Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2015)
14 Wednesday, July 1, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Corps launched The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department has announced the cre- ation of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Corps and is recruiting local citizens to become members of this new organization. Fire Corps is a locally driven, national program launched in 2004 under Citizens Corps, an initia- tive under the Department of Homeland Security. Citizens Corps was begun to encourage and coordinate citizen activities that help make communities safer and stronger. Fire Corps activities specifically sup- port local fire departments in non-emergency activities, which enable fire department members to focus on emer- gency response and training for both fire and medical response. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Corps is under the direction of Gary Marshall, Community Risk and Fire Safety Manager, and co- chaired by Les Schell and Gail Butler. According to Marshall, “Involvement in national programs such as Fire Corps is promoted from the high- est levels of federal and state government to encourage citizens to get involved at the local level to enhance their own personal and neighbor- hood safety, become better prepared for natural disas- ters, and is also a great way to give back to their com- munity through volunteer services. “Some of the activi- ties and projects currently underway are: Monthly American Heart Association ‘Heartsaver ’ CPR/AED and first aid classes for the community, monthly blood pressure screening clin- ics at Bi-Mart, child safety seat clinics, district address signage, front office assis- tance, door-to-door smoke alarm checks/replacement, and other fire prevention activities. Fire Corps is looking to expand some of the exist- ing projects and additional projects will be consid- ered as resources allow. To that end, Sisters Fire Corps is recruiting new volun- teers. Appropriate train- ing and/or certification will be provided at no cost for those wishing to join Fire Corps. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Chief Roger Johnson said, “Not everyone is able or interested in run- ning into burning buildings, but anyone can be a Fire Corps volunteer, and I am convinced this program will save lives.” If you are interested in joining Fire Corps or would like more information, call Gary Marshall at 541-549- 0771, Les Schell at 541- 595-5712 or Gail Butler at 541-595-5712. LETTERS Continued from page 2 the paved trail that advocates want for ADA reasons — and without bulldozing another path through the forest and bringing down hundreds of trees. It only has to be paved. The group called “Friends of the Black Butte Trail” seem to be adamantly against using existing trails. Why not take advantage of what we already have? Why carve another trail through the forest? Why lobby for taking down hun- dreds of trees? Why are the advocates of this trail refusing to consider alternatives? It is starting to smell very fishy out there. JoEllyn Loehr s s s To the Editor: Last week, a representative from the BBR community and I met with Commissioner Unger regarding the proposed Sisters-to-BBR asphalt path. Our meeting was a good oppor- tunity to bring him up to speed and clarify our position on some of the issues involving this project, as this issue has been ongoing for well over three years, and Mr. Unger only got involved this past November. I am pleased to report that Mr. Unger pledged his commitment to thoroughly exam- ine ALL options for a path, including locating the path on the north side of Highway 20 to Indian Ford Campground — in the highway right-of-way — one of several community trail options discussed with the Forest Service last October and supported by some as being more publicly accessible and preferable to connect- ing two private (one gated) communities. Unger’s openness was somewhat encour- aging, as this is different from the mes- sage being conveyed by the STA, and clari- fies Unger’s earlier statements that recently appeared in the press. I appreciate that many (most?) people may be burned out on this trail debate. I truly believe, however, that whether or not to move forward with this asphalt path is a huge deci- sion that will have ramifications that last well beyond all of us currently trying to figure out whether or not this project is, on balance, a good idea. The Nugget reported that Unger’s goal is to submit a go-forward proposal to the USFS in August. What’s the rush? Probably grant money. As of late, Sisters seems to be in the habit of making hasty decisions and then doing the due diligence and corrections when things don’t work out as well as expected. A decision this big should not be driven by grant funding. You can’t re-stripe the forest. Let’s get this one right. Susie Werts s s s To the Editor: The guest editorial written by Cathy Ellis which appeared in The Nugget on June 24 concludes that, “the majority of BBR owners support the proposed multi-use trail entering the Ranch.” This conclusion is misleading for several reasons. First of all, for all official businesses at Black Butte Ranch only one vote per house- hold is allowed, not opinions sought from 1,785 registered email addresses. Why this exception was made for this particular case is unclear. The issue is quite important and one vote per household should have been observed. Second, how accurately do the “registered addresses” reflect an actual homeowner ros- ter? Is it possible that many names appearing on the list should have no say on issues of this magnitude? How is the list audited to ensure accuracy and validity? Will all future sur- veys use these “registered” addresses? If so, shouldn’t the homeowners know what these addresses are used for? Thirdly, the conclusion that the “majority” of homeowners support the proposed path is mathematically faulty. Whether one used this See letters on page 37 Do you know your agent? Do you understand your policy? Are you overpaying? Call Jason Ryb-a, 541-588-6245, for a free quote! 257 S. Pine St., #101 Breakfast 6-11 | Lonch 11-2 daily | Boy coffee at SistersCoffee.com 541-549-0527 • 273 W. Hood Ave. The Bridges Restaurant Now Open 7 Days A Week! Breakfast: 8-11 a.m., Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. to Noon, Sun. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon. - Sat. Noon to 2 p.m., Sun. Dinner: 7-Nights-A-Week at 6 p.m. Dinner reservations required Call for reservations 541-516-3030 www.lakecreeklodge.com Camp Sherman www.farmersagent.com/jrybka Auto • Home • Life • Business