Eagle sightings are plentiful in the winter months around Central Oregon. See a variety of raptors during Eagle Watch, held Feb. 22-23
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Nature Center................ 8 Calendar...................... 13 SROA News.................. 22
Public Safety................ 30 Classified..................... 38 Commentary................ 39
It’s time for SROA members to throw their hat in the ring and run for a seat on the SROA board. Applications are due by April 11
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S U N R I V E R
S C E N E A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
FEBRUARY • 2014
volume xxxix • Number 2
Board reviews boat ramp plan By Brooke Snavely Installing an owners boat ramp, restroom and parking facilities along the Deschutes River will cost approximately $333,000 and there appears to be funds available through SROA’s reserve account to cover the construction costs. That could mean no additional out-ofpocket costs to owners. The phase one proposal calls for a gravel beach to accommodate hand launching of canoes, kayaks and rafts; a paved boat ramp for launching trailered boats, paved parking, a restroom and a gate to limit access to owners, guests and renters of properties that participate in amenity access programs. Additional amenities consisting of a dock, boat storage, picnic area, dog parks, pickleball courts and trails connecting to the existing pathway system are proposed in phase two and estimated to cost an additional $120,000. A consultant recommends that SROA apply for land use approvals for both phases, but initially develop only phase one in order to keep costs down and to study demand levels and use patterns before proceeding to full development. Issues the SROA Board of Directors needs to resolve before accepting the proposal include: • Will access to the boat ramp be limited to owners and guests? The recommendation from the In-
frastructure and Amenities Master Plan Task Force (IAMP) is to limit access to the facility to members of the association and their guests. Guests are defined as those individuals in the company of a member, or those renting a property from a member that has obtained recreation facility access through SROA via the Independent Rental Access Program. The reasoning behind the recommendation to limit access to members and guests is twofold. Limited access provides a benefit to members who have a financial interest in the facility and avoid possible overcrowding that could occur if the facility were open to the public. • Is a vote of the owners required? Yes. The Consolidated Plan of Sunriver requires a vote of the members, with a 60 percent approval among the ballots cast, in order to construct facilities with a useful life of more than 30 years with funds from the reserve account. • When will the vote be held? Probably in August during SROA’s annual election, the same time as new board members are elected. The board considered holding a special election this spring, but as project timelines were firmed up it became apparent there is little need to hold a separate, special election. Elections cost between $5,000 Turn to Ramp, page 4
susan berger photo
Last year’s Dummy Downhill entry by the Sunriver Country Store flies off the jump ramp. Dummy Downhill has been expanded to include other winter-themed events and is now called Sunriver Chill Out.
Spills, thrills during Sunriver Chill Out events
Medicine in Illinois, and an internship at Eastmoreland General Hospital in Portland to become Board Certified in Family Medicine in 1983. That year he began his High Desert Family Medicine practice in the Sunriver Business Park and in La Pine before moving to his current location on Beaver Drive in 1989. “Ashton Eaton was a patient of mine when he lived in La Pine,” Skotte said. “A great youngster! I never imagined he would become an Olympic and world decathlon champion.” For emergencies after hours at that
to the delight of spectators. This year four events have been added to create two days of winter activities called the Sunriver Chill Out that will take place Feb. 7 and 8. The Sunriver Chill Out begins with a Glow Ice Skate Party, Friday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. at The Village at Sunriver ice skating rink. Participants will receive flashing, glowing novelty items to wear while skating, accompanied by music provided by a live DJ. A face painting station will create art on peoples’ faces with neon paint and there will be contests, prizes and giveaways. Cost is $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5-12 and free under age 4. Skate rentals are included. The second annual Dummy Downhill takes place Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. on Peck’s Peak (the tubing hill) at SHARC. Participants in this free event
Turn to Skotte, page 5
Turn to Chill, page 3
Last year’s Dummy Downhill was a fun event that left participants and spectators wanting more. Elaborately constructed and decorated ski dummies jumped and a few crashed, much
‘Doc’ Skotte observes 30 years of medical service in Sunriver By Lynne Schaefer Locals know him as “Doc” Skotte (pronounced scott-ee). The U.S. Air Force addresses him as Col. Daniel M. Skotte. He is one man leading two lives. Sunriver’s family country doctor, Skotte is entering his 31st year providing medical services for the area’s residents and visitors. A flight surgeon, Skotte is deploying this month to Kuwait for the third time in 12 years. Growing up in Jackson, Minn. as the eldest of three boys and three girls, Skotte trapped gophers and turned them in at the courthouse for a bounty. When he accumulated $5, he paid for SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XL • NUMBER 2 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
his first plane ride in an army Piper scout. His fascination with aviation led to admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado and an International Business Relations degree in 1972. He was assigned to the Space & Missile System Organization, and later to TRW, the world’s largest satellite manufacturer. Planning ahead, Skotte used his veteran benefits to pursue a medical degree to use in either the Air Force or as a civilian. He completed pre-med at UCLA, USC and El Camino College in Southern California, followed by four years at the Chicago College of Osteopathic
PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213