Letters to the Editor 03/28/12

To the Editor:

I'm sure many of us can agree that the killing of these magnificent animals is nothing to cheer about, and that it's time to stop attracting cougars to our neighborhoods by feeding their prey.

Over the last few months we have had a turkey taken by a cat just outside our side gate and a deer was killed at a neighbors' house. Most will also remember the injured deer from last year that was finally consumed by more than one cougar off of Barclay Drive, the horse that was attacked in Tollgate, and countless other instances and encounters.

These animals have been coming through Sisters for years, and new ones will take the place of those killed last week. One cougar is natural and to be expected in an area like ours, many of us would not even notice its presence, but four can be problematic. The fact that hunters tracked the cougars from deer feeding stop to deer feeding stop shows that we invited them here. Let's all do our part to not bring more cougars in to the slaughter.

Annemarie & David Crosier

s s s

To the Editor:

I'm writing this letter first and foremost as an animal lover, and that means all animals, including the three young cougars that were murdered in Sisters last week. I have just finished reading the piece online at ktvz.com and am still just as disgusted as I was when I first heard about this.

As a small-pet owner and a logical human being, I am, of course, aware that cougars are indeed predators. This is why I have indoor pets. I would be devastated if one of them were to be injured or, God forbid, killed by a cougar or similar predatory animal. And yes, I understand that if and when these cats become too comfortable in a town situation as was evidently the case here in Sisters, they can begin turning up in peoples' yards and potentially cause untold problems.

However, what I do not understand is why there was no attempt to relocate the cats. KTVZ spoke with Michelle Dennehy, wildlife communications coordinator with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, who stated "ODFW will not relocate cougars that have attacked pets or raise human safety. That would just move the problem elsewhere." She further went on to say that the Oregon cougar population "is very healthy, and available cougar habitat is taken. Relocating a cougar would disrupt another cougar and could also spread any disease the cougar has to a new area."

Okay, understandable.

Are these cougars unable to be checked out then? This may seem like a naive question, given that they are wildcats, but surely there must be some way for a veterinarian or other qualified practitioner to examine these cats to ensure they are disease-free, right? And as far as all available habitat being taken, there is a beautiful sanctuary for wildcats in Sherwood called Wildcat Haven Sanctuary.

Wildcat Haven is a non-profit, no-kill sanctuary dedicated to providing a safe home for wildcats in need, including cougars.

It is not open to the public, as the sanctuary is focused on the well-being of these cats, not housing them to put them on display as would happen in a zoo setting.

But I guess we don't care about saving precious lives if they aren't human, right?

If you're interested in learning more about Wildcat Haven visit http://www.wildcathaven.org.

Pam Creason

s s s

To the Editor:

With a sad heart I'm writing to share with you the results of the Sisters City Council vote Thursday night. While I had hope - given the lobbying efforts of Councilor Sharlene Weed, for whose tireless efforts on my behalf I don't think I could ever thank her enough, as well as the efforts of Planning Commissioner Darren Layne, former Planning Commissioner Ed Protas, friend and advocates Mike Morgan and Camille Atkinson and myself personally - we have failed to achieve any relief for Wild Mountain.

The swing vote last night was made on the part of Councilor Pat Thompson, who, when I visited with him Wednesday at his business, had expressed support for both the 90-day extension as well as allowing the buildings to remain, instead last night voted against these code amendments. His views, expressed both prior to and after these critical votes, were tossed aside and he caved to the pressure of his peers on council and city management.

Last night there was only one dissenting voice who spoke out against Wild Mountain, and eight in support of, yet Councilor Thompson explained his decision after the vote in saying he had numerous business owners in Sisters come visit him who did not want to be identified, to voice their opposition to the Wild Mountain code amendments.

Councilors Holzman and Asson also stated they had numerous Sisters Country citizens express opposition to them privately and that caused them to vote "no." How is it that our elected officials choose to side with an alleged group of invisible opposition, over those whom are willing to appear in person at a public council meeting to voice their support?

