Wednesday, June 29, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
LETTERS
Continued from page 10
No more. Times do change.
Conrad Weiler
s
s
s
To the Editor:
We are annoyed by the commercial pro-
motion and resulting acceleration in annoy-
ing aircraft noise. Being further from the
airport than the Indian Ford folks, we don’t
have it as bad as they do. Nevertheless, from
previous experience with airport noise and
safety issues we’d be happy to work with a
community group opposed to further airport
commercialization.
Unopposed, we will have (sooner or later)
flight schools with touch-and-gos, heli-tours,
heli-skiing in winter, etc. in addition to one
little parachute plane.
We are fine with a community airport serv-
ing community activities. Commercial activi-
ties totally change the picture. Mr. Campbell
(airport manager) has already implied intent
to increase air operations without consider-
ation of civic nuisance.
The city council will do nothing. Their
constituency is not in the most impacted area;
they like the revenue; and they are probably
more concerned with everybody being nice
to each other. It was a naive, shortsighted
move to develop commercial aviation in the
middle of a quiet community. What were you
thinking!? Well, I guess you were thinking
it was on the city limits, so somebody else’s
problem.
Organize now! Cast a wider net than the
Indian Ford Homeowners, and develop a
long-term opposition strategy, because the
airport owners are probably planning on just
wearing you down and waiting for those most
bothered by the noise to move. Hog farmers
sniff and say “Smells like money.” Well, air-
port operators hear planes and say “Sounds
like money.”
Meanwhile, pray for bad weather — or
smoke.
Bob Albrecht
s
s
s
To the Editor:
Re: “Increase in airport activity irks some
neighbors,” The Nugget, June 22, page 1.
Really? Too much noise?
I have never found anything as peaceful as
is skydiving. Safety? Chute open? All is well.
Noise? Really, noise is three lawnmowers or
motorcycles maybe, but skydivers and their
planes?
The first jump I made, I came home and
sat on the couch and stared at the wall for
three hours and all was well with the world.
Dave Culver
s
s
s
To the Editor:
There have been several excellent letters
recently about the increased activities at the
airport, which are filling our sky with the con-
stant drone of planes and making a significant
impact on the quality of life for many resi-
dents of Sisters Country.
The skydiving operation represents the
most significant, and is undoubtedly a seri-
ous safety hazard. Automobile drivers are dis-
tracted as divers descend within a few yards
of Camp Polk. It is highly likely that there
will be an accident that might very well result
in loss of life or limb.
The airport is planning much more expan-
sion. They have applied for around $500,000
of more public funds to add more commercial
operations, jet fuel, and a helicopter touring
operation.
I understand the motives of the owners of
the airport and skydiving operations. They are
shrewd businessmen and their singular motive
is profit. Quality of life for the community is
not their agenda, nor their responsibility.
However, Sisters City Council and leaders
should understand that their primary respon-
sibility is to ensure quality of life for the folks
they represent.
The City says that this represents sig-
nificant income to the City and it is a
result of normal growth. HOGWASH. The
increased activity at the airport is not nor-
mal growth but the concentrated efforts
of the owner to increase profits. Whatever
limited income from a few skydivers that
might stop in town for a hamburger before
jumping is far offset by a much larger loss
of income to the many business owners in
the city.
Sisters’ leaders have not only ignored
issues that diminish the quality of life for
the thousands of folks that compose Sisters
Country but have often disrespected them in
the process. Those outside city limits are wel-
comed when they want money for schools or
other community projects but shunned when
questioning something that has an adverse
effect on our lives and are told we are not part
of the city.
There is a cost for this. We moved to
Sisters over six years ago. We felt very much
a part of the community. Like so many oth-
ers, we get many guests every year and we
always made an effort to shop, eat and sup-
port as many local businesses as possible,
even though it frequently meant higher
prices and perhaps fewer choices. No lon-
ger. We don’t feel a part of the commu-
nity any longer and are just as likely to
spend our dollars in Bend or Redmond.
Many, many of our neighbors feel the same
way.
The local business owners are the big los-
ers. Residents are big losers as the quality of
life that brought us here diminishes. The air-
port owner and skydiver owner are big win-
ners. The City Council and leaders are clue-
less as to the net loss this represents to such a
fine community — particularly local business
owners.
Bob Norman
New Black Butte Ranch Listing
Your Black Butte Ranch
Real Estate Professional
Ed Derksen
Broker
BBR Owner since 1980
503-706-4556
Glaze Meadow 129 ~ $479,000
Great location in Black Butte Ranch on the 7th fairway,
close to Glaze Meadow complex and new
pickleball courts. 1,706 sq. ft., 3-bedroom, 2-bath home
with expansive deck perfect for entertaining.
541-549-6000 offi ce
derksen@reedbros.com
REED BROS. REALTY
291 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters
Call Ed about his listings ... BBR: GM36, SH29, SM44, SM80
29
593 NW York Dr., Ste. 100, Bend 541-585-3760
875 SW Rimrock., Ste. 102, Redmond 541-316-1306
170 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters 503-616-8712
— In Barclay Square, behind BJ’s Ice Cream —
Each offi ce independently owned and operated.
69205 Hawksfl ight, Sisters • $970,000
• Nestled on 2+ private acres in
exclusive neighborhood
• Well appointed for entertaining
• Extensive mahogany decks
• Gourmet kitchen
• Whychus Creek
Views
CAROL ZOSEL, Broker, SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist)
503-616-8712
789 S. Locust St., Sisters • $655,000
• The best in indoor-outdoor living
• Custom features throughout
• 2,908 sq. ft., 3 BD, 2.5 BA
• Close to golf and Metolius River
fl y fi shing
• Close to downtown
• This is a must-see!
LYNN BAKER, Broker
541-633-6762
14981 Cantle, Sisters • $539,000
OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY, JULY 3 •1 TO 3 P.M.
• Perfect for entertaining —
inside and out!
• Private, stunning backyard
• Tollgate neighborhood
• Open fl oor plan
• Gourmet kitchen
• 3,000+ sq. ft.
CHUCK HARPER, Broker, RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert)
503-915-9417
18385 Crawford Trail Sisters • $499,000
• Log home overlooking 13+
private acres
• Flat property ideal for animals
• 2,600 sq. ft., 3BD, 3BA
• Fabulous mtn. views
• Reverse living with
open fl oor plan
CHRIS SPERRY, Principal Broker
541-749-8479
721 S.W. 10th St., Redmond • $192,000
• Versatile commercial space
• Between Highland and Glacier
• Perfect for small business
• 1,204 sq. ft.
• ADA parking
DANA SHELTON, Broker
541-410-7635
70180 Mahonia, Black Butte Ranch • $185,000 /share
• Own 1 or 2 quarter shares
• Beautiful gourmet kitchen
• 3,351 sq. ft., 3 BD, 3 BA
• Beautiful, large family room
• Two master suites
• Private outdoor space
• Hot tub
DAWN RAE, Broker
541-280-4664
Automobile Condominium, Sisters • $36,000
• 2-car unit
• 24 feet by 40 feet
• Terms available
• Gated
• Heated
• Use of carwash
facility included
STEVE MCGHEHEY, Broker
541-420-8103