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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 22, 2016)
14 Wednesday, June 22, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon LETTERS Continued from page 2 To the Editor: I am curious when the City of Sisters will address the affordable housing issue? People complain about lack of enrollment in the schools and very few people to fill local jobs either in the service industry, blue-collar and white-collar areas. In my opinion, it is due to the lack of hous- ing — or to be specific: affordable housing. There are very few rental residences or homes to purchase that fall under the USDA rural loan amount of $244,000. The seven houses that are going in at Clear Pine are a joke, at best the bare minimum so the developer can proceed with the city’s blessings. This a real problem in Sisters, and should and needs to be addressed. If the City wants to attract people to live and work here, start new business and bring fresh ideas to Sisters, hous- ing needs to be addressed. Chance D. Dahms s s s To the Editor: Regarding Hayden Homes’ request to renege on their prior approved plans to build apartments and affordable housing at the June 16 meeting, I’d like to remind the plan- ning commission of the City Council’s 2016- 17 Goals & Objectives as you consider their alternative: 3. Identify Preservation & Enhancement 3.6 Support Elder Opportunities. Undertake efforts to support elder housing, amenities and services (in part so residents can age in place and families can remain in closer proximity). 5. Exceptional Operations, Infrastructure & Policy-Making. 5.1 Enable a Vibrant Mix of Housing, Including Opportunity for Affordable Housing. Pursue policies/standards that foster a vibrant mix of housing options so more individu- als/families who wish to live in Sisters have opportunities to do so (thus providing multi- plier benefits for the economy/schools & envi- ronmental/personal wellness benefits). 5.1.1 Adopt Affordable Housing Policies (workforce/lower income). 5.2 Enhance Transportation Infrastructures Plan comprehensively to preserve and enhance the safety and efficiency of the City’s trans- portation-related assets, so that Sisters is positioned well for current needs and future growth. 5.3 Pursue Comprehensive Land Use Planning & Balanced Regulations. Adopt land-use plans and development regulations that balance development with local identity preservations and that equitably serve current CORK CELLARS WINE, FRIENDS, MUSIC FRIDAY, 6/24 PARLOUR, 7-9 P.M. CHEF-CREATED FRIDAY & SATURDAY DINNER SPECIAL: BEEF STROGANOFF VEGGIE LASAGNA C O R K residents while anticipating and providing for longer-term growth. Thank you for supporting the Council’s goals. Diane Goble s s s To the Editor: I would like to thank The Nugget for pub- lishing a great newspaper that is truly commu- nity-oriented. We are not Sisters residents, but spend a few days near Sisters every month or so, and enjoy reading your paper. I especially would like to comment on the guest columnists that appear in the paper. The opinions expressed by columnists such as Rachel Marsden (June 1) are based on real- ity and truth, and as such are the opinions that most Americans want to read, and should be reading. The opinions expressed by columnists such as Robert Reich are based on a flawed ideol- ogy that promotes governmental control over individual rights and freedoms. I would strenuously encourage you to select more Rachel Marsden-types of columnists for publication. I would think that your reader- ship would appreciate and benefit from that selection. Dale Goin Albany, Oregon s s By Douglas Beall Correspondent Raucous, boisterous, annoying, disagreeable are just a few terms used to describe the Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). Granted much of their behaviors can be described as loutish, and appreciat- ing these forest birds can be challenging, however the mixed blues of their feath- ers are nothing but stunning and observing their creative ways is intriguing. The Steller ’s jay is a master mimic; crying babies, red-tail hawks, cats, dogs and other birds are just a few calls heard from these jays. The jay was dis- covered first in Alaska in 1741 by naturalist George Steller, who was traveling on a Russian exploration ship. The oldest Steller’s jay recorded was 16 years old. They build their nest mostly high in conifers, using mud combined with sticks, moss, and leaves and then lined with pine needles or animal hair. Two to six blueish-green dark-spotted eggs are incubated for 16 days and in another 16 days the fledglings leave the nest when they feast on insects, berries, and nuts. A collection of jays is called a “party” or a “band.” For more Steller’s jay images visit http://abird singsbecauseithasasong. com/recent-journeys. s To the Editor: Yes, yes, yes! Bruce Mason’s eloquent letter to the edi- tor last week regarding the airport situation is right on. It is a great disappointment to wait all winter for outdoor summer gardening and deck time only to be driven inside by the constant droning noise pollution of skydiving planes circling all day long. In addition to the noise, I have observed various situations that are safety concerns for operating skydiving so close to town on a road that services many Sisters residents. I drive Camp Polk Road to town every day at various times and was shocked the first time I saw the skydiving operation located there. It began very quietly with absolutely no signage or traffic safety precautions in place. Slowly, I noticed warning signs going up and a few orange cones. Distracted driving in that section of Camp Polk has become a serious issue with the skydiving is actively operating. Often times I have seen cars parked in the bike lane on Camp Polk as they stop to look up and watch a sky-dive landing. This forces cyclists out of the bike lane into the traffic lanes. Some folks get out of their car and actu- ally stand in the road taking pictures. There See letterS on page 17 photo by douglas beall Steller’s jays. Classifieds are online at NuggetNews.com Do Something You Love … NEVER SKIP AN OPPORTUNITY TO SMILE BIG! Sisters Dental is committed to your dental health! ! Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics Ben Crockett, D.D.S. p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 Tues-Sat 12-8 p.m. 391 W. Cascade Ave. 541-549-2675 Sisters Country birds 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters, Oregon 97759 Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. …With The Perfect Summer Schedule. Cook from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or from 2 to 10:30 p.m. Join Our Culinary Team! View available positions and apply online at BlackButteRanch.com
