Two named to Sisters Planning Commission

Art Blumencron and Cris Converse have been named by Mayor Chuck Ryan to fill the two four-year vacancies on the Planning Commission. Converse and Blumencron both live outside the city limits and are replacing Roger Detweiler and Tim Klem.

With a field of eight applicants for two positions, Ryan enlisted the assistance of councilors Andrea Blum and Nancy Connolly in interviewing all of the well-qualified candidates. In the recent past, an interview process hasn't been necessary because of so few applicants for openings on the various City commissions and boards.

Blumencron, who moved to Sisters three years ago after 43 years living in Portland, is currently building two work/live buildings in Sun Ranch Business Park with businesses on the ground level and apartments upstairs. In one of the spaces Blumencron will open his Goby Walnut Products with wood from his urban salvage sawmill in Portland.

Blumencron is a graduate of Reed College in physical psychology and is active in the Reed Entrepreneurial group.

He told the councilors, "I have a great desire to see Sisters grow properly in a measured way."

He pointed to the traffic congestion and expensive real estate prices in Portland as things he would like to see Sisters avoid. Blumencron volunteered for the Planning Commission because of his love for Sisters.

"I would like to have a part in determining the direction Sisters is going," he said.

He mentioned particularly traffic flow for pedestrians, bikes, and autos (including a manageable downtown in the summer), measured growth, affordable housing (more than just apartments), and a walkable downtown. He also mentioned more healthcare options in town and more light-industrial property to foster job creation. He describes himself as "an idea, a vision guy."

Blumencron has given considerable time to a variety of boards including the Oregon Institute of Literary Arts, Cascade Meadows Homeowners Association, and The Roundhouse Foundation advisory board. He is assisting Kathy and Frank Deggendorfer in establishing a wood shop at Pine Meadow Ranch, donating equipment to it.

Cris Converse came to Sisters in 1971 when her mother, Dorro Sokol, purchased Pine Meadow Ranch. She has been deeply involved in the community for the last 10 years as a member of the Sisters Folk Festival board, coaching the high school girls' volleyball team, and serving on a diverse selection of committees.

"I have no skin in the game," Converse said, indicating she has no vested interests in town.

"I find the town interesting. We have evolved from a strictly Western town to one with more diversity. I'm OK with mixing," she said. "Now that I am retired, I have time to give to the Planning Commission. I think I have indicated that I want Sisters to stay a special place."

In 2017, she donated $250,000 worth of municipal water rights from Pine Meadow Ranch to the City, augmenting the City's water supply for years to come. The Chamber of Commerce named Converse the 2017 Citizen of the Year at their annual banquet in February. She accepted the award in honor of her mother.

Converse has a background in business and finance, government, writing legal documents, contracting, running the ranch, and is a shareholder in The Porch Restaurant. She brings to the Planning Commission her experience developing Pine Meadow Village with her family, which made her very familiar with zoning and codes in Sisters.

"In fact," she said, laughing, "I like reading codes."

When asked why she wanted to be on the Planning Commission, Converse said she is doing it for her mom, to whom the community meant so much. Dorro served on the Planning Commission for many years and was devoted to Sisters.

"This is an important time right now, a critical time for the whole city," she concluded.

The Council indicated the other candidates were all well qualified and the councilors encouraged them all to find other ways to be involved in the city.

"Now we have your names and know who you are. You'll be hearing from us," Connolly told the applicants.