Letter to the Editor:

Two items in last week’s issue (Sheriff’s Deputies and the Blue Mountains Forest Partners) were unprofessional attempts to manipulate the public with misinformation and failure to include interviews given by involved parties who do not support the paper’s family views.

The Grant County Public Land Resources Plan Committee is only a representative of itself and as an advisory committee to the Sheriff. They are a diverse group of county citizens who voluntarily came together to create a resource plan to provide a means of support for county interests, health, and safety. The County Court has independently created many committees at their discretion so why is the Sheriff, an equal official, criticized for the same action?

The Resources Plan is a “living document” which means it can and is expected to be amended through additions and explanations of policies. It does not need an attorney’s perusal or approval. It does not support environmental or collaborative groups or any government agencies but strives to provide the people of Grant County a means to exercise control over their public lands.

The Plan did not need prior review from the Court. Sheriff Palmer, an elected official and lead law enforcement officer, is not subservient to the County Court, has equal authority, and does not depend upon approval to act in support of the county citizens. Sheriff Palmer strove to provide a plan for the citizens of Grant County as a guide for all government agencies so that they know what Grant County expects for their Natural Resources Management.

Other County ordinances or plans that are “not working” is because of lack of coordination with agencies on equal footing. “Coordination” is the law.

The only evidence of true coordination claimed by the Forest Service is with their Blue Mountains Forest Partners collaboratives. Only with extreme arrogance and vanity do they assume they are the only agency of substance within Grant County.

Judy Kerr

Canyon City