Letters to the Editor 03/11/2015

To the Editor:

Yet another letter from Greg Werts regarding the evils of asphalt (as long as you don't take those god-given roads of his away).

I think I've seen just about the full gamut of straw-man arguments raised with respect to the Sisters-to-Black Butte Ranch trail, but gee, here comes yet another pile-on argument that the duly elected county commissioner shouldn't be in favor of improvements for this community either.

I'll say one thing regarding these repetitive attacks on a multi-use trail for everyone but motor vehicles, it sure keeps the issue alive for those that aren't blinded by the continuous claims of impending environmental harm to a young and rapidly growing forest, impacts to wildlife on a trail next to a major high-speed highway (really?), and of course the ultimate bugaboo of funding something that would be a community asset. Even if you don't like it, dude, it will eventually happen, and Sisters and the surrounding areas will eventually see the benefits and acclaim will rise where now we only hear endless debate and talking points.

And before you start pointing that finger at anyone about lies, keep in mind those other fingers are pointing back directly at you.

And thank you, Commissioner Unger - our second home is in Sisters, but I do so wish our county commissioners and state representative in Polk County were as forward-thinking.

Randy McCall

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To the Editor:

If there is any doubt as to the magnitude of the problem of Sisters' dysfunctional city government, one has only to look at the city's legal bills. In 2014 Sisters paid its attorney, Steve Bryant, $66,700. In the same time period the City of Redmond, with a population 12.5 times that of Sisters, paid Mr. Bryant only $42,400.

And in the first five weeks of this year Sisters has spent $14,500 in legal fees; at that rate, we will more than double last year's legal expenditures if nothing changes!

Not surprisingly, the spike in money spent on legal advice coincides with the arrival of the Boyd/Gorayeb team.

The voters sent half of that dynamic duo packing; we can only hope that the city council will finish the job.

Ray Kenny

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To the Editor:

In her letter to The Nugget last week, an acquaintance of Sisters' outgoing mayor Brad Boyd characterized him as "a man devoted to his community."

No slight intended toward the letter-writer, who was only expressing her heartfelt opinion, but threatening to cripple Sisters with a $3.5 million lawsuit is a strange way to show devotion.

Make no mistake, Mr. Boyd's threat is not directed toward some abstract entity. It imperils innocent people who have no involvement in his dispute. If Mr. Boyd files and wins his lawsuit, and if the City's insurance policy does not cover the loss as city attorney Steve Bryant has warned would happen, it could be a calamitous blow to City services.

I wonder how many people would view Mr. Boyd as devoted to his community when their water stops running and sewage lines back up.

Michael Cooper