Some Place Called The Metolius - Morton and Sally Hurt, Sisters

Dear Representative Whisnant
[Copied to all Representatives]

In April 2006 we moved to Camp Sherman from Seattle after retiring from our respective careers. Friends and colleagues in Washington often asked why we were moving to Oregon not to mention some place called Camp Sherman and the Metolius River Basin. After all, Oregon has a State Income Tax and that will obviously have an adverse economic impact on someone recently retired. Our response to such claims was that our decision to move to Oregon would not be driven by whether there was a State Income Tax, rather our decision would be driven by the quality of life we would enjoy in our retirement years.

Although we have subsequently moved to Sisters we still refer endearingly to Camp Sherman and the Metolius River as that "small slice of Heaven". We have been following the progress of SB 30 with great interest. The Oregon legislature has a long historical legacy, exemplified by much of the legislation enacted during the terms of such notable Governors as Oswald West and Tom McCall, of enacting progressive legislation when it is merited and is in the best interest of the public. We feel this pending vote can again be one of those historical moments. So we would urge you and all members of the Oregon House of Representatives to put aside any partisan differences and vote in favor of SB 30 in the interest of all Oregon citizens and all those who visit this beautiful State.

Morton & Sally Hurt
Sisters, OR