Letters to the Editor 11/27/2013

To the Editor:

Just a short note to emphasize my past letters to the editor about the "Can't fight city hall attitude."

Earlier this summer I wrote a letter about the noise complaints originating from over east of the elementary school, addressing the two acoustic guitars and a hand drum at the outdoor stage at Hardtails in the mid-afternoon. At the time, I went to the city council meeting in person to express my concerns that it appears to be all about who you are in town.

As a good current example of this, I now see that the mayor and city council are proposing to build an outdoor amphitheater, not more than a few blocks from Hardtails, and have already put money down on the land.

Just wait till ya hear the noise from that!

Ask anyone living south of the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend how quiet is it during their concerts. I have friends as far away as Brookswood Avenue that can hear it just fine.

Never mind the cost, parking, housing, and food problems for a facility only available maybe six months out of the year.

Funny how when it is the city hall's idea, it's all good...

Roger A. Engstrom

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To the Editor:

This is my response to Ann Marland's letter last week that was nothing more than name-calling. She accused me of being a basher when in fact she was using this paper to bash me. The editor let this one slip by; normally he keeps name-calling and defamation out of the letters he publishes.

Ann is upset with me because she is an avid supporter of the STA and she thinks I'm against the proposed paved trials connecting Sisters, Crossroads, Tollgate, and Black Butte Ranch. I'm not against the proposal but I'm very much against the abuse of process that has infected this project since day one. The Forest Service has admitted its mistakes and re-opened the process; that's good. Mistakes were made by SPRD and, as a board member of that organization, I've publicly apologized to the STA and Forest Service.

Another concern I have involves the marketing of these trails as a benefit to the disabled when that's not exactly true. My brother has been wheelchair-bound most of his life. The Forest Service, in a recent public meeting, confirmed these trails will not be ADA-compliant and will not be kept clear of ice and snow; a must for wheelchair access. However, if federal money is involved, they must do exactly that.

I want federal dollars that have been earmarked to include benefits to the disabled to not be diverted to benefit others at the exclusion of the disabled. The only grant still pending involves federal money. Maybe there are other funding sources for recreational trails that don't have these restrictions. The STA and Forest Service should look for funding that is not in conflict with their design and maintenance plans; or alternatively, they should bring their plans into conformance with the available funding.

Mike Morgan

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To the Editor:

The proposed amphitheater raises a number of questions.

First, what is the vision for future development for Sisters that this fits into? Could promoters put together a picture of where they see Sisters in 10 years including this project?

Second, does the proposal make business sense? Who would own it, who would pay for it, who would use it (and when, including winter) and would it pay for itself? Finally, how would traffic and parking actually be handled? I would certainly think that the re-routing of traffic via N. Locust and W. Barclay would both be an absolute requirement, and a boon to Cascade Avenue.

I realize that there is a lot to be resolved, and hope these questions will be on the agenda.

Lou Thompson

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To the Editor:

Thank you to all of those who came out to The Belfry to support me as I walk this cancer journey. Cancer is a killer, but it also comes with its gifts. Friendships have been deepened and are even more appreciated, and new connections have been made as I learn how many of you have walked this way before me. Your prayers, kind words of support and assistance have given me strength to face whatever may come.

Gary and I are humbled and deeply grateful for the financial support we have received. It has helped to alleviate fears about being unable to work while the bills stack up so quickly from all the tests, surgeries and medicines needed to overcome this disease.

Whatever lies ahead, I have been and will remain fortified by the love, gentle hugs and kind words from so many of you. My family and I will forge ahead better able to handle the unanswered questions, treatments and fears that come our way. We are so grateful to live in a place where love is plentiful and people still take the time to lend their support to those in need.

Katy Yoder

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To the Editor:

Regarding the proposed trail plans: Tollgate received notification, objected and the planned trail was moved away from their homes, closer to Hwy. 126.

Crossroads was not contacted. In 2013 we learned to our dismay that the plan to build a 10-foot wide paved path leading to the Crossroads east fire exit was planned by Sisters Trail Alliance in 2011. When Crossroads found out and objected in June 2013, we were told by Sisters Ranger District it was all laid out and final, no input would be taken. STA wanted to pave the fire exit lane loaned to the association for use as escape routes and for Crossroads residents. The property owner on Bluegrass Loop east fire exit does want their private property paved. All fire exits were opened during the 2006 and 2012 fires.

This is a dumb plan for all of us that live along the paved path proposed area. We don't want it, don't need it, didn't ask for it, and you did not ask us if we wanted or needed it. It is not safe to bring children and women into an isolated forest path. It is an invitation for strangers to enter Crossroads, inviting trouble. I am a senior, 91, and there are other seniors and handicapped here. This paved path would create and is creating more stress and worry than benefit.

Crossroads private roads are not part of a public trail system. All that is needed is to keep the trail that leads Crossroads to Sisters High School along Highway 242 on the north side. It is a straight line, no homes in sight, just the open beauty of nature in safe view.

Crossroads is a private residential community. With my fixed income, I pay my annual assessment dues to Crossroads to take care of the road repair and snow-plowing, not for my private roads to be opened to the public. Please respect me and my community.

Betty Hoffmann