The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

What happened to integrity

To the Editor:

As I watch and listen to the collective failure of our nation’s congressional members, the question arises of what happened to integrity, truthfulness, and honesty. When fear of reprisal and political backlash overshadows one’s action to do what is right, that person needs to leave their political office. Those members were sent to our capital to work for the betterment of our country, not to bow to an entity whose self-centered nature perpetuates falsehoods and attacks our democracy.

Think about both sides of the political spectrum and what you expect from your elected officials. We need people in office who tell the truth, maintain honesty and integrity. People that will put this country before political party or personal interest.

David Hiller

Case of the missing Snowblower

To the Editor:

The response to my letter about the stolen snowblower from Shepard Of The Hills Lutheran Church has been a testament to the kindness and generosity of the residents of Sisters.

Pastor Ron Gregg informed me that he received several phone calls immediately after Wednesday’s publication of residents wanting to buy the church a new snowblower, many of whom were not even members of the church.

Pastor has informed me that the church is in the process of getting another snowblower. I do want to thank the community for the concern and offers of help to the church. This is a great place to live.

Thank you very much, Sisters community.

Bill Anttila

Safety project

To the Editor:

Currently Sisters Public Works is finalizing the McKinney Safety Project. The project will make adjustments along McKinney Butte to make it safer for pedestrians. I think it is well thought out in the school area. The westside community will appreciate the additional crossing at Brooks Camp but especially the new crossings at Trinity and Arrowleaf.

Something more needs to be done at the east end by the roundabout. I suggest you do a site visit before the project is finalized. Go on a weekday afternoon between 3 and 3:40 p.m. (there is a lag time between 3:15 and 3:20 p.m.). At 3 p.m., most of the traffic is westbound and at 3:20 it’s heaviest eastbound. Walk the area and cross McKinney several times. Go along the hotel and cross at Wheeler Loop (just west of Dollar Tree). Think about cars accelerating out of the curve as you cross. Really watch the traffic patterns. Count the number of cars that are using the DQ driveway as a side street and whether they continue straight onto Arrowleaf or make a left/right hand turn. Look at the traffic going into Bi-Mart and walk down the driveway.

While you are walking the area, please keep the following in mind:

• Next fall all the elementary school traffic will be using this area.

• We will be adding 1,500-plus people to this end of town.

• Brook Camps Village is a 55-and-older community, however 45 percent are between the ages of 70 and 80, and 30 percent are 80 and over. You have elderly people using this area daily.

• There are at least three people in our area that are mobility-assisted.

• School-age children, parents riding bikes with their children or pushing strollers use this area daily.

I believe that the crossing just west of Dollar Tree needs to be a raised crosswalk. The speed zone should be 20 mph and there needs to be a pedestrian crossing sign east bound on McKinney between the first crossing and the intersection of Brooks Camp and McKinney.

This project is not finalized. Please contact Paul Bertagna or members of the Public Works Advisory Board with concerns/suggestions to make this area safer for all users.

Cathy Russell

Parenting

To the Editor:

One of the most satisfying things about being on the Sisters School Board is being introduced to the families and children of our district, hearing what is happening in our buildings, and knowing the children of our community are in good hands. Good hands in their classrooms, and in their relationship with their parents. It is obvious that much good work is taking place. Knowing that, I am also aware of how difficult the job of being a parent is. Not only am I the mother of four and the grandmother of seven, I have also been a parent educator for over 30 years, trained in several of the current research-based programs. Those who have been in my classes in Sisters and throughout Central Oregon have heard me say, “Parenting is the hardest job, and the most important job, you will ever take on.” I believe this completely and say it with no reservations. I also feel it can be the most satisfying and rewarding job you will ever have.

There is no manual for this job, you are on your own, and often the examples that have gone before you (the way you were raised) fail to teach the essentials of doing your job. My role as a parent educator gives me a wonderful opportunity to share ideas that could be part of a “manual.” Ideas I wish I had as I raised my four children.

Over the years, I’ve been introduced to many ways to parent. I have met many marvelous parents, from whom I have learned much; parents I have tried to emulate and examples that have informed my teaching. There have been a few who desperately needed help, but not many. I have had the joy of helping to raise thousands of Central Oregon children by passing on what I’ve learned and I’m eager to have that continue.

There is no one right way to parent. However, there are some tried and true conditions of living that make a difference. When relationships are built on trust, love, support, and understanding the results are usually positive. How to learn and pass these on have been offered in a variety of ways, some good, some not so good. In the next few weeks, I’d like to share some of my thoughts and perspectives on what I think are “good” ways. I hope they will be ideas many of you can relate to. I will try to keep these suggestions uncomplicated, non-cutie, not trendy, or religious based; principles that honor all people and respect individuality.

Edie Jones

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 10 a.m. Monday.