Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2020)
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon LETTERS Continued from page 2 kids every day. I9m hoping people will take the time this week to reach out to a teacher and let them know how much we value them. Thank you teachers of District No. 6. We love you! Debra Lajko and family s s s To the Editor: I just wanted to write to express my con- cern about the new prevalence of orange park- ing notices that I have been seeing all around town. This greatly frustrates me that the city and sheriff have decided that now is a great time to crack down on parking 4 during a worldwide pandemic. It was already frustrating enough to hear a while back about the city9s new, very unreasonable policy for the Sisters Folk Festival parking and now this? What is hap- pening to the small little town that used to be so quaint and reasonable about things? What is happening to common sense? Should people really be getting threats of having their own vehicles towed for parking in a city parking spot in a town with a little over 2,000 people and PLENTY of parking spaces? And during a pandemic when people are struggling just to make it and get by? To me it just seems ridiculous, especially right now considering the circumstances. The tons of parking spaces in Sisters are not even close to getting filled up and that9s what annoys me so much about seeing all these orange notices. It hasn9t even happened to my vehicle, I just think it9s so unfair con- sidering the size of this town and amount of available spaces. One of the greatest things about Sisters was free parking and it looks as if that doesn9t even exist anymore. Why in the world would any- one want this place to end up like all of the other cities? I moved away from the city to get away from that crap and I don9t like that I see it happening here! Let9s keep the corporate, big city mentality OUT of Sisters. Please. Andrew Roe s s s To the Editor: I am buffaloed by the non-reopening action of our Governor related to deaths by COVID-19. It is my understanding that all state parks have been closed until the spring of 2021. Our schools and colleges seem to be closed indefinitely. We cannot conduct community business in any normal kind of manner. We are told to stay at home and to not congregate in large groups. The states do have the power to protect citizens from harm or danger. But in doing so the leaders have an obligation to communicate clearly the reasons for each decision. The state • Re-Roof & New Construction • Composite, Metal, Flat & Cedar Shake Products • Free Estimates • Transferable Warranties • 10-Year Workmanship Guarantee Family Owned & Operated for 20 Years 541-526-5143 ccb#203769 does not have the right to issue unexplained orders and ignore the appeals of its citizens, regarding decisions made. People in a democ- racy need to understand the <why= of what is going on. Our Governor has tied herself and our state politically to Washington and California in deciding when it will be appropriate to open up Oregon. That is crazy logic. The following information should help explain why her logic in doing so is faulty. Oregon9s death rate per 100,000 citizens is two! Washington9s is 11, and California9s is five. Regarding a comparison of death rates between the 50 United States and our four ter- ritories: Washington is 15th highest in deaths; California is 26th highest and Oregon is near the bottom at 44th highest. There are only six states that have a death rate of 1 per 100,000 citizens, which is the lowest. It makes no sense to say that Oregon is even closely related to Washington or California regarding reopening the economy because of COVID-19 recovery circumstances. It is time to make realistic plans for open- ing the state economy. It is time to make plans for starting school sooner rather than later. It is time to <give a little.= It is time for my lovely wife to get her hair cut. This data came from state and federal health sources through internet sites, such as U.S. COVID-19 death rates by states. Get on Siri and ask. Gene Carlson s s s To the Editor: Michael Wells recently criticized Mr. Tom Donohue9s letter to the editor summarizing what he thought Mr. Donohue9s points were in handling COVID-19, and then dismissing them as <right-wing talking points.= When we label our neighbors we devalue and disrespect them. Disagree with points, logic or presuppositions leading to conclu- sions, or the conclusions drawn but let9s please not label others views as <liberal left-wing, right wing etc.= Let9s show respect for our neighbors thought processes, values and individuality. Gretchen Honan s s s To the Editor: There are seven Republican candidates vying for the 2nd District U.S. Representative nomination: a crowded field to say the least. I believe Cliff Bentz is by far the best candidate to represent the 2nd District. He has a proven record of conservative leadership as a state representative and state senator over the past 12 years. Cliff is pro-life, pro-second amendment and has proudly supported President Trump. Unlike some candidates who have recently See LETTERS on page 15 Sisters writer receives grant from PEN America Freelance journalist and poet Tiffany Lee Brown received a grant of $1,000 from the PEN America Writers9 Emergency Fund this week. <As a community of lit- erary professionals, PEN America is sympathetic to the struggle many face in making a living as a writer, and the added hardship resulting from the extraor- dinary ramifications of the COVID-19 epidemic,= the organization wrote in its granting letter. <With the help of gener- ous supporters, we are glad to be able to offer assistance to a colleague during a dif- ficult time.= Brown is a freelance writer and contributor to The Nugget Newspaper. In the wake of World War I, PEN was formed to foster international literary fel- lowship among writers that would transcend national and ethnic divides. Founding members included Willa Cather, Eugene O9Neill, Robert Frost and Booth Tarkington. PEN America9s current mission is to <defend free expression in the United States and internationally and to celebrate the power of words to change our world.= Brown said she was deeply grateful for the grant. <Like so many parents, I find myself juggling a lot,= she said. <Raising our son, doing school from home now, freelancing for The Nugget, doing work in the community.= T h a t w o r k i n c l u d e s Tea & Poetry, the Sisters See BROWN on page 15 Excellence With Compassion When You Need It Most NEW LOCATION IN SISTERS FOR YOUR ESTATE PLANNING NEEDS! TWO SPRUCE LAW, P.C. Patricia Nelson & John Myers — Attorneys At Law — 220 S. Pine St., Suite 207 541-389-4646 www.twosprucelaw.com Nothing says quality like true hand-forged ironwork “Your Local Welding Shop” Enhance the look and feel of your home or business environment with our hand-crafted iron products. CCB# 87640 541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com VOTE CLIFF BENTZ FOR CONGRESS 7 A Voice for Rural Oregon Proven Dedication — Oregon State Senator Endorsed by 32 County Commissioners within Congressional District #2 Lifetime Resident of 2nd Congressional District Endorsed by Former Congressman Bob Smith An Advocate for Natural Resources Supports Fiscal Responsibility — Paid for by Laurie Kimmel — PHOTO BY ALEX JORDAN 8