Letters to the Editor 12/24/2014

To the Editor:

Recently The Nugget published letters lambasting the results of a City Council vote that hasn't been taken yet. These critics have heard stories about who is going to be selected mayor, and they aren't happy about it.

Perhaps it is time for a civics lesson: The Sisters City Charter specifies that "At the first meeting of the Council in each odd-numbered year beginning with the first odd-numbered year after the adoption of this Charter, Council shall elect one of its members to serve as mayor for a term of two years."

This form of government, the "weak mayor" system, puts a premium on cooperation within the Council. Council members can choose the person they think will maximize Council effectiveness. When the new Council meets, they will have a chance to do just that.

Apparently some people would prefer a "strong mayor" system where the mayor would be elected by a direct vote of the people, thus independent of the Council. If that is what they want, they should work toward a revision of the city charter. Instead, what we see in print is ill-informed criticism of the person they think will be selected by the new Council majority, followed by the name of their own preferred candidate. This is punctuated by personal attacks on Council members present and future.

Elections bring out differences, and this one was no exception. But now we can make a fresh beginning, a time for the new Council to heal past wounds and work together. We should allow that healing process to begin, but instead some are determined to deepen the divisions on Council that they criticized in November.

Let's all of us take a deep breath and let our elected leaders do their jobs, which first and foremost will require them to work together.

Eva Eagle

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To the Editor:

On behalf of the Berray and Shultz families we would like to thank the communities of Sisters, Black Butte Ranch, and Camp Sherman for the outpouring of love, support, prayers, thoughts and financial gifts given on behalf of our beloved Lauren Ashley Shultz Berray, who passed away on May 29.

We would also like to thank the Black Butte Ranch paramedics and police department for their service to our family. God's comfort has been felt through the hundreds of people that have reached out to our families over the last seven months. Our loss is especially great during this Christmas season, but it's in this season that we are again reminded of the gift of Hope through the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of what Jesus came to do we have Hope for today and for an eternity of tomorrows.

Thank you again and Merry Christmas,

Judey Berray

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To the Editor:

Thanks for your nice article about Paul Bennett's beautiful Fir St. Pavilion artwork. However to be accurate, I did not design either the Pavilion stage or Pavilion structure as mentioned.

Good design is rarely done in isolation, and the Fir St. Pavilion was no exception. Actual design development was a collaborative research and creative application effort by the City's landscape architects, City staff including Pauline Hardie, Paul Bertagna, Andrew Gorayeb and myself. All contributed valuable concepts and ideas, which ultimately resulted in an attractive and successful community asset.

Thank you,

Kris Calvin

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To the Editor:

Here's what happened as a result of the KOIN News 6 story about the adolescent sexuality conference in Seaside. Parents watched or read an alarming news report. They discussed it in a Facebook forum, and a member of that forum asked for clarification from a school board member. Mr. Hosang wrote an excellent letter describing the school's involvement in the conference, The Nugget posted a great article, and parental concerns were alleviated.

There were no personal attacks, no inappropriate gossip or questions, no taking of sides, no torches and pitchforks. No one implied the Sisters district or any teachers were doing anything inappropriate - in fact, several praised our health teachers. That's why there were no critics at the school board meeting: our questions were answered. The system worked.

Parents have the responsibility to understand what is being taught, and when unsure, request clarification from their children's school or school board. That isn't malice; it's good parenting. To whomever took these legitimate parental questions and mischaracterized them as a parent vs. school attack: shame on YOU.

Julia Huni

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To the Editor:

Until last month, the only way a food cart could operate in Sisters was by paying the $100-per-day transient-merchant fee. This onerous daily fee, for all practical purposes, meant that food carts would not operate in Sisters. You could say they were discouraged while not actually prevented. Not anymore.

A recent code interpretation and ruling by the Sisters Community Development Department has opened the door to a potential proliferation of food carts in the Downtown Commercial (DC) district.

While everything is subject to interpretation, it seems reasonably fair to state that any improved lot in the DC zone that has an existing business can apply to have one or more food carts on that property, on a year-round basis. The vendor need only pay the $105 annual business license fee.

The approved application in question can have a minimum of four and perhaps as many as five or six, depending on the size of the carts. On that basis it seems obvious this could result in a substantial number of food cart vendors operating on any given day.

