Letters to the Editor 10/15/2014

To the Editor:

In my 32-plus years living in Sisters (70% of my life), I find myself writing to The Nugget for only the fifth time. Unfortunately, it is not on a positive note. In last week's guest editorial, Mr. Detweiler portrayed the years of volunteer hours I have donated to this community in a very defamatory light, suggesting that my commitment to our community has been due to "moneyed interests" and cronyism.

All I can say is that I am very, very sad for the current community climate. This is a perfect example of one of the reasons listed in my April 8, 2014 letter of resignation from the City's Fiscal Advisory Committee: personal attacks on volunteers without consideration of the consequences.

Mr. Detweiler may not know that I have been serving on committees and boards long before he or the current city manager even moved to Sisters. A simple discussion would have revealed that fact. My position on the planning commission started with an appointment by Mayor Kellstrom when Mrs. Stein was city manager. The current city manager was not involved. I was reappointed to another term by the current mayor due to my experience as an applicant and commissioner.

I have been asked to be on many committees/boards - due to my own inability to say no - but primarily since I show up and participate in a positive manner and try to bring solution-oriented results. When I can't do that, I step down as I did in April.

The same people keep showing up on multiple committees and boards because most people do not want to subject themselves, their families or their businesses to what has become a very rude environment toward volunteers. The risk is too great. The respect for individuals has been lost. I am afraid we are on our way to a town with "us" and "them" instead of "community." I hope I am proved wrong.

Darren Layne

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To the Editor:

Within about a week of his being elected mayor, Brad Boyd and McKibben Womack came down to Hood Avenue and visited what few shops remained on that street. They asked us questions like, "What do you want to see happen down here on Hood Avenue?" "We want to get these empty buildings full again. We want to see Hood revitalized."

This was not a campaign promise, as I recall. They came around asking questions and listening to us after they were elected. It was a desire and a goal they shared. Looking back on those conversations, I would say this has come to pass. There are very few empty spaces along Hood Avenue now.

I never really knew Brad Boyd before that time. Oh sure, I knew he was the guy with the bike shop, but that was about it. In the short time he has been mayor, he has often made himself available to answer my questions or talk about hard things. In my experience, he is entirely approachable. Sometimes we have engaged in "spirited discussions" and yet I come away feeling that I was heard.

Many good things have come to our town since he has been the mayor. In light of what he said after he was first elected, I don't think it's all just coincidence. Brad has really put in a lot of hard work to get things done (and sometimes UN-done). I would encourage other Sisters citizens to re-elect Brad Boyd. I think he has been an uncommonly good mayor, and I think there is still much more good yet for him to do.

Michelle Poutre Ehr

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To the Editor:

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce (SACC) has long been a proponent of the Sisters School District and its efforts to preserve academic excellence and provide a quality education for our students. Sisters' schools rank among the best in the state.

After receiving input from our membership, the SACC Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly to stand in strong support for the passage of the Sisters School District facilities bond.

The board voted to take action on this measure due to the direct economic impacts on the businesses and the Sisters community.

The board of directors felt supporting passage of the bond will ensure the safety and security for our students, reduce the schools' operating costs, improve facilities, upgrade technology, and improve the learning environment. These improvements will directly result in a stronger economy and adjoin the well-being and prosperity of Sisters Country.

We would encourage the community to support the measure and ask you to join us in voting yes on Measure 9-102.

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Ann Richardson; Scott Huntsman; Jeff Perin; Kelly Cyrus; Marcea DeGregorio; Chris Wilder; Javier Luna; Mandy Strasser

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To The Editor:

Had the pleasure to visit your fair city last weekend.

Hadn't been there since October 2013. Was anxious to see the new street improvements.

One of the first things I noticed, the 18-wheelers are still coming thru on the main drag; bet they still love it. The sidewalks are nice, as are the new lightposts. Then we have the crosswalks. There used to be red flags one could grab, to aid in crossing the street. At the time, I thought they were a great innovation, and they worked! Alas, they are now gone. I'd vote to reinstate them.

I live in a city with three or four roundabouts, and believe me, they work. Certainly the one proposed for Sisters would be a great benefit; hope it re-enters the discussion in the near future.

Last but not least, it is sad to look at the empty spot on the east end of town where the (Wild Mountain food stand) once stood. Methinks he got the short end of the TUP deal.

Duane C. Anderson

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To the Editor:

I wrote a letter, several months ago, about a roundabout put in Rocklin, California, a small town, like Sisters. Back in Rocklin, trucks are now prohibited and have been given an alternate route. Thank goodness!

In the meantime, I wrote to ODOT, asking if there would be more discussion on the decisions made in Sisters, citing the Rocklin example and also a news report on our local news KTVZ, on July 10, interviewing a trucker who said "a roundabout is basically a stop sign for truckers."

I got a response from Mike Darling, Interim Project Leader. He sent me a copy of their Public Involvement Policy, and said there would be more hearings including the public and stakeholders.

I am just following up and putting more information out there, for anyone interested or concerned about the 2016 scheduled construction.

Sue Durbin

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To The Editor:

We were very pleased to see that Wendy Holzman had decided to run again for city council. She has developed into an excellent representative for the citizens of Sisters and we could not be more pleased with her participation as a council member.

She is a great voice of the people at the table, she does her homework, she is also on the Community Assets Committee that is vetting potential projects identified at the town hall meeting last spring, a member of COACT (Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation), and serves on the City Parks Advisory Board.

When you look at the amazing Cascade Avenue, the new Fir Street Park, these are just a few of the projects that have been accomplished by the present council. We want to see the momentum continue with experienced council members like Wendy who understand group process and how to work effectively in a council setting, who are experienced, fair, balanced and make decisions that are good for the community.

We hope you will join us in supporting Wendy Holzman in her bid for re-election.

Jean and John Keenan

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To the Editor:

I had the opportunity to serve on the present city council with three of the candidates running for reelection. As with any new organization, ours went through what is called the "storming and norming" process prior to becoming a functioning team.

I was fed much negative input about Brad Boyd from a few opponents and detractors. I was told that he was difficult to work with and very proprietary. I tried to keep as open a mind as possible, but we clashed immediately over his process to address the resignation of the former city manager. Opinions were published, and the majority council moved forward. As a consensus builder, I was disappointed that we did not take the time to get to that point and deliver a 5-0 vote. Brad and I "cleared the air" and moved forward to make productive decisions for Sisters. Effective lessons were learned on both sides.

Mayor Boyd chaired a public goal-setting session with input from all councilors that resulted in objective measurable goals. They covered a balanced budget, annexation of the Sisters Airport, completion of the Cascade Ave. project, connectivity of trails, stable funding for economic development, and development of the Fir Street Park.

In the year that I served, I found Brad to be a good leader. He manages meetings skillfully and ensures that objectives are met and reported. He listens to and debates opposing views. His response to the public meetings for the amphitheater indicates that he is willing to listen to the public and support a feedback loop through the new Community Assets Committee. Brad takes his council job seriously and carves time from running his business to serve and make Sisters a great place to live and visit.

The current council has been the most effective in getting things done in several years. There is growth in traded-sector businesses, business sales are up, new houses are under construction and permits are up. Sisters looks great and feels more welcoming, and City Hall is operating efficiently. Therefore, I hope you will return Brad Boyd to the city council.

Catherine Childress

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To the Editor:

I do not have children, grandchildren or other relatives who attend the Sisters Schools, and as a senior citizen who retired here 15 years ago, I do not know many families with school-age children.

So why would I want to support the Sisters School Bond?

I am thankful every day for the opportunities I had for an excellent education, one that was paid for by my parents, grandparents and others of their generations. That is the American Way!

Our own grandchildren will not have the same opportunities we had if their communities and people like us do not support needed programs and physical improvements.

Furthermore, our schools are an important part of our quality of life and I am continually impressed at the important contributions that our schools and individual students make to our community.

When you go to vote, remember the privileges that you had for an excellent education and pass on that legacy.

Linda Davis

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To the Editor:

I am so glad that Wendy Holzman is running again for Sisters City Council. As close observers of the council know, Wendy has been a steady force through difficult times. She has been diligent in seeking citizen and business input to help inform her about the tough issues.

Local business owners tell me that Wendy is the one they most often see coming by to ask how things are going, such as during the Cascade improvement project. Best of all, Wendy has an open and friendly style in a group situation. No matter how difficult the subject, she knows how to work with anyone who has an interest in reaching a solution.

In addition to being sensible and calm in today's stormy political environment, Wendy has made a real difference through her quiet leadership - spearheading the effort to create a new park at Fir and Main instead of just a parking lot, for example. She has worked hard on transportation issues and can rightly be proud of Cascade Avenue's new look.

