McKenzie Meadows/Sisters development (July 16 issue)
I agree with Bill Willitts and with McKenzie Meadows for urban growth expansion. That was halted with an environmental issue of Trout Creek, which already has only a month or so with water while we live in a drought. The considered UGB east of town into 10-acre-RR Zone properties borders Whychus Creek, which is suffering quite low water levels the last several summers.
I live east of Sisters on the creek. I am wondering why a dried-up creek is getting more protection attention than a much larger and farm-dependent waterway. There are very few properties in the 10-acre zoned region with water rights, but downstream farms are dependent on it.
I am not in the proposed UGB east of town, so I don’t have a dog in this fight, although I do border the creek. But I can assure anyone that the water use involving Whychus Creek is a speck compared to what would happen with home development in this territory of land considered for UGB.
McKenzie Meadows borders all three Sisters schools, which means children could walk to school rather than wait for a bus. It’s practical and available to develop here rather than a couple miles east of the school campuses. Anyone remember “no brainer?”
—Bonnie Malone
Seeking Board Members
The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District is in need of people willing to serve as directors on the Board. Meetings are once a month. The DSWCD needs members who will advocate for expansion of services, in a cost-efficient manner, in all program areas with interested private landowners, services that benefit both rural and urban residents and reflect broad interests of all County residents, especially given DSWCD’s tax base is paid by all county residents. Program areas include soil stewardship, water quality, water conservation and more desirable river flows, weed management, wildlife and fish habitat improvement, wildfire risk reduction, locally grown food and farm-to-market products and development of renewable energy and energy efficient resources. DSWCD has no regulatory authority.
Positions open include an at-large position, and ones restricted to zones around Sisters, Tumalo, east-northeast of Bend (e.g., Alfalfa) and the north part of Deschutes County. Except for the at-large position, a candidate must own or manage 10 acres in Deschutes County within the designated zone and live in that zone (see DSWCD website). If interested, please review the Oregon Department of Agriculture SWCD elections website which also includes contact information.
I am only representing myself in this letter.
—Robin Vora
Onerous Infrastructure Requirements
I am one of those owners of land suitable for middle income housing that gave up on development when faced with requirements from the city. I own over an acre and a half of property on the west side with a triplex on one end. The triplex has a sidewalk to nowhere on both ends with big retaining walls. I proposed splitting off an acre and joining with an adjacent lot. The city approved the plan with the caveat that I put in a six-foot-wide sidewalk to be completed before being able to sell it off. The property is so steep that the sidewalk would have necessitated 12-foot-high retaining walls in places that any developer who then bought the land would have to likely tear out. The excavation reps who came on site to give estimates would just scratch their heads about the absurdity of the timing of that requirement. Neither would the city accept a bond to build the sidewalk at a future date when it made more sense. There is a sidewalk across the street by the way and there are loads of neighborhoods with sidewalks on only one side of the street in the area. Rules are rules and planners have to CTA. In light of these possible rule changes I guess I should try again but it’s like I held my hand out before and got bit. I have PTSD now. Maybe if they had therapy as part of the process.
—Tom Ponte
Time
Our esteemed Members of Congress have moved to end the twice-yearly clock resetting absurdity. Good for them. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong permanent time (Daylight Saving). That will become clear this winter. But any permanent time is better than clock changing time. Call it what you will – Standard, Daylight Saving, Mickey Mouse or Boaty-McBoat Face (thank you, UK), time is an artificial construct. Keep it simple and everyone will adjust. Schools can change their schedules to match the season. Just leave the clocks alone.
— James Scott
Fire safety
Imagine pulling into your driveway, anticipating the sanctity of being home. Then imagine a hollow feeling that erupts from within when the home you’d taken for granted is merely a pile of ashes, laid out barren before you. The remnants of everything you’ve accumulated in your life, gone, reduced to waste. It could happen to any of us at any time.
Our region has become a tinder box during these dire episodes of drought and excessive heat. One moment of negligence can erupt into an enormous devastation and loss; mistakes are easy to make, deliverance is another.
Today I offer my sincerest praise and gratitude to the firefighting crew stationed at Hamby Station 304. Their rapid response was beyond measure, their care and efficiency was our salvation. Where would we be without first responders who put their lives at the forefront daily? I can’t imagine a society, a world without any of them. Without designated funding from our property taxes, these services would become more compromised in cases of emergencies. Supporting these services are crucial to the quality of our lives here in Deschutes County.
To all of them, I offer my deepest appreciation to those who show up to save us. How do you thank someone like that? Words fall short and cannot express the depth of my gratitude. How fortunate we are to have heroes like that in our community.
—Oakley Taylor
Letter of the Week:
We couldn’t agree more, Oakley. As Letter of the Week, you can stop by the Source office to pick up a gift card to Palate coffee. —Managing Editor Nic Moye
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
