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--> --> Holt wants common sense resource policies By Ric Holt I was reading the commentary in the Daily Tidings recently entitled "Dirty air, it's everyone's problem." I got real excited when I saw the author of the commentary - Andy Kerr - starting out by saying he heard a wonderful person on Jefferson Public Radio eloquently talking about alternative transportation, clean burning fuels and water. Then I noted who the author was. I am certainly glad this kind gentleman had taken the opportunity to mention the above subject matter that I, too, for years have been pursuing a cleaner environment. I noted with great interest where the author accused the person he prefaced in his article of being against so many things, yet had the ability to see what was needed in a practical, common sense way, such as completion of Elk Creek Dam for our future water needs, the needs of our fish, agriculture, and even for the main purpose of the structure in the first place - flood control. Yes, I plead guilty and I also plead guilty to wanting to see common sense forest policies take place with a renewable resource such as timber, where we not only thin our forests from fire hazards, but create jobs for people and communities (above minimum wage). I'm surprised he forgot to mention my stand on allowing our county's cattlemen access to our forest to summer range their cattle to eat up that underbrush that fuels forest fires and keeps our beef free of diseases that we now see in Europe and now South America. However, there are a few glaring things that the writer, who has been one of the most tyrannical opposition leaders against san timber management and professes not wanting to cut one tree for the sake of disturbing our forests, is, I feel, a bit hypocritical. If I am not mistaken, this same person, who moved to our area recently, owned a beautiful log-built home in Wallowa County (Enterprise, Ore.). Please correct me if I'm wrong. Not knowing for sure, but suspect the author has held firm to his belief and purchased his new home in Jackson County, not made of wood (Heaven forbid), but of the new technology in straw or recycled plastic. This same person, who now says he is so adamant about our clean air and clean water and is worried about the ozone and all the other elements in our air, was not to be found when I hung myself out on a limb yelling about the dangerous effects of oxygenated gas and MTBE on our health and our water. Nor was he here or offered any help in bringing back commuter train service to the Rogue Valley to cut down on pollution. (Note when I asked for help from the environmental community, they told me "It's not our bag.") But I am, however, encouraged to see that he has taken air quality and water issues to heart finally with less emphasis on trees that for so many years we knew about. I am elated he has purchased a clean vehicle that runs on gas and electric power. If he hasn't investigated the market, Ford, Chevrolet and Chrysler, and all our manufacturers, now build clean burning natural gas vehicles to help clean up our environment. I am glad to see him finally waking up to our critical needs here in the Rogue Valley. It makes my heart shout with joy. I am saddened, though, that my Daddy didn't work harder as a young man, for I too, would be driving a newer, cleaner burning automobile. Unfortunately I, like the masses, have to save my money for the future when the prices come down a bit. Ah, shucks. Can't we all get along? Let's do lunch. Ric Holt is a Jackson County Commissioner. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing