Letters to the Editor, September 30

Misleading Advertising

Dear Editor,

A very misleading advertisement appeared in this newspaper recently. The ad featured a banner headline “Lumber Jobs or More Wilderness?” and listed State Rep. Pat Ingraham, State Senator Greg Hinkle, and others as sponsors. The ad includes a number of statements which are fundamentally untrue.

The ad announced what was described as a “Field Hearing” in Missoula, but which was more like an anti-wilderness rally. Organizers of the event lined up speakers to complain about a bill introduced into Congress by U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

The ad states that wilderness areas are “locked away from public use in any significant manner.” This statement is fundamentally untrue. In fact, wilderness areas are wide open to hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, horse use, berry picking, and a wide range of other traditional recreational uses. Are these uses insignificant?

The ad also states that Tester’s bill was formed “with no input from the public or from local government.” This statement is also fundamentally untrue. In fact the bill is based on years of a great many public meetings, as well as many presentations and discussions with local elected officials.

Perhaps the most unfortunate statement in the ad is the question in the headline, which clearly implies that we somehow have to choose between lumber jobs and wilderness. In fact, a great many people around the state have come to realize that timber production and recreation are two uses that complement each other very well, and that forest users are far better off working together than working to block each other’s goals. Most of our productive forest lands and most of our remaining wild country are not in the same places. Working together is an approach that creates far better land management decisions, and it is far better for our communities than endless conflict and opposition.

Tester’s bill is based on collaboration and agreements forged by a variety of forest users in three locations around the state. It emphasizes active forest management and job creation, as well as opportunities for both motorized and unmotorized recreation, and protection of some still wild country as wilderness.

Certainly the people who signed this unfortunate advertisement are entitled to their opinions. But when they seek to rally support for their position with misleading and untrue statements, it is time for them to answer some hard questions.

Doug Ferrell,

Trout Creek, Montana

A forgotten class

Dear Editor,

In 2007-2008 I taught an EMT class at the high school. Of the students who finished that class all have incorporated medicine in their career goals. Two of those students recently responded to an automobile accident outside of Plains. Last September I spoke with Mr. MacDonald and told him I would teach that class again for 2009-20l0 if he would get a sponsoring teacher for me and a classroom. In November of 2008 I went to Mr. MacDonald to see if he had a teacher yet so the three of us could meet and agree on how things would go. At that time I also requested he see if students could receive a science or health credit for the class.

Early in April I went to the school again to see if I had a teacher yet, a room and if credit had been arranged. At that time I again explained that I needed to meet with the teacher and I also made sure Mr. MacDonald knew that I needed a month to six weeks to register my class nationally so I needed to know the names of the students to do that. I also told him I was going to have to order textbooks so I needed to know how many to order and I needed plenty of time for that. In May I returned to the school to get those answers and was told that I would have them by the end of May. Well, it is the end of August and no one has ever called me.

I wanted any students who were hoping to take that class and their parents to know why that class is not going to be offered this year. That is the purpose of this letter. I am very sad about that because I believe it is a valuable life skill to have and will enrich anyone’s education. Any students who would like to have this class in the year 20l0-20ll I am willing to try once more, but you and your parents need to encourage the school to help so it can be done. If you want it sooner George Humiston and Desiree are excellent teachers and will offer the class evenings and weekends starting in February. Since this class was not an expense to the school I do not understand why they were not more cooperative. The ambulance service footed the bill last time and of course I am not paid.

Clarence Hatt,

Plains, Montana