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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Are we about to have another public land rip-off right here in the little town of Sisters? From the September 20, Nugget article ("City plans to help largest employer," page 1) it appears the Sisters Ranger District is willing to work with the city on a deal where a private company would eventually end up with 25 acres of public land.

If this deal works out like most of the others, the taxpayers will be shortchanged. The General Accounting Office recently released a report showing widespread abuse by the Forest Service and BLM in these deals.

In one instance, a private buyer obtained 70 acres of federal land for $763,00O, and then sold the parcel the same day for $4.6 million. In another case, the same buyer acquired another 40 acres with a supposed value of $504,000 and sold it the same day for $ 1 million.

Howard Paine

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To the Editor

The Wednesday, October 4, article in The Nugget, "Gravel mine study turns rocky," regarding ODOT'S designs to open a quarry near the Fryrear Transfer site was only the tip of the iceberg.

I'm among the hundreds of people who didn't get in on the ground floor two years ago when ODOT and BLM cooked up the scheme to open a rock pit near Fryrear Road that will destroy recreation sites, wildlife habitat and a way of life for the nearby residents.

Project Manager Joel Neil's comment, "There's a lot of misinformation out there," is right on the money. There is!

ODOT and the engineering firm they hired -- for $130,000 of public funds -- to present the hard-sell for the quarry are responsible for most of the "misinformation," which is really government "double-speak."

When a resident of the Golden Triangle asked about increased truck traffic on Fryrear Road, the engineering firm's spokesman implied that the junction of Fryrear and Highway 20 is one of the safest roads in the county. Talk about misinformation! Accident records and personal observations reveal otherwise.

During a recent personal conversation with a biologist employed by ODOT's engineering firm I was told, "...the eagles nesting near the quarry site wouldn't be impacted, they feed at the 'dump'." I found that to be ludicrous.

When questioned further, the alleged biologist didn't know whether he was talking about golden or bald eagles.

In addition to submitting further skewed data concerning resident eagles, ODOT ignored the diversity of wildlife using the Golden Triangle. Last week, a resident of Sun Mountain observed 52 Rocky Mountain Elk and their calves crossing Fryrear Road, heading east into the site where ODOT proposes to mine rock.

Could it be that ODOT is again taking on the role of the benevolent dictator? "We know what's good for you, even if you don't -- trust us..."

There just may be a lot of misinformation out there, and it makes one wonder how much longer "We the people..." can gag on it.

Jim Anderson

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To the Editor:

Is this what it takes?

Jimmy McNellis was hit by a pick-up truck this past Saturday (October 7) late afternoon, crossing the street at our so-called school crosswalk at the corner of Locust Street and Cascade Avenue. (Editor's note: McNellis was knocked down and recieved a cut on his head, but he was not badly hurt. Witnesses said he stepped into the path of the oncoming vehicle).

Your children are crossing here many times during the day. I am in constant fear the day my students come to class for theater, so I always walk them over.

What's needed now is a four-way stoplight.

For the safety of our children,

Diana Kelleher

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To the Editor:

The "Yes/Yes" campaign needs a clearer representation of the needs and the actual annual cost to local property owners.

Currently, the grade school has 418 pupils, or approximately 70 per grade. The middle school has 307 pupils, with three grades (6-8).

On average, for the next several years, it seems 70 students will enter middle school, while 102 exit to high school. Thus, space seems to be less of a problem.

Mr. Lasken, attorney (and school board member), responsible for the bond issue, advised one local citizen that the "Yes/Yes" is for a $1.65 high school bond and a 75 cent levy, or $2.40 per $1,000 of property value.

A $100,000 property would have $240 added to its October, 2001, property tax bill.

Already, 47 percent of current property taxes go to local schools. The 47 percent would rise to 55 percent.

Our young people do need proper facilities. If the middle school needs some plumbing and electrical upgrades, why not get some bids? One million or $2 million in upgrades would perhaps be more prudent.

Landlords will be charged this tax also. Thus, rents will increase, along with service fees by local businesses.

This cost impact on many locals is very serious. Some renovations might be the solution.

Mel Bryan

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To the Editor:

As a parent with a child in a third grade class of 31 (up from 24 last year), I have been very gratified to note all the letters of support for the two measures supporting Sisters school children.

Our children are badly in need of more space, more teachers, and current texts and equipment. Many frills (swimming pool, etc.) were cut from these proposals before they were drawn up, and what is left are the basic necessities. . . a new building and staff to accept the growing overflow of students; current rather than outdated texts and equipment; and the funds to properly care for what we already have.

Please give these very responsible proposals the consideration they deserve, and vote yes for our kids!

Sarah Rahm

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To the Editor:

Personally, I have been "Billary Gored" long enough, and if the farming, ranching, and lumber industry is "Babbitized" much more, they will all be out of business.

Twice in my lifetime, oil and gas have gone completely out of sight, both Democratic regimes -- Carter and Clinton.

If Gore gets elected president, we will all need Lieberman's prayers to help us save the environment from the environmentalists.

I also think that it is time to put some Stile in the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. (Les that is).

Sincerely,

Mike Krumvieda

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To the Editor:

With recent national interest in excessive campaign spending, Oregonians may be surprised to learn that there has not been a single piece of substantive campaign finance reform enacted by our state's legislature since 1973.

In fact, most people would be shocked to discover that Oregon is nearly alone in having absolutely no limits on what dollar amount candidates for state office can raise or spend during their campaigns.

