Support our local officials

Published 12:32 pm Tuesday, May 2, 2017

To the Editor:

While the debate over federal land management has not changed over time one thing that has gained momentum is the slander and harassment of our local federal land officials. Most notably the forest supervisor. While it’s hard to get agreement on any topic about federal land management, our supervisor in my opinion has always taken the time to listen and try to come up with solutions to problems that managing federal land presents. His transparency and ability for open dialogue should be appreciated. If there’s an issue on the forest, meetings will take place, discussions will happen, and, if possible, solutions will be found and then all involved move forward, knowing both sides had to give a little in the process.

In a perfect world Grant County would have a mill in every community and the restrictions on logging, recreation and grazing would be less. But there isn’t and they are not.

Can we support our Forest Service leadership and look to the future to keep Grant County alive? Can we give the collaboration process time to improve the health of our forests? Can we keep our last mill running and thriving? Keeping Grant County a great place to live, work and raise a family. All the while knowing the problems we face today are here and understand that we need cooperation and coordination of all involved especially our Forest Service staff and Supervisor to maximize our federal lands for generations to come, to keep Grant County what it always has been and always will be, a very special place to a wide range of people.

Ben Holliday

John Day