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The Nugget Newspaper
Sisters, Oregon
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The contents of the on-line edition of The Nugget represent a selection among the stories that appear in the weekly print edition.

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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Thank you for your article on listing sex offenders, (The Nugget, October 29, page 28).

Like councilor Lon Kellstrom, we are afraid of the worst-case scenario and so we react to our fears rather than solve the problem.

I agree with the Deschutes County Parole and Probation position not to list sex offenders' names and addresses on the county website. This would only incite public harassment of offenders in treatment who are trying to get their lives back in order.

These people are monitored closely, they report regularly to authorities and they usually have a strong motivation to change. Those in the most danger of being hurt by them are protected at all costs. If the purpose of the website is to protect ourselves, then it should post the names and addresses of sex offenders who are NOT in treatment and NOT submitting to public authorities, just like any criminal at large.

We all want to protect our children as much as possible. But there is no law or policy that can accomplish what we are not willing to do ourselves. If we are not willing to report abuses, live within boundaries, tell the truth, then why would our children?

The best defense a child has against sex offenders is an accepting, open and honest relationship with their parents, or other adults, where they know they belong and are safe. A child needs to know they are valuable and where to go for help no matter what happens to them. I encourage you to be a safe person in the lives of the children you know.

Wendy Bachmeier

* * *

To the Editor:

This past weekend Black Butte Ranch and the Black Butte Ranch Historical Society lost a good friend and important keeper of history, Ed Denniston.

Ever since a few of us started the BBR Historical Society as an unorganized group, Ed has been a big part of its success in collecting many valuable historical objects and pieces of information.

Ed served as Chairman of the Association Board of Directors at the time of "turnover of Ranch assets from Brooks Resources. As Chairman, and having an extensive legal education, Ed worked on many written contracts and documents that are still in place today protecting the rights and privileges of homeowners at the Ranch.

Ed was also very instrumental in helping form the tax-exempt organization the BBR Historical Society was able to become, thanks to the revenue raised by the sale of the book "Wildfire Hits Black Butte Ranch.

I'm not sure we would have been able to secure 50lc(3) status without his hard work.

Ed Denniston was a rare man, unselfishly dedicated to protecting and preserving a unique piece of Central Oregon, Black Butte Ranch. He will be missed!

Jean Nave
President, Black Butte Ranch Historical Society

* * *

To the Editor:

Camp Sherman has the most dedicated people you would want to know. Such a special place and very special people.

My family and I wish to express our heart-felt appreciation to all our friends and neighbors for honoring my family and my husband Nick G. Osika who passed away October 8.

We were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our friends in Camp Sherman and Blue Lake.

The Pine Needlers quilting group all brought the most delicious food dishes, gorgeous flower arrangements, cards. Their supportive help visits to our home made this event a lot easier to bear.

It was our hour of need.

Expression in words can't convey how much this meant to me and my family. Thank you all!

The Sisters-Camp Sherman EMTs gave my husband excellent emergency care. Their expediency, courtesy and professionalism was outstanding. You will be remembered forever.

Sincerely,
Joyce Kirkbride Osika and family

* * *

To the Editor:

Once again the Sisters Library Halloween Parade was a huge success. A very special thank-you goes to all the Sisters merchants, the Sisters Rotary Club and Barbara Turner of SOAR.

This year we had over 250 children and 80 merchants participate in this annual event. It's wonderful to see the parents, grandparents, children and store owners all enjoy a colorful and festive parade.

Thank you all for making another Halloween Parade a success big hit for the kids in our community.

Yours truly,

Peg Bermel
Sisters Librarian

* * *

To the Editor:

Every once in a while I really louse things up; this time it was the Sisters Garden Club.

I was supposed to be a speaker for them last Saturday, but in my exasperating way, I didn't even look at the calendar (in plain sight) that morning, remember the phone call from Cady Elder or pick up her letter and read it.

I would like to put the blame on "Murphy's Law or my wife Sue for going to the Valley for the day, but no matter how I cut it I am the one who did not meet my obligation.

And to the Sisters Garden Club of all people...

Everywhere you look around Sisters you can see the lovely impact of the wonderful work these awesome people do, and I missed my opportunity to be with them. For this, I humbly apologize.

But then, perhaps it's a good thing I didn't make it... I'd been asked to address two irritating subjects in the Sisters community: the impact on the nature of Sisters because of people allowing their pets to run loose (especially dogs) and feeding wild deer -- both of which are really bad news.

Sisters Garden Club, please forgive me.

Jim Anderson

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