Letters to the Editor 09/14/2016

To the Editor:

I have delighted in living in Sisters for the last 30 years after my husband retired and we made the decision to move closer to family. We looked for a place with a strong sense of community where we could establish new friendships and delight in the company of diverse opinions. But, equally, we looked for a place that was surrounded by great natural beauty, and that evoked a strong sense of place that could inspire us all to take care of it as we looked to take care of one another.

I was reflecting on all of this the other day as I sat in my garden and listened to the whine and pound of tools being used to renovate homes for growing families and retirees; the rumble of FedEx, DHL, UPS and U.S. Mail trucks along our roads as they conveniently deliver all the goods that we order online; the whirr of power tools being used to help us keep our homes and properties ready for wildfires and winter; the traffic coming and going over the mountains and right through the center of town; and, yes, the 30-second burst of buzz of planes taking off from the airport.

I find myself frequently starting to get irritated by all of this cumulative impact on ME! But then I remember the random acts of kindness of drivers in letting an old lady across Cascade Avenue; the friendly waves of people who don't even really know me as I make my way into town; the hopeful new restaurants that have sprung up to provide places for new and old friends to get together, and jobs for local young people and optimistic entrepreneurs ...

and yes, the ultimate joy of jumping out of one of those planes and floating safely to the ground in the company of a wonderful group of young people who are working hard to make a living, bring joy into our lives, and not irritate too many of us along the way.

I have three grown children, and had the great good fortune to be able to raise them in a number of different cultures where they could learn a sense of tolerance that comes from a recognition that we don't all see things the same way, and that you really do have to "walk a mile in their shoes" before you can begin to comprehend a different perspective.

How about if we all spend a bit more time talking and getting to know one another, and reflect on all of the sounds that each of us generate that have the potential to drive us all crazy. And then let's establish a common-sense consensus on how we would like the future to unfold ... knowing that it won't be the same tomorrow as in the good ol' days?

Or maybe I'll just take my hearing aids out and smile at the cows and swat the flies.

Peggy Benton

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To the Editor:

We have received a copy of a map submitted to Oregon Department of Aviation by Sisters Eagle Airport. It appears that Sisters Eagle Airport is seeking an increase in their airport zone footprint of approximately 400 percent (corrected typographical error as noted in comment below). The new footprint would include the two residential airport housing subdivisions, apparently without the approval of all residents.

In addition, the two properties being used as landing zones for skydivers would be included. It is our understanding that the area in the new footprint, if approved by the Oregon Department of Aviation, would be exempt from city and county zoning rules, allowing many airport activities on the enlarged footprint that are not currently permitted by local governments.

The airport expansion proposal could have significant impacts on our community, especially the surrounding neighborhoods. As a result, a committee of concerned citizens, Greater Sisters Area Citizens Advisory, LLC, has been formed to monitor these developments, obtain more transparency in the process, and gain a better understanding of the potential near-term and long-term impacts. If you share our concerns or would like more information about our goals and objectives, please contact us at [email protected]

Bruce Mason

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To the Editor:

Thank you for the near-weekly comic strip offered to the people of Sisters, "American Voices. What a laugh riot! Robert Reich? That sycophant joker! Rachel Marsden, gracing us with her satire on American affairs from her haughty perch in Paris? Har-dee-har-har (knocking us dead with her support of the Iran nuclear deal, killer funny!)

"Robbie B" (his stage handle) really brought home the guffaws to end August, shilling and brow-beating for the Left's continuing tragic comedy, the socialistic/Marxist failure Obamacare. "Rational people" now get to live out the loss of individual choice and witness the destruction of the world's finest healthcare system, at the same time! How fun! So how does the court jester propose we fix this fascistic mess, which was forced down all Americans' throats? Why, by doubling-down on failure, of course! His funniest line of all?

"...a government-run single-payer system...dedicated to lower premiums and better care for everyone."

Just like we see with the government-run Veterans Administration! WOO-HOO, this is gonna be so AWESOME (cue laugh-track to drown out the cries of American heroes as they wait to die while on VA "waitlists"...)!

The final joke, however, is The Nugget's obligatory blurb:

"Opinions...are not necessarily shared by the Editor or ... Newspaper"

HA, HA, HA, HA...!!!

If you continue to roll out your preferred bias, please change the comic name to something honest, say "America's Leftist Voices," or, "Voices from the Left." Or how about some ...wait for it ... DIVERSITY (which leftists really love, honest!) Provide equal time for columns by Thomas Sowell, or Jason Riley, or Kevin D. Williamson. In doing so, you'll get a two-fer ...they are black Americans! You'll now be able to move away from your "privileged," lily-white comedians and placate BLM'ers (just like the DNC)!

Cheers!

Kirk L. Schlemlein

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To the Editor:

Last week, after just getting out of my car at Home Depot I heard someone yell out "thank you for your service!" I looked over in the next row of parked cars and saw a woman waving and smiling. Every once in a while I'll wear a ball cap that indicates my past connection to the military and either a store clerk or a stranger will say "thanks for your service."

As a Vietnam veteran I'm grateful for the recognition. Those that serve selflessly including police, fire, first-responders, etc. clearly deserve the gratitude of our great nation on a daily basis.

Contrast this with the sobering sight of four caskets covered with American flags just returning from Benghazi and Hillary Clinton's lies to the faces of grieving relatives. And then, when testifying before Congress, almost yelling, declares "what difference does it make?!." She made it blatantly obvious how she expresses her "thanks for serving" to Americans making the ultimate sacrifice.

Jeff Mackey