioned local residents pleaded virtually unanimously with state officials to spare the pristine Metolius River Basin from the assault of huge destination resorts planned for the iconic area.

Had they been approved, the resorts would have forever marred one of Central Oregon's irreplaceable crown jewels and exponentially increased traffic congestion in our lovely little town.

It was a fight to preserve a wonderful quality of life for us and our children.

Amidst that sea of virtually universal support for protecting the treasured Metolius, Sisters City Councilor Jerry Bogart chose to defy the will of the people who had elected him to represent their interests. To everyone's horror, Mr. Bogart argued at the meeting in favor of approving the resorts at the peril of our beloved river.

Had Mr. Bogart been successful in his lobby for special interests, the incomparable Metolius River Basin would have been transformed from a peaceful haven into a chaotic Disneyland, its river sullied and the serene sounds of bird calls replaced with the cacophony of honking car

horns.

The broader issue is Mr. Bogart's propensity for defying the majority opinion. What other issues might Mr. Bogart see fit to lobby for, against the wishes of his constituents?

When you cast your ballot next month, ask yourself if you want a city councilor who will be a champion for your interests. Jerry Bogart is not that person.

Michael Cooper

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To the Editor:

We are writing this letter to endorse candidates Sharleen Weed, Jacki Shepardson, and Wendy Holzman for the Sisters City Council.

We endorse them because we believe that these three women will bring to the council a diversity that we understand is necessary in order to give a voice to those who either cannot speak for themselves or are just not heard or listened to for various reasons, which this letter is not a forum for.

When you have an election to public office, those who have more financing with which to acquire the means to present their name to the public are the ones who will probably get their message listened to, and get elected to said office.

This inconvenient truth is one of the reasons we wrote to you, as editor of The Nugget, in order to get some information about these candidates out to the public. Sharleen, Jacki and Wendy have either worked for, or directly with, that segment of the Sisters population which is considered by many as "less fortunate," be they called that way because of their race, their income (or lack thereof), or their living situation.

The majority of these people are the ones who serve the rest of the population of the area in their different endeavors, and whose needs are greater. These women, be it by their help with feeding us, helping to house us, or serving in a committee for citizen's involvement, are necessary voices that need to be heard, therefore we strongly endorse them for the city council.

Carlos and Raquel Guzman-McFadden

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To the Editor:

I am writing to support David A. Asson, who is running for the position of city (councilor) of Sisters, Oregon.

I have personally known Mr. Asson for over 50 years and was his roommate for two years at the University of Portland. I have remained his close friend since then. We were both best men for each others' weddings.

David is a very talented C.P.A. who would be an excellent member of Sisters' finance committee. He is also an accomplished pilot. David developed a very successful housing development in Salmon, ID, so he is familiar with zoning laws and building codes.

I understand that Sisters has a unique plan for potential candidates that places monies that normally would be spent on advertising for the candidate to be donated to the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank. I feel this is a very sensible and worthy plan and would like to donate $100 in David Asson's name.

Terry A. Cline

Editor's note: Mr. Cline's check for $100 was delivered to the Kiwanis Food Bank last Thursday.

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To the Editor:

What a unique idea! City politicians who are community-minded citizens choosing to raise money for the food bank instead of filling their own political campaign coffers.

But wait. Don't we expect our city council members to be community-minded? Come to think of it, shouldn't we demand that our council members show deep concern for all of our citizens and not just a select few? Isn't it reasonable to insist that all council members are included in every decision and each member is allowed, even encouraged, to voice their opinions?

It appears some of the issues recently before the council were not completely above-board. In a small town the size of Sisters, all of the issues and council decisions should be transparent to the entire council and to the citizens.

The recent divisiveness within the Sisters City Council is not good for our small town. That's why we're supporting Wendy Holzman, Jacki Shepardson and Sharlene Weed. We believe these three people will research the issues and make decisions based on the needs of everyone in this

town.

The future of Sisters does not depend on how fast or how big we grow, but on a carefully planned growth that protects the quality of life for those who live here. Just think about it. The city of Sisters has already reaped the benefits of their generous decision to raise money for the food bank instead of their political coffers and the election is still several weeks away.

Let's make sure the town continues to reap the benefits of community-minded councilors by voting for Holzman, Shepardson and Weed.

Mark and Bunny Thompson

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To the Editor,

It has come to my attention that Jackie Shepardson is running for the city council of Sisters. I am a Bend resident, but I am very much in favor of her running. I have known her for over two years. I help her with the various community food pick-ups that she does.

I can tell you that she has a heart to serve the community. Not only does she give of  her own time, but she listens to people. She really is and will be the voice of the people. I wish we had her voice on the Bend City Council. She cares about our cities and the people in them. That is why I am writing this, to encourage people to find out about her and to cast their vote for Jackie, the "voice of the people."

Karen Williams

s s s

To the Editor:

There has been much talk of economic development in the campaign for Sisters City Council. Vote for stability. A council to work to support what Sisters has. Vote for Sharlene Weed, a voice of sensibility on the Sisters City Council.

Harold Jacobs