Wednesday, June 10, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Unger champions paved trail
By Jim Cornelius
News Editor
Deschutes County
Commissioner Alan Unger
has doubled down on his
support of a paved trail from
Sisters to Black Butte Ranch.
Unger had recruited
Oregon Solutions to mediate
a community dialogue on the
divisive issue, but the orga-
nization bowed out late last
month, citing an inability to
bring trail opponents to the
table.
Last week, Unger sent
out a letter telling constitu-
ents, “My ultimate goal is to
engage Sisters Country in a
robust discussion and orga-
nize a process to reconsider
a paved path from Black
Butte Ranch to Sisters. I
have received many emails
and calls, and spoken with
many people who support the
trail concept. I believe that I
should act on their request for
trail reintroduction.”
He told The Nugget, “This
project kind of needed to
have a champion.”
He recognizes that the
proposed paved path remains
controversial. Opponents
object to it on environmen-
tal grounds; its inability to
comply with Americans With
Disabilities Act requirements;
and privacy issues for resi-
dents of Black Butte Ranch.
Unger says that his “goal
is by late August to provide
the Sisters District Ranger
with a report on the commu-
nity outreach efforts and to
submit a letter requesting that
the Black Butte paved trail be
reconsidered.”
It appears clear that Unger
envisions a new proposal that
is very similar if not identical
to the previous proposal.
The Forest Service pulled
the original proposal for a
paved trail because of com-
munity discord and dis-
agreement that could not
be resolved. Sisters District
Ranger Kristie Miller has
taken a hands-off approach
to the issue until a new pro-
posal is presented, telling
opponents that this is the
Commissioner’s process, not
ours, so it’s not our place to
step in and direct things. It
becomes our process when/if
someone brings a proposal to
us, and not until then.”
Opponents were taken
aback.
“Now I know that we were
playing from two different
rule books,” said Susie Werts,
who was a lead objector to
the original trail proposal. “I
am speechless.”
Unger believes that
opponents’ concerns will
be thoroughly engaged dur-
ing the NEPA (National
Environmental Policy
Act) process that must be
undertaken with any proj-
ect submitted to the Forest
Service.
“It creates that place for
all these issues to be dealt
with,” Unger said.
The Commissioner
acknowledged the concerns
raised by some Black Butte
Ranch homeowners, but he
believes the project should
be looked at in a broader
context.
“How is it part of a larger
system?” he said. “I think it
would be natural to extend
this trail to the turnoff that
goes to Camp Sherman.”
It’s all part of an effort to
connect all the communities
of Deschutes County, Unger
said.
And, he believes it is
possible that a trail option
between the Ranch and
Sisters would actually take
some pressure off heavily
used recreational paths inside
the Ranch.
Unger’s letter indicated
that he will be active through
the summer soliciting support
for the trail.
“I feel that I am getting
more and more engaged,”
he said. “Maybe more than I
anticipated, but I think I need
to.”
Rodeo Tacos!
Sisters watering holes
will rock Rodeo weekend
Not all the action on
Rodeo weekend will be con-
fined to the arena.
Sisters’ saloons and con-
cert halls will create an invit-
ing opportunity for cowboys
and cowgirls to kick up their
boot-heels and have a good
time.
Things kick off on
Wednesday night: after
Xtreme Bulls, Hardtails Bar
& Grill will host a rodeo
dance with The Central
Oregon Country Band, and
Takoda’s will feature live
music with Thomas and the
Blue Chips and the Crown
Royal Girls.
Thursday night is locals’
night at Bronco Billy’s
Ranch Grill and Saloon and
Hardtails Bar & Grill, which
will set up a party tent for the
occasion.
Bronco Billy’s, in the his-
toric Hotel Sisters, will fea-
ture The Rowdy Band out of
Las Vegas Thursday through
Saturday nights. Music starts
at 7 p.m. on Thursday and at 9
p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Hardtails will feature
owner Steve Macy’s favorite
band, The Manic Mechanics,
June 12-13 from 9:30 p.m. to
1 a.m.
Hobbs the Band is mak-
ing a three-night stand at The
Belfry in serving up a heavy
dose of rock and blues in
Rock For Rodeo Thursday-
Saturday, starting at 8 p.m.
each night.
Takoda’s is adding on
an after-party on Sunday at
4 p.m., featuring music by
Mark Conklin.
those who plan to put the
“wild” in Wild West would
be well-advised to select
a designated driver. the
deschutes County Sheriff’s
office announced they will
be stepping up duII patrols.
Those who plan to put the
“wild” in Wild West would be
well-advised to select a des-
ignated driver. The Deschutes
County Sheriff ’s Office
announced that they will be
stepping up DUII patrols
through the weekend.
On Whychus Creek
5 mini Chicken or
Beef Tacos for $7
Doug Roberts
Principal Broker, GRI, CRB
June 5-13
541-280-6199
1031 E. Timber Pine Dr., Sisters
Tacos El Comal
New Summer Hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
411 N. Cascade Ave. 541-549-6759
(In front of Richard's Produce)
Heads or Tails…
You Lose
7
Beautiful home features granite countertops
in kitchen, greatroom with propane fi replace,
main-fl oor master, and large deck overlook-
ing Whychus Creek. Upstairs has 2 bedrooms,
bath, bonus room and hobby room. Easy dis-
tance to shopping, schools, library. $514,900
dougrobertsMPS@gmail.com
290 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters
541-588-6614
metoliuspropertysales.com
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No
Loaner Cars
Deductible Assistance
Windshield Replacement
541-549-DENT
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4 1 5 4 9 D E N T
332 W. Barclay Dr., Sisters
HAIR
Nails
Natural & Artif icial
484 W. Washington Ave., Ste. B
541-549-6566
RODEO
DANCE!
Wednesday after
Xtreme Bulls ‘til 1 am
Live music with
The Central Oregon
Country Band
541-549-6114 • Sisters
Corner of Main & Larch
www.hardtailsoregon.com
Facebook HardtailsOregon
LIVE MUSIC
IN THE RODEO
PARTY TENT!
AFTER-RODEO
PARTIES!
Live Music
$
2 - 16 oz. Beer
Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat!
June 10th-11th
9 pm-1 am
The Central
Oregon
Country Band
June 12th-13th
9:30 pm-1 am
The Manic
Mechanics
Classic Rock