Letters to the Editor 10/17/2012

To the Editor:

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of Sisters Country. The Cascade Avenue (US Hwy. 20) improvement project planned by the City of Sisters and Oregon Department of Transportation is vital to the long-term health of our community and business district. The Chamber is engaged in marketing efforts to bolster business for those directly affected by the Cascade Avenue improvements while simultaneously showcasing the businesses along the re-routes for increased exposure (Hood Avenue, Main Avenue, and Barclay Drive).

The Cascade Avenue Improvement Project promises significant improvements to the road surface, pedestrian amenities and access. All of these things will make Sisters a more desirable place to visit. It will incentivise consumers to 'stop and shop,' help boost the current businesses and assist in bringing in new business to fill the vacant storefronts.

While the benefits are great, the Chamber of Commerce recognizes there will be major disruption to downtown businesses during the times of construction. The Chamber has made the health of downtown Sisters a top priority and is committed to assisting businesses downtown through the following ways:

• Serve as a liaison between the business community and the City of Sisters in order to foster positive, cooperative efforts and communication between the business community and the various agencies involved.

• Develop, coordinate and execute a thoughtful and thorough public-relations and marketing campaign dedicated to brand downtown Sisters as a shopping destination.

• Publicize the project to build awareness throughout the community and to visitors.

• Coordinate a 'Reconstruction Task Force' comprised of downtown land and business owners and their employees to assist in marketing efforts; facilitate communication and promote partnerships between stakeholders; keep business owners informed in advance of all phases of the project; assist in promoting existing businesses; and design assistance programs and incentives.

• Work with local banks, credit unions, small-business administration, and more to share information about low-interest loans, grants, and other financial programs available for affected businesses.

• Work with Central Oregon Community College, OSU-Cascades, and other groups to provide educational opportunities for business owners and employees on bolstering business, retaining customers and creative marketing strategies.

• Develop, host and maintain a website and hotline for current information regarding the project for local community members and visitors.

The Cascade Avenue improvement projects will impact downtown Sisters. The health of downtown Sisters is vital to the Chamber, the community of Sisters and Sisters Country as a whole. The Chamber is dedicated to working with our downtown business owners to ensure, to the best of our abilities, they survive this project and thrive after its completion.

Erin Borla, Executive Director

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce

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To the Editor:

I'd like to second Ed Protas' motion (Letters to the Editor, October 10).

The destination resort on the Metolius issue broke out about a year after we moved here. As Metolius lovers we were alarmed, then relieved when the state put the kibosh on the whole thing, then appalled when a group of three Sisters City Council members cast a vote - gratuitous in the circumstances - in support of the notion.

I thought, OK, you've let me see who you are. I promise I will never vote for you and will take pleasure in voting against you when the occasion arises. Lon Kellstrom was the leader of the three so far as I could tell, and in any event he's the last. I will keep my promise.

Also, I'm hopeful we'll work things out for the Cascade project but can't help noting that the drawings I see look more like what you'd see in a Silicon Valley suburb than a Western town. Close your eyes and imagine them as a backdrop for the quilt fair. Or as gateway to the expanding small venues the folk festival breathes life into. I appreciate the development efforts Lon Kelstrom cited in his guest editorial, but I think the downtown is a treasure, too, and deserves to be treated as such.

David Grady

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To the Editor:

As a successful downtown businessman for over two decades - catering to locals and visitors alike, Brad Boyd knows what this town needs to thrive.

Many of us have sought to explode the myth that economic vitality depends primarily on filling our industrial parks. We have argued that Sisters is a town about people, and that economic vibrancy depends first and foremost on people visiting here, people moving here, people living here. The central challenge facing city government is to make Sisters Country an especially attractive place for people. When people come here, so do jobs.

We have also argued that the economic anchor of Sisters lies at its heart - the downtown core. Sisters being a unique property depends precisely on having a bustling, interesting, attractive - and yes, quaint - downtown. It is our downtown village, plus our schools and our natural recreational assets that bring people, and employers, here. The last four years have ignored this reality, and we need Brad's leadership to refocus economic developments efforts on what's important.

I have worked with Brad Boyd on many city issues - transportation, housing, development codes, and planning decisions. I have the deepest respect for his unwavering sense of integrity, and for his commitment to put the public good above private interests. I have witnessed his leadership of city council based on openness, transparency and accountability. Yes, he can sometimes ruffle feathers - even mine - which is a price worth paying for his honesty and scruples. Nobody called our council "dysfunctional" when Brad Boyd was mayor.

Brad hears the concerns of people in the heart of Sisters. He shares first-hand the angst of road closures, vacant nearby storefronts, and empty weekends. He knows how to lead in finding sensible, working solutions to these problems.

Sisters needs Brad's leadership again.

