Letters to the Editor 10/24/2012

To the Editor:

To help mitigate some of the negative business impact of the pending Cascade Avenue improvement project, I propose that the City of Sisters, the Sisters Chamber of Commerce and ODOT jointly explore the possibility of offering impacted businesses a chance to temporarily move their operations to some of the very plentiful vacant commercial space on Main Avenue and Hood Avenue.

This idea may only be viable for some types of business, such as small retail operations not requiring specialized built-in equipment or design features, but at least it might help some.

The temporary replacement space could be offered for free or at subsidized rates. Yes, some funding would be needed but maybe an untapped grant source could be found and we could help some of our businesses survive. The struggling owners of some of the vacant spaces would also benefit a little as well, and Main and Hood would look much more vibrant and "open for business." Could be a win-win-win.

By the way, as a city resident I would be quite willing to accept a small one-time tax or levy specifically allocated to help businesses weather the construction period. If everyone chipped in, this should be quite doable.

Patrick Eckford

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To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for Brad Boyd's bid for city council. The current council has been rendered largely ineffective by years of rancor and infighting. It is time for a change, and Brad has a proven track-record of effective leadership. He will get the city back on track.

I have known Brad for about 15 years.

During that time I have owned and operated a business in Sisters, have worked on transportation planning for the city and have had kids go through the school system.

I have many conversations with Brad about how to keep the community vibrant.

As a long-time resident and business owner, Brad understands that people visit Sisters because it is a great community with great schools located in a beautiful part of the state.

Sometimes visitors are so impressed that they move here.

Sometimes they bring their businesses with them.

That is precisely what brought several of our largest employers to town - great community, great schools, great place.

Brad knows that maintaining the livability of Sisters is the most effective economic development that we could do and that is the best way to move the city forward.

Most who know Brad know that he can be a strong advocate for any position he is proposing. But as a leader, he listens to both sides of a story and is willing to seek out common ground when a compromise is the best thing for the community.

Brad puts all of the people of Sisters first. Please vote to return him to the city council.

Doug Hancock

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To the Editor:

If I could vote for Sisters City Council candidates, I'd be voting for Brad Boyd.

But despite the fact that my address reads "Sisters, OR"... and I pay (gladly) taxes to support Sisters schools... and I recycle my glass at the downtown recycling center... and do nearly all my shopping in Sisters... and buy gas only here because I know that some of my purchase will go toward local road maintenance... I don't get a vote.

So it's important to me to know that if I feel strongly about an issue affecting Sisters Country, there is someone on the city council who will at least give me a polite audience for my views.

Obviously, matters affecting Sisters don't stop at the city border.

During Brad's previous tenure on the council, I found him always willing to listen to my concerns; even though he knew I couldn't vote for or against him, he saw me as a constituent.

Vote for Brad Boyd.

Merry Ann Moore

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To the Editor:

It seems this time of year, with the elections coming up, that the complaints about small things seem to attract our

attention.

After working with members of the council for years, on the budget committee and other opportunities, and being very pleased with most all actions, I'm disappointed that some of the letters in the last Nugget were attacking our mayor, Lon Kellstrom. He has given so much of his time, talent, and thoughtfulness to our little city for 13 years and does not deserve this kind of attack.

Of course, I'm sure it's being led by the same two men, Mike Morgan and Ed Protas, that write letters year 'round attacking our city manager, how the city is being run, our water rates, etc., etc. Some of these letters commenting on our mayor actually sounded a lot alike.

I found it interesting that neither Mike or Ed were on the voters role in 2008. Are they even eligible to vote in Sisters? Their attack on Eileen Stein sure backfired when over a hundred people showed up (at 8 a.m.!) to support

her!

Lon has been elected and reelected several times since 1999 without any kind of attacks. In addition, he is not new to the city employees or members of the council, and yet he was still just voted in as our mayor after the last election. I've gone to several of the city activities Lon has attended as mayor. He speaks well and folks seem to care about

him.

Please make your own decision regarding our mayor, he deserves our support. Thank you!

Virginia Lindsey

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To the Editor:

A vote for Brad is a vote for downtown.

He understands that all of Sisters cannot thrive without a vibrant downtown.

At this time downtown businesses have no direct representation on the city council. I have lived here 17 years and worked in downtown Sisters, for a housing non-profit, for 10 years. I have observed that the heart of our downtown is significantly empty - why would tourists come to see vacant storefronts?

Brad has owned and managed Eurosports for 23 years and understands the challenges and needs of downtown business owners as well as the importance of a vital downtown.

Sisters will soon be involved in its most important project in my memory. It will eventually help to bring vitality to our downtown through many improvements. We need someone on the council that understands the importance of accomplishing this project with the least amount of disruption possible to our community-and not drain away vital businesses. Brad will work with ODOT and downtown businesses to ensure that the Cascade Avenue Project is carried out in the most efficient and helpful way possible to our community.

Please join me in my support of Brad Boyd for city council.

Marie Clasen

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To the Editor:

Why a vote for Brad Boyd is a good choice:

1. Brad has run a successful business in Sisters for 24 years in a very difficult retail environment. He understands local business issues and he will work hard to support our local business community.

2. Brad has lived in Sisters for 22 years, and he is a big part of our community fabric. Through his community service as a public servant he has made Sisters a better place for all of us to live.

3. Brad does his homework. As a city council member Brad always came to meetings prepared, having read all the materials and studied the issues. He worked well with other council members and the city staff.

4. Brad has no hidden agenda, what you see is what you get. I don't always agree with Brad, but at least when we debate an idea you know that you have been heard.

5. Brad looks at projects and asks if they are good investments for the short term and then he asks the more important question, are the projects sustainable and good for the long-term health of the place we call home.

Vote for Brad and work with him to make Sisters the best small town in Oregon.

Jerry Norquist

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To the Editor:

I am disappointed by The Nugget article on October 10 concerning Nik Goertzen, the former high school girl's soccer coach. The article looked very one-sided. It appears he was let go from his coaching job because three parents (one a school board member) pressured the principal to do so. Why would the school district claim that Mr. Goertzen's allegations are frivolous and have no merit?

Mr. Goertzen has an outstanding record at Sisters High School. He took the team to two State 4A Soccer Championship appearances in 2010 and 2011. He was State 4A Girls Soccer Coach of the year in 2011. Under Goertzen we had the best/highest rated academic sports program (boys/girls) at Sisters High School 2009-2011, and The Oregonian Cup - whose program led the charge last year - Girls Soccer with a 3.83 GPA and second-place finish in the State Soccer Championships.

I really enjoyed watching his team play. Supporting the community is important, but seeing the kind of treatment given to Nik Goertzen has soured local high school sports for me. I support Coach Goertzen in his future endeavors. The school district should stand up for coaches - not cower to parents with political agendas.

Jolynn Lambert