Letters to the Editor 12/07/2016

To the Editor:

I have enjoyed the Christmas parade for years, it is a tradition and a cherished one. Thank you to all the participants, you were wonderful and appreciated.

If not for the large number of fire trucks (thank you), I fear we would have had a very short parade this year. How about for next year we actively recruit participants, even participate ourselves (my job is on notice that we WILL have a float next year). Missed the bands, the little kids in tutus, the imagination and surprise of new participants, and many of our old favorites.

I challenge us to pump up the fun next year!

Karly Drake-Lusby

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To the Editor:

A dangerous situation exists very near Sisters. Target shooting at the McKenzie gravel pit west of Sisters is endangering Crossroads residents and guests as well as users of the Jimerson trail, the nearby forest roads, and Highway 242. We all have a right to be in this forest, including target shooters, walkers, cyclists, equestrians, motorists, and others, and I'm sure we all want everyone to be as safe as possible while exercising their right to recreate in the forest. The McKenzie gravel pit is only about 650 yards from Crossroads and 170 yards from the Jimerson hiker and horse trail. In addition, between the pit and Crossroads is Trout Butte Creek, a favorite spot for children.

Bill Lewis of Central Oregon Shooting Sports Association (COSSA), who has 58 years of experience using target pits and 27 years designing them, visited the McKenzie pit and feels it is definitely unsafe for target shooting. Among other problems, the sides of the pit are not high enough to stop stray bullets, many of which can travel for miles.

The Jimerson trail was built when the pit was being used by a private business. When that company subsequently abandoned the pit, it gradually became a place for target practice. While the pre-existing trail, built with Forest Service approval, could be moved, we can't move Crossroads, or Trout Butte Creek, or surrounding roads. Shooters, on the other hand, have several other locations they can safely use for target practice in Sisters Country. The Ranger District office in Sisters will give out maps showing how to get to the Zimmerman Cinder Pit, Fourmile Butte Cinder Pit, Melvin Cinder Pit and Pole Creek Cinder Pit - all safe and approved places for target shooting.

I fully support the right to bear arms and the many responsible shooters who are not using this unsafe location for target practice. Shooters who are using McKenzie Pit would do everyone in our community a big service by switching to an approved pit. No one wants to see anyone, especially a child, injured or killed by a stray bullet when it is so easy to prevent.

Chuck Humphreys