Chuck Humphreys, Economics PhD

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To the Editor:

After experiencing the travesty of process known as "code amendment proposal" with the current city council and mayoral-appointed planning commission, the need for change in leadership within council is an understatement if there ever was one.

Not only were fellow councilors humiliated by Mayor Kellstrom, city residents and business owners experienced the same ridicule, humiliation and "my way or the highway" attitude as well.

Sisters is far too lovely and vibrant a community to be usurped by agendas tantamount to cronyism on the part of city council and management. Citizens concerns and business owners needs should not be weighed by the process of "who you know" but rather through an equitable and transparent democratic process.

City management should not function from an "Us vs. Them" mentality when dealing with citizens, and should function from the position of finding a way to say "yes" to the needs of city business owners, instead of searching for ways to say "no."

Changing the problems of attitude and dysfunction begin with responsive leadership at the council level. It is time for change.

The experience of former mayor Brad Boyd speaks for itself. The need for someone of youthful maturity and ideas representing the concerns of both current, as well as the next generation of Sisters entrepreneurs and residents graduating from our schools, is ever apparent. As such, I support and encourage all other residents of Sisters Country to vote for Brad Boyd and McKibben Womack for city council.

Ky Karnecki

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To the Editor:

Sisters will be well-served by electing Brad Boyd, McKibben Womack, and Catherine Childress to the city council. I've attended many meetings over the last four years and observed Lon Kellstrom in action. He is not a team player, he will not listen to or consider dissenting opinions, and he will not be bound by - or support - a majority opinion that he opposed. In short, it's Lon's way or the highway.

Consider what Mr. Kellstrom said in his attack on Brad Boyd that was published last week. He said four councilors opposed his position regarding trash collection, yet four years later he is still beating the same drum. The decision to outsource trash collection was based on a financial model that showed significant savings if the in-house costs were eliminated. Unfortunately, under Mr. Kellstrom's watch, there was no reduction in personnel. The employees that picked up trash were reassigned to other departments, thus eliminating any possible financial benefit to outsourcing.

More recently Mr. Kellstrom pushed for a 100-percent water-rate increase involving two different councils, with three councilors on each, in opposition to such a massive increase. In desperation the current council agreed to let him appoint a special committee that unanimously approved a scaled back capital-improvement plan that resulted in a modest 4 percent increase.

Mr. Kellstrom has proven to be a tax-and-spend politician that is out of touch with the people he represents that are struggling during the worst economic times since the Great Depression. This community needs leaders that will listen and collaborate with others. I urge you to vote for Brad Boyd, McKibben Womack, and Catherine Childress.

Mike Morgan

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To the Editor:

I would also like to speak up for Brad Boyd's return to city council.

Brad is a strong, clear-headed leader with a constructive vision for the future of our community. He has important and relevant experience as a long-time local business owner and former city councilor.

We were well-served when Brad was our mayor, and would be well-served again by his solid presence on the council. Vote for Brad, and a new chapter in city politics.

John Rahm

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To the Editor:

I am writing to support Brad Boyd for city council.

Brad and I have not always seen eye-to-eye on issues. However, I do believe that he has what is best for Sisters in his mind and heart. It saddens me and frustrates me to see how stuck and dysfunctional our city council has become in the last four years. We need someone like Brad, who may not always agree with you, but will at least listen to all sides with respect, and does not believe changing his mind is a sign of weakness.

Please join with me in voting for Brad Boyd for city council.

Robin Tawney

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To the Editor:

Last Wednesday, city council candidate McKibben Womack stopped by our Young Life leadership meeting to introduce himself to the high school students. He reminded them of the importance of getting involved and how the younger generation needs to step it up and know what is going on around them.

He also asked for their help in making signs for his campaign. When many others are spending funds for fancy signs, he decided to use his resources. What better kind of person do we want on our city council than one who is personable and resourceful in a time when everything seems to be about the dollar.

New leadership and young leadership is what this town needs. He's a husband, a dad, a Marine, a business owner and friend who is eager to make a difference. Please join me in voting for a change, Vote McKibben Womack for Sisters City Council.  

Robin Benson

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To the Editor:

I would like to compliment the Forest Service engineers on the construction of the new foot-bridge over Link Creek at Suttle Lake. This much-needed addition to the Suttle Lake trail is well-sited, blends well with the environment, is low-maintenance, and provides a beautiful view of Link Creek and the lake itself. The project even includes three new picnic tables and approach ramps at each end.

This bridge design has historic origins. It is a modern version of the famous Hailey bridges, which were designed in the early part of World War II to move troops and military vehicles across non-fordable streams. They were built in modular sections, which could be hand-constructed rapidly under fire. The Link Creek bridge was not hand-constructed but it was built, in a sense, under fire.

This bridge has a weight capacity of 4,000 pounds, and I am sure that it will be enjoyed by thousands of hikers, cyclists and dogs over the years.

Donald M. Oliver