Letters to the Editor 09/17/2014

To the Editor:

A couple of weeks ago, after helping to conduct a public viewing of the stars at the high school, another member of the Sisters Astronomy Club and I drove through town to see how the new street lights looked on Cascade Avenue.

We were shocked at how much glare they put out. They are much worse in that regard than the previous lights.

When the citizens of Sisters were invited to weigh in how they wanted a refurbished Cascade Avenue to look with regard to what kinds of trees they wanted to see, the type of benches, the kind of paving stone, and the style of street lamps, I went to City Hall and told them I really didn't care what the street lights looked like but they needed to comply with the city's outdoor lighting ordnance. They assured me that whichever light was chosen would comply with the lighting ordinance.

So, the one thing I thought was important about the Cascade Avenue Project was botched.

To the City's credit, they admit the new lights violate the lighting ordinance and they will be working with ODOT to come up with a fix.

Sisters is advertised as a dark-sky-friendly town. It is even recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as being proactive in helping to preserve the wonderful view of the stars that we still enjoy here. I urge the citizenry of Sisters, particularly the city planners, to take this issue seriously, because if we don't, our dark skies will eventually vanish. Should that happen, I might as well move back to Portland. Until then, however, I choose to stay and fight for what is precious to me.

Ron Thorkildson

s s s

To the Editor:

I found out in November that I was in kidney failure and went to Legacy Hospital numerous times for testing. All of the health tests were normal.

They put me on two lists: one for people over 50 years old and one for any donor. At the end of the testing they told me to advertise everywhere to let people know of my need. People don't know about the need unless you get the word out.

The person who will be my donor will have all their medical bills - pre-surgery checking, surgery, and post-surgery care - covered by my insurance.

I can only accept an O+ kidney.

If you can help, contact Legacy Hospital at 503-413-6538. Ask for Lisa Morrison, the wait list management coordinator.

Wanda Heller

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To the Editor:

Recently I read in The Nugget about three of our high school graduates, all involved in engaging and inspiring enterprises. Proof perfect what a good school system can do for our young people. We have read of others, out making a difference in society. That is the goal of our school district and one it can only achieve with community support.

When we moved here in 1991, Sisters didn't have a high school. Since then two facilities have been built, new classrooms have been added to the elementary school and a pre-school and pre-k education lab has been added to the offerings for our youngest citizens. Our students consistently rate high in achievement, and the Sisters School Foundation has diligently provided funding. We have become a model for other districts.

We can applaud our school district, however, we are at a crossroads. We are being asked to vote on a bond issue for maintenance and upgrading of equipment. There are many reasons these funds are needed: Safety and security of the kids, enhanced environment that makes quality teaching possible, maintenance and improvements that capitalize on updated ways to conserve energy, to name just a few.

Currently, our stadium does not meet the Americans With Disabilities Act, keeping some from watching their children or grandchildren participate in events. The speaker system at the high school is difficult to understand.

Visitors from around the world who attend classes at the high school during quilt show week need to leave with a sense of awe over the facility they've been enjoying.

Our School Board is asking us to vote "yes" on November 4. To stay in the forefront of education and to protect the investment we've inherited, we must vote "yes." Voting "yes" is an investment in our kids and the entire community.

Edie Jones

s s s

To the Editor:

On August 25, I went to the City of Sisters RV Park and made a reservation for space #10 for a one-week stay beginning on August 28 with the RV park's camp host, and I was told I needed to pay for the entire week to complete the reservation. I did pay ($240 cash) and was handed my printed confirmation and receipt with park rules and regulations from the camp host.

Our plans changed and I called to cancel, and then was informed that this reservation cannot be canceled and there will not be any refund, as noted on their reservation page on the RV park's website. I then explained that I made the reservation in person at the park and there was no mention of this policy and it is not even on the confirmation/receipt given out at the park by the host.

I asked to speak to someone higher up the food chain and was told this person was not in and would be in the next day, and that a medical condition might qualify for a refund. The next morning I went to City Hall and met with Julie and was told in short, "Sorry, there is nothing she can do and that the camp host should have told me of the policy, as they are trained to do, but no refund," unless there is a medical condition.

I produced my wife's recent medical records from both Bellingham, Washington, and Bend, Oregon. I received a polite smile and was told she would submit a request for refund to the city council. The only thing she wanted a copy of was our reservation/confirmation receipt and said they needed to add the policy to it and guess what the decision has been.

Our request was denied by the city council, but we could appeal their decision, according to Julie's phone call.

Due to my wife's condition our vacation was cut short and our next reservation at Belknap Resort and Spa, which was set to begin on the September 4, was also canceled, and unlike the City of Sisters they even waived the one-day penalty and canceled our reservation in a professional manner.