Oregon voters have passed contribution limits by initiative on multiple occasions. Each time they were affirmed, the courts invalidated them. As a result, legislative candidates spent $12.5 million in 1998 and that figure will, undoubtedly, be broken this year.

There is an alternative to our current system of "legalized" influence peddling. Ballot Measure 6 is the best hope of restoring democracy to Oregonians. Measure 6 compels candidates to compete based on their ideas and qualifications -- not with their bank accounts.

In addition to forcing candidates to be politically and financially accountable, Measure 6 will significantly reduce the power of wealthy special interest groups in our state. It will also provide public financing to those candidates who do not accept any private contributions during their campaign. As a result, political slavery to big contributors will be abolished.

First, in order to receive funding, the political accountability fund would require the candidate for state office to agree to limit the cost of their campaign. Second, the candidate must also agree not to accept any private contributions in the primary and general elections. Finally, they must demonstrate broad grass roots support by collecting a large number of $5 contributions.

For example, an individual running for a state representative seat would have to collect 300 individual contributions of $5. In return, they would receive $25,000 for the primary and $50,000 for the general election.

This November, please join every single living Oregon Secretary of State -- three Republicans and three Democrats- -- in voting for Measure 6.

Sincerely,

Linda L. Swearingen

Deschutes County Commissioner

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To the Editor:

In the blink of an eye, our lives can change. The last two and a half weeks have been overwhelming for Steven and me. Without your prayers and God's miracles, the outcome of Steven's accident would have been very different.

Even though we are only beginning the process of recovery, we can't wait any longer to acknowledge all of the thoughtfulness and warm gestures that this community is providing for our entire family. The cards, letters, flowers, gifts and acts of kindness continue to remind us what wonderful, supportive, loving people live in Sisters.

After an extended stay in CCU (Critical Care Unit), two major reconstructive surgeries and emergency complications leading to a return to CCU last week, Steven is now beginning physical rehabilitation. This will be a lengthy effort. Your prayers and thoughts will continue to support us as Steven and I work our way through this process.

We could never have foreseen this situation nor could we have imagined the remarkable community response. It is difficult for Steven and I to find the words to express our gratitude for your generous outpouring of love and concern. Please know that this is just our first "Thank You" to each of you.

We look forward to being home again in Sisters soon,

Novella Swisher & Family

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To the Editor:

A great big "thank you" is due to the Sisters community. The volunteer and career members of the Sisters-Camp Sherman, Cloverdale, and Black Butte Ranch Fire Departments, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the United States Forest Service, and the Deschutes County 911 District appreciate the community participation in the Fire Services Exhibition on Saturday, October 7.

We also want to thank the business who donated products. The Sisters area schools and various businesses were very helpful in distributing flyers to help communicate the event.

Safety and fire prevention requires a community effort and this community is involved! Hopefully, we will make this an annual event to coincide with National Fire Prevention Week. We would also like to involve even more of our Public Safety and EMS organizations in future years.

Jim Gentry

Volunteer Coordinator Sisters-Camp Sherman R.F.P.D.

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To the Editor:

How do you accomplish a dream? One step at a time. Sometimes an idea or desire comes to mind and almost takes on a life of its own.

I should like to take this opportunity to thank the Chamber of Commerce (especially Jeff Jones and Jerry) for the opportunity, Dorro Sokol and the Davis family for the use of their land, Gail, Mr. McCauley and sons, Charlotte and Piedad for their assistance in beginning the final steps for my son Devon to become an exchange student for one year to New Zealand with the Youth for Understanding exchange directors.

The process began seven months ago with applications, referrals, letters of recommendation and waiting. Next a trip to Tacoma then an interview in Redmond. An application form and monies followed. Doctor's exams and finding a host family have all been accomplished. Photographs and a short letter have been forwarded and we are awaiting a reply from the host family.

Parking cars for the Harvest Fest and gathering donations proved to be more than monetarily beneficial.

Only in Sisters -- five people who read the little paper we handed out to motorists were Youth for Understanding alumni.

They offered stories of Mexico, Japan, and Germany and further conviction that this dream is possible with assurances of their organization of his care for the year long journey.

The final step is, of course, the step we need the most help with. With these donations an account will be opened which will allow him and I to make money transference with little difficulty during his stay in New Zealand.

Our best estimate of transportation to and return from San Francisco, a computer for school and communication, and the fee to YFU for the remainder of transportation to New Zealand and monitoring amounts to $13,000 with a November 20 deadline for submittal.

A deadline of October 30 has been set to determine if Devon will go this year or next. By informing YFU of our inability to gather sufficient monies prior to the deadline, he will be placed first on a waiting list for next year.

We would also thank all the people who contributed.

Fred and Devon Pelkey ~

Devon [email protected] Zealand c/o US Bank

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To the Editor:

Forty years of wedded bliss was celebrated by around 40 guests at the Pines Clubhouse in Sisters on September 30.

The celebration was the first to be held at the clubhouse and honored Denny and Donna Ellis newly moved to Sisters from Eugene.

A big thank you to our lovely daughters Dawn Higgins (husband Dan) of Sisters and Debbie Acker (husband Ken) of Tucson, Arizona, for putting on such a wonderful party for us.

Our son Derek Ellis of Portland and five grandchildren Karissah, Christian and Nicholas Acker; Jessica and Savannah Higgins were special guests.

Denny and Donna Ellis