I am sure folks can differ in their opinion as to whether or not this is a good idea for Sisters. Given the controversy over formula food, temporary-use permits, and transient-merchant licenses, it goes without saying that this is a controversial issue. To have this drastically changed interpretation of the code become operational without any review or consideration by the planning commission or the city council, let alone without public discussion or input seems foolish - or worse.

It flew under the radar, and the right to appeal has already passed. Now what? Sisters government, famous for lack of process and public outreach, has hit this one out of the park.

Ed Protas

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To the Editor:

Regarding David Grove's letter, December 10 - Mr. Grove makes my point. I questioned what Rachel Marsden meant when she talks about the reason President Obama may be against the Keystone pipeline. Mr. Grove believes it's "political payback" because Obama's alleged friend Warren Buffett can make more money shipping the oil on his railroad than shipping it through the Keystone pipeline.

But Buffett, in a CNBC interview, actually supports Keystone XL saying, "I would vote "yes'" and "I just believe it's a useful pipeline" even though it would take business away from his Berkshire Hathaway rail subsidiary BNSF. So, if nothing else, I hope this discussion will make the readers question the validity of Rachel Marsden's statements.

I could spend hours researching and trying to point out each of Rachel Marsden's half-truths, her twisted logic and outright lies. It would be so much easier if I would just let it go and chalk it up to the "opposing view." But when the subject is the Keystone pipeline and climate change, it gets personal. We're talking about my life, my family. We're talking about your children's future.

I wish I could print this entire article (http://vault.sierraclub.org/dirtyfuels/tar-sands/KeystoneXL-101.pdf) but it begins: "Extracting tar sands is one of the most destructive projects on earth. Reliance on tar sands oil hinders our ability to avoid climate disaster. The US now faces a clear choice: promote the oil industry's interests by green-lighting the most carbon-intensive, destructive oil on the planet, or demonstrate a bold commitment to addressing climate disruption."

Scientists have said if the Keystone pipeline is allowed to be built it's "game over" for the environment as it would "effectively destroy any chance of limiting the increase in global temperature to 2 degrees C," the maximum increase recommended by scientists to avoid the most devastating effects of global warming. Google "Living Warmer - How 2 Degrees Will Change Earth."

We're told Keystone XL only poses minimal risks to the environment, but even minimal risks have the potential to be catastrophic! That's the reality. That should be the discussion: Are we willing to further jeopardize our planet's future, no matter how small the risk? But what is not helpful is discussing distracting and mean-spirited nonsense from Rachel Marsden.

Terry Weygandt

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To the Editor:

From occasional contacts at our church, but far more at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, I am keenly aware of the homeless problem in the Sisters area. Regular visits from these needy, for sleeping bags, small tents, clothing - anything that will ward off the cold, rain, snow as they try to survive in the surrounding woods - for lack of homes. On a couple of occasions I have volunteered, as a church function, to serve meals at the Bethlehem Inn, the homeless shelter in Bend, and it is hard to look into the eyes of the hungry, homeless children and their parents!

In contrast, each time I drive past the empty former Conklin residence on Camp Polk Road - as it sits unused and deteriorating - my mind leaps at the possibility of that becoming Sisters' homeless shelter.

(I am aware that we have "NIMBYS" here also - easy to do as they sit in warm homes!) But the barn seems to be structurally sound; could become a two-story residence/sleeping quarters above, bathing facilities and a "job training" shop beneath.

The home's last use was a bed-and-breakfast; it would serve as the meal area plus quarters for a "manager/advisor" much as Bethlehem Inn.

The former pond could become a resident-maintained vegetable garden, and someone's unused older van or a small "retired" school bus could transport guests to job prospects, again as

Bethlehem Inn.

I was fortunate to serve on Horton Hammond's committee as he founded Sisters Habitat for Humanity; its success story is well-known. I think that Hort (and Millard Fuller, Habitat's creator!) would smile in satisfaction to think that such a project could be accomplished by the local Habitat organization. I, along with dozens of others, I have no doubt, stand ready to serve in such a task!

Just imagine giving all those homeless "bed and breakfast" AND HOPE! How about putting "Christ" back into Christmas.

Russell B. Williams