Letters to the Editor 03/16/2011

To the Editor:

It is remarkable to hear the cries of support for Oregon's land use laws in the case of Aspen Lakes and the proposed HB 3372.

It was only two years ago that the Oregon legislature took an unprecedented action against the land use laws in the case of the Jefferson County Destination Resort mapping. Talk about eroding people's faith in their government! Most notable during this process was the overreaching influence and financial contribution from one specific senator who owns property in the nearby environs. Once exceptions are made, it is difficult not to have erosion of moral underpinnings.

It should not be a surprise with the state's economy in a shambles, that the land use laws are being bent in the opposite direction to allow development. As a matter of fact, the Metolian project had $50 million in financing to complete a project with roughly $400 million in direct investment. This money came from sophisticated investors who manage funds for Caltrans and other large public institutions. You can't imagine the damage done to Oregon's reputation in the capital markets due to the capriciousness of the land use debacle of 2009.

Significant capital for green jobs vanished and will never come back. In the meantime Oregon is shutting down schools and there is not a new job on the horizon for most Central Oregonians.

For those naïve enough not to understand the phenomenal and positive impact of property taxes from Black Butte Ranch on Sisters, have a look at the new high school and think again.

For those who want to club the Cyrus family for their desire to add units to their project to build financial critical mass, think again. Yes, they probably want to make money on their endeavor. Perhaps the assumption that capitalistic values were still a dominating theme in America is mistaken on my part. It is still my belief however that for those who put their own personal property, capital, and name at risk, there should be some reward.

I am a rational optimist. I am really tired of irrational pessimists. For those who smugly strip away others' property rights I would suggest that they have a look at the current world events, and how capricious political action, and abuse of power play out.

It should also be noted that when Richard Whitman, chair of DLCD in Salem, visited Aspen Lakes he commented that it appeared that the property already met the standards for a destination resort, and he did not understand the resistance. The amenities are there, the traffic impact minimal, and the location ideal.

Good luck to you Cyrus family, and I am sorry to see your efforts and contributions to the community taking the bludgeon this time around.

Shane Lundgren

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To the Editor:

After years of reading The Nugget, I am finally getting around to writing a letter to the editor. I admit that I do not have a very thick skin (and hopefully never become so calloused as to not care) and couldn't help but take last week's letters to the editor personally. Usually I try to just let it go -but not this time.

I know that it is not necessary to fact-check these letters, but unfortunately half-truths seem to gain credibility when printed in a paper. If you have questions concerning the details of the Cyrus Heritage Farm proposal I invite you to give me a call. My direct line is 541-549-4588.

I sincerely hope that Mr. Cornforth feels blessed every morning when he looks out his window at the beautiful mountains and sometimes remembers to be thankful that we didn't give up the fight when folks didn't want us to create the homesite that he now enjoys.

Brent, I value your friendship and will continue to let folks who are building new houses know how wonderful your wood creations are.

Mr. Anderson, I invite you to walk along the irrigation ditch that we fought to keep from being piped and take a survey of the diversity of wildlife that has been preserved.

I would like to address the "core values" that make a community.

It is not the size of a town that determines the quality of a community...it is the people.

We are much closer to losing the sense of closeness in Sisters because we are willing to attack each other in the local paper than we are because of the size of our population.

To me, being part of a small town has much less to do with the number on the population sign, and much more to do with the attitudes we have toward each other.

Community is about looking out for each other...holding the hand of a friend who was just diagnosed with cancer, laughing with other parents as we watch our kids play their first basketball game, and visiting with neighbors at the 4th of July picnic hosted by the local 4-H club.

It is about taking twice as long to shop for groceries because you keep running into friends.

Being part of a small town is being asked to donate to every school and charity fundraiser that occurs - and always saying "yes." Small town is about supporting each other and is ultimately about caring for one another regardless of our differences.

There is a perception by some that our family is wealthy. The reality may be surprising to them. However, I think that it is in poor taste and rather shallow to judge people by their bank accounts. I will, however, say that I am rich beyond belief when measured by the most important things in life...I have a loving husband and family, wonderful children, am healthy, have fabulous friends, and am fortunate to live in a country that allows me to praise my God, own a gun, and speak my mind.

Pamela Mitchell