Wendy really knows how to get things done in collaboration with others. For example, she is the council member chosen for the City Parks Advisory Board and, as part of the Community Assets Committee, she is helping to set priorities for Sisters' future. Yet Wendy has still found the time to be an effective spokesperson for Sisters in regional organizations focused on transportation.

Finally, Wendy brings another strength to her council role through the depth of her experience and knowledge. She can make a difference starting on Day 1 of her next term, being very well prepared to fulfill her own dream - to accomplish more for Sisters.

Please cast your vote for Wendy Holzman for Sisters City Council.

Eva Eagle

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To the Editor:

I first met Wendy Holzman a few years back when I was assisting the Sisters City Council in working through some internal communications issues.

I found Wendy to be an empathic listener with a good understanding of opposing viewpoints. However, she was also quite practical and clear as to the course of wisdom in the choices that had to be made.

What else does anyone want when choosing a wise and practical leader with her hand on the tiller of government?

I strongly recommend reelecting Wendy Holzman for the Sisters City Council.

Paul Lipscomb

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To the Editor:

Let's keep the up momentum! Please help re-elect Brad Boyd to Sisters City Council.

Our little town looks great and there's positive energy in the air. Brad Boyd has played a major role in helping us out of the doldrums. He gets things done. But we need his continued contribution on the city council to finish ongoing initiatives and respond to new challenges and opportunities.

Brad is approachable, adaptable, effective and dedicated. He has devoted innumerable hours of volunteer service to our community. If you don't know him yet, just stop by his bike shop for a chat. I think you'll come away feeling like me - impressed with his vision for our community and convinced that we need to keep him on the council.

Patrick Eckford

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To the Editor:

I enthusiastically support the Sisters School Bond. Having raised two children who attended schools at various places around the country, I experienced a number of different school environments.

In New York, where property taxes are often several times our rate, the schools were mediocre at best. The public schools in other areas provided little in the way of educational opportunities.

The Sisters School District is top-notch and was the principal reason my family moved here. I am sure this is true with many others who have come to Sisters.

I also coach the Sisters High School Mock Trial team and experience the quality of our teachers, staff and students first hand.

All of these successes come with a price. The Sisters School Board has done an excellent job of stewardship and has kept our school bond rate low. I am sure there are things the board has done with which I may not agree with, but this is not a one-issue decision.

I urge you to vote "Yes" on the Sisters School Bond.

Jerry Hanford

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To the Editor:

It is so sad that a small number of people and their friends are so adamantly against the proposed trail through public land, far away from their property, that will benefit so many people.

Some of these same people walk on the trail inside Tollgate, right past my house. I have seen them. And I am not the least bit afraid of their committing any crime or littering, or causing any problem. I am glad to see people enjoy the trails in Tollgate. A lot more people walk and bike safely now that the trail is here.

The unpaved trail from Tollgate to the high school is not passable for everyone. A paved trail would be much better.

A lovely trail meandering through the forest from Sisters to Tollgate and on to Black Butte would be such an enhancement to our area. I know people who regularly walk or bike on the Sacramento trail mentioned at the trail meeting last week. They have seen no violence, no littering and say it is enjoyed by many people. Our trail would have a lot fewer people on it, just because of our population difference.

I wish these naysayers would stop preventing the rest of us from realizing a dream. Other people have called them selfish, and I agree with that view.

Sue Edgerton

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To the Editor:

Genetically modified (GMO) foods such as Roundup Ready corn, soy, canola, cotton, and sugar beets are in at least 75 percent of our processed food. Roundup Ready crops allow farmers the ease of spraying everything with Roundup, knowing the herbicide will only kill the weeds and not the desired crop.

Roundup is an antibiotic and mineral chelator. It kills bacteria in the soil and chelates (grabs onto) minerals, eliminating the benefits of the bacteria and minerals to the plants. This Roundup also gets into our own bodies - it's been found to be 10 times higher in the urine of US citizens than the urine of people in Europe, where GMOs are labeled. The antibiotic and mineral chelation effect is likely disrupting the health of our gut bacteria and our own mineral supply. See the research of Stephanie Seneff, PhD, and Don Huber, PhD.

