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| Volume XVIII, Number 8 | Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 | |
Four horsemen of forest apocalypse Dear Editor, The four horsemen of the forest apocalypse are among us, deluging us with lies. The first horseman claims that national forest logging must increase or the woods will burn. No matter that wildfire is essential for healthy western forests. No matter that Forest Service studies show that the most at risk woodlands for severe wildfire are those that have been logged and roaded. No matter that even Forest Service studies proclaim the healthiest woods to be Wilderness Areas and Roadless Areas. The second apocalyptic horseman simply claims that our woods are unnaturally thick with flammable brush, and so -- of course -- the cure is broad-scale thinning. Oh yes, to pay for this we'll log big trees, the least flammable forest structures. No matter that foresters know that most "overgrown" woods are in low elevation habitat types (such as ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir/sagebrush) that have suffered too much fire suppression and high-grade logging. No matter that most other forest types (the bulk of our Rocky Mountain forestland) are not encumbered with flammable brush and are in relatively good shape -- except where they've been logged and roaded. The third erroneous equestrian admits that broad-scale fire suppression is unwise and so he sets prescribed fires to clear the resulting brush. Yet the Forest Service continues to squelch wildfire, even in remote wilderness and backcountry, and even during moist years when most ignitions would naturally burn a varied mosaic including lots of brush-clearing surface fire -- precisely the burn pattern the Feds claim to be their goal. The fourth ruinous rider rides the wave of fear with which we woodland homeowners all live: the horrific vision of a burning home. Yet Forest Service studies show that home ignitions depend entirely upon actions taken to reduce flammability within roughly a 60-yard radius of the structure, not upon logging the outback. The truth is that the Bush-Cheney Forest Service and some in Congress wish to provide a windfall for the timber industry. They propose to cure a problem that only exists in some places by imposing across the board an exact replica of the very programs that created the problem: more logging, more roads, more fire suppression. Few folks would object to a targeted program of underthinning along existing roads, particularly near the wildland/settlement interface. But make no mistake, that is not what's in the works. Roadless areas, old growth, interior forest songbird habitat, fragile watersheds and other wondrous lands are all back on the cutting board, thanks to the Bush-Cheney forest plan. Please, speak out and resist this destructive boondoggle! Howie Wolke Conner |
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Thanks from Jerramy's mom Dear Editor, I wanted everyone to know how much my son Jerramy appreciated all the donations over the last two years and the support of his friends and community. Without you we could not have gone for experimental treatments in Seattle and Maryland. Wow! What a community! And now again friends took Jerramy in when was was ill. All his friends came relentlessly to see him at Hospice. This meant so much to Jerramy and his family. The care at Hospice was wonderful. I feel like they are a part of our family now. Friends and neighbors spent hours cleaning my mom's house, setting up chairs and tables and brought enough food to feed an army. To see the 200+ people at the funeral made my heart swell. I love you all. The donations I received will go for funeral expenses. The flowers you sent were beautiful. And Ruby Ransier - thank you for that personal touch with the little skateboarder arrangement. Many thanks also to Lone Rock School, Lutheran Church, Whitesitt Funeral Home, the Galilean Baptist Church and Joešs Frames. If I've missed thanking anyone, I'm sorry. You are all in my heart. Thank you so very, very much. Ella Buckallew, Jerramy's Mom Stevensville |
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Ghost stories from the Stevi Hotel Dear Editor, In December it will be four years that Yvette and I have been at the hotel. When we first started working on the building we had several people in town tell us that it was haunted. We always just kind of laughed it off. To tell you the truth, I don't think I believe in ghosts. But I have heard some pretty strange noises when I thought l was alone in the hotel. About two years ago in the summer of 2000 Yvette and I were sitting in the lobby when a lady and her husband walked into the hotel. They walked into the lobby and sat down on the couch. They asked us about a room for the night and said that they were from Idaho. After a few minutes of conversation the lady said, "Did you know that this place is haunted?" I told her that we had heard that from several people but had never seen anything to convince us. She then said that she could hear them talking. The ghosts, that is. I said if there were ghosts here they should like us because we've been fixing the place up . She then said, "Yes, but they say that you're not doing it right." She also said that they seem to be friendly ghosts and that there was nothing to worry about. We never did know what to think about that so as usual we laughed it off. The couple left the next day and nothing else was said. Another time a lady from out of town pulled into the Cenex parking lot here in town and asked a couple of kids if there was a hotel in town. They said, "Right down the street but you don't want to stay there, lady. It's haunted." On the internet it says that 42% of people believe in haunted houses. If there are any ghosts in the hotel, they seem to like the third floor. As recently as two weeks ago a renter on the third floor swore to me that he heard footsteps outside his door when he knew he was up there alone, and that this had happened several times. He was very serious. We also had a girl stay here this spring that swears that she's seen a ghost in the first floor bathroom. She seemed very scared as she told me this. Personally, I don't think there are haunted buildings, only haunted people, but I can't say for sure. Kirk Slack, Stevi Hotel Stevensville P.S. There is a light that likes to come on by itself. |
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Mayor's leadership qualities lacking over library Dear Editor, In response to the mayor of Stevensville: I guess somewhere along the line, someone encouraged him to read. Someone, thankfully, saw the purpose of a library as a tool to educate all of us. If Groninger needs reminding of the purpose of a library, maybe he should actually visit one and look up leadership. Or maybe go to a country that doesn't have one, and look at ignorance. "I personally have never been in the building" and "I think it's time to sever the ties and move on" what incredibly pompous statements he's made. Grow up, Mr. Mayor, you were elected to lead, not bully. No one elected you dictator. How about helping the town and the library become a point of pride? How about suggesting changes, how about a little participation? A town can't be represented simply by the houses it allows to be built, or by the taxes it doesn't want to collect. Sewers and water are good, but have a little vision, please. People will be buying those houses, and they'll be our new neighbors. Who will want to live in a town without a library? I fear for us all. When our government doesn't care about anything but saving money, we are all in trouble. Celia Grohmann Stevensville |
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