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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2019)
18 Wednesday, August 7, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Vehicle pursuit ends in crash Oregon State Police took a suspect into custody on Monday afternoon, August 5, after a vehicle pursuit on Highway 20 ended in a crash on Wheeler Loop near the Bi-Mart shopping center area in Sisters. Numerous local law enforcement units responded to assist. OSP could not be reached for details on the incident by press time. Further infor- mation will be posted at www.nuggetnews.com as it becomes available. FIRE ACCESS: Firefighters need a fighting chance Continued from page 1 Access roads shall be at least 12 feet wide and pro- vide an all-weather road base (cinder, gravel, asphalt, etc.), that is reasonably smooth and free of protrud- ing rocks and/or potholes. Turnarounds or cul-de-sacs shall have a minimum of 50 feet of turning radius with an all-weather road base. Refrain from plac- ing rocks next to and along your driveway. Driveways longer than 150 feet shall provide an area for vehicles to meet and pass each other. A reflective address sign is required. Many rural properties have gates 4 and that can pose a problem: <Gates must have a minimum width of 12 feet (over 12 feet is preferred) and set back from the road at least 30 feet,= the flyer noted. <Occupants must be aware that locked gates may delay or otherwise hinder our access to the property. Locked or electric gates are required to have a KnoxBox system installed for emer- gency responder access to your property.= The Cloverdale Fire District, and Sisters Country in general, has had an easier fire season this year than in recent years 4 but that can change literally in an instant. Fire officials urge that local residents take immediate action to make sure their properties are accessible and defensible, so that fire- fighters have a fighting chance. Citizens want legislators to ‘do something’ By Sue Stafford Correspondent At last week9s town hall on carbon emissions and House Bill 2020, which called for cap and trade measures, over half of the 80-something members of the audience made comments, suggestions, and asked questions of State Sen. Cliff Bentz and Rep. Daniel Bonham. Despite a variety of opin- ions on the merits or faults of cap and trade and pos- sible economic impacts, the people who spoke at FivePine Conference Center were almost unanimous in their message regarding carbon emissions and climate change. <Do whatever it takes.= <Do everything we can 4 now.= <We must use every tool at our disposal to address cli- mate change.= <Whatever is viable, I am in favor of.= <I9m worried about the future for our grandchildren.= <Listen to the climate scientists.= <Only thing we can9t do is nothing.= Several speakers noted that 12 other states, including California, have adopted cap and trade measures and 10 have experienced economic gains. The European Union and Canada also have cap and trade measures to reduce car- bon emissions. According to a meteorology professor, who self-identified as in the minor- ity in the room, the forest fires are mainly the result of poor forest management. A number of people stated that any adverse effects from cap and trade would be miti- gated by the gains in climate control. On the other side was a small-business owner who stated unequivocally, <Cap and trade will put me out of business and my seven employees out of work.= He said his two alternatives would be to try to sell his busi- ness or lock it up. His one per- cent profit margin can9t take any increases in fuel costs. There were suggestions that the legislature should pass HB 2020, even if imperfect, then come back and fix it. <We pass imperfect legis- lation all the time,= said one supporter of cap and trade. A Deschutes County farmer said they use fossil fuel and would <rather pay more for fuel and have a cleaner, clearer environment.= She went on to say that cap and trade is popular with farm- ers in California due to good agricultural incentives that help to upgrade irrigation. With increased incentives for no-till farming, less carbon is released into the atmosphere. A Camp Sherman resi- dent raised the concern of whether or not she will be able to get or afford home- owners insurance due to the increase in wildfires. Some attendees believe that data shows the planet is running out of time to effec- tively curb climate change. According to a recent OPB radio broadcast, if there isn9t a dramatic reduction in CO 2 emissions in 18 months, the earth will reach a tipping point from which it can9t return. A Bend resident with a PhD from MIT, who special- izes in numerical analysis, countered, saying that satellite data doesn9t support the esti- mate from OSU that by 2100 there will be a nine-degree Celsius increase in tempera- tures above 1975 levels. He does not support cap and trade. Suggestions for address- ing climate change ranged from the cap and trade bill to improved irrigation programs, clean energy reinvestments, more green energy, stopping subsidies for the fossil fuel industry, in Central Oregon use the sun, wind, and hot springs to generate energy, small dams for hydro power, improved forestry and farm- ing practices, and changing the state constitution. A farmer born and raised in Redmond voiced his opinion: <Stop all this environmen- tal stuff and the fires would improve.= The owner of a fuel busi- ness admitted that HB 2020 was a threat to his way of liv- ing, but, <Life is too important for my business to take prece- dence.= He criticized Bentz9s slide presentation for having no assessment of possible job creation or better quality of life with the cap and trade bill. He concluded with, <Go back to Salem and get something done. Please make something happen. That9s what people need right now.= Bonham responded, <We9re trying to do some- thing. I hear you but I9m not there yet. I don9t want to mar- tyr rural Oregon.= Th ank You! from Th e Kiwanis Club of Sisters Our half-marathon Race to the Top of Hoodoo was a huge success this past weekend. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of our community and Kiwanis volunteers, the Hasty Team of Jeff erson County, the enthusiastic runners and the generous support of these sponsors: Camp Sherman Open 7 days a week, 12-9 p.m. 541-595-6420 When life changes, you still want a place that feels like home! — GOLD SPONSORS — Hoodoo, Ray’s Food Place, Th erapeutic Associates Inc., Th ree Creeks Brewing Co., Worchester Family Trust, Woollard Family Trust — SILVER SPONSORS — We help create special moments for residents and their families. Each day we learn how we can continue to meet or exceed their expectations for the care we provide in a smaller, intimate setting. David Tolle, Owner/Operator 541-848-3194 Th e Center Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Care, Hawk’s Haven, Dr. May Fan, David & Laura Hiller, Sisters Saloon and Ranch Grill, Tom Fish, Hoyt’s Hardware, Greenridge Physical Th erapy, Mountain View Insurance — BRONZE SPONSORS — Les Schwab Tire Centers, Sisters Dental, Washington Federal, Black Crater, Bob & Claudia Grooney, Lance and Suzy Ramsey, Jan & Hank Failing, Bill & Cindy Rainey, Peter Storton, Jack McGilvary In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, McKenzie River Ranger District and Sisters Ranger District. Proceeds will help fund local scholarships and Sisters Kiwanis community projects. Th ank you for all your supp ort!