Letters to the Editor 03/26/2014

Last updated Mar 25, 2014 12:0pm0

To the Editor:

I would like to commend the City of Sisters for the good work they have recently done in the Creekside Park and Campground by thinning out the undesirable trees. As I walked through the park I noticed that most of the trees that were removed were junipers (Juniperus Occidentalis), and are nothing more than a weed species that robs the surrounding desired conifers of nutrients and water.

In looking over the park, I saw where the City could have removed an additional 10 trees on the creek side that were stunted, pole-size conifers that will eventually become hazard trees. The work I did observe looked professionally done, with no residual damage to healthy leave trees or campsites; Good job.

A park and campground like Creekside is no longer a natural forest environment and should not be thought as such. The development of the site brings in concentrated public use that stresses the environment with increased soil compaction and miscellaneous damage to the vegetation by the public using the site. A park requires constant management to keep it viable and healthy, and at times this management requires the removal of undesirable and stunted, stressed-out trees to keep the more desirable stand healthy.

In my opinion the City is doing a good job.

Gerald Bertagna

Ret. USFS

Sisters

•••

To the Editor:

Where are you, largest industry in Sisters? That precious school district you regularly tout in your marketing is in trouble. There may be some merit to a four-day school week but the perception will be: Less is less.

There is much to be done. The taxes necessary to pay for our school system have to be raised and there needs to be a "decompression" of the impediments to allowing that to happen.

The school district needs to open up its budgeting process to constructive involvement in how its money is spent.

The city and park district should be encouraged to focus their energy on improving the quality of life here. Your fixation on constructing and selling lucrative, big-ticket real estate items has to be changed so that those families enticed to come to Sisters can find an affordable place to live.

There may be fewer of your smiling faces every week in The Nugget if you don't step up to the plate soon.

Roger Detweiler

•••

To the Editor:

At the meeting (of the Sisters School Board and the community on March 12), there was all kinds of talk about listening to the community, and forming working groups, but when it comes down to it, the board has made this decision based on what they "think" the community wants.

They specifically said "no decisions will be made until May 7," but here it is, barely 10 days after getting everyone riled up, and they've decided to completely eliminate what they claimed was the best option, a decision apparently based on listening to the loudest complaints.

As far as I know, there wasn't even a straw poll at the meeting, but they know what we want. What's next?

Julia Huni

•••

To the Editor:

Our family moved to Sisters from the valley last year, choosing this community over Bend even though our jobs are in Bend.

Our choice was influenced by the quality of the Sisters School District. It seemed that most everyone we met during the relocation process told us about the wonderful school district here. Our daughter has had a good fourth-grade year, but now we are disheartened to say the least, about the "actual" situation facing the school district. After reading all the facts and attending the March 12 public meeting, I felt that the four-day option was the best choice offered, and would also be the best for our family. Instead we now may be losing facilities, instructional time, and other resources that keep a school system robust.

Two days ago I was in the position of being the local community member, talking to an acquaintance about why her extended family should come to Sisters rather than Bend with their 12-year-old - for the great schools - when they relocate to Central Oregon next summer. Now, I would not make that recommendation.

I wonder how long we will stay here with our bright young student if the schools decline in quality. Consensus? Not mine - there was never a poll that went out to parents. Those most opposed to the four-day week spoke out strongly at the public meeting. I hope this did not sway the district to make a decision without knowing how everyone feels.

Vikki Rullman

•••

To the Editor:

For more than 35 years, the Kiwanis Club of Sisters has been working actively to help improve our community. The Club's dedication to development and support of programs vital to the health and welfare of all residents of Sisters Country is as diverse as the skills and passions of its members.

In 2008, the Kiwanis Board considered a new program "for adults needing further education or schooling to advance in their present employment or move into a new profession." After setting funding and qualifying parameters, the Board recommended a new Career Opportunity Fund (COF) for adoption by the Club.

Since the creation of COF, 24 Sisters residents have received funding to continue their education. More than $37,000 has been given out during this time period, allocated for COF from Kiwanis Club annual fundraising efforts. However, in recent months the numbers of qualified applicants have exceeded available funds.

The Kiwanis COF Committee has received a matching grant of $3,000 from the Roundhouse Foundation, effective immediately. Kiwanis is soliciting help with the match from its members as well as individuals and organizations who have donated in the past. Should the matching funds exceed the $3,000 target, all donations will go to the COF fund.

Donations to this fund are tax-deductible, and can be sent to:

COF Fund

Sisters Kiwanis Foundation

P.O. Box 1296, Sisters, OR 97759

Tom Worcester

COF Committee

•••

To the Editor:

Recently a column, "Running Commentary," in this newspaper included me as a protagonist (The Nugget, March 19, page 19). I wish to say that anything nice said about me in the commentary is untrue.

The author of the article, Charlie Kanzig, was a high school classmate of mine. We graduated circa 1978. Mr. Kanzig was on student council, wrote for the school newspaper and to this day is an all-around good-guy. I, on the other hand, was voted least likely to succeed by my classmates. Yes, Charlie and I were competitors. We ran together, rode together and in some small way shared experiences that would later define us as adults.

It was a winter day that the runner and the wrestler set out to complete a race. The runner was out to show the wrestler how the world was made. The wrestler was knowledgeable already and was only glad to show the runner his wisdom.

The race began with no fanfare. There were no crowds to cheer the competitors on. The wrestler's lungs burned for oxygen. The runner clearly had the advantage. But the wrestler knew in his mind that his success was in moving his opponent to question his ability. He would lay back, move forward, lay back and move forward, thus trying to test the runner. The runner was not about to slack off. Midway into the race the runner began to increase the pace.

The wrestler then decided the only way to keep up was to glue himself to his opponent's right shoulder. Until the end they spoke little except of a subtle compromise on where to finish. The line was never defined, yet somehow they both knew the race was done.

Neither Mr. Kanzig nor I remember the details of that immure (confined) day. I even remember a different route and place where we finished.

Today Charlie Kanzig and Steve Calavan run very different races. The courses have greater risk, often without reward. It is true that Charlie and Steve limp and wheeze more than they used to and a stroll down the road can have its own terrors. But they have this wonderful story to share with their community. So I end by quoting a recent commentary published in The Nugget March 19, 2014: "The esteem I gained from my tough, resilient, competitive friend, Charlie Kanzig,

remains."

P. S. Charlie, if you ever write about me in glowing terms again I'll get you with my cane. That is, if I can catch you.

Steve Calavan

•••

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Sisters High School Sparrow Club, I would like to let the public know that the deadline for buying sparrow club raffle tickets is April 31. In addition, the cord of firewood was made possible by logs from the city and labor from our very own club.

Thank you!

Devon Calvin

SHS Sparrow Club

•••

To the Editor:

This past year's events in Sisters merit a refresher. Let's review:

Begin: to introduce, activate, launch.

Change: new circumstances, different, adjust.

Collaborate: to work together as a team.

Compassion: consideration, kindness, care.

Connect: to join or unite.

Disclosure: expose, release, admission.