Letters to the Editor 05/23/2018

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Sisters Park & Recreation District, I want to thank the voters for passing the local option tax levy in last week's election. With nearly 60 percent of the voters supporting the levy, we are humbled by this outpouring of support.

Passage of the levy is the result of years of preparation. Ten years ago, SPRD was faced with significant financial issues and lacked strong community support. Thanks to the concerted efforts, over the past decade, of board members, staff and a legion of volunteers, SPRD is in position to put the new tax revenues to good use.

The board understands that it is obliged to use these new funds wisely and as outlined in the levy. We also know that we must continue to look for ways to leverage our tax revenues with grants, fundraising events, partnerships, and volunteers. 

This week the board, working with a group of citizen volunteers, will begin planning for how to use the additional funds when they become available. On our radar will be lowering costs for after-school programs, producing outstanding special events and sports tournaments, broadening the selection of adult programs, better supporting our staff and addressing the backlog of maintenance issues at SPRD headquarters and the adjoining recreation facilities.

Over the five years that this new levy is in force, the district is committed to regularly updating you, the public, on what we are doing with the funds and how they are benefitting the community.

The district looks forward, in the days, months, and years ahead, to continuing to provide Sisters Country with the recreation services that our community wants and deserves.  

We will not let you down.

Bob Keefer, Board Chair

Sisters Park & Recreation Board of Directors

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To the Editor:

Permit/fee system is an unapproved tax system, which eventually excludes lower-income users.

This will lead to more Bundy-style confrontations of Federal lockup/lockout of public lands. Savvy backwoods users already know how to avoid heavy-use areas and will continue to do so. This scheme will encourage more outdoor off-trail campsite adventurism and smug elitist counter-culture hide-and-seek from Feds and their use of

drones.

My advice: Stop trying to control land use by rescuing humans from themselves.

Lonny Rodgers

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To the Editor:

I understand the need to manage the over-use of our trails and popular wilderness sites. I see the impacts of heavy, unsustainable use. My hope is that we can continue to gain access without the mad dash of first come, first serve processes. Lottery type system? I support some level of control, but still want to have some hope of acquiring a trail permit.

I already pay for Forest Service trail passes, now those passes will have reduced value. Questions: Will there be restrictions on flow-through PCT traffic? Can I access segments of PCT without getting permit? Will you limit number of out-of-state, international permits in favor of local/in-state? Sad to have to come to this.

Donald Wilson

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To the Editor:

I wanted to take a moment to give a huge "Thank-You" to our community for supporting the renewal of our local option. From our PAC members, community partners, staff and board members that were key communicators about the tremendous impact the local option dollars have on supporting our schools, to the general voters that understand the importance of a strong school system to a community, thank you for supporting our schools.

We boast some of the smallest class sizes in the region and state. And additionally, programs like the Americana Project, IEE, art, music, outdoor education, guitar and ukulele building, culinary arts, flight science, and Seed to Table are all possible. These experiential learning opportunities are described as transformational by the students, staff and community members that participate in

them. 

Once again, "thank you" Sisters community for supporting Sisters School District!

Curt Scholl

Superintendent of Sisters School District