Letters to the Editor 01/29/25

Opposed to rezoning

To the Editor:

There is an application filed with Deschutes County to rezone a 58 acre parcel from Forest to Urban Reserve, located north and east of Sisters High School.

The city of Sisters is already invested in extensive studies with citizen input in planning a massive expansion of its UGB on the northeast side of Sisters.

Rezoning this 58 acres on the other end is not only redundant and competes with the Sisters UGB work, but it also removes precious forest. In addition, it blocks the Tollgate southwest emergency escape route.

Because Sisters is planning a 250 acre UGB expansion (that lines the pockets of a few investors and developers while destroying forest) this 58 acre rezone is totally unnecessary at this time.

As residents, we have already witnessed thousands of trees being cut down in our various neighborhoods. There will be plenty of land for future development for years to come by expanding the city’s UGB to the east of town, much of which will be earmarked for affordable housing.

As a homeowner near the high school, I object to the rezoning of this precious 58 acre forest parcel at this time.

Any other Sisters residents who are concerned about this most recent Sisters expansion that destroys forest should contact [email protected] and request they schedule a public hearing on this matter.

William Carmichael

How can families thrive here?

To the Editor:

I truly appreciated the thoughtful commentary on the urban growth boundary in Sisters featured in the January 8, edition. Bill Willitts’ perspective in “Prioritize Workforce Housing with UGB,” The Nugget, page 2, effectively highlights the stark contrast between the doubling of median incomes and the quadrupling of home prices. He points out the difficulties this creates for our service industry workers, and while I didn’t fact-check his figure of a median income of $84,000, it resonates with me. As someone who serves the Sisters community, I make about $58,000 a year, and I struggle with the cost of living.

Now, some may argue that this is my personal issue — and in a sense, they’re right. But the reality is that I and many others like me contribute greatly to this community. We work hard, and provide essential services, and we are proud to be here. I hold a somewhat idealistic belief that when people are secure, they can lift up others. When people are doing well, their families are healthier, and they can contribute more fully to the community. And while this problem isn’t unique to Sisters, one of the things that makes our community so special is our ability to come together and find solutions to these kinds of challenges.

To truly address this issue, we need more than just the occasional raffle for a home here and there. We need a long-term solution that allows hardworking families to thrive. Everyone who works and contributes to this community deserves to be able to support their families — feed them, keep them warm, and have the possibility of owning a home.

As a single parent and educator, I work every day to support students and families, embracing the ideals of “prepare, belong, and inspire.” But where is my sense of belonging when I can’t afford to live here? How am I able to prepare my children for their future when I struggle to provide for their basic needs like warm clothing or extracurricular activities? And “inspire” feels out of reach when there’s no room in the budget for a vacation or opportunities beyond the essentials.

So, Sisters, I ask: how can we create a growth plan that ensures hardworking families have the chance not just to live here, but to thrive here?

Judy Fuentes

Polarization

To the Editor:

I was grateful to read Jim Cornelius’ editorial “Playing With Explosives.” It was a relief to read that someone else saw how dangerous our political polarization is becoming.

I, too, am concerned that if we, as individuals, don’t reduce our tribalism, it could easily end up in violence against each other, as happened in Ireland during “The Troubles”. It will not matter that inflation or our immigration issues are solved if extreme political polarization disunites our country.

Seems like it would be wise to keep in mind the old adage “United we stand, divided we fall” and think of ways we, as individuals, can reduce our political polarization.

Donna Tewksbury