Letters to the Editor 12/03/2014

To the Editor:

I have been associated with the Deschutes Land Trust for over 15 years and served on the board of directors for eight years.

When I first joined, the Land Trust began a project named Back to Home Waters. This was a long-range project aimed at protecting riparian habitat along the waterways in Central Oregon. The name referred to the hoped-for reintroduction of salmon into the watershed above Lake Billy Chinook. The Land Trust realized that, without protection and improvement of the watershed, the reintroduction would not be successful.

Now, 15 years later, we can look backwards and see what the Land Trust has accomplished: permanent preservation of eight miles of Whychus Creek, protection of tributaries of the Metolius River, and re-meandering of Whychus Creek in the Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. This is an extraordinary accomplishment, and the end of this project is now in sight. Their current campaign will raise the funds necessary to protect the remaining critical habitat, to re-meander more of Whychus Creek and to maintain all of the protected areas.

We who live in the Sisters area can benefit from the Land Trust efforts every day of the year. We can hike or ski the preserves, take nature tours and enjoy the educational opportunities these sites offer our school students. I urge everyone to support one of the outstanding non-profit organizations in Central Oregon by supporting the current campaign.

Cal Allen

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To the Editor:

Elections really do matter and shouldn't be manipulated.

For example, the renewal for the SSD local option failed in November 2008. The school board claimed it was due to faulty messaging and immediately lobbied for another election to be held. In other words, they rejected the majority rule by refusing to let it stand. Instead, it was smothered by an avalanche of rhetorical chicanery that effectively manipulated the tax measure into approval while the economy spiraled downward into a Great Recession.

City Manager Gorayeb is also a member of the school board. Despite his inexperience in city government, somehow, the council decided to hire Andrew Gorayeb permanently; this corrupted the process by eliminating the element of competition of other applicants.

Also, Councilor Frye didn't run for office, he was appointed and has served about nine months on the council.

Councilor Holzman won re-election by a narrow margin, and her husband serves on the planning commission.

Mayor Boyd's policies were overwhelmingly rejected, making him a lame duck.

I believe that elections matter. And Councilor Asson has been elected and re-elected by a wide margin. His wisdom and leadership have been acknowledged by the majority of city voters. He is the best choice for mayor.

It's unfair to elect Councilor Frye as our mayor at this time because he has never won an election. Initially, candidates should campaign and run for office so voters get a better opportunity at determining where they stand on important issues.

Our leadership is critically important. The council must serve the will of the voters. We don't want an unelected mayor working with a city manager that was granted a competitive advantage and allowed entrance through the back door (while holding powerful positions on the school board and SPRD.) The mayor's seat should be earned, not manipulated.

Kevin L. Dumas

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To the Editor:

I must give a huge "thank you" to two different people who found my lost wedding rings and wide band at the Sisters Post Office in the snow!

You are awesome, and you rock!

Sisters people are wonderful, and that's another reason we moved here seven months ago. Neither person left their name, nor phone number, but please know that I appreciate your honesty, and

integrity.

God bless you! This was truly a miracle.

And thank you to all the wonderful people who work at the post office. You rock, too!

Bonnie Hall

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To the Editor:

Re: "Disabled Sisters woman has an 'Angel'," The Nugget, November 26, page 12).

How wonderful for Angela and Angel too. I knew Angela when I lived in Sisters. I am so sorry to hear of her health issues, but glad she has found a lovely little dog to share her time with. Good for both of them. Best wishes for continued enjoyment of each other.

Nancy Klatt