In over 20 years of RVing, this is the only time I have had this happen, and the space that we had reserved was rented out to another traveler in a fifth-wheel trailer that our friends took pictures of and sent to us. Talk about double-dipping.

I am not going to go away. Who knows, maybe this will end up on Judge Judy some day down the road.

R. Paul Kingsley

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To the Editor:

The USFS has issued its Final Environmental Analysis and Draft Decision Notice on the Sisters to Black Butte Ranch trail. A formal objection letter was filed by concerned citizens August 16.

The main objections filed are as follows: Scoping procedure flawed since BBR not scoped; misleading the public concerning need for the trail; not addressing security and trespass issues; disregarding ODFW recommendation on trail location; minimizing fragmentation of deer and elk habitat; minimizing effect of human intrusion on wildlife; not addressing concerns about increased risk of deer/vehicle collision on Hwy. 20; misleading public in regards to support for the trail; misleading the public concerning STA's ability to maintain trail; not informing the public that taxpayer money will likely be required to maintain the

trail.

If concerned, please express your concerns to John Allen, forest supervisor at: [email protected]

Steve Madsen

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To the Editor:

Come this Friday, September 19, you may notice some new flags beneath the U.S. flag at either end of Cascade Avenue.

The flags are very black, meant to evoke the memories of U.S. soldiers that were prisoners of war and those still missing in action (POW - MIA). As of 2011, there are 1,711 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War.

These flags are reminders of those loved ones who went off to war, with some never to return home. The third Friday in September is known as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

In 1990, the 105th Congress authorized this day of recognition. This act came about through the National League of Families of American POW/MIA in Southeast Asia. This flag has become a symbol beyond Southeast Asia, to include all wars.

The flag is black with white printing. In the center is a disk bearing a silhouette of a bust of a man, a watchtower with a guard on patrol. A strand of barbed wire is above the disk with the letters POW and MIA framing a white star. Below the disk is a white wreath with the motto "You Are Not Forgotten."

Sisters veterans have been helping post and retire our national colors on Cascade Avenue for the past six years.

Earl Schroeder,

Veteran, USAF

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To the Editor:

Back on August 20, Jean Nave wrote: "When school kids want to raise money, where do they go first? They go to Sisters merchants. Will they be able to ask the tent people for financial support of local school needs? Of course not. The tent people will be gone."

While I understand the qualms between Sisters merchants and the "tent people," I wonder (who showed) up this weekend at the Sisters Fall Street Festival (to) donate money to the Sisters High School Visual Arts Fund? In fact, no locals did. I saw tons of locals this weekend; buying barbecue, enjoying the free entertainment, and buying "tent people" goods. Additionally, many non-locals and locals alike were seen in merchant stores and local restaurants as well.

Do you want to know who did donate to the visual arts fund? Those "tent people" and one girl. Yes, those horrid "tent people" donate their wares to be auctioned off and sold (after which was given to the students to auction at another fundraiser) and ONE fresh-out-of-high-school-girl, who said "art was what got me through school."

She gave $1.

This show has been going on for years, and the locals know it. They know what the fundraiser was for. And those that were new in town saw the sign posted just below the folk festival's.

If you want to support the future of the beautiful Sisters Country, maybe you should realize that there is more than one way to support your community. And maybe next time you'll come out of the comfort of your air conditioned store and help the needs of your local school.

Think about that.

Shauna Ozbun

Sisters High School Class of 2005 and Visual Arts Student

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To the Editor:

In April of 1988, my family made the journey from Sitka, Alaska, and relocated to Sisters.

It was a dream of my parents to start a business and raise their family here. When I started school at Sisters Elementary, there was no high school. My mother told me that high school kids had to catch a bus at 6:30 a.m. that would take them to Redmond High School. As a 7-year-old, I was not looking forward to that. However, there was a group of committed, forward-thinking citizens who recognized that the time had come to build a high school after sending our kids to Redmond for 25 years.

Our schools are very fortunate for the tremendous community support they receive. But our community also understands that it's to our benefit to strive to have the best schools in the region. Not only do we no longer send our kids to Redmond, but as of this year we have now over 80 kids that attend Sisters Schools from outside Sisters! That's right - the bus turned around and now it heads for Sisters Country.

The quality of our facilities are a major factor when families decide where they want to send their kids. Budget cuts over the last few years have prohibited the district from keeping up on adequate maintenance of our facilities to maintain the quality educational experience that Sisters schools are known by.

On November 4, we have the opportunity to continue our community's commitment to quality schools by voting YES on the School Bond.

Finally, as a graduate of the building that wasn't here when my family moved here, I want to say thank you to all the local citizens for all your support over the years. As a community member and parent of future Outlaws, I ask you to join me in acknowledging the value of living in a community that invests in great schools. Please vote YES for the School Bond on November 4.

Justin Durham