[Sent to those Senators supporting SB 30:]
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your vote to pass Senate Bill 30! Thank you for listening to the citizens of Oregon, for doing your homework and educating yourselves on the issue, and for recognizing that "development" is not always "progress" or "quality" to Oregonians. Thank you for having the wisdom and forethought to vote to save one of our greatest national treasures. You proved that you do care. You have showed the citizens of Oregon that you have the courage and conviction to protect and preserve the quality of life Oregonians want and deserve. A life that does include growth and success for the state, but not at the expense of our unique and pristine natural resources which can never be replaced. You make me proud to be an Oregonian!!
Sincerely,
Pat Krause
Portland, Oregon
Showing posts with label Courtney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courtney. Show all posts
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Protect The Metolius - Bill Leininger, Sisters
Dear Members of the Oregon Legislature,
[Sent to Senators Brown, Courtney, Johnson, Wesltund, and Reps. Merkley, Hunt, and Whisnant:]
I am writing to urge you to support Senate Bill 30, in its original form, and all future efforts to protect and preserve the Metolius River Basin. The Metolius River Basin is a National Treasure that must be preserved for all in its natural state. To allow destination resorts or any development of the magnitude proposed would be disastrous .... it would serve no one other than the developers and Jefferson County through increased tax revenues.
The destination resorts would not even serve those who were to buy into them. At present, visitors to the area marvel and question, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if I were to own a small piece of this?" The answer is that they, and everyone else, now own a piece of this wonderland ... they are able to visit, enjoy, and then move on so that others are allowed to do the same. If destination resorts are allowed to develop the people buying into them would soon find what they had tried to buy no longer existed: (1) When you visit the Camp Sherman Store is it the same experience as when you go to Safeway? (2) When you hike or picnic in the solitude of the tall pines on Green Tree Ridge is it the same as sitting on your deck amongst 2500 homes watching people knock around golf balls on your front lawn? (3) Or, is sitting on the river bank listening to the musical flow of a clear stream the same as listening to hordes of people moving up and down the crowded streamside path? People settling at, and visiting, destination resorts find that they have not escaped ... rather that everything that they were trying to get away from they have brought with them.
What would be the impact on the river? Would the springs feeding the river dry up? I don't know? Would the water purity suffer, from drain-off from surrounding developments, upsetting the whole river ecosystem? I am not sure of the answer to that one either. I am sure however that we can not threaten this pure river habitat with even the slightest risk that might have such disastrous results. We are now surrounded with efforts of trying to restore fish runs and water quality due to our past mistakes .... Klamath River, the Snake, Whychus Creek, Deschutes, the entire Columbia River system. We can not afford to continue to blunder ahead, governed by greed for dollars, at the expense of our environment. Protect what we have ... think beyond immediate financial gain to the welfare of future generations and the welfare of our ecosystem. Now is the time to act .... failure to do so would be negligent and the effects irreversible.
It has been said that the "haves" are trying to deny the "have-nots" from getting an equal share .... I believe this is in reference to the residents of Camp Sherman trying to deny access and ownership from all others that might want to buy into the area. I don't see this to be the case. In fact most of the concern for the future of the Metolius River Basin that I have heard have come from outside of Camp Sherman, outside of Central Oregon, and much from outside of the state of Oregon. These people realize that the Metolius now belongs to all of them to enjoy when they can ... if resorts are allowed to develop this will no longer be the case and, in effect, the river they love to visit may cease to exist. At present I find the people residing in Camp Sherman to be very welcoming of us "outsiders". Perhaps the granting of long-term government leases for summer and permanent homes in the area was a mistake but this does not justify compounding the problem through making even further mistakes to a point where there is no return.
If Jefferson County needs the tax revenue I am sure there are areas better suited for destination resorts along the rim of the Crooked River near Madras where boating opportunities abound. I would hope that these would not include more golf courses. There are ample golf-course destination resorts now, and being developed, in Deschutes and Crook Counties. This has to have an eventual negative impact on our water table and the water cycle. The opening of the prison in Madras should help ease the impact of businesses recently closed in Madras and Culver. I do think however that it would be good to concentrate future efforts on attracting further business and industry to the Hwy 97 corridor rather than trying to raise tax revenues through destination resorts.
Again I urge you to support Senate Bill 30 in its original form as well as supporting all future efforts to protect and preserve the Metolius River Basin.
Sincerely,
Bill Leininger
Sisters, OR
[Sent to Senators Brown, Courtney, Johnson, Wesltund, and Reps. Merkley, Hunt, and Whisnant:]
I am writing to urge you to support Senate Bill 30, in its original form, and all future efforts to protect and preserve the Metolius River Basin. The Metolius River Basin is a National Treasure that must be preserved for all in its natural state. To allow destination resorts or any development of the magnitude proposed would be disastrous .... it would serve no one other than the developers and Jefferson County through increased tax revenues.
