Letters to the Editor 10/12/2016

To the Editor:

The Second Amendment of the Constitution states "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." So why is it that Democrats continue to make every effort to infringe on law-abiding citizens' rights under the Constitution?

I'm completely baffled why Democrats think conservatives (deplorables) are violent because we own guns. When was the last time you saw a group of conservatives block a freeway, turn over cop cars, riot, loot, throw Molotov cocktails, and burn buildings?

So far this year in President Obama's hometown of Chicago there have been over 3,000 shooting victims.

Guess how many have been attributed to NRA members.

So what is the motive behind this insatiable drive by Democrats to disarm law-abiding citizens? We've witnessed firsthand (one of many examples) corrupt power at the highest level of our government and the justice system with the dismissal of Hillary Clinton's violation of the law (18 U.S. Code & 793 subsection).

Any military person that compromised our nation's security even a fraction of what she had would be prosecuted under the Espionage Act of 1913.

So, would Hillary as president select Supreme Court Justices that further the Democrats drive to disarm law-abiding citizens; the precise thing the 2nd Amendment was written to protect us from? Nah! After 40-plus years of scandal-free government service, 100% honesty with voters, and a thorough commitment to the methods of Saul Alinsky; Hillary Clinton wouldn't even think such a thing.

Would she, really?

Lying about Benghazi, no big deal right? $45,000,000 accumulated net worth as Secretary of State, corruption you say; or just another right-wing conspiracy? How's the saying go; "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely"? When James Madison drafted the 2nd Amendment I can almost envision him in a TV commercial "I'm the National Rifle Association and I'm freedom's safest place."

Jeff Mackey

•••

To the Editor:

Brett Hudson "volunteered" to help get the last school bond going, then gets hired as the project manager for this bond. I didn't see any mention anywhere that Sisters School District was hiring for this job. Who else did they consider? And I see that the oversight committee members will be announced soon. Who did they recruit for that? I didn't hear anything about that either.

No transparency here. The bond hasn't even started being collected and they are already spending it on a project manager. Someone who will move on to another project when this is built out. We should wait until we have someone to replace Leland Bliss to start hiring a project manager. Someone who will be here to maintain whatever we build.

Bruce Berryhill

•••

To the Editor:

I am writing to introduce my candidacy to the community. My name is Kathryn Lindbloom and I am running as a write-in candidate for the Sisters City Council. I was surprised to see only three people step forward for election and a reduction of two early morning meetings per month. A number of fellow Sisters Country residents approached me about being a fourth choice.

So here I am!

I moved to the Sisters area 10 years ago and began my involvement with the community a few months later as a volunteer with the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. I was a sales assistant at the Stitchin' Post for five years, and served on the Sisters Budget Committee in 2015 and 2016.

My background includes a secondary school teaching credential in social sciences, MA in counseling psychology, and an MBA in finance and accounting. As well as being full-time employed for 40 years, I have been a volunteer most of my life. I spent four years on a homeowners association as treasurer, vice president, and president. Later I served six years on a planning commission. I served on city fact-finding commissions, citizen initiatives, and voter ballot committees.

One of the reasons I am running, and that others encouraged me to step forward, is that I have no specific agenda other than I love living in Sisters and wish to see it continue as this special place to live. In the short foreseeable future we must choose a city manager.

It is extremely important that we find an individual that holds the same values as we do.

Next will be the Sisters Ranger District property, which is again going up for sale. Public input is crucial, as this is the last major area that we have for development and very important that it is developed in keeping with the flavor of Sisters.

If you agree with me, I hope you will write in KATHRYN LINDBLOOM.

P.S. The county clerk asks that you spell my name exactly as written above.

Kathryn Lindbloom

•••

To the Editor:

Many years ago I had the opportunity to work with Alan Unger around a goal of reducing root causes of poverty in Central Oregon. I was board chair and Alan was one of our first hires as a community advocate for the Central Oregon Partnership. It was obvious from the first day that Alan was a consensus-builder and problem-solver. Ingrained in him is the philosophy that communities work best when everyone works together.

Alan's roots are small-town Central Oregon. He's an excellent listener that works tirelessly to assure that this amazing geography we share continues to be a great place to live for future generations. His leadership in ensuring that our natural resources, forests, and lands are used to their best advantage supports the Sisters Country lifestyle we all cherish.

Alan is a man Zoe and I deeply respect. He has our support and he has our vote for County Commissioner.

Bill and Zoe Willitts