Letters to the Editor 9/11/24

Roundabout Tortoise

To the Editor:

Here’s my idea for the center artwork at the new roundabout: How about a gigantic replica of a Galapagos Tortoise?

Jim Cline 

Art and owls

To the Editor:

After reading the article in The Nugget regarding the Roundabout art project I would hope the artists would consider a tribute to the following: Our military veterans. Sisters’ history of their logging industry. History of Sisters Quilt Show and Rodeo. Save a lot of money. Relocate the horse that is presently displayed on the corner of Cascade Avenue.

We don’t need “interpretive art” the likes of the god-awful examples of what Bend and Redmond presently have on display.

After reading the article in The Nugget, “Plan finalized to kill barred owls,” I have some questions/ comments.

Let’s think outside the box.

Why not let nature take its course for those who believe in evolution, the fittest will survive? How long would it take?

Why not invest in commercial ranches to breed and raise the Spotted Owl? If the government has so much money to spend, let them flood our forests with them or raise sterile Barred Owls and eventually that could solve the problem.

Do we eliminate every creature that naturally migrates?

Marvin Inman

Wolves in Central Oregon

To the Editor:

This is Mehmet, as being a native Turkish, I can recommend that one solution to the ranchers to protect their livestock from the wolf packs would be a special dog breed, especially bred for wolves. For centuries the shepherds used this amazing breed to protect their herds!

The breed is called Kangal; to my understanding there are breeders in the USA.

In Eastern Turkey the wolves have always been a severe problem; these phenomenal dogs have protected the livestock for centuries.

The breed’s info is available on the web.

I wish good luck to the ranchers of Central Oregon.

Mehmet Erce

Falling star?

To the Editor:

In the September 4 issue you published a very nice photo by Jarod Gatley with a caption that said there were several meteors in it. There was one track of an airplane and one of a satellite, and one of something else that was not a meteor. Nitpicking, I know, but to keep from misleading your readers, such captions should be correct or noncommittal about what is in a photo.

Jim Hammond

True North

To the Editor:

I’m a huge fan of “people”! I have faith in humans to make good decisions. However, I was baffled that Daniel Ramberg stated that he was voting for Kamala Harris because she is, 1. a woman, and 2. is beautiful. His last reasoning was around the “Promise of America.” Check.

A woman? Finally, a voting strategy as deep as a puddle. Next, should we base cabinet members based on the number of Instagram followers, or choose astronauts based on their favorite color?

Voting for someone based on their appearance? I thought we left those playground tactics behind in middle school. Nothing says “qualified to lead the free world” like having great skin and a fantastic smile while being able to walk in heels and pose for a camera.

People, we are so much better than this. Do not vote for someone because they are a man or a woman or tall or short or photogenic, or drive the same car as you, etc. Vote for them because their true self (and record) and goals align most with your personal convictions and dreams for your future.

Everyone has their true north — their non-negotiable. As a grandma and educator I will only cast my vote for a candidate, whether beautiful or not, man or woman, who defends innocent children — unable to vote themselves — to have a chance at life. I wouldn’t be a grandma or an educator if it wasn’t for their people who gave these kiddos a shot at life. My true-north.

Get yer popcorn — this will be an interesting watch this week.

Becky Aylor

County Commission

To the Editor:

Regarding proposed expansion of the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners:

The subject of appropriate representation on the commission based on increased population is a valid concern. However, I have seen the same request for the U.S. Supreme Court. If the motive behind the increase in the size of the commission based on the results of the commissioners’ findings is what’s being proposed as good for the county, the logical way to do that is to vote in your candidates with the configuration we have now.

As a native Oregonian, I have seen the former change our state and the ones north and south of us to the extent that it consistently leans one way. But we keep voting, not mandating, hoping and praying for a different result.

Scott Davis

Back to school

To the Editor,

I wish everyone a wonderful back to school for the 2024-2025 school year! This year is filled with exciting changes, in particular the opening of our new elementary school. We are so thankful to our community, who continually supports the Sisters School District in creating the very best learning environment possible for our students. The long-term goal of building a K-12 campus in Sisters has finally been achieved and the benefits are already being observed.

We would like to invite anyone who is interested, to participate in a tour of the new elementary building on Wednesday, September 25, at 6 p.m.

Amongst many topics discussed in the September school board meeting, four administrators outlined this past summer’s events, as well as upcoming school objectives. Steve Stancliff, Sisters High School principal, presented an overview of teaching strategies to help meet students where they are in their learning process. Lorna Van Geem, director of student services, shared that due to recent special education staffing turn-over, the team was reorganized, providing an opportunity to hire a new special education teacher at the high school and a behavior specialist at the elementary school. Many members of her team also attended a three-county professional training this summer. Tim Roth, Sisters Middle School principal, provided an overview of staff participation in AVID trainings, as well as an intensive two-week Wilderness First Responder course. Tim also expressed that the first two days of school went extremely smoothly, as not only were there less students due to fifth grade moving back to the new elementary school, but because all students were already adjusted to the middle school.

And finally, Joan Warburg, Sisters Elementary School (SES) principal, introduced Jana Jiles as the new assistant vice principal at SES. She went on to thank Todd Pilch, director of technology, and Ryan Stock, director of operations, for their incredible dedication and responsiveness during the new elementary school construction. Joan equally thanked the entire team and expressed her immense enthusiasm at the amazing turn-out for the family open-house event that took place on August 28. An estimated 750 people were in attendance that evening, and the feedback has been incredibly positive.

Wrapping up the meeting, the enrollment report demonstrated that we are still continuing to grow. This year’s freshman class, which was already very large, has continued to increase, with an approximate enrollment of 131 students! The overall enrollment in our district is at 1,193 students. However, this is subject to change over the first few weeks as we all get settled into this new school year.

We are also continuing discussions for workforce housing, as well as collaborating closely with SPRD and their transition to the old elementary school.

Once again, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the new elementary school project. We could not have done it without the incredible hard work and dedication of our wonderful staff, as well as the extraordinary community support! We are fortunate to live in such an outstanding town, which prioritizes the future of our kids.

Curt Scholl, Superintendent