The destination resorts would not even serve those who were to buy into them. At present, visitors to the area marvel and question, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if I were to own a small piece of this?" The answer is that they, and everyone else, now own a piece of this wonderland ... they are able to visit, enjoy, and then move on so that others are allowed to do the same. If destination resorts are allowed to develop the people buying into them would soon find what they had tried to buy no longer existed: (1) When you visit the Camp Sherman Store is it the same experience as when you go to Safeway? (2) When you hike or picnic in the solitude of the tall pines on Green Tree Ridge is it the same as sitting on your deck amongst 2500 homes watching people knock around golf balls on your front lawn? (3) Or, is sitting on the river bank listening to the musical flow of a clear stream the same as listening to hordes of people moving up and down the crowded streamside path? People settling at, and visiting, destination resorts find that they have not escaped ... rather that everything that they were trying to get away from they have brought with them.
What would be the impact on the river? Would the springs feeding the river dry up? I don't know? Would the water purity suffer, from drain-off from surrounding developments, upsetting the whole river ecosystem? I am not sure of the answer to that one either. I am sure however that we can not threaten this pure river habitat with even the slightest risk that might have such disastrous results. We are now surrounded with efforts of trying to restore fish runs and water quality due to our past mistakes .... Klamath River, the Snake, Whychus Creek, Deschutes, the entire Columbia River system. We can not afford to continue to blunder ahead, governed by greed for dollars, at the expense of our environment. Protect what we have ... think beyond immediate financial gain to the welfare of future generations and the welfare of our ecosystem. Now is the time to act .... failure to do so would be negligent and the effects irreversible.
It has been said that the "haves" are trying to deny the "have-nots" from getting an equal share .... I believe this is in reference to the residents of Camp Sherman trying to deny access and ownership from all others that might want to buy into the area. I don't see this to be the case. In fact most of the concern for the future of the Metolius River Basin that I have heard have come from outside of Camp Sherman, outside of Central Oregon, and much from outside of the state of Oregon. These people realize that the Metolius now belongs to all of them to enjoy when they can ... if resorts are allowed to develop this will no longer be the case and, in effect, the river they love to visit may cease to exist. At present I find the people residing in Camp Sherman to be very welcoming of us "outsiders". Perhaps the granting of long-term government leases for summer and permanent homes in the area was a mistake but this does not justify compounding the problem through making even further mistakes to a point where there is no return.
If Jefferson County needs the tax revenue I am sure there are areas better suited for destination resorts along the rim of the Crooked River near Madras where boating opportunities abound. I would hope that these would not include more golf courses. There are ample golf-course destination resorts now, and being developed, in Deschutes and Crook Counties. This has to have an eventual negative impact on our water table and the water cycle. The opening of the prison in Madras should help ease the impact of businesses recently closed in Madras and Culver. I do think however that it would be good to concentrate future efforts on attracting further business and industry to the Hwy 97 corridor rather than trying to raise tax revenues through destination resorts.
Again I urge you to support Senate Bill 30 in its original form as well as supporting all future efforts to protect and preserve the Metolius River Basin.
Sincerely,
Bill Leininger
Sisters, OR
Friday, May 11, 2007
Still A Chance - Steve and Kathy Bachelder, Camp Sherman, and Portland
[Sent to the members of the Senate Rules Committee and Senators Devlin and Courtney:]
I have just learned there is still a chance to move this bill forward. Please do so!
The Metolius River Basin is recognized as one of the most special places in the country, if not world. A river of unmatched beauty, magical in its mood and pristine character.
Allowing destination resorts nearby will tarnish it with overuse, fertilizer run-off, litter, noise and general degradation of what is Oregon's crown jewel of quiet beauty. We cannot allow such a precious resource to be swallowed up just for the sake of Jefferson County tax revenues and developers' profits!
And speaking of that, are you aware that the sudden change in Jefferson County development rules last year increased the value of the two developers' holdings overnight a hundredfold? For example, Dutch Pacific purchased its square mile just a year and a half ago for $1.1 million. Shortly thereafter, the development rules change made it worth at least $100 million once it sells individual lots. The Green Ridge development is ten times larger (worth $1 billion?). Please contact me if you would like to see the math.
The legions of lobbyists and lawyers money like that can field are hard to fight, and hard for a county with its own economic problems to resist. But it's a big county with lots of private developable land that does not threaten a national treasure. Please support SB 30 and encourage development where it is less harmful.
Thank you,
Steve and Kathy Bachelder
Camp Sherman and Portland
I have just learned there is still a chance to move this bill forward. Please do so!
The Metolius River Basin is recognized as one of the most special places in the country, if not world. A river of unmatched beauty, magical in its mood and pristine character.
Allowing destination resorts nearby will tarnish it with overuse, fertilizer run-off, litter, noise and general degradation of what is Oregon's crown jewel of quiet beauty. We cannot allow such a precious resource to be swallowed up just for the sake of Jefferson County tax revenues and developers' profits!
And speaking of that, are you aware that the sudden change in Jefferson County development rules last year increased the value of the two developers' holdings overnight a hundredfold? For example, Dutch Pacific purchased its square mile just a year and a half ago for $1.1 million. Shortly thereafter, the development rules change made it worth at least $100 million once it sells individual lots. The Green Ridge development is ten times larger (worth $1 billion?). Please contact me if you would like to see the math.
The legions of lobbyists and lawyers money like that can field are hard to fight, and hard for a county with its own economic problems to resist. But it's a big county with lots of private developable land that does not threaten a national treasure. Please support SB 30 and encourage development where it is less harmful.
Thank you,
Steve and Kathy Bachelder
Camp Sherman and Portland
Monday, April 30, 2007
In Your Hearts You Know What Is Right - Bill Failing, Portland
[Sent to Senators Kate Brown, Ginny Burdick, Rick Metsger, Vicki Walker, Rod Monroe, Peter Courtney, Betsy Johnson:]
Dear Senators (Chosen for this mail because you would be among the last to sell this down the river, so to speak)---
It is hard to believe that this plea even needs to be sent. Have we, Oregonians all, lost it completely? To allow development into one of Oregon’s most uniqually natural landscapes, at the top of everybody’s list of Oregon’s most scenic spots, part of Beautiful Oregon lore past and present, fall to developers?
The developers are winning this one…but you can still stop them. Please support a complete ban on SB 30, not the vaguely-worded “compromise” that offers nothing.
The amendments that weakened SB 30 can and must be removed.
My wife Michele Bowler has worked with some of you---suggesting that you be contacted directly. Others of you may know John Russell who is a developer (and Camp Sherman summer resident) who does great projects---and where they are appropriate---without scorching the earth. Follow his lead---because in your hearts you know what is right and wrong with this irreversible desecration. This wilderness does not need a golf course!
My family has been coming to this area since the 1920’s. I have photographs taken by them of this area that are instantly recognizable today. Let’s make this area recognizable 100 years from now. Please use your considerable influence to stop this notion that development will somehow improve this area, and be the elixir to fix Jefferson County’s impoverished treasury. There are no trade-offs if the Metolius is compromised!
Thanks in advance for doing what is right.
Godspeed!
Bill Failing
Portland, OR
Dear Senators (Chosen for this mail because you would be among the last to sell this down the river, so to speak)---
It is hard to believe that this plea even needs to be sent. Have we, Oregonians all, lost it completely? To allow development into one of Oregon’s most uniqually natural landscapes, at the top of everybody’s list of Oregon’s most scenic spots, part of Beautiful Oregon lore past and present, fall to developers?
The developers are winning this one…but you can still stop them. Please support a complete ban on SB 30, not the vaguely-worded “compromise” that offers nothing.
The amendments that weakened SB 30 can and must be removed.
My wife Michele Bowler has worked with some of you---suggesting that you be contacted directly. Others of you may know John Russell who is a developer (and Camp Sherman summer resident) who does great projects---and where they are appropriate---without scorching the earth. Follow his lead---because in your hearts you know what is right and wrong with this irreversible desecration. This wilderness does not need a golf course!
My family has been coming to this area since the 1920’s. I have photographs taken by them of this area that are instantly recognizable today. Let’s make this area recognizable 100 years from now. Please use your considerable influence to stop this notion that development will somehow improve this area, and be the elixir to fix Jefferson County’s impoverished treasury. There are no trade-offs if the Metolius is compromised!
Thanks in advance for doing what is right.
Godspeed!
Bill Failing
Portland, OR
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Letter In Support of SB30 - Al Krause, Portland
[Sent To Sen. Rick Metsger, Sen. Ben Westlund, Rep. John Dallum, Sen. Vicki Walker, Sen. Frank Morse, Sen. Jeff Kruse, Rep. Jackie Dingfelder, Sen. Jason Atkinson, Sen. Brad Avakian, Sen. Alan Bates, Sen. Kate Brown, Sen. Ginny Burdick, Sen. Margaret Carter, Sen. Peter Courtney, Sen. Ryan Deckert, Sen. Richard Devlin, Sen. Ted Ferrioli, Sen. Gary George, Sen. Larry George, Sen. Avel Gordly, Sen. Jackie Winters, Sen. Joanne Everger, Sen. Bruce Starr, Sen. Kurt Schrader, Sen. Floyd Prozanski, Sen. David Nelson, Sen. Rod Monroe, Sen. Bill Morrissette, among others:]
I write this letter in support of SB30 and the efforts to help protect the fragile Metolius Basin from close proximity "destination resort" development that is now potentially possible with Jefferson County's recent zoning changes. The Metolius basin is unique, and not replaceable and should be protected for all just as was done years ago in the Columbia Gorge. The latter required Federal government involvement because it overlapped two states. The State of Oregon must take responsibility to protect it's own natural treasures and that is what the Metolius River is. I appreciate the complexity that measure 37 creates for legislative action, but I think the Metolius basin is as valuable to the state of Oregon as our beaches and our State with leadership many years ago found a way to protect them. I commend Ben Westlund and others that have joined him to try and accomplish the task of protecting the Metolius basin with SB30.
Albert H. Krause, MD
Portland, OR
I write this letter in support of SB30 and the efforts to help protect the fragile Metolius Basin from close proximity "destination resort" development that is now potentially possible with Jefferson County's recent zoning changes. The Metolius basin is unique, and not replaceable and should be protected for all just as was done years ago in the Columbia Gorge. The latter required Federal government involvement because it overlapped two states. The State of Oregon must take responsibility to protect it's own natural treasures and that is what the Metolius River is. I appreciate the complexity that measure 37 creates for legislative action, but I think the Metolius basin is as valuable to the state of Oregon as our beaches and our State with leadership many years ago found a way to protect them. I commend Ben Westlund and others that have joined him to try and accomplish the task of protecting the Metolius basin with SB30.
Albert H. Krause, MD
Portland, OR
Monday, March 26, 2007
DO THE RIGHT THING HERE - Nancy Siverson, Portland
SEN Courtney--
I just got off the phone trying to reach Ron Wyden's office in regard to the attached emergency appropriations bill for counties suffering from lack of timber revenue...this lack of monies, as you know, is fueling the compromise of our natural resouces. I'm focusing on the 'destination resorts' earmarked for the Metolius River basin area.
Can the Oregon legislature DO THE RIGHT THING HERE and pass Sen. Westlund's bill 30--as it is written, NO compromise--or has this state 'sold-out' to greed and special interests?
"On and On" the endless debates about education...here is the 'spot on' POINT; if you don't start saving our natural resources and respecting nature 'the education' will all be about trying to 'RECLAIM' what we have lost!
PLEASE give this bill the respect and swift passage it deserves!
Nancy Siverson
Portland OR
I just got off the phone trying to reach Ron Wyden's office in regard to the attached emergency appropriations bill for counties suffering from lack of timber revenue...this lack of monies, as you know, is fueling the compromise of our natural resouces. I'm focusing on the 'destination resorts' earmarked for the Metolius River basin area.
Can the Oregon legislature DO THE RIGHT THING HERE and pass Sen. Westlund's bill 30--as it is written, NO compromise--or has this state 'sold-out' to greed and special interests?
"On and On" the endless debates about education...here is the 'spot on' POINT; if you don't start saving our natural resources and respecting nature 'the education' will all be about trying to 'RECLAIM' what we have lost!
PLEASE give this bill the respect and swift passage it deserves!
Nancy Siverson
Portland OR
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Natural Springs And Pristine Creeks - Ervin Siverson, Portland
Dear President Courtney:
I am writing to express my support for Senate Bill 30 that would limit development of destination resorts in ecologically sensitive areas such as the Metolius River Basin. As you are aware, the Metolius River Basin is a special place where the Metolius River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, flows out of the base of Black Butte Mountain. It is fed by natural springs and pristine creeks that would be threatened by the development of trophy homes and golf courses. This was not the intended purpose when the land surrounding the headwaters of the Metolius were given to the State of Oregon for protection. Areas such as the Columbia River Gorge and the Metolius Basin must be protected from development at all costs, because when they are gone, they are gone forever. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Ervin Siverson
Portland, OR
I am writing to express my support for Senate Bill 30 that would limit development of destination resorts in ecologically sensitive areas such as the Metolius River Basin. As you are aware, the Metolius River Basin is a special place where the Metolius River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, flows out of the base of Black Butte Mountain. It is fed by natural springs and pristine creeks that would be threatened by the development of trophy homes and golf courses. This was not the intended purpose when the land surrounding the headwaters of the Metolius were given to the State of Oregon for protection. Areas such as the Columbia River Gorge and the Metolius Basin must be protected from development at all costs, because when they are gone, they are gone forever. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Ervin Siverson
Portland, OR
