News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The smoke of the Pole Creek Fire looms large over Sisters Country's memory of 2012.
The region has seen many fires, some much larger and more destructive, but the Pole Creek Fire had a unique impact. Location of the fire southwest of town, the contours of the terrain and atmospheric conditions conspired to drop a pall of thick smoke over Sisters day after day in September and October.
The smoke kept visitors away, chased locals from town and had a significant impact on business activity. Concerns about air quality in the schools led the local firm ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc. to install HEPA filters in the schools.
In the wake of the fire, Sisters Economic Development Director Patty Cordoni helped secure the opportunity for businesses to seek Small Business Administration disaster-relief loans.
With the disruption of the fire fresh in their minds, Cascade Avenue merchants raised concerns about the Highway 20/Cascade Avenue renovation project slated to be undertaken in January 2014. Fearful that weeks of closure would kill their businesses, merchants agitated for changes to the plan. Ultimately, merchants, the City of Sisters and the Oregon Department of Transportation agreed to go with an asphalt surface instead of concrete, an option that will require lengthier construction but only partial closures to the roadway.
The Cascade Avenue controversy followed on the heels of another transportation kerfuffle - over the installation of back-in-only parking on Main Avenue. The parking scheme, part of the larger Cascade project, is designed to enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
The move sparked widespread complaint and spotty compliance.
City politics were tumultuous through most of 2012. The year started with an effort by three of the five city councilors to oust City Manager Eileen Stein, citing a need for different leadership. Supporters of Stein rallied to city hall in an emotional public meeting, and Stein held on to her position.
A lengthy mediation ensued, which resulted in somewhat improved relations and more satisfactory communication protocols between Stein, council leadership, and other councilors.
The November election put three new councilors in place. Catherine Childress, Brad Boyd and McKibben Womack will take their seats in January.
Economic signals were mixed in Sisters Country. The real estate market is showing signs of sustained activity, and several new shops and restaurants opened in the downtown area. There was continued attrition, however, and vacancies remain high.
Observers of the local retail scene see a trend toward more "experience-based" shopping. Stores that cater to recreational activities or who provide a unique experience for their customers seem to be holding their own or even thriving in a modest manner in a still-tough economy.
Groundwork for future business activity was laid as the city council cleared the way for Three Creeks Brewing Co. to develop a facility in the industrial park, and voters approved annexation of the Sisters Airport property.
Sisters events continued to draw visitors to town and win acclaim for their quality. The Sisters Rodeo was named Rodeo of the Year on the Columbia River Circuit. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show won acclaim for the Quilt for Two Rivers Project, which created a unique multi-quilt display honoring and supporting restoration work in the Whychus Creek and Metolius River Watersheds.
Those restoration efforts passed a milestone with the redirection of Whychus Creek into a natural meandering course across Camp Polk Meadow this year.
The Sisters Folk Festival marked its first officially sold-out event in September.
While struggling with diminished budgets, Sisters schools continued to burnish strong reputations, with Sisters Elementary School being named a model school. All three schools earned "outstanding" ratings on the Oregon Department of Education 2011-12 report card.
Sisters Park & Recreation District found solid footing in 2012, as it continued to develop programs serving both adults and children in the community.
Education in Sisters Country got a boost from the spectacular take-off of the Sisters Science Club. The club, which provides educational opportunities for all ages, held its first science symposium at Sisters High School in 2012, and sponsored several lectures that drew standing-room only crowds.
The community moved into 2013 with new leadership in key positions, as Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony retired to be replaced by Kristie Miller, who was welcomed to Sisters with a major wildfire.
Chief Roger Johnson took the helm of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District after the retirement of Chief Taylor Robertson.
Sisters Country settled in to greet 2013 with snow on the ground, visitors in town to enjoy winter recreation and time with families, and hope for a more prosperous and less tumultuous year to
come.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
Reader Comments(0)