Letters to the Editor 03/09/2011

To the Editor:

In your article describing the proposed 'Cyrus Heritage Farm,' it states that HB.3372 would "create permanent protection for 129 acres along a half-mile stretch of Whychus Creek."

In reality, as the Cyrus family well knows, this land is ALREADY permanently protected open space. The land was acquired for speculative development by the Cyrus family, not a hundred years ago but in 1987 (24 years ago) nor is it part of any Cyrus "heritage" property. The open space was a prerequisite for them to develop the rural residential cluster development known as The Rim at Aspen Lakes. I am the president of that completed subdivision, and the large majority of our homeowners strongly oppose being included in a destination resort.

The terms of The Rim conditional land use permit (CU 89/70), negotiated by the county and the developer (Cyrus), require that the 129 acres of open space must remain as open space permanently. This key requirement was further reinforced by a Trust Deed of June, 1992, that was also signed by both the county and developer.

So now we are being told that they're going to give permanent protection to this land through HB.3372 when it has already been "permanently" protected by both CU 89/70 and the Trust Deed of June 1992. In other words, they are not providing any further protection to Whychus Creek in this latest attempt to circumvent the land use laws.

The land in question, although ownership has been retained by the Cyrus family, is a mandated part of our subdivision and must remain so.

Derek Cornforth

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To the Editor

Last week's Nugget contained two interesting issues on land-use: The "Cyrus Heritage Farm," and the Gutenberg College proposal.

In my opinion, HB 3372, the "Cryus Heritage Farm" bill has very little to do with "farming," but a lot to do with making a big profit on Central Oregon real estate. Unlike the Cyrus family who has lived here for 100 years, I've only been here about 56 years, but in those years I have watched Central Oregon real estate sold for millions to the highest bidder with little to no consideration of what Matt calls "...a complement to the Sisters Community."

Nothing personal, but Matt should have placed "...and make us some money..." in his statement in the last paragraph of the so-called heritage farm story.

HB 3372 looks to me like nothing more than the Good Old Boy, "You-Scratch-My-Back-And-I'll-Scratch-Yours," but containing, "...and let's forget about local planning." I served on the Deschutes County Planning Commission and I can tell you, without Governor Tom McCall sticking his nose into local planning with his LCDC, that's the way life would be all over Oregon.

We do not need the so-called Cyrus Heritage Farm also making an end-run around us. For what? So the Cyrus family can milk the land for more profit and leave behind more messes to clean up. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

And in that light, Matt's comment about, "...a development that will be a complement to the Sisters community": I about gag every time I go to the post office and pass that ugly gulag across the road. How anyone had the audacity to allow that thing to be built in the Sisters community, is beyond my comprehension.

If Gutenberg College wants to take it over and make into an institution of learning - so at least it's being used for something positive - I should think the city fathers would bend over backwards to help the college achieve that end. As it is, it just sits their doing nothing but being empty-and-ugly.

Jim Anderson

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To the Editor:

Sisters needs a destination resort like we need a hole in the head. Matt Cyrus says there aren't many people actively opposed to the idea of a resort. But most of the folks I have talked to do oppose it.

There are several Century farms in rural Oregon, heartwarming links to the past; these beautiful farms are real Oregon treasures. It is unfortunate that the Cyrus farm has shifted away from their 100-year tradition: drifting toward dreams of major development.

When I moved to Sisters 25 years ago, the city population was around 750 people. If the Cyrus' plan to build 495 new dwellings and 100 RV spaces became a reality, we will witness a city larger than the Sisters I remember. If we don't put a cap on development, we will destroy the core values that make Sisters a great place, the gateway to the Cascades. One more thing, you won't see my vote to re-elect Gene Whisnant.

Brent McGregor

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To the Editor,

Each year Sisters High School sponsors a child who is in medical crisis and needs help. Our sponsorship includes fundraisers and community service to earn dollars to assist the family with costs that occur during treatment. This year we have adopted a bubbly young lady of 7, Miss Avrey Walker.

Avrey was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a reoccurrence of the cancer she had when she was 4. After three years of treatment, the family celebrated that her cancer was gone, until December, when they received news that Avrey's cancer was back and aggressive. They returned to Doernbecher for two years of chemo and steroid treatment to hopefully knock the cancer out for good. They will stay in Portland so that Avrey can receive chemo every few days and be close to the hospital.

SHS has a fantastic reputation for completing the minimum required 256 hours of service hours for our Sparrow. Each hour of service converts to $10 toward Avrey. In order for Avrey to get those dollars, a corporate sponsor or 30 community sponsors at $100 each is needed. Due to the economy, corporate sponsorships are hard to find. Thus, we are asking for the community of Sisters to get behind Avrey's fight against cancer and join in the community sponsorship. If you are interested, please write a check to Sparrow Clubs USA-Sisters High School and send to: Sparrow Clubs USA, 906 N.E. Greenwood Ave., Ste. 2, Bend, OR 97701.

You may find out more about sponsorship by visiting http://www.sparrowclubs.org or calling 541-312-8630. If you have questions, contact us at the high school or by e-mail at [email protected]

Samantha Williamson, President; Sally C. Taylor-Pillar, Advisor, SHS Sparrow Club