Letters to the Editor 05/25/2016

To the Editor:

Thursday May 5, was the National Day of Prayer. Not something new as the first call for prayer was in 1775. Some of the founding fathers of our nation with their faith - public prayer and national days of prayer became a long-standing and significant history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislators to open their sessions with prayer in Marcs vs. Chamber (1983).

The call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution of Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year all 50 governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.

The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans and that includes the Sisters community, too. A day to bring citizens of all backgrounds that can transcend their differences. Another day of observance held all over America on the steps of city halls, in schools if permitted , businesses, churches and homes ... people stop their activities and gather in prayer.

The National Day of Prayer which took place in Sisters Country was its fourth annual event. The Nugget was made aware of the event and was also personally invited. The May 11th addition of The Nugget highlighted numerous events in the community ... so should it be considered and intentional that a recognized National Day of Prayer isn't for Sisters ... or is it that the Sisters Nugget decided so?

In addition, the prayer breakfast provides a secondary purpose to benefit the community's only private school, Sisters Christian Academy. The school now entering its 20th school year with an enrollment ready to exceed 100 students. Even more important is the schools' reputation and success for the students who graduate from the K-8 education it provides. Two of the school's alumni this year will graduate Sisters High School as valedictorians.

This brings me to the significant question with the ongoing observance of the National Day of Prayer event. Knowing that over 200 were in attendance locally and the events worship team which included talented music students from the community and the school. A local guest speaker Ken Ruettgers sharing his faith and hope for our community and country ... as well as its children. Why this edition of The Nugget which had a wide-ranging mix of stories assorted throughout the newspaper...and yet a community newspaper that wished to totally ignore an event of such significance.

What should the community derive from The Nugget's silence regarding the event? Is it personal to the publisher and editor what they believe to be important? Is any reference to prayer ... a community gathering in prayer less important than the other stories taking place in the Sisters Community?

Peter Storton

Event Coordinator

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To the Editor:

About the Fryrear Curve: I've lived on Highway 20 since 1991 and I always watch out for people pulling out of Fryrear Road when I go to Sisters; seems they think I'll slow down while they pull out. So far they have been lucky!

Most people either forget to signal before turning or don't turn their signal on soon enough. Wake up and pay attention, people. If you drive over to the Valley, it's true, lots of curves. Just slow down.

Laura Berning

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To the Editor:

Re: Highway 20 trees. Shame that these trees were allowed to get so distressed that they have to be removed, but these things do happen. When we bought our property it was covered in overgrown trees - some diseased, some not. We hired a tree service based in Salem and they were able to salvage most but they showed us how to tell how healthy a tree is and how to keep our remaining trees pruned and alive.

Kay Ehm

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To the Editor:

A meeting was held on May 19 between the Sisters City Council, IGA and ODOT regarding the Highway 20 and Barclay Drive right-of-way for the planned roundabout.

Does it make sense to spend $3,192,599 for a roundabout in a city with a population of just over 2,000 people and which extends approximately five miles long between east and west city limits?

During reconstruction of Cascade Avenue, a temporary traffic light was installed at Highway 20 and Barclay Drive. It very adequately solved the traffic problems at that intersection. After the reconstruction was completed, the signal light was removed, much to everyone's dismay. It was not considered safe.

A traffic light was installed on Highway 97 in La Pine for the safety of delivery trucks and pedestrians. Why is a light considered safe for La Pine but not for Sisters? The cost of the signal was $1.5 million, an amount considerably less than the amount of the proposed roundabout in Sisters.

All of the quaint shops in Sisters is what makes our town so unique. My guess is that many of these shops will not survive the construction of a roundabout. Do you suppose that just maybe ODOT might reconsider the feasibility of the roundabout and instead install a permanent traffic light at Highway 20 and Barclay Drive? It would be such a simple solution and save us all the months of turmoil and upheaval of construction.

Economically, it makes so much sense. The money saved could be put to far better use.

Donna Holland

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To the Editor:

I would like to thank Andrew Gorayeb for his service to the City of Sisters. I met Andrew when he was receiving an award from the Chamber and was lucky enough to serve on the school board with him.

His heart is undoubtedly in the right place, and I for one appreciate his service to the school, SPRD, local charities and of course the City and to many students and colleagues that he mentored.

I know for me as a leader of organizations there is often a tension between getting things done and being popular, and hurting feelings. I cannot comment on the latter but what I can say is he created change in much to which he contributed.

Sisters looks great, I would imagine business is up and I think we can thank Andrew, who worked with other government agencies on behalf of Sisters, and even restructured our debt.

Thank you, Andrew.

Stephen King

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To the Editor:

This is a quick thank-you to the nice people in Sisters who picked up the wallet that fell out of my pocket at Bi-Mart on Friday afternoon.

Someone put it in a shopping cart and someone else took it into the store. Then a store employee called to tell me it was there.My husband drove to the store (because I didn't have a driver's license) and forgot to get the name of the person at the store but he did say thank you very much.

Where else but Sisters could so many people handle a wallet without taking anything out of it?I love you all.

Jean Nave

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To the Editor:

Re: "Analyzing the Gorayeb report," (The Nugget, May 18, page 1): Something doesn't smell right here. This report speaks of very minor infractions in light of the results Andrew (Gorayeb, former city manager) seemed to have been getting. However, an investigation was reasonable.

He's then presented with the few things he needs to work on (common in any performance review) but then choses to resign. How does the massive severance come into play? I'm lost on how this escalated to the point it did.

If a private company, it's none of my business. As a tax-funded entity, I would have expected City Council to have done a significantly better job explaining their actions - other than simply, "It was best for Sisters."

What's best for Sisters is exemplary leadership.

Torrey Sharp

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To the Editor:

This upcoming June 3 marks the start of the fifth season of the Sisters Farmers Market, which began with the vision to provide local agricultural products to our community.

Over the course of these past years, we have gathered a group of vendors that are committed to bringing their products to the market every Friday throughout the summer season. This market thrives as a result of the devotion of the vendors combined with the commitment of the Sisters community to support it. This is for you! For the first time we are now accepting SNAP to include those who use this service.

The market takes place in Barclay Park every Friday from 2 to 5 p.m., a great time to stock up for the weekend, meet up with friends before Art Stroll, and enjoy live music.

We are anticipating this upcoming season to be the most vital thus far as we have 15 committed vendors and a new market managing team, led by Carys Wilkins of Mahonia Gardens.

Please make it a priority to come shop the market this year and get the best before shopping for the rest! See you there,

Rebecca Sokol