Letters to the Editor 08/28/2013

To the Editor:

Wednesday's paper (August 14) had an article in it re: Andrew Gorayeb, the new city manager, expressing his desire to work with dedicated people and "have fun." Mayor Boyd commented to have "projects that benefit residents, businesses and visitors." So my questions is: Is it fun for the city council to select a business (Hardtails Bar and Grill) and portray them as being an irresponsible owner because of complaints to the sheriff's office?

I personally called the sheriff's office and was told by the deputy that the complaints were not excessive and that there seemed to be an unusual amount of police presence at the business, which was not complaint-oriented, and was like the police were waiting for something to happen, and I should perhaps convey my concerns to the city council.

My concern is possible harassment by people who seem to think they have power. Perhaps the sheriff, mayor, and especially the city manager Andrew Gorayeb, should work with business owners to solve possible problems and have a relationship that will benefit the residents, businesses, and visitors, which is the city's goal. Trying to close a business should not be a goal.

Judith Dewane

To the Editor:

I live on Main Avenue, and it seems that many folks are in a hurry as they cruise Main. But please, if you could, be extra careful this year, as the number of fawns seems to be more than usual.

Mike Haley

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To the Editor:

"Safe Trails to Schools" sounds good. However, the current proposal has children crossing Highway 242 at W. McKinney Butte Road. This is a very busy intersection, semi-blind curve, on Highway 242, in the morning, and even worse in the afternoon.

A safer route would be to cross Highway 242 at the entrance to Crossroads, (traffic is reduced between November and June with winter road closures). Keep children, and the trail, on the north side of Highway 242 and in plain sight of the road. Is a trail that goes deep into the forest really a safe route to school?

School bus travel already provides a safe route to school.

Recreational trails for the good of the greater community seem fine except when they cross private property to access private roads without a vote or input of the owners involved. Don't bring the paved trail to the Bluegrass Fire Exit on into Crossroads, which is private property, without having a property owners'

discussion.

The USFS mailed 505 letters to Tollgate property owners. They were allowed to comment on the proposal and succeeded in getting the paved trail moved closer to Highway 20 and away from Tollgate residences. Crossroads was not given the same consideration. Had we not been ignored the community might have come together with a win-win solution. Pave closer to Highway 242 and away from private residential property and do not connect to an emergency fire exit on to private property. As a Crossroads property owner I am asking the USFS to offer the same courtesy to Crossroads that they did to Tollgate.

The Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) solicited from the board of the Crossroads Owners Association a letter of support necessary to "stay in play" for ODOT funding. STA has said, "if there is no funding there is no project" that it's "just a proposals until funding is found." STA minutes have characterized Crossroads Association as saying, "Crossroads HOA supports the project." This is a misrepresentation; Crossroads Property Owners Association (which includes every property owner) has never been surveyed or asked to vote on the current proposal.

Joanne Anttila

Crossroads resident

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To the Editor:

They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone

They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot

They took all the trees, and put them in a tree museum

Then they charged the people a dollar-and-a-half just to see 'em

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone

They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot

Lyrics by Joni Mitchell. Title: Big Yellow Taxi

This says it all, in my opinion.

Crossroads resident,

Diane Cooper

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To the Editor:

Thank you to all who helped paint the cyclone fence surrounding the ODOT maintenance facility on the Redmond highway - it looks SO much better!

Judy Bull