Letters to the Editor 12/21/11

To the Editor:

In 2000 I passed through Sisters after a veterinary meeting. Like many, I loved the place and started getting The Nugget in North Texas. In 2006 I sold out of Texas and made the jump.

Since the move I frequently get asked about the difference between Texas and Oregon.

First: Texans think rules are for other people. You've been forming traffic committees since I starting getting The Nugget. I'll fix the traffic later, but small-town Texas would have picked a plan and done it right or wrong 10 years ago.

Second: Taxes. For many reasons Oregon is God's country but we pay for it. You get to vote, too.

Third: Music. Jerry Jeff, Robert Earl Keen, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, ZZ Top, Willie, Waylon. Not even a race.

Fourth: While Texas has the tail end of the Rockies, the Guadalupe and Chisos Mountains which are spectacular and magical when it rains, it's spiritual for me to look at the Sisters. They never look the same and I'll never tire of the view. Again, not even a race.

I've driven, in the course of my job, significant time on three continents and two hemispheres. I can't guess the number of countries and I've come to realize that I am a "round-about" man.

Keep me away from the heavy equipment 'cause Sisters would have a round-about at each end of town, a couplet and an alternate route for commercial vehicles. One mile out of town, on each end, would be a rumble strip warning you to slow down. Half-mile out would be a little bigger set of speed bumps. At a quarter-mile would be a mata-burro (big speed bump). Hitting it fast enough, you'll need an alignment and dental work. At an acceptable speed you'll pass the round-about into a village high on art, exercise and the outdoors. With slight speed bumps at each intersection you'll find a pedestrian-friendly open village with plenty of parking with room for street fairs and snow control.

The sheriffs patrolling town and school zones with nothing to do can be moved to the bypass/alternate route to aggressively enforce our 30-mile-per-hour speed limit. I would also make room for a sheriff's off-branch to settle disputes and collect speeding fines.

Now I don't live in town and don't ever intend to, but that's how I'd fix it. Might take a week.

Scott Weems, DVM

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To the Editor:

Congratulations Hollie. Your achievement in winning the Inventerprise makes us all feel good (The Nugget, December 14). It is an example of the success that occurs when the four pillars of education work in synchrony: a challenging and nurturing school; a supportive and guiding family; a community with commitment to help (Bend Research); and, most importantly, a creative and energetic student: you.

Many people are confused as to when and where science starts. It begins in the wonderment of children, the "wow, how does that work?" and leads to the imagination of test-retest, trial and error, the "what if this or that?" Carl Sagan stated it best:

"I am often amazed at how much more capability and enthusiasm for science there is among elementary school youngsters than among college students."

Best of luck in your education, Hollie. Keep on showing us the way.

Bob Collins

President, Sisters Science Club

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To the Editor:

Yesterday I bundled up all my glass jars and bottles and took them to the Sisters Recycling Center. I was surprised to find it locked. On the chain link fence is a big sign saying the center is open Monday through Friday. Under that was a small paper sign saying the center is closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Duh?

Needless to say, I took my bottles and jars home and dumped them in the garbage can.

Drew Berding

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To the Editor:

If Barack Obama is not re-elected, he will not be the one to suffer. He will be successful no matter what happens; he is intelligent, caring and is well-respected throughout the world. No, it is not Obama who will suffer, it is the American people. If we end up with one of the Republican candidates for president, and also, heaven forbid, a Republican Senate and House, watch out Americans. Not only will those left in the main stream be left high and dry, but those many people who have already been left by the wayside will have even more problems.

Wake up voters: It is time to make sure that our country does not suffer more class division. Vote Democrat!

Sue Edgerton