Letters to the Editor 09/18/2013

To the Editor:

I would like to commend Michelle Ehr for her letter to the editor ("The Nugget" September 11) educating our community about how it is for the residents of the neighborhood near Hardtails.

Having read several of the police reports, I felt that I was aware of much that was happening. However, Michelle's letter put it in so much more human terms. I am hopeful that her letter and the coverage in the newspaper (as well as police reports, which anyone can request to read because they are public record), will enlighten our community as to the scope of what is happening.

I also hope that Hardtails takes this opportunity to resolve all these problems. Thank you, Michelle: It takes bravery to write a letter to the newspaper. It takes even greater courage to stand up when you feel you have been harassed.

Karen Kassy

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To the Editor:

I would like to know how many of the alleged incidences, (not actual ones) at Hardtails involved people who drank elsewhere in town and ended up at Hardtails? There are other bars and a liquor store here in town!

I have been a resident of Sisters for over 14 years now. I have seen multiple businesses move in and out of the Hardtails location. I have been a patron for Hardtails since it opened its doors. The staff and owners are terrific people, they never let anything "and I mean ANYTHING" ever get out of hand. No intoxicated person is ever served another drink; as far as the music issue, Hardtails gets a permit to have its outside venues. It's all legal for them to do so.

So, for those of you who have a personal vendetta against Hardtails - what's your real issue with them?

Hardtails gets blamed for over-serving alcohol because drunks may head over to Hardtails, and then get denied a drink because they are visibly drunk. If you people are going to pick on Hardtails for loud music, when they have a permit to have the outside venue - then you have to complain about Bronco Billy's as well, who in the past has gotten loud and out of control on occasion, and the new place The Belfry - who serves alcohol also - which is close to Hardtails. Did you ever once think about them, and if they are the ones with the loud music? I think not. When indeed it was one of them that Hardtails got called on.

As far as the drunks hanging around town, sleeping in the parks, backyard areas etc., did you ever think that maybe these are homeless folks, maybe locals, and they got their drink-on from out of a brown paper bag bought from the local liquor store - and never stepped one foot on Hardtails property to buy a

drink?

There is a lot of locals who meet at Hardtails for a drink or two, have dinner, know each other, socialize and have fun. The staff and owners know your name, know what you have been up to, share in laughter and look out for you. I have never seen an intoxicated person served a drink, nor have I seen any out-of-control

issues.

Instead of continually picking on Hardtails, get to know them, spend some time there, see for yourself. It's friendly and non-intimidating.

Tracy Anderson

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To the Editor:

Since the designation of the Metolius Loops Scenic Bikeway I have seen a marked increase in the number of cyclists coming into Camp Sherman on the

14 Road.

While this first 3-4 mile stretch is not part of the designated ride, it provides access for the cyclists riding in from Black Butte Ranch or Sisters. It is a highly dangerous section for riders, as the (unposted) speed limit is 55 mph on this shoulder-less winding and shadowed road.

Peak time for cyclists is also peak time for all other recreationists, many of whom do not understand safe passing of cyclists. The intermixing of campers, cars, trucks and cyclists can feel circus-like.

I've witnessed a number of dicey situations between cyclists and vehicles. Sometimes the cyclist is at fault-riding against traffic or two or more abreast. More often the motor-vehicle driver is at fault.

"Share The Road" is an oft-repeated catchphrase. It is meaningless if we don't know HOW to share.

For a two-lane rural road Oregon law states bicyclists must ride as close as practical to the right edge if they are traveling at less than highway speed (ORS 814.430).

Drivers must pass at a safe distance, allowing room for the bicyclist to fall (ORS 811.065).

There is an allowance for passing cyclists in a no-passing zone on a shoulder-less road, but drivers must yield to oncoming traffic (ORS 811.065b).

Businesses and organizations that promote the Metolius Loops need to be putting greater emphasis in their publications reinforcing the importance of staying to the right and better yet, encourage cyclists to avoid the upper portion of the 14 Road all together.

"Caution" signage for motorists diagramming safe passing, and/or signage for cyclists showing "stay right" would be helpful.

Constructing bike lanes is not in the cards for Jefferson County, but perhaps periodic pull-out lanes for cyclists could be considered.

No matter who is at fault in an accident, the cyclist will lose.

Heidi Fernandez

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To the Editor:

Last week, while making my weekly pilgrimage to the Sisters Recycling Center, I went to a bay to place my paper sack of recyclables in, and found someone had stuffed in a large black plastic bag filled with stinky household garbage.

The unattended Sister Recycling Center is one of the greatest environmental gifts we have in Sisters Country. It is criminal (literally) for anyone to use it as a receptacle for household garbage, and yet, some miscreant has done just that. It must be the same one who throws their garbage out on the hiking trails.

Yes, I removed it and placed it in with my household garbage to go to the landfill. The next time I find one, however, I'm going to look through it for some kind of identification and then return it. But I hope there will never be a "next time."

Come on, whoever you are, please, clean up your act!

Jim Anderson

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To the Editor:

We live in Crossroads, just outside the City of Sisters, we are involved in our community; we shop local, volunteer and support our schools, attend Sisters Park & Recreation functions, frequent local restaurants, and donate to non-profit organizations. We realize we are not constituents of our city officials; however, the decisions made by Sisters officials and the U.S. Forest Service can directly affect us.

Crossroads residents care about Sisters and want to see the city and surrounding area thrive, not at the expense of our private community.

I am asking all of the decision makers on the proposed paved trails to reconsider the trail that leads directly to the community of Crossroads. Allow Crossroads to have a say in the design and location of trails around the area we call home. Represent everyone and their needs, preserve the neighborly atmosphere of our community, and bring us together.

We believe the trails in the Sisters area should be a positive addition to the community; however, the current proposed paved trail to Crossroads enters at an emergency fire exit and crosses a private owner's lot before connecting with our Association-owned-and-maintained roads. The owner of the private lot has not consented to this ingress/intrusion on his property. Please consider the STA Final Plan of 2003; a 1.63-mile path from Sisters High School to Crossroads, a path of compact gravel or paved asphalt. Skirt the north side of Crossroads keeping the path closer to Highway 242 and away from private residential properties. There is a win-win option if we work together

for it.

Please consider the rights of all to be heard. Character counts; decision makers should treat the entire community as we all want to be treated.

Thank you,

Bill and Joanne Anttila