Letters to the Editor 04/08/2015

I still think the roundabout is a waste of time, money, and a mistake. A light at this intersection is much more smarter. I don't really care what was voted on in 2011. People change their mind and you all need to put this to a vote to the City of Sisters, not the decision of the city council, of which I have no faith in - ie: the back-in parking, what a debacle and a waste of money. And now you are changing that again!

Shannon Chesney

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To the Editor:

In all the talk of the pros and cons of a paved trail west from Sisters, little mention has been made of people who cannot use a gravel trail: namely those who cannot ride a two-wheel bike.

Some people can ride a three-wheel bike or use an electric scooter. Others pull a trailer with a child or pet, and others push a stroller. A gravel trail does not work well for any of those people.

We fully support a paved trail from Sisters to Tollgate, and beyond. As to the Black Butte residents who worry about non-residents using their paved trails, you surely must know that many people do that now, by parking and biking or renting a condo and using the trails. These people do not come to do damage or to litter.

We sure hope that the committee formed to ponder all the issues can come up with a feasible plan that will not upset people who might possibly see a biker passing their property at a distance. We love to see bikers and walkers and electric scooters pass by our house. We look forward to a paved trail from Tollgate to Sisters.

Paul and Sue Edgerton

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To the Editor:

I agree completely with the rational approach and opinions of Mr. Givot, in regards to the paved trail project. ("Start with a dirt trail," The Nugget op-ed, April 1, page 2.)

Starting small with a possible single-track dirt trail, is a great way to "test the waters" and see if there is actually viable public use. This is not only less expensive (significantly), but smarter and more environmentally conscious.

Mr. Givot's daughter is a biology and science teacher at Sisters High School. I have taken many classes from Mrs. Givot, and have learned from her to respect and appreciate the environment and our forest ecosystems.

As pointed out, this end-all-be-all "yellow brick road" between Sisters and Black Butte Ranch causes severe wildlife and ecosystem fragmentation, and does not align with my education nor personal beliefs of maintaining and respecting the forest.

Will Werts

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To the Editor:

I read with interest regarding the proposed roundabout at Hwy. 20 and Barclay Rd. in Sisters becoming a step closer to reality after a crew of only eight truck drivers ran through a mock-up of a roundabout at the Deschutes Country Fairgrounds. I wonder, was there any other vehicular traffic involved trying to negotiate entry to the roundabout at the same time? Construction is supposed to start in 2016. Is this a done deal?

After writing a letter to the editor of The Nugget in May, 2014, I began taking an unofficial, independent survey of truck drivers in Sisters and have not heard one favorable comment. A UPS driver could not believe that the stop light that had been installed at Hwy. 20 & Barclay Rd. had been removed. Most comments from the truckers were that it would be a disaster. A Coca-Cola truck driver said, "Put the traffic light back in."

Just imagine a single, double and/or triple truck, bumper to bumper trying to negotiate a roundabout along with regular traffic, trying to merge in with them. Unless you live in Sisters, you can't realize the amount of traffic streaming into town on weekends, holidays, rodeo season, the quilt festival and all of the other wonderful events Sisters has to offer.

In my opinion, a simpler and far less costly solution would be to install two traffic lights, one at Hwy. 20 and Barclay Rd. and the other at Hwy. 20 and Locust St. The lights could be synchronized to allow pedestrians, especially school children, bicyclists and cross traffic to safely cross the highway. A roundabout would not "solve" the traffic problems at Hwy. 20 and Locust St. which is a nightmare and accident waiting to happen.

Why not try it? The money saved could be used for more advantageous road repairs.

On Easter Sunday, an article about the roundabout appeared in The Bulletin. Now the cost of construction is about $3.2 million. It's mind-boggling. How much would it cost to install two traffic lights instead? Peter Murphy says that the traffic lights can cause accidents, mainly of the rear-end variety. How many rear-enders have been documented in Hwy. 97 in Bend and Redmond? How many do you think would occur at two traffic lights in

Sisters?

Donna Holland