Defending the Cyrus family

I write today disappointed in a number of my Sisters Country neighbors. Much has been said about the Cyrus family's desire to complete development of the property surrounding Aspen Lakes.

For full disclosure, as an employee of Aspen Lakes, I am an interested observer.

I attended two of the workgroup meetings and was, frankly, appalled at some of the behavior I witnessed. Just to give you a little taste of the experience, I heard one attendee actually say - "let's go to the other side of the room, this side stinks" (she initially entered the room on the same side in which the Cyrus family was located). Another said "I can't believe I have to waste my time fighting this AGAIN." And still another is fighting development here while simultaneously working to develop farmland in the Salem area.

When did it become proper and appropriate behavior to shout down a private landowner and keep them from developing - the "I'm in, close the door" or "not in my back yard" mentality? Have you forgotten at one point or another the land on which your home sits was undeveloped? It's my understanding several of those who are the loudest in protest have benefited from the so called "one-off" legislative, zoning or special site exceptions. Is it not disengenuous to scream at others when one has benefited from a similar process?

Many opposed to the development site "special-favor" legislation as their primary complaint. Unfortunately in Oregon, it has become necessary to work directly with the legislature to get anything of reason done. The Cyrus work via the legislature is neither unusual nor abusive - it's just about the only recourse for developers given the multitude of organizations whose only answer to development is "NO."

The vitriol with which the Cyrus family has been attacked is truly astounding to me.

Perhaps a little history lesson on their community involvement would be helpful to show how truly kind and giving the Cyrus family is.

Cyrus family members were instrumental in the creation and continuation of the Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department (and volunteer to this day), instrumental in expanding the Sisters School District boundaries and re-establishing a high school in Sisters, have in excess of 75 years participation in civic and other volunteer groups and activities in Sisters Country, have donated in excess of $300,000 in cash, materials, services, labor and resources to various efforts in Sisters Country.

They donate water credits to the schools to use for irrigation, they donated the materials and labor to rebuild the baseball field a few years ago.

How about that they have donated, for the past 16 years, the entire course at Aspen Lakes to the high school athletic teams each spring for the Outlaw Open?

For those who scream the loudest with negativity toward them, I'd hazard a guess their civic record dwarfs most, if not all, of theirs. They are active members in the community they have loved and raised family in for more than 6 generations.

Finally, I offer a couple suggestions. Instead of expending huge amounts of negative energy toward the Cyrus family and their development desires, why not genuinely work with them to create an end product of which all can be proud. Or, failing that, if you are dead-set against development of any kind, might I suggest you put your money where your mouth is, acquire the property and donate it to an appropriate cause to ensure the protections you expect on someone else's private property come to fruition.