I am immediately faced with the prospect of filing for my 180-day permit for 2012 that will have considerably greater operating restrictions than I was already dealing with.

The audacity from which Sisters City government functions, while disappointing, is nothing new. That which humbles me deeply is the outpouring of community support from so many people. From the elderly woman who stopped by the stand one day and handed me $20 and told me to "keep fighting those people," to the tireless efforts of those mentioned above... never before in my life have I experienced such a display of unselfish, benevolent behavior. This is what makes Sisters Country special, and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.

Ky Karnecki

s s s

To the Editor:

Mr. Karnecki's attempt to operate an honest business has been a great lesson to me. 

After witnessing the way the City of Sisters has thrown obstacles in his way, I feel that my decision NOT to open a business in this city was a good decision. 

Way to go, Sisters! Keep those entrepreneurs from starting up businesses. That's what's wrong with our country. You're a big part of it. 

I'll keep my enterprises small and not helpful to increasing the visibility of this small-minded little town.

Brian Lansburgh

•••

To the Editor:

Trapping has been a way for many young people to help pay for their education. For others it was and still is a means of supplementing their income.

Oregon is a special place and people from the cities and "other" states don't want to accept the lifestyle that has been and still is a way of life for many, and don't understand what trapping is all about. What kind of legal leg-hold traps are you afraid to step on?

I don't agree with traps being set close to paths where the public will be walking their pets, or where children might play. But for thousands of Oregonians, trapping, hunting and fishing has been part of life since Oregon was settled. It still is for many. So get used to it!

Barbara Wassom

•••

To the Editor:

I am surprised that there have been no letters regarding the Main Avenue project.

When back-in diagonal parking was proposed for Larch Street awhile back, the paper was full, week after week, with all the problems, objections and general dislike for this plan.

As it was only Larch Street, it did not matter that much, and only one or two vehicles ever parked there. Now it will be all of Main Avenue. The sidewalk, storm drainage system, streetscape features, etc. are an improvement and a benefit. Back-in diagonal parking will be a disaster.

Can you picture all those cars lined up outside the Fitness Center, the Hair Cache and other businesses, all attempting to back in? I wouldn't risk my car, even if I could manage the task. I'll park on a side street. This project is supposedly going to make the street safer for bicyclists. How many bicycles do you see going up and down Main Avenue? Most bicyclists use our wonderful bike paths and trail systems, or head out on the highways and byways.

This is madness, tourists will avoid that area and heaven help us during the Quilt Show or any other major attraction.

Mickey Duehren

•••

To the Editor:

As a worker in a local store, I am hearing a lot of comments about the city's plan for backwards parking, especially now we see the big machines have arrived and are seriously tearing up the streets!

Some are concerned with the additional work for the sheriffs in tracking down and ticketing those who "forget" or simply park the regular way; Meter Maid type of help could be added, or maybe a team of "Backwards Bunnies" could be organized to ticket offenders!

And then there is the theory that this backwardness is supposed to be safer for the poor bicyclist who doesn't look where he or she is going. Well, what about the poor pedestrian walking along in all innocence, when someone overshoots trying to back into one of these places?

Positioning your car or truck by pulling forward, so you can then back up, will likely cause a lot of fender-benders here in Sisters, as we know how we like to tailgate in our little town. Restaurants (uggh) and stores will probably have to put up some sort of barriers to keep the exhaust fumes out as we park, and again as we depart, but they may be unsightly and not covered by any grant money obtained to put in the backwards parking in the first place (oh my!).

It would be terrific if The Nugget would publish a map of our little town of Sisters, showing all the back-in parking spots clearly, so we locals could avoid them, and leave them for the tourists before they catch on and stay away altogether. If already published, we didn't believe it, so would you please do it again?

Well, that is about what I have heard about backwards parking, and no, I didn't make a mistake, 'cause there are those out there who think back-in parking is backwards!!

Sandi Casper