QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Yes, it's true! A new posting of the Ortley Optic! Sorry I took so long
to get back to this, but I'm glad to know that people are reading this.
I know that, because in the last few days a few questions came in from
interested readers, so I'm going to try to answer them as best as I can.
1. In regards to the recent ice storm,
someone asks, "Any chance in having the church become an emergency shelter?"
I'm glad you asked that. Let me make something clear, first of all. The
members of Ortley Free Lutheran Church stand ready at all times to help out
in any way we can in time of emergency, including the use of the church building
as an emergency shelter. So, the basic answer to your question is, "YES!"
Let me explain some confusion which I believe has come about in the aftermath of
the ice storm. There was some discussion of whether the Town of Ortley should
have a generator, and if so, where it would be used. Various sites have been
mentioned, including the church. To my knowledge no official decisions have
been made. I heard a second-hand or third-hand report that I had been quoted
as saying that I was "opposed" to having the church used as a shelter. That scared
me a little, because that kind of thing can be very easily misunderstood. To clarify
the issue, there are two different questions involved, with two different answers:
A. Can the church be used as a shelter?
B. Should the church be officially designated by the Town as a shelter?
The answer to Question A is, "absolutely yes."
The answer to Question B is, "I don't know." Official business of this type
involves complex questions of liability, etc., which I don't know much about.
Until those questions are answered, I think we should be cautious about making
any decisions about officially designating the church or some other site as a
shelter. During the recent emergency, many people voluntarily opened up their
homes to those in need, and whether or not the church is officially a
shelter, you can count on us to voluntarily help out in any way we can.
I hope this makes things a bit more clear. I've been afraid that someone might
think, "the church doesn't want to help" or "Pastor Peterson doesn't want to help."
Nothing could be further from the truth. We could have another ice storm again
sometime, or we could have some other type of major emergency in which many people
in our area need emergency shelter. If we at Ortley Church can help, we stand
ready to do so, and we don't need any official designation to make it so. If an
emergency comes up and our building would be useful to help those in need, please
ask.
Next Question:
2.
"When is the Centennial?"
The latest talk I've heard is about either June 24 or July 1. We should know more
soon, as the following notice has just been posted at the Post Office and at BJ's Cafe:
To the citizens of Ortley and the surrounding area:
If you would like to have a 100 year anniversary get together,
COME to the meeting at BJ's Hall.
March 7th at 6:00 PM
I'll post more info as soon as I have it. And all who are able to attend that meeting
are strongly encouraged to do so.
Next Question, in regards to the cross sculpture at the cemetery:
3. "Will it be painted this summer in 2006?"
I don't know if there are any plans to paint it for maintenance purposes. Early on there had
been some speculation about painting a cross on it to make it resemble a conventional cross
more closely, but the artist made it clear that he didn't want his artwork to be altered in
any way. Furthermore, the message I've gotten is that, though some had some initial reservations
about the unusual appearance of the sculpture, people have gotten used to it and embraced it.
Like Paris with its Eiffel Tower (which also generated controversy among the locals), we have a towering
landmark. And ours is even better than their's, because of its spiritual meaning.
In regards to the entries on old town board minutes, next Question:
4. "I like this kind of newletter notes, any more in the future?"
I think so. I was working with a precious book of the old board minutes, and Council Chairman
Elton Davidson needed the book back. I hope to eventually get it back and make some more
entries.
Finally, some interesting discussion has just happened in the online Guest Book.
Local resident Diane Anderson asked, "When was the last year that Ortley School was being used? Does anyone remember the Ray family that lived in this area in the 1920's? I enjoy reading through your Optic news. Diane"
(By the way, thanks for the nice comment, Diane!)
Former resident Steven Hovland replies:
"Diane: In 1966, the 7th and 8th graders began going to Waubay by bus. Grades 1-6 remained in Ortley through the 1968-1969 school year. I was the sole member of the last 3rd grade class. I believe I still have a photo of the 13 students who comprised the last student body of Ortley school. Steve"
FEEL FREE to use the Guest Book as a question-and-answer forum! And, I'm glad to have the Optic up and running again! Thanks for your questions!
to get back to this, but I'm glad to know that people are reading this.
I know that, because in the last few days a few questions came in from
interested readers, so I'm going to try to answer them as best as I can.
1. In regards to the recent ice storm,
someone asks, "Any chance in having the church become an emergency shelter?"
I'm glad you asked that. Let me make something clear, first of all. The
members of Ortley Free Lutheran Church stand ready at all times to help out
in any way we can in time of emergency, including the use of the church building
as an emergency shelter. So, the basic answer to your question is, "YES!"
Let me explain some confusion which I believe has come about in the aftermath of
the ice storm. There was some discussion of whether the Town of Ortley should
have a generator, and if so, where it would be used. Various sites have been
mentioned, including the church. To my knowledge no official decisions have
been made. I heard a second-hand or third-hand report that I had been quoted
as saying that I was "opposed" to having the church used as a shelter. That scared
me a little, because that kind of thing can be very easily misunderstood. To clarify
the issue, there are two different questions involved, with two different answers:
A. Can the church be used as a shelter?
B. Should the church be officially designated by the Town as a shelter?
The answer to Question A is, "absolutely yes."
The answer to Question B is, "I don't know." Official business of this type
involves complex questions of liability, etc., which I don't know much about.
Until those questions are answered, I think we should be cautious about making
any decisions about officially designating the church or some other site as a
shelter. During the recent emergency, many people voluntarily opened up their
homes to those in need, and whether or not the church is officially a
shelter, you can count on us to voluntarily help out in any way we can.
I hope this makes things a bit more clear. I've been afraid that someone might
think, "the church doesn't want to help" or "Pastor Peterson doesn't want to help."
Nothing could be further from the truth. We could have another ice storm again
sometime, or we could have some other type of major emergency in which many people
in our area need emergency shelter. If we at Ortley Church can help, we stand
ready to do so, and we don't need any official designation to make it so. If an
emergency comes up and our building would be useful to help those in need, please
ask.
Next Question:
2.
"When is the Centennial?"
The latest talk I've heard is about either June 24 or July 1. We should know more
soon, as the following notice has just been posted at the Post Office and at BJ's Cafe:
To the citizens of Ortley and the surrounding area:
If you would like to have a 100 year anniversary get together,
COME to the meeting at BJ's Hall.
March 7th at 6:00 PM
I'll post more info as soon as I have it. And all who are able to attend that meeting
are strongly encouraged to do so.
Next Question, in regards to the cross sculpture at the cemetery:
3. "Will it be painted this summer in 2006?"
I don't know if there are any plans to paint it for maintenance purposes. Early on there had
been some speculation about painting a cross on it to make it resemble a conventional cross
more closely, but the artist made it clear that he didn't want his artwork to be altered in
any way. Furthermore, the message I've gotten is that, though some had some initial reservations
about the unusual appearance of the sculpture, people have gotten used to it and embraced it.
Like Paris with its Eiffel Tower (which also generated controversy among the locals), we have a towering
landmark. And ours is even better than their's, because of its spiritual meaning.
In regards to the entries on old town board minutes, next Question:
4. "I like this kind of newletter notes, any more in the future?"
I think so. I was working with a precious book of the old board minutes, and Council Chairman
Elton Davidson needed the book back. I hope to eventually get it back and make some more
entries.
Finally, some interesting discussion has just happened in the online Guest Book.
Local resident Diane Anderson asked, "When was the last year that Ortley School was being used? Does anyone remember the Ray family that lived in this area in the 1920's? I enjoy reading through your Optic news. Diane"
(By the way, thanks for the nice comment, Diane!)
Former resident Steven Hovland replies:
"Diane: In 1966, the 7th and 8th graders began going to Waubay by bus. Grades 1-6 remained in Ortley through the 1968-1969 school year. I was the sole member of the last 3rd grade class. I believe I still have a photo of the 13 students who comprised the last student body of Ortley school. Steve"
FEEL FREE to use the Guest Book as a question-and-answer forum! And, I'm glad to have the Optic up and running again! Thanks for your questions!
posted by Michael | 9:20 AM
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