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