Letters to the Editor 06/25/2014

To the Editor:

Kudos to Kristie Miller of the Sisters Forest Service for her due diligence in revisiting the much debated Crossroads/Tollgate/Black Butte bike path and ultimately expressing the overwhelming opinion of Crossroads residents by abandoning the first stage of the troubled trail.

Miller's decision is doubly significant in that it effectively nullifies the primary supposition put forth by those who continue to push for the controversial project: That there is a widespread strong feeling of "need" throughout the Sisters community for an asphalt path to "connect our community." (Yes, "need" as opposed to "want," as those agencies responsible for issuing grant money to fund such projects tend to turn a deaf ear to "wants" and are more inclined to reward demonstrated "needs." Despite intense efforts, The Asphalters have been unsuccessful in convincing any governmental agency that such a need truly exists and so far have been denied any tax payer funding).

Evidently, the residents of Crossroads were unaware that they were suffering from acute Disconnectia, and opted to take a pass when offered a solution to a problem that they didn't know existed.

There is a large (and growing) group of Tollgate residents that share the exact same concerns as the majority of Crossroads residents that were opposed to the Crossroads/Tollgate/Black Butte asphalt path. We that stand opposed to the multi-million dollar project are extremely encouraged by Ms. Miller's decision, and are hopeful that Ms. Miller will continue to carefully examine all sides of the issue when next considering the Tollgate/Black Butte Ranch section of the proposal.

Now that Crossroads is no longer a part of the plan, it truly would just be a bike path between the two spots that would cost in excess of a million dollars, is fraught with devastating environmental ramifications, and clearly lacks unified community support.

Greg Werts

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To the Editor:

We have lived in Sisters for eleven years and have seen this town move forward with improvement's to infrastructure, parks, and overall appearance. It's time to say a hearty thank you to our city employees who work very hard to meet the demands of a growing community.

We are grateful to the employees of the public works department. They work tirelessly to make our town a fine place to live. Weekends are not exempt from the regular work week for many of them.

The Colorado spruce trees placed along the perimeter of Creekside RV Park create a safe and beautiful landscape for campers, neighbors and visitors. Many thanks to Paul Bertagna, Andrew Gorayeb, Pauline Hardie and the utility employees who made that happen.

Our town is beginning to sparkle with all of the improvements that have been made.

Lynn and Janet Baker

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To the Editor:

Following my retirement from a 32-year career as a high school teacher and Special Ed Resource Specialist, I began a new position as a Special Ed paraprofessional with Sisters School District in 2007.

My daughter graduated from SHS in 2008. At that time there were various programs in Sisters, including German, French, and Spanish. There were several PE teachers, vocal and instrumental band teachers, fulltime paraprofessionals, and even had a librarian at each school. There were also enrichment programs and staff to operate them that made Sisters schools special.

I counted staff that the district has lost over the past six years to retirement (sometimes without replacement), and those laid-off. I quit counting after 36. The certified and classified unions have foregone COL's, merit raises, health insurance adjustments, in order to fiscally assist the district meet the budget shortfall for several years.

Classified staff, the lowest paid in the district, have taken the brunt of the "budget crisis" with terminations, layoffs, and cut hours. Several very talented staff have resigned in frustration with the current leadership. Many staff are hesitant to voice their opinions about the administration for fear of losing their employment.

I understand the district may pay for PR services by raising donated funds to increase student enrollment. This is a band-aid (on) the continued failed budgets over the last few years. In my opinion word of mouth and quality programs are the best PR to keep students.

There are 300 fewer students (than 2007), less programs, and fewer staff to supervise, yet the administrative pay has remained the same, if not increased.

At several town meetings the Superintendent said (referring to staff), "if you don't like the way it is then leave. Go somewhere else." May I suggest it is easy to make this statement by someone making over $100,000 per year. Would it be to rash to propose that the superintendent make a good faith gesture to help the district and its ongoing budget crisis by taking a 10 percent reduction in salary? Maybe it is time to "farm out" the administrative duties to ESD until fiscal times improve in Sisters.

Bill Anttila

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To the Editor:

Rachel Marsden's column in your June 18, 2014 issue is a puzzling piece. Who does she think she is? Ms. Marsden is telling us all about the CIA in one instance, and then suggests that we shouldn't know anything about it - which we don't - in another. Is she an insider? Has she actually witnessed CIA personnel "warming ergonomic chairs in embassies?" I would imagine that there are at least a few CIA folks who risk their lives regularly for the benefit of the rest of us - just like our military personnel.

I wonder if, perhaps, Ms. Marsden has run out of material. Is this the best she has to offer? Does anyone really care whether the CIA has a Twitter account?

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Ms. Marsden is a Canadian. While I personally feel that our neighbors to the North are our good friends, I'd like to know what business is it of hers how the U.S. Government spends its dollars? Perhaps Ms. Marsden would find herself more comfortable in France, where I understand she has lived, and may be a better fit.

In the future, please consider a column from an alternative source, whose views might have more meaning for us here in Sisters and the surrounding area.

John Meaney