Letters to the Editor 08/05/2015

To the Editor:

I think Hayden Homes should live up to building the high-density housing they promised to build when they started their development.

Sisters needs housing affordable to families with young children if we want to keep our schools open. What do we see as the future of Sisters? A retirement community where everyone who works here has to live in Redmond, or a vibrant mixed-age community with children?

Bruce Berryhill

s s s

To the Editor:

I finally have to write a letter about bike trails.

I have been very disappointed in our community response to this issue. Communities affected like Tollgate and Black Butte Ranch were asked to take a poll vote on the idea of a trail. It passed by a substantial majority, which seems to count for nothing due to the vociferous comments by those opposed for various reasons.

The comment that the voting participation did not represent many of the people doesn't fly. If you don't participate (or read what is going on) then it can be assumed that you don't care. Excellent work was done to mitigate the problems expressed about the trail being too close to Tollgate properties. It seems that voting on the issue doesn't count as much as complaining about it.

I have traveled across the U.S. four times in the last year-and-a-half and have appreciated the many bike trails in parks, National Parks and cities. We in Sisters Country would do well to continue pursuing our bid for a trail. It doesn't have to be a paved trail; hard-packed sand (with a binder in it) is an alternative. Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC has an excellent bike trail all the way around the peninsula made of hard-packed sand, as does much of the waterfront.

Merrill Kneeland

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To the Editor:

Over the past 20 years or so we have allowed a toxic political atmosphere to grow at the national level. It should be no surprise that it has now descended to our state and even local level.

We get the government we deserve.  If we elect abusive people and treat our elected officials with contempt, only abusive and contemptuous people will be willing to govern us. Wendy, Bill and McKibben are examples of how we could have done better in the sense that if we hadn't run them out of office we'd still have those good people (on council).

Lou Thompson

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To the Editor:

As a mediator, I am saddened by the tone of some of the letters being written about the proposed bike path. 

I know and understand why many of those writing in support for the path feel extremely frustrated and angry that their years of time and money spent on path planning is being blocked by opponents and that they sincerely believe that the path would benefit our greater community. 

And I know and understand that while the opponents are not necessarily against a bike path per say, they have concerns about the proposed path on their forest, safety, privacy and pocketbooks. Is it not human to want to protect family and property? 

The bottom line is that both sides have a right to their viewpoints. However, if one of the goals of the bike path is to bring our extended communities closer together, I believe these letters are moving us in the opposite direction.

Sheila Seitz

Black Butte Ranch

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To the Editor:

The article in the July 29 Nugget headed "BBR Board votes support of paved trail" (page 3) is nicely written and overall accurate.

However we would like to add a note to clarify the language about the homeowner survey referenced. A more accurate description of the survey results is: "In response to survey questions, 61 percent of homeowners who responded to the survey indicated support for the trail, 14 percent were undecided, and 25 percent were opposed."

Thank you for the important role The Nugget plays in community communications.

Dennis Tower

BBR HOA Board Chairman