Plants such as cotton and corn are also frequently genetically engineered to contain Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis) pesticide - another convenience to the farmer. This pesticide is also found in humans. An article in the 2011 issue of the Journal of Toxicology showed that 93 percent of tested pregnant women and 80 percent of unborn fetuses tested positive for Bt toxin. Bt opens holes in the intestinal cells of pests. Consumption of Bt cotton plants has killed livestock. Is it safe for humans to consume Bt corn and cottonseed oil?

There are epidemiological studies showing human health problems due to exposure to GMOs (i.e. research by Dr. Thongprakaisang, Dr. Garry, Dr. Paz-y-Mino, Dr. Savitz, etc). We can't easily do epidemiological studies of humans without having GMO foods labeled. Vote to have GMO foods labeled (Yes on 92) so that you can know whether or not you are placing these potentially harmful foods in your grocery cart.

Debra Burke

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To the Editor:

Two measures on the election ballot which will affect all of us property owners in this district are measures 9-102 and 9-103.

The arguments in favor put a good spin on everything but are not totally accurate. The Cloverdale Fire Protection District has two fire stations that are less than five miles apart. One of them recently received a brand-new housing unit. I watched them excavate, put a foundation in and some weeks later tear the foundation out and put in another one. Is that an example of good stewardship of tax dollars? Now they are requesting $2.4 million for upgrades, part of which includes a new fire station.

Do we really need two stations less than five miles apart that are in full form?

In the case of the school district bond, one of the items on the measure is that the roof needs to be replaced. The school was built in 2003, so is not old. Who takes responsibility for things like this? A roof should have some guarantee by the contracting parties for one thing and there also should be accountability by the school administration for money spent unwisely.

It is so easy to spend someone else's money and then to ask for more but that is not responsible stewardship. $14.5 million is a lot of money and looking at the list it doesn't all seem necessary.

A common approach to problems is that if there is a perceived need, all an agency needs to do is to put in a request for an arbitrary amount of money and expect property owners to pay for it with a tax increase. Those that don't support the request are then branded as unpatriotic or not interested in the security and well-being of the community.

Who comes up with the list and figures of what we "absolutely need" which inevitably seems to go beyond our means? It seems that there is a lack of consideration and a lack of wisdom in making these decisions. These sorts of measures are just going to continue until it becomes clear that taxpayers are not going to go for it all.

Please consider what you are obligating yourself and all the other taxpayers to, and vote NO. Having done that, maybe it will put the pressure on to consider how to have a more reasonable approach to solving the most critical needs.

Richard McDaniel

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To the Editor:

When we vote to label GMOs, we are not only voting for transparency in our food supply, but also stating that a highly chemicalized, industrial mono-culture agricultural system is unacceptable because it affects our personal health, nature's biodiversity, and our soil, water and air.

A yes vote will move us closer to a diverse agricultural sector not dependent on ever more potent chemicals and genetic engineering that irreversibly alters and controls nature's life forms. We have historical power to claim our democratic right to avoid genetically altered food. Please vote yes on Measure 92 to label genetically engineered food.

Joy Newhart

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To the Editor:

I would like to give a hearty thank-you to Mayor Brad Boyd, Councilor Wendy Holzman, City of Sisters, the City Council, ODOT, and the Chamber (to name only a few). Each of these positions takes dedication to our community along with hard work.

Election season can challenge communities such as ours, and community leaders tend to take the brunt of the negative discourse. We often forget that our community leaders run for office and take public positions because they are generous and joyful people, wanting to help take action where they see challenges.

These aren't the people who took a step back, hoping that others will step forward. So, to all of our community members who are active in our community, I say thank you! Sisters looks beautiful, visitors are as diverse as our local events, and I am proud to be a member of this community.

Rachel Kinsman Steck

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To the Editor:

An article in last week's Nugget was headlined as "School enrollment decline leveling out." That is an interesting way to describe the fact that Kindergarten enrollment for this year is 27% lower than the district's projection. The estimate was 66 and the actual is 48.

Additionally, the SSD projection three years out (2017-18) shows a decline in total enrollment to 891 students. This represents a decline of 189 students from the 1080 that started the current year, but even that projection is based upon a continuous annual entry of 66 new kindergarten students. Considering this year's decline, the question must be asked - what is going to make that number go back up? The answer seems obvious; there must be an increase in young families with young children moving to Sisters, and that requires affordable housing and family-wage jobs. Without it the current numbers may continue to decline.

