Letters to the Editor 09/24/2014

To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse the Sisters School bond in the upcoming election. As one of the largest private employers in Sisters, I have found that the outstanding quality of our schools is an important factor in recruiting and retaining exceptional employees.

When we are able to attract high-income professionals to move their families to Sisters, the local economy is strengthened. They purchase property, groceries, and consumables in Sisters. This supports other businesses and their employees. Additional kids bring more revenue to the schools.

Property values are higher in Sisters than any other area in Central Oregon. I believe this is a direct result of our outstanding schools. And even with the passage of this bond, we will still have the lowest tax rate in Central Oregon.

Please join me in protecting all of our investments in Sisters by investing in our schools. Vote YES on the Sisters school bond initiative in November.

Julie Benson

Owner, Energyneering Solutions, Inc. and Sisters Airport

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To the Editor:

We love the Sisters community. The people here are some of the most amazing people we've ever run across.

We are in a tight position here, though. While the schools go above and beyond and there are many services to help those in need, there is a serious lack of affordable housing. Where are people that work at minimum-wage jobs here in Sisters supposed to live? What about families that make more than minimum wage, but still can't afford $1,500 to $2,000 a month in rent?

The apartments are full with a waiting list, Habitat homes can take years to get into, and any affordable home in Sisters or the surrounding area, including Redmond, that we've called on has already had dozens of calls and emails within hours of posting a listing.

I urge those of you with second homes, vacation homes, realtors, and property managers to help turn this situation around for those in the Sisters area in serious need of an affordable home.

Lani Davis

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To the Editor:

Editor's note: A group of Sisters citizens wrote to R. Paul Kingsley in response to his letter regarding a disputed refund from Creekside Campground.

Dear Mr. Kingsley -When we read your letter in last week's Nugget we were concerned that you received an unfavorable opinion of Sisters based upon your inability to receive a refund of your reservation deposit after your wife developed health problems. We assure you that Sisters is a caring community and that we go out of our way to make everyone welcome. Shortly after we read your letter we decided to "pass the hat" and, in short order, we had collected enough to repay you for your lost

deposit.

After we collected the $240 we learned that the City of Sisters had changed its stance and decided to refund your money. I polled those who had donated the money to reimburse you and they unanimously agreed to send you the money anyway as an expression of our hope that you will give Sisters another visit soon.

If you will contact me I will arrange to send you the $240, along with our best wishes.

Jerry W. Hanford (on behalf of several citizens of Sisters)

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To the Editor:

I don't admit to knowing everything, not by a long shot, but I know that residents of Sisters will soon have the power to vote for a bond measure that will fund maintenance in the Sisters School District.

I know some will think, "Didn't we just build those schools? They need maintenance money already?" I also know that my child was told last year to wear long underwear to school for a few days because the furnace was unable to keep the school warm enough. I know that both of my children rode to school on a bus, in freezing weather, that had at least three windows that could not close and no heat. Mind you not every day, but often enough to complain.

I know that for these reasons alone I will vote for the bond measure because the children in Sisters should have every opportunity to learn in an environment that is safe and healthy and nurturing. Not in an environment where they are just trying to keep from freezing.

Laurie Farley

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To the Editor:

People ask me why I started the Taste of Sisters/Mayor's Ball and what's different about it.

I wanted there to be an event in our community that could affordably include anyone and everyone. People could come together, help out with important causes, eat an amazing variety of food, have a great time and feel included. Many times, charity events are expensive to attend. I find myself wanting to go, but the cost is prohibitive. I've heard this same sentiment from other people, too. I came up with the idea of a sliding-scale event. The cost is anywhere from $15 to $50, paying what feels right. This way, I hoped anyone who wanted to attend could come: dressing anywhere from fun to fancy, eating fabulous food, and dancing to a really great band.

We called it the "Mayor's Ball" - getting the idea of the name from other communities. I organized this event myself, without any government involvement or money. Because it's Sisters, I knew I could ask all of our restaurants to donate delicious prepared food and they would probably say "Yes." They did: nearly every restaurant in Sisters was represented.

Other people and businesses volunteered and donated support, too. Last year was our first year.

I loved the feedback I received from our first year. People did feel included and that they made a difference, because 100 percent of the proceeds ($2,700) went to the Kiwanis Food Bank (they help an average of 100 families a month in our town).

People also suggested I change the name of the event to "Taste of Sisters," because of all the food. This year, Saturday, October 4, beginning at 6 p.m., our event is going to be even better. There will still be lots of food, and we'll have Nathan Woodworth offering comedy before the Moon Mountain Ramblers kick off their danceable music blend.

The food bank, along with Furry Friends, will receive the proceeds. Please go buy your ticket now. We need to have an accurate head count, so that we have the right amount of food. That's why tickets are only available in advance. Please go to Eurosports well before October 4 to purchase your ticket for the Taste of Sisters/Mayor's Ball.

Karen Kassy

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To the Editor:

Sisters and the area encompassing the Sisters School District are generous. In the past, the taxpayers in this area have funded the district's plans. This includes the middle and high schools. The current request for $14.5 million however, is a boondoggle.

The Sisters School Board should be ashamed of this bond request. First, if there are systemic problems with the high school HVAC and roof, why isn't the school district pursuing legal recourse against the contractor? As previously stated in The Nugget, these systems have never worked correctly. Why should a bond be necessary for repair issues that a responsible district should handle within their current budget or through reasonable litigation?

This goes for all maintenance issues that are premature because of poor construction techniques or materials. Second, the technical updates specified are luxuries on the backs of taxpayers. I am confident many readers would like to upgrade their personal technical equipment but persevere with what they own. The core mission of the district can be readily accomplished without these opulent purchases. Substance should override vanity.

Third and most importantly, this bond request demonstrates poor decision-making at the district level. The elephant in the room is the future and how the district reacts to the changing demographics in this area. Trying to attract students from Bend or Redmond is not going to solve the enrollment and funding issues. Clearly Sisters and the surrounding district is a magnate for retirees who do not have school-age children. This trend will continue, so the pool of school-age children will continue to decline as they cycle out of the system. I could see the district returning to voters again and again in the future asking for more money.

The district needs to make some hard decisions to rein in costs, starting with the elementary school. That facility should be closed, the land sold and the current middle school set to accommodate K-8 students. I would like to see the school board internally make better decisions, showing the community they understand the future and are working diligently toward fiscally responsible outcomes within their current budget. This bond measure request shows that instead of facing issues constructively and responsibly, they are simply laying their responsibilities on the

taxpayer.

This bond is not reasonable and I urge you to vote NO.

Sean Palagyi

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To the Editor:

Two years ago my husband and myself purchased our second home in Sisters. We immediately fell in love with the town and the lovely townspeople.

All was idyllic until we heard of Celia Hung and her partner Richard Esterman. These two individuals have changed the way we and many others look at our favorite small town.

Not only have they initiated unrest among the business owners, they are continuing to burn bridges in relation to Sisters homeowners.

Their newest project is the building of the hotel on the edge of the Pine Meadow Village property. When we purchased our property we were informed of the proposed building. At that time the hotel was envisioned as a small boutique hotel.

Truth be told, the hotel is going to be three stories, blocking out any mountain views and making this the first view that visitors coming into Sisters will see. Although the building height of three stories is not allowed in Sisters, this hotel site was approved by Deschutes County nearly 12 years ago.

Are the citizens of Sisters ready for this California investor to take charge of our town and turn it into her own? I hope not. Let's not let our future and the future of the Sisters community fall into the hands of someone whose primary goal is financial.

It's time to take our town back. Contact your elected city officials and let them know your thoughts. It's never too late. The final proposal will come before the city council by December 31, 2014.

Susan Thompson

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To the Editor:

I feel a need to share my reasons I'm voting "yes" on the upcoming school bond. We need to support our schools in order to continue a strong Sisters community.

If we don't have people coming here to raise their children in this town, it will just be another "retired" community! They are our future; they are our hope.

If you spend any time with the Sisters students, you will agree that the "politics" isn't what they experience. They have a strong sense of community. Check our records on performance and you will see we are rated as one of the top school districts in Oregon.

That is why we moved here; that is why our grandchildren are here. Please don't let the politics of our town interfere with your support of our children. I've seen the fallout from that in California from proposition 13!

Zoe Willitts

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To the Editor:

It is with consternation that I am likely voting no on the school bond measure for Sisters. I am joined in this feeling by many residents and former school district employees who are disgusted with the disregard of employees. They are treated with disrespect and a failure to consider the support many have been in our schools for many, many years. 

Angi Gardinier was very quietly fired at the end of the last school year from her school-bus management job. She was six months from serving the district for 30 years, and six months from fully vested retirement. There was no ceremony to thank her for all those years. There was no parting gift, no expression of thanks. 

This alone is enough to cause many former school district supporters to feel badly about our school administration. The action appeared to have worked for awhile, just as the district had hoped: Nobody would notice the dismissal, as the school year was over. The result has instead been rumors flying and strong reaction to the insensitivity of this school administration. Apparently, the modus operandi of firing staff has not been limited to Mrs. Gardinier. And, as the administration bloats, teaching and support staff is pummeled. Not good PR for the district, especially when it wants more funding.

I have never voted no on a school bond, and I feel my name glaringly missing from the list of supporters. Some people say it's still about the kids, so it's important, but I believe how people are treated is as important a lesson for our youth as are all the amenities available in Sisters Schools. If the community hears about these regresses, we know the youth are hearing,

too. 

Any explanation for these actions is welcome. I do not take this decision lightly.

Bonnie Malone