News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sisters enters 2014 preparing for a major renovation project on Cascade Avenue. Preliminary work on the project launched in August, and work begins in earnest this month.
The region showed signs of economic recovery as the housing market showed gathering strength and several new businesses - especially new art galleries - opened in downtown Sisters. The City of Sisters completed a water-line improvement project that updated several old lines in the downtown area.
The City saw significant change as a new city council negotiated the controversial departure of longtime City Manager Eileen Stein. Andrew Gorayeb was tapped as her temporary replacement in April and named permanent city manager in July. After a lengthy search, Economic Development for Central Oregon named Caprielle Foote-Lewis to the post of economic development manager in Sisters.
A major upgrade of Sisters Eagle Airport kicked off in March and was celebrated with a fly-in over the Fourth of July Weekend. The airport is currently in the process of being annexed into the city limits.
Sisters Habitat for Humanity marked a major milestone, building their 50th home in Sisters, while the Sisters Kiwanis Club built a new food bank. Black Butte Ranch homeowners approved an $11.5 million renovation project for the Ranch's pool area.
The City of Sisters unveiled a preliminary proposal for a community amphitheater on land near the Sisters Post Office.
On the education front, Sisters voters passed a renewal of its local option tax in a landslide, while partnerships with the Sisters Science Club, the Sisters Folk Festival, and other community organizations continued to enhance educational opportunities for local students.
The Outlaws boys soccer team earned a state championship, as did individual swimmer Mary Stewart. Outside the schools, Sisters athletes fared well. Ryan Hudson set state weightlifting records and local masters swimmer Tom Landis continued to dominate his sport.
Former Outlaws sports standout Jenna Sneva prevailed in another arena, seeing Jenna's Law passed by the legislature. Sneva suffers from severe post-concussion syndrome and the law named in her honor increases requirements for youth sports to manage concussions to prevent recurring injury.
Local builder Glenn Miller was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA), marking a long career built on standards of excellence.
Sisters Country saw its share of ongoing controversies. A proposed system of paved trails in the area generated a significant amount of heat, as proponents extolled the benefits of access and opponents expressed concerns about privacy, cost, and terms under which grants were sought.
Legislation that would have permitted additional development of property owned by the Cyrus family in the Aspen Lakes area stalled in the Oregon legislature. A subsequent effort to build consensus for similar legislation fizzled out in the face of organized and adamant opposition from neighbors and environmental groups.
At the end of the year, food-stand owner Ky Karnecki filed suit against the City and several individuals, alleging violations of his rights in an ongoing battle over the status of his temporary business.
Sisters saw an unusual spate of criminal activity in August as a Texas man shot himself at the end of a vehicle chase involving several Oregon State Police units. Police arrested Joshua Jokinen in connection with the murder of Sisters-area resident Carolyn Grace Burdick.
Sisters Country avoided the scourge of a major wildland blaze, but did not escape the tragic fallout of wildfire. John Hammack, a longtime Sisters-area resident, rodeo cowboy and tree-faller was killed when a snag he was working on fell and crushed him.
The Sisters community wrapped up 2013 with its customary outreach, giving meals, gifts, and pet-food to those in need. The annual outreach is symbolic of a community that, while it has its differences, continues to come together in an effort to enhance a quality of life that all seek out and value.
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.
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