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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2019)
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 11 City seeks dialogue with citizens By Sue Stafford Correspondent In a sit-down with The Nugget last week, City Manager Cory Misley shared his ideas about the role of local government and the challenges and opportunities inherent in running a small city. <The beauty of living in a small town, as it relates to government, is you can meet with us regularly, have conversations, attend public meetings,= Misley said. <Pick up the phone, come into City Hall if something is impor- tant to you. We can have conversations about how to improve things.= Misley realizes there are local factors that perhaps influence the current trust level, including history at the City in the past and a popula- tion that has tripled. Misley is intent on rebuilding citi- zen trust by being transpar- ent in the City9s functioning and processes, seeking pub- lic input, and having open dialog. <People can have my cell phone number. I9ll have those tough conversations,= offered Misley. <I am open to peo- ple9s ideas.= However, he noted, hav- ing those tough conversa- tions doesn9t imply a certain outcome. <After talking with me, I can9t guarantee they will like what I have to say,= Misley said. One of the major chal- lenges of running a city government is maintaining a balance of all the key fac- tors, including city revenue and expenditures, staffing, unfunded liabilities like PERS, legislative chal- lenges, the current legal land- scape, and interactions with other governmental agen- cies (County, State, ODOT, U.S. Forest Service, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, and other councils and commissions). Another challenge Misley identified is the broader cli- mate of mistrust of the gov- ernment on a national level, which spills over at the local level. He thinks there seems to be a tendency by some to jump to conclusions with- out having the necessary information. <Why doesn9t the City just &.= is easy to say, but in most situations, it9s not as simple as it seems. It is one thing to have mistrust with Salem or Washington D.C. because access is challenging. Misley believes, <It is a civic privi- lege to be able to participate in your local government.= Misley wants to assure the citizens that City staff are doing their best. Staff mem- bers are paid to be experts in their respective fields 4 land use, public works, finance, administration 4 or know- ing who to bring in if more help is needed. Their job is to take care of the day-to-day operations and to make rec- ommendations to the various advisory boards, committees, the Planning Commission, and City Council. Public hearings and writ- ten comment allow for the citizens to offer their support, suggestions, or air their griev- ances. The final decision rests with the elected members of the Sisters City Council, who are all volunteers. <We are trying to do things right the first time. If that means we take the time for public outreach, study, public hearings, revisions, then we will do that,= Misley said. Pick up the phone, come into City Hall if something is important to you. We can have conversations about how to improve things. — Cory Misley He hopes the public will trust the City to do the right thing. <I struggle with the bal- ance of giving too much information too soon, when it might later change, and not enough to keep people adequately informed before decisions are made. It boils down to trust,= he concluded. Steel drum band to celebrate at park A middle school steel drum group will play a free show Friday, June 21, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Fir Street Park as an end-of-school celebration. O K * 2 * B o t a y, w h i c h means <okay to dance,= is a steel drum band for youth between grades six and 12 from Tri-Cities, Washington. They are a remarkable group of young perform- ers directed by Ben Leggett, who arranges and writes their music. Members are selected in an annual audition pro- cess, primarily from students who have taken classes with the Tri-Cities Steel Band Association (http://tcsba.org). OK*2*Botay practices weekly and performs many times throughout the year. The band performs through- out the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Participants can expect delightful, energetic music that will make them want to join in and dance. PHOTO PROVIDED OK*2*Botay brings the fun to Fir Street Park on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Get Ready for Summer Travel Tasty THURSDAY 5 to 7 p.m. | Unique Varietals LIVE MUSIC Sat., June 22, 7-9 p.m. y Gabriel Sweyn 391 W. Cascade Ave. | 541-549-2675 corkcellarswinebistro.com Call to have your brakes, alignment and suspension checked now. DAVIS TIRE Serving Sisters Since 1962 541-549-1026 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage Luxury Senior Assisted Living Come in today for your FREE LUNCH & TOUR! Reserve your suite now to enjoy exclusive benefi ts and savings. MEATS • CHEESES • EATERY • DRINKERY 110 S. SPRUCE ST. | 541-719-1186 OPEN EVERY DAY 9 AM TO 7 PM Made in Sisters, Oregon “Your Local Welding Shop” CCB# 87640 PHOTO BY ALEX JORDAN We skillfully fabricate your ideas (and ours) in steel, aluminum, copper & other metals. We do repair work, too. 541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com • Monthly Rent • Gourmet Meals • Engaging Activities • Housekeeping • Paid Utilities & Cable • Mountain Views • Personalized Care Plans • Transportation to Events • Beauty Salon/Barber Shop • On-site Th eater • Lodge-like Setting • Pet-Friendly 411 E. Carpenter Ln., Sisters | 541-549-5634 | www.Th eLodgeInSisters.com