Letters to the Editor 07/16/2014

To the Editor:

It's hard to figure out what's going on with the school district. A year ago, all was rosy. There was plenty of money to restore the reduced number of school days and to add well-paid administrators. The community even extended the additional tax levy for the district for another five years.

Then, out of the blue, came word of a projected $800,000 deficit for this year and the specter of a four-day school week at the expense of district support staff. And now we have the announcement of the addition of yet another administrative job at the high school, resulting in the need for a new principal at the grade school. The superintendent says he will be too busy to do any of their work since he will be implementing the presumed approval of a bond issue.

Negotiations with teachers and support staff are said to be ongoing. What with a now $500,000 deficit and an ever-burgeoning management staff, it doesn't look too good for those who teach our children and provide teachers with classroom assistance, maintain district facilities, provide clerical support, cook the lunches, and drive the school buses.

Roger Detweiler

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To the Editor:

It is obvious that there is controversy over the proposed paved trail being advocated between Sisters and the communities of Tollgate and Black Butte Ranch. I guess it depends on your perspective.

The USFS project report indicates that 250-plus trees will be cut down to create this path. These are mature trees, and if you use 18 inches as the average diameter (4.5 feet above ground), and plug that into the National Tree Benefits calculator, http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator, you will learn that each one of those trees (assuming ponderosa pine) can absorb 341 pounds of atmospheric carbon every year. If you replant 250 seedlings today, it will take 50 years for those seedlings to mature to a level equal to the current ability to sequester the destructive effects of atmospheric carbon.

That loss over 50 years calculates at 4,262,500 pounds of atmospheric carbon.

It seems hypocritical for us to point our finger at China, or the countries where the Amazon rain forests are being decimated, and say those people are the cause of global warming if we are willing to do the very same thing in our own little community. Sure, the scale does not compare, but the attitude sure does.

I understand why some folks want the paved trail, but I do not understand how anyone can look the other way when it comes to global warming. A little global warming in a lot of little communities goes a long way. The destruction of our environment should not be tolerated for the benefit of a few.

Ed Protas

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To the Editor:

I'd like to echo Linda Davis's sentiments.

I'm looking forward to using the trail, away from the noise, smell and danger of high-speed traffic.

This will be an amenity we in Sisters Country can use ourselves, as well as something with which we can entertain visitors, especially those less able to mountain bike or partake of our backcountry trails.

There was a meeting several months ago about alternatives to the proposed Sisters amphitheater where a desire for family-friendly activities was a notable chord - I think this trail will help.

I'd like to thank the Sisters Trails Alliance and USFS for their vision and efforts on behalf of our community.

Stephen Bryan

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To the Editor:

I am writing to voice my support of the paved trail connecting Sisters/Tollgate/Black Butte, and to compliment the Sisters District Ranger, Kristie Miller, on the process she went through to reach this

decision.

As an avid cyclist and cross-country skier, I believe that this trail will be extensively used in the summer and winter months. I believe that his trail will also be beneficial to both the elderly and disabled, as well as young families walking and jogging with strollers.

I also believe that this paved trail will promote tourism and the economic development of Sisters. This fits in nicely with the considerable efforts already made by the trail alliance to develop and promote both road biking and mountain biking.

The research in Oregon and other states demonstrates that this trail will not lead to an increase in crime. Just as this trail will not increase the likelihood of mountain lions threatening our pets and children, people with criminal intent are not likely to use a bike trail to go on a crime spree. The 200-page environmental assessment document similarly reveals that this trail will not have any negative impact on plant life, fish, or endangered wild animals. No large trees need to be removed.

Similarly, objections raised by Tollgate residents were addressed, and the location of the trail was moved to accommodate these concerns.

Concerns regarding the potential costs have also been addressed, as this trail will be built without taxpayer money.

This trail will be a wonderful benefit to a wide variety of our citizens and will promote the economic growth and wellbeing of our community. My hat is off to Ms. Miller. This decision is a shining example of a good result of a process that was transparent, responsive and

thorough.

Glen J. Lasken