The SSD deficit for this year was $800,000; a decline to 891 students over the next three years represents a further decrease in state funding of approximately $1.3 million. Is that really sustainable? At what point will the district leadership face the possibility that a merger with Redmond or Bend may be the only reasonable solution? And what will it mean if Sisters voters have taken on another $14.5 million in bond debt in the interim?

It seems no one is willing to face the hard questions.

Ed Protas

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To the Editor:

What statistics exist to support the claim that patients are helped more by medical marijuana than other pain medications? Who monitors the marijuana dispensaries? Who has oversight of and responsibility for enforcing the law in regards to the patient's driving?

In the state of Colorado, before marijuana was legalized and there were only "dispensaries," 75 percent of the youth in drug treatment centers said they were provided with marijuana by adults carrying medical marijuana cards.

When people begin smoking marijuana young, it has been proven that their IQ typically drops 8 points by the time they reach 38 years of age

I want to applaud Officer Don Pray, who spoke up a few months ago about the use of marijuana in our schools. I did not read one letter of praise after he called out this glaring problem in our town. Four years ago, Rob Meeter wrote an article in The Nugget detailing valuable facts, studies and a survey taken at Sisters High School regarding this drug problem. Meeter shows that the 2010 NSDUG survey indicates that more than half of new illicit drug users begin with marijuana.

I have been a family counselor for 25 years, and in that time I have interacted with many teenagers who have ended up on the sidelines of life because of their addiction. Only some young people are able to recover, but many others ultimately die from the use of drugs. Most students I've counseled do not believe marijuana has any risks.

Is there a connection with our sanctioning marijuana dispensaries for "medicinal" purposes and the increase in drug abuse? Yes. If one child is harmed by the town sanctioning the dispensaries, then it is not worth it. Instead of bringing this dispensary to Sisters, maybe the small percentage of our Sisters population who have prescriptions for medical marijuana could be transported to one of the 10 dispensaries in Bend by the individuals who are in support of providing local dispensaries.

Going down this road to the legalization of marijuana in our state will be a very dangerous, harmful and heart-breaking situation for everyone involved. I know. I've seen it.

Lisa M. Woodworth

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To the Editor:

I've volunteered for the Cloverdale Fire District for five years.

In my opinion the district has been very careful spending your tax dollars. They have provided ever-improving fire, rescue, and medical services to our community. Unfortunately, the district has reached a point where they can no longer provide the services that are expected.

They have put off major improvements for far longer than they should have. With tax revenues of approximately $320,000 annually they cannot afford to keep apparatus and equipment operational. Several major improvements are needed, but there is no money left for them. Remember all the equipment that our volunteers have bought through fundraisers?

New pumpers are needed, as our current pumpers are 25 and 31 years old. These pumpers are pretty much worn out. Up until a month or so ago both pumpers were 31 years old, but one of them became unserviceable. The cooling system became more expensive to fix than the truck was worth. As the district had no money budgeted for replacement, the volunteers donated $10,000 to the district to buy a used pumper. Neither of these pumpers have standard safety equipment such as enclosed cabs, airbags, automatically controlled pumps, or four-wheel-drive for access to homes with unplowed driveways.

The buildings where these trucks are housed are at least 40 years old. They were built for trucks in the '70s. Today trucks are wider and longer. They do not fit in the current buildings.

I could go on, but due to space limitations I only have room to tell you of a couple of our needs.

We cannot provide the levels of service that you deserve with our current revenues.

Please vote yes on 9-103.

Clinton Weaver

Lieutenant

Cloverdale Volunteer Firefighters Association

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To the Editor:

The Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District is seeking a vote of approval from the community on the forthcoming bond Measure 9-103.

As a resident of the district for over 10 years I am in strong support of this measure. As a firefighter/EMT with the district for just over a decade I believe I have a good understanding of the business practices and operations of the fire district to further support this measure.

Cloverdale Fire District has been able to upgrade and maintain many pieces of apparatus and has also been able to perform some capital improvement projects on the limited operating budget. All of these efforts have had an emphasis on community and firefighter safety.

Current funding levels are simply insufficient to replace the aging first out fire engines of some 31 and 25 years of service. These engines lack modern safety features, have potential for failure and have come to the end of their service life. Modern fire engines are larger than in the past and require larger bays to house them that neither current station can provide.

As a resident of the district and volunteer of Cloverdale Fire I would ask you to join me in voting YES for bond Measure 9-103 that will provide improved safety and service levels for our community,

Spencer Cashwell

Volunteer AIC Lieutenant/EMT

Cloverdale Volunteer Firefighters Association

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To the Editor:

Greetings! My name is Tiffany M. and I am a fifth-grade student at Salida Elementary School in Salida, California. We live in the Central Valley located east of San Francisco.

This year we are to complete a state project. I picked Oregon. I am asking for any information from your great state of Oregon to be sent to me. If you would please send me any postcards, articles, maps, pictures, pins, pencils, posters, pamphlets, or any other special items for my project.

My school address is: Tiffany M., c/o Mr. Howell 5th grade, Salida Elementary School, 4519 Finney Rd., Salida, CA, 95368.

I relly (sic) appreciate your help in making my project the best. I am lucky to have and learn about an ahwsome (sic) state like Oregon!

Tiffany M.

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To the Editor:

The comments at the recent candidate forum at the firehouse reinforced to me the importance of choosing well-qualified candidates for city council.

The differences among the candidates in terms of their knowledge and understanding of how city government works were astounding. Running a city like Sisters is a complex task even with a good city manager to help. The council needs to be able to make complex policy decisions based upon facts, budget limitations, and citizen concerns.

Mayor Brad Boyd displayed his knowledge of the operation and limits of the scope of the city's authority. He also demonstrated his concern for both residential and business interests.

Many people may not know that the planning for the improvements on Cascade Avenue began in February of 2008 during Mayor Boyd's first term as mayor. He appointed an advisory committee on a Transportation Systems Plan (TSP) that included residents, business owners, interest groups, and ODOT. He sat on that committee as well and provided valuable leadership in shaping the direction of transportation for Sisters and the surrounding area.

Obviously, many others made valuable contributions to keeping the Cascade Avenue project on track and getting it completed, but it was Mayor Boyd who started the process because he understood how the TSP was not just some dry planning document required by the state but was the framework for the future of Sisters. This is just one example of how understanding how things work is so important for the effective operation of a city like Sisters.

I urge you to cast your vote for knowledge, experience, and leadership - Brad Boyd.

Bruce Bowen

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To the Editor:

Elections are now upon us, and I would like to recommend voting for Wendy Holzman again for Sisters City Council.

She has helped initiate and follow many successful projects through her term in office.

I hope to see her represent Sisters for another term in office, for she is interested in the outcome of future projects. Her skills at communication, processing in an objective, cooperative, and thoughtful manner, are an asset to the city council. Her person reflects a very genuine and reflective individual with concern for the future of Sisters.

Please cast a vote for Wendy Holzman.

Janet Brockway

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To the Editor:

Thank you for the article written in last week's Nugget News entitled "Local group discusses book on chemtrails" to bring to light the opportunity to talk about geoengineering which is the scientific term used for the aerosol spraying of our skies. 

It was an honor to host Elana Freeland, author of "Chemtrails, HAAP, & the Full Spectrum Dominance of Planet Earth."

The Sisters gathering viewed the documentary "Cloud Cover" and then opened up a forum discussion with Freeland about the research and documented science which she and her colleagues have compiled in reference to stratospheric aerosol geoengineering (SAG) and solar radiation management (SRM) which are a part of our everyday lives.

There is resistance we feel when topics of controversy are brought up such as geoengineering or chemtrails. What is creating this resistance is cognitive dissonance - which is the feeling of uncomfortable tension which comes from holding two conflicting thoughts in the mind at the same time. Becoming aware that cognitive dissonance is creating this uncomfortable tension in our bodies is the door that must be opened first so that the truth can be looked at, researched and, if found credible, received. Knowledge is power. The power is in finding this pathway to understanding.

The scientific community is not dismissing geoengineering as conspiracy theory as stated in your article. There is a growing number of scientists speaking out on the subject and sharing their documented tests and research.  

Katie Cavanaugh

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To the Editor:

This letter to the Editor is to continue the conversation on the article of the chemtrail discussion group which took place in Bend and Sisters. I attended both events and found Elana Freeland's research extremely valuable and well-documented. I have been personally studying this issue for 20 years. Scientists now have the data to speak the facts. No "heresay" about it.

I would like to invite you to look up and notice the shrouding of the beautiful azure skies of our childhood. It is replaced with the gray-white clouds of geoengineering that covers our skies today. This is a critical time in history where we must question what we hear, be curious about what we see, and cautious about what others would like us to believe. Don't dismiss this information. Do your own research and make your own choice.

Susan Greder

Sky Watcher