Letters to the Editor 0/9/19/2012

To the Editor:

The editorial in the September 12 issue of The Nugget explaining the town of Leavenworth, Washington, was absolutely on target. Having lived in Washington all my life, I have felt these same sentiments myself. For the past 11 years, we have lived in Sisters and know the potential of this town.

Everything last week's letter mentioned is absolutely true. To go to the most important steps forward, I would like to mention a few more items that should be considered: The merchants in Leavenworth DO NOT close their doors at 5 p.m. They all stay open until 9 p.m., with customers shopping. When the Jazz Festival was in town, people always complained that the shops were not open. Isn't this a tourist town?

The other thing about Leavenworth is that they developed events to draw people all year round. In the fall there is an Autumn Leaf Festival with much more than just arts and crafts booths. There are special activities and events going on all over town. Would you believe it draws 35,000 people? There is the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. It is a big event with choirs brought in from around the area and booths all over town with specialty foods and the Christmas spirit. Christmas music is playing everywhere. There are special musicians playing on the streets. They capitalize on the winter sports and other festivals.

That is just part of what that town provides. We have seen it all and it works. At one point, there was a committee of townspeople who would go to other towns upon request and tell them about Leavenworth and how they developed the town, providing assistance in development of their particular village.

Hopefully, someone is listening to these letters. Even in this economy, Leavenworth thrives. Sisters is worth it.

Joan Hartsfield

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To the Editor:

On Tuesday, September 4, 2012, we drove through Sisters at about 9 p.m.

As we drove through town, we noticed the lamp-posts had two American flags on each. At least 10-12 of these lamp-posts were not lit. Our flag was flying in the "dark." Also, the tall flagpole at the west end of town was in the dark, as was the tall one on the east end of town. That makes 24-26 American flags flying with no light. We teach our children to respect our flag, and yet we as adults seem to have lost that respect.

Is the City of Sisters so short of funds, to not be able to keep these lamp-posts lit? Doesn't anyone walk/drive through town and notice these flags in the dark?

I had called the city on past occasions to report the flags were in the dark; I also had a call to the mayor this past week, but received no return call.

I feel if you do not display the flag properly, then do not display it at all.

Barbara J. Marshall

Redmond

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To the Editor:

Re: "Longhorned beetles have come a-callin'," The Nugget, September 12): Oregon has several native species of longhorned beetles, and it is likely that these emerging beetles belong in that group. However, many people, such as myself, are interested in early detection of exotic forest pests. If you suspect a foreign pest or have other questions about invasive species, visit http://oregoninvasive

shotline.org. You can also send digital pictures of the insect to [email protected]

Wyatt Williams

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To the Editor:

I get a kick out of seeing all the folks, Republican and Democrat, cheering and waving banners at recent political rallies. What I consider obscene is the amount of money some of these folks pay to shake hands or have a picture taken with these candidates. I have a favorite slogan which fits such occasions: "more money than brains!"

All one has to do is to see the list of starving people in the world (and U.S.), read the list of bills it would pay for American homeless as shown on Brian Williams' news program and then put down what you expect to be changed after the election, whether presidential or congressional.

Keep in mind that whatever millions some of the really wealthy donate to the campaign, they expect to get back, after the election, two or three times over - this isn't just good-will, it is an investment! Is it any wonder that much of the world hates America, when we boast of how many millions we spend to put another bunch of money-grubbers into office when they can't even put bread into their mouths!

Russell B. Williams

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To the Editor:

Thanks for letting Sisters know about the "Improving Health through Nutrition" workshop at Hospice of Redmond. Great information about "being" what we eat and how we break it down for optimal benefit.

I also learned that Sisters' own Dr. Eden Miller is one of this countries top educators on managing diabetes, as well as lifestyle intervention to the next generation of this rapidly growing disease.

Monika Piatt LMT