© 2001
The Nugget Newspaper
Sisters, Oregon
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Comments to
Eric Dolson, Publisher

Letters, letters, letters
The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

Public displays of human coupling in the form of weddings at Black Butte Ranch continue this summer.

Although the uproar from previous years against this practice seems to have died down this summer, the ranch management and Board of Directors' ability or willingness to enforce its own Rules And Regulations, Section 8.7 Restrictions on Noise, seems to be directly tied to revenue, not quality of life on the ranch.

Granted, the "Wedding tent" is gone. But only after a handful of homeowners blew the whistle to Deschutes County, finding proper permits were never obtained. Those of us living around Big Meadow drew a collective sight of relief only to find that Ranch Manager Loy Helmly again maneuvered around homeowners' wishes and was able to push through monies on the budget to construct an addition to the lodge.

Now we are proud owners of a covered bandstand, visually more appealing, but better designed to blast music to all homes around Big Meadow.

Ranch restrictions on noise simply state: "No person may make, assist in making, continue or cause to be made any loud, disturbing, or unnecessary noise." It further includes "noise originating from sound systems from the Ranch Lodge area."

Mr. Helmly and the Board of Directors prefer to ignore these restrictions and fall back to Oregon Civil Law on noise regulations which allows noise levels up to 80 decibels until 10 p.m.

Take notice, homeowners! Start your chain saws and clear cut your lots. Get out the florescent pink paint for your homes. All is fair game.

Our family was lured to the ranch 25 years ago because of its vision for a commercial-free, family-oriented, environment-friendly atmosphere. Now the race for increased revenues at any cost is the priority.

Today, the ranch motto would be better served by saying: "There is a place, just like every place else."

Patricia and Terri Risley

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