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Land sale draws protests
February 4, 2007
Gary Nicholson and his 12-year-old, Sam, shoveled soil Saturday surrounding a small tree overlooking the Link River Canyon. The newly planted tree served as symbolic barrier against possible development.
This land is especially sacred to the 52-year-old man from West Linn. In 1978, his Klamath Falls father, Dr. George Nicholson, bought it as a private citizen to prevent the same proposed development back then that's on the table now.
“(It's) to honor my dad,” Nicholson said of his reason for turning out to Saturday's protest. “He just dug his feet in and wouldn't let it happen.”
Along with Nicholson, more than 50 people turned out Saturday to protest a proposal to sell about 15 acres in Conger Heights overlooking the Link River Canyon. The Klamath Falls City Council will make a decision Monday on selling the land - a move officials say would help pay for city parks.
City Manager Jeff Ball said during a Thursday meeting that city officials must weigh the need to preserve open space against the pressing financial needs of developed parks throughout the city.
Protesters argue the land is a haven for the area's wildlife and a place they can find solace inside the city. Others say they oppose the proposal because it's a symbol of too much development already taking place.
“Aren't there enough houses for sale here?” protester Shon Biri said. “Do people really want this to become the next Bend?
‘Bucks not trucks'
Protesters carried signs that read, “Bucks not trucks,” “We will fight to save our Heights,” and “The birds will thank you,” among others as they hiked the half-mile from Veterans Park to Conger Heights. There, they planted a tree after listening to Klamath tribal members perform a song honoring the land.
Near the planted tree, Nicholson told the crowd of his father's mission 28 years ago to preserve it. The late George Nicholson bought it and placed it in a trust with the High Desert Museum in Bend. Gary Nicholson thinks his father shook hands with officials on an agreement for it to go back to the city to be preserved.
“My dad felt passionately about this land,” Nicholson told the crowd surrounding him in rugged terrain. “He purchased the property thinking it would be preserved forever.”
-By Laura McVicker
Gary Nicholson and his 12-year-old, Sam, shoveled soil Saturday surrounding a small tree overlooking the Link River Canyon. The newly planted tree served as symbolic barrier against possible development.
This land is especially sacred to the 52-year-old man from West Linn. In 1978, his Klamath Falls father, Dr. George Nicholson, bought it as a private citizen to prevent the same proposed development back then that's on the table now.
“(It's) to honor my dad,” Nicholson said of his reason for turning out to Saturday's protest. “He just dug his feet in and wouldn't let it happen.”
Along with Nicholson, more than 50 people turned out Saturday to protest a proposal to sell about 15 acres in Conger Heights overlooking the Link River Canyon. The Klamath Falls City Council will make a decision Monday on selling the land - a move officials say would help pay for city parks.
City Manager Jeff Ball said during a Thursday meeting that city officials must weigh the need to preserve open space against the pressing financial needs of developed parks throughout the city.
Protesters argue the land is a haven for the area's wildlife and a place they can find solace inside the city. Others say they oppose the proposal because it's a symbol of too much development already taking place.
“Aren't there enough houses for sale here?” protester Shon Biri said. “Do people really want this to become the next Bend?
‘Bucks not trucks'
Protesters carried signs that read, “Bucks not trucks,” “We will fight to save our Heights,” and “The birds will thank you,” among others as they hiked the half-mile from Veterans Park to Conger Heights. There, they planted a tree after listening to Klamath tribal members perform a song honoring the land.
Near the planted tree, Nicholson told the crowd of his father's mission 28 years ago to preserve it. The late George Nicholson bought it and placed it in a trust with the High Desert Museum in Bend. Gary Nicholson thinks his father shook hands with officials on an agreement for it to go back to the city to be preserved.
“My dad felt passionately about this land,” Nicholson told the crowd surrounding him in rugged terrain. “He purchased the property thinking it would be preserved forever.”
-By Laura McVicker
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Reader Comments
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leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
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Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "