Letters to the Editor 07/13/2016

To the Editor:

My wife and I visited Sisters in June 2016 and stayed at the Sisters Creekside Campground. While there I went for a run on the Peterson Ridge Trail. Unfortunately, I fell and needed EMT and ambulance assistance to retrieve me and take me to the hospital in Bend.

A few days later I had surgery to repair a ruptured quadriceps tendon, am spending two weeks in a hotel in Bend recovering and returning to the orthopedist for the follow-up visit, and then will return home to Colorado to begin physical therapy and continue healing.

I am writing to thank so many people in the community who helped us: the bicycle rider who happened upon me laying on the trail and then went for help; the three EMTs; the police department person who connected me with the bicycle-rider angel; the staff at Creekside who looked for creative solutions to move and store our fifth-wheel trailer; the company that towed our trailer to storage; the storage place that accepted our trailer before they were officially open for business; the campground guest who loaded my bike into our truck; the veterinarian who cared for our sick cat; the owner of a second-hand store who offered the use of her ranch to store the trailer; and in Bend the emergency room and orthopedic doctors and nursing staff.

So, in sum, we are very grateful to so many residents in the Sisters community who reached out to us in our time of need. It made a wonderful impression and a lasting memory. I am very grateful and was deeply touched by the outpouring of support and assistance, especially from total strangers. Thank you for the warmth and hospitality extended to my wife and me during our time of need. We'll be back.

With deepest thanks,

Ted Settle

Fort Collins, CO

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To the Editor:

To the guy flying the UAV at the airport on the 4th of July:

I must admit to a little bit of envy; you must've gotten some spectacular footage of the drag races, as well as the whole event.

As a drone flyer myself - and one who has (not necessarily happily) registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FA33YEM9WP) - I must also admit to a certain amount of anger and frustration. Surely you must know that flying UAVs over people is against the law, as well as being potentially hazardous to bystanders.

You also may or may not be aware that so far this year firefighting aircraft have been grounded on several occasions due to UAVs being operated in the vicinity of wildfires.

We're at the very beginning of the UAV revolution, and it's not too far a stretch to imagine the FAA imposing an outright ban on all personal-use UAVs.

To you and all UAV pilots who may be tempted to get the cool shots: Please don't give the feds any further excuses to shut us down.

Pete Rathbun

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To the Editor:

The economy is booming and Sisters remains dependent upon tourism and recreation activities. EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) and City of Sisters leadership have been working diligently to bring new industry into our community. The land at and around the airport has been designated for industrial and commercial development. Private and government dollars have been invested in the airport to create better opportunities for economic advancement. The activities proposed at the airport can be diverse, and a skydiving venture is but one of the enterprises that is permissible in an airport

setting.

Sisters Airport is expanding and improving its services for pilots and aircraft. I understand that over 80 percent of city residents voted to annex the private airport into the city. It is unrealistic to then ask the Bensons to not expand the business opportunities for their airport.

I am a private pilot and own an airplane. For four years I rented a hangar in Prineville because there were none in Sisters. Once Sisters Eagle Airport built their hangars I rented one. Now I spend money in Sisters to hangar and fuel my airplane. I frequently spend time at the airport and have met many people who fly to Sisters to enjoy the amenities of Sisters Country. As the airport expands, more economic impact will be felt community-wide.

There are 4,800 licensed airplanes in Oregon. Some of these planes travel to or over Central Oregon for work or pleasure. With the more affordable fuel prices, air travel is increasing and it is not fair to assume that the skydiving airplane based out of Sisters Airport is responsible for the increased noise in the area.

I volunteered at the 4th of July of event where hundreds of people came to see and learn about airplanes, classic cars and skydiving. Money was raised to support the very successful aviation program at Sisters High School, which can introduce youth to aviation careers.

The expansion of the airport and its services has prompted much local discussion in recent weeks. I encourage people to find ways to communicate their views and opinions in a respectful manner. Perhaps we can explore how we can seek common ground through efforts such as the Speak Your Peace initiative.

John Dunlap

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To the Editor:

At the outset, we want to say that we have the highest respect for the individuals operating the Eagle Airport.

They are good people, smart entrepreneurs, and in the past have been good neighbors.

However, not all business decisions are good ones, and the decision to initiate a commercial skydiving operation is, in our opinion, a flawed venture. It has dramatically increased the level and frequency of air traffic and engine noise in our community. It has deprived many of the enjoyment of their homes by the constant, relentless and grating sounds of an airplane engine four days a week.

This is especially disturbing because this activity takes place during the warmer months when many wish to be outside enjoying their property, listening to the sounds of nature, and experiencing the peace they treasure in this community.

In our opinion, the recreational benefits to a limited number of skydivers and the questionable financial benefits to Sisters pales in comparison to the price paid by so many residents, as well as visitors.

Part of being a good neighbor is knowing when your own self interests disproportionately and adversely impact the legitimate interests of those around you. Although we don't criticize Eagle Airport for experimenting with this venture, we think time has shown that the drawbacks far exceed the limited benefits.

Some comments have suggested that the City of Sisters develop noise ordinances or take other regulatory action to either halt or severely restrict this and potential future activity. A more simple and expedient solution may be for the operators of Eagle Airport to reconsider their decision to launch a commercial skydiving business due to the negative impact on so many in the broader community.

David Adler & Marcy Edwards

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To the Editor:

The "Bunkhouse Chronicle" of June 29 ("The big identity party") is confusing. For example, the author claims that our constitution is "the principle aggravation" of militant Islamists who are attacking it because it is our "military center of gravity" (???). I have read a lot of propaganda in Arabic and English from the likes of ISIS and have found no mention of our constitution. I suspect that few of its followers have heard of it.

In addition, when discussing the constitution and its relationship to militant Islamists, the author seems to equate the separation of church and state with secularism. But they are not the same thing. The likes of ISIS are against the separation of church and state but not against secularism in the sense of non-religious law. Islamic law, or the Sharia, chiefly concerns family law (marriage, divorce, inheritance) and religious ritual (prayer, pilgrimage, the fast of Ramadan). Vast areas of law (administrative, civil, etc.), which we might call secular, lie outside it.

More importantly, if the author wishes to criticize Islamic law, which version troubles him? There is no standard corpus of Islamic law. Indeed "Islamic law" and the "Sharia" are generic terms for interpretations of what is religiously permissible and forbidden based primarily on the Quran and the alleged words and deeds of Muhammad. These sources have been interpreted and reinterpreted for centuries. Thus the Sharia is qualified by wide variations of opinion. Today the Sunnis have four major interpretations, from liberal to conservative. The Shiites have their own.

So does ISIS.

Furthermore, most Christians would be comfortable with many, perhaps most, provisions of Islamic law. For instance, it prohibits female infanticide, prohibits usury, prohibits gambling, prohibits alcoholic beverages, prohibits adultery, prohibits pimping, requires women to dress modestly (no mention of the veil) and requires giving 2.5 percent of one's income to the poor. So, if one wishes to criticize Islamic law, one must be specific. Which version, which part? If not, it makes no more sense to criticize Islamic law as a whole than, say, American civil

law.

Gary Leiser

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To the Editor:

I moved to Sisters in 1958, and believe me there was peace and quiet. There were sirens when there was a fire, but none from an ambulance, because we did not have one. There was no traffic except for hunting season, and when it was over there was almost no traffic all winter. There was no noise from airplanes unless the Barclays went somewhere or the jets flew over.

You could say I have seen many changes in the last 58 years. I, however, am not annoyed with any of the sounds, be it sirens every day or airplanes going over. It means that we welcomed all you newcomers even as it changed our lives. Maybe it was easier for us because it was a gradual transformation. However for people to move here and then say I don't like the noise so you need to stop flying airplanes is ludicrous.

I think we just need to take a deep breath and realize that it is still the best place in the world to live - noise or no noise.

Diana Pepperling

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To the Editor:

I am a Washington state resident writing about Sisters and areas nearby.

You have something special yet increasingly rare in this hectic and noisy world.

You have astounding beauty and relative quiet. Such a precious reality should not be taken lightly. To be shortsighted and lose this for the profits of a few is a travesty.

I understand the benefit and necessity of airplane flights related to emergency services. However, constant commercial noise pollution will keep visitors away, cause relocation of residents and change one of the best things your area has to offer.

I urge you to work together on the airport/helicopter issues and come up with some real solutions.

Katherine Moulton

Whidbey Island, Washington

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To the Editor:

For those creating a ruckus about the noise at the airport, I have just a few things to remind you of:

1. You chose to live near an airport.

2. As with the rest of Sisters Country, things evolve and change; accept that change is the only constant in life.

3. If you just make yourself part of the problem by doing nothing but complaining, then you are the problem. Our world is a mess just for this reason - "everyone wants to tell their neighbors how to live, but no one wants to listen to how they feel."

The right answer in any situation is the one that serves everyone involved.

Just because you have an issue with this doesn't mean you are right.

Michael Valoppi

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To the Editor:

Greg Walker's May 31 www.nuggetnews.com">Nugget Newspaper letter regarding Erik Kozowski, candidate for Deschutes County Sheriff, left me with a question. Have advanced degrees in the sheriff's office served Deschutes County well thus far? Given the series of misconduct, lawsuits, missing records, theft, etc., Greg Walker's lack of concern over the unprofessionalism and unaccountability in the sheriff's office is puzzling.

A visit to Erik Kozowski's website, http://www.Kozowski4sheriff.com, reveals years of police work, 1,700 hours of police certifications and trainings, awards, experience in the private sector, military service, work with district attorneys prosecuting criminal cases. Training and experience are more reliable indicators of professionalism, leadership and effectiveness than an advanced degree.

Voters are concerned with the pattern of behavior within the sheriff's office under sheriffs Blanton and Nelson. A series of sexual misconduct; theft; lack of transparency; missing records; wrongful death of an inmate and the resulting multimillion-dollar lawsuit; cronyism.

Sheriff Nelson has promised change. He not only rehired Larry Blanton, sheriff during Scott Beard's malfeasance, misconduct in the department has continued under his lack of leadership. Recognizing the need to hire from outside of a good ol' boy system is essential to overcoming internal problems. Sheriff Nelson may lack the ability to make these tough decisions. Holding coworkers accountable is a requirement of leadership.

Erik Kozowski has spoken out against the culture of corruption in the sheriff's department. Kozowski is running as an alternative to the failed leadership of the current Deschutes County Sheriff. Voters have the ability to return professionalism and accountability to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. Elect Erik Kozowski to Deschutes County

Sheriff.

